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Townend and Cooley Rosalent Win, Nicholson and Vermiculus Are Top U.S. Pair at 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 28, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – The show jumping phase closed out the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE). Oliver Townend (GBR) secured his fourth K3DE win with Cooley Rosalent. As the top Americans in the CCI5*-L, Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus won the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian. In the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, Will Coleman and Diabolo moved up from second place to take the win. Defender Kentucky Three-Day...

McEwen and JL Dublin Remain in First, Farley and Phelps Are Top Americans After Cross-Country at 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 27, 2024, 7:30 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – The exciting cross-country phase took place on Saturday at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE). Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin stayed in the lead in the CCI5*-L after a solid round, while Mia Farley and Phelps moved into first in the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian. In the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, Liz Halliday and Miks Master C remained atop the leaderboard. Defender Kentucky...

McEwen and JL Dublin Lead Overall, Halliday and Nicholson Tied as Top Americans After Day Two at 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 26, 2024, 7:00 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – The dressage phase concluded Friday at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), and new combinations stepped into the lead. Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin led the CCI5*-L after an excellent test. Liz Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker and Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus were tied as the top American combinations in the CCI5*-L field, making them the co-leaders in the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS...

Ingham and Banzai du Loir Lead Overall, Hollberg and Capitol H I M Are Top Americans After Day One at 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 25, 2024, 6:00 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) started with brisk spring weather for the first day of dressage competition. Yasmin Ingham (GBR) and Banzai du Loir led the CCI5*-L after a stellar performance in the first phase. As the top American combination in the CCI5*-L field, Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M led Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian. In the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, Boyd...

Competition Begins at 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 24, 2024, 5:00 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) is set to begin following the completion of the first horse inspection. A field of 35 combinations from seven countries are competing for the title in the CCI5*-L. The world-class event also hosts the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™. The highest-placed U.S. combination in the CCI5*-L will win the national champion title and be presented...

Making of a Champion: Mai Baum

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | May 17, 2023, 4:21 PM EST

It takes years and a full team effort to develop a horse to the top level of equestrian sport— with riders, owners, grooms, coaches, and many more focusing on giving a horse the best chance at success. This process was true for Mai Baum, known as Lexus, on his road to winning the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L with Tamie Smith in the irons. Smith remembered seeing Lexus, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra...

Looking Back at the Top 10 Moments from the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

by Leslie Potter | May 10, 2023, 3:00 PM EST

Is it too early to be nostalgic for an event that just took place last month? Not if that event is the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE). The best weekend all year did not disappoint, whether you were there in person or following along on the livestream . We’ve compiled some of our favorite moments from LRK3DE, from the major competition stunners to the more low-key, behind-the-scenes happenings you may have missed. We’ll get to...

Mother-Daughter Duo Tamie Smith and Kaylawna Smith-Cook Help One Another Reach Pinnacle of Eventing

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | May 9, 2023, 4:30 PM EST

Tamie Smith (fourth from left) chats with daughter Kaylawna Smith-Cook after her LRK3DE CCI5*-L test ride with Passpartout (Kathleen Landwehr/US Equestrian) Tamie Smith is a name that is known in the eventing world, especially after her recent win with Mai Baum at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L. Following in her mother’s footsteps and making a name for herself is Kaylawna Smith-Cook. This talented mother-daughter duo is taking...

From LRK3DE Groom to Competitor: Meg Kepferle Makes Kentucky CCI4*-S Debut

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | May 2, 2023, 3:30 PM EST

Megan “Meg” Kepferle of Long Valley, N.J., was a longtime groom for Sinead Maynard (née Halpin) before starting her own business and pursuing her own riding goals. Kepferle groomed multiple times for Maynard at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, and she made her riding debut at the 2023 event in the CCI4*-S with Anakin, Rogue Won Syndicate LLC’s 2009 Thoroughbred gelding. When asked about her favorite memory grooming at the...

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum Clinch Historic Win at 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian™

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 30, 2023, 8:56 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum led heading into the final day of competition at the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian™. With the pressure on, the pair maintained their composure and jumped a clear round to earn the win in impressive fashion. Smith and Mai Baum ended a 15-year drought by being the first U.S. combination to win at Kentucky since 2008. In addition to the overall title, the duo won the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing...