The first horse inspection at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) was drama-free, with all 29 horses presented to the ground jury passing at first presentation and moving forward to the first phase of competition, the dressage. Under blue skies and with the occasional gust of wind, competitors in the CCI5*L put their best — and most fashionable — foot forward as they demonstrated their horses’ fitness to begin the event.
No horses were held for re-inspection.
Both Australian horses contesting the CCI5*L — Sophia Hill’s Humble Glory and Ema Klugman’s Chiraz — are ready to go. Sophia Hill and Humble Glory will be in action on the opening day of dressage on Thursday, while Ema Klugman and Chiraz will take to the arena on Friday.
Sophia Hill has recently returned to the United States from Australia following a successful competition at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, where she rode Tulara Baltango to second place in the CCI4*S, as well as helping to lead Australia to an Oceania Championship team victory.
Four of the world’s top six riders are competing for the top prize this weekend. This elite line-up includes World Number One Harry Meade (Great Britain), who will compete with Superstition and Grafennacht; World Number Two Boyd Martin (USA), who brings two mounts, Cooley Nutcracker and Commando 3; World Number Four Tim Price (New Zealand), also competing with two horses, Global Quest and Vitali; and World Number Six Tom McEwen (Great Britain) with Brookfield Quality.
Aussies to also contest CCI4*S and CSI5*
In addition to the CCI5*L, K3DE also features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifying event, along with the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Ema Klugman will also line up in the CCI4*S aboard RF Redfern, while Olympian Thaisa Erwin is entered in the CSI5* with Hialita B and Koberlina TN. The CSI5* trot-up is on Thursday.
Australian start times
Dressage kicks off Thursday morning with the CCI4*S in the morning, followed by the CCI5*L in the afternoon.
CCI5*L dressage (day one) — Thursday 23 April, 1.30pm local time (3.30am Friday AEST)
Sophia Hill and Humble Glory: 2.02pm local time (4.02am Friday AEST)
CCI5*L dressage (day two) — Friday 24 April, 1pm local time (3am Saturday AEST)
Ema Klugman and Chiraz: 2.46pm local time (4.46am Saturday AEST)
CCI4*S dressage (day two) — Friday 24 April, 8am local time (10pm Friday AEST)
Ema Klugman and RF Redfern: 8.58am local time (10.58pm Friday AEST)
View the full CCI4*S start list here.
You can watch every moment of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian live for free on the USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.
