Lexington, Ky. – The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Occasion introduced by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) is about to start following the completion of the primary horse inspection. A subject of 35 combos from seven nations are competing for the title within the CCI5*-L. The world-class occasion additionally hosts the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing Nationwide Championship introduced by MARS Equestrian™. The very best-placed U.S. mixture within the CCI5*-L will win the nationwide champion title and be introduced with the Roger Haller Trophy. As well as, the K3DE has a CCI4*-S division operating concurrently with the CCI5*-L.
(Avery Wallace/US Equestrian)
Two previous CCI5*-L nationwide champion combos return for the 2024 version of the occasion. Two-time nationwide champion Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) brings On Cue, 2006 Selle Français (Cabri d’Elle x On Excessive) mare owned by Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner. The pair received the nationwide champion title in 2021, and they’re again for an additional likelihood to complete atop the leaderboard. Doug Payne (Rougemont, N.C.) and Quantum Leap, a 2011 RPSI (Fairly Capitol x Report back to Sloopy) gelding owned by Doug and Jessica Payne, have been the 2022 nationwide champions. Along with Quantum Leap, Payne rides Camarillo, a 2014 Deutsches Sportpferd (Chicardo x Rehobeth) gelding owned by Doug Payne and Patrice Jennings-Rado, within the horse’s debut on the CCI5*-L stage.
5-time nationwide champion Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) additionally brings two mounts: Azure, a 2012 Irish Sport Horse (Omar x Cavalier Reselier) mare owned by Caroline Moran, Anne Moran, and Michael Moran; and Quasi Cool, a 2011 Holsteiner (Quo Vados I x B-Estelle) gelding owned by Caroline Moran. Two-time nationwide champion Lauren Nicholson, (The Plains, Va.) rides longtime associate Vermiculus, a 2007 Anglo-Arabian (Sazeram x Wake Me Gently) gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars, of their sixth K3DE. Three-time nationwide champion Buck Davidson (Unionville, Pa.) rides Sorocaima, his personal 2011 Thoroughbred gelding, to spherical out the sector of previous nationwide champion athletes.
Competitors Data
The K3DE begins Thursday with the primary day of dressage. The CCI4*-S dressage section begins at 7:45 a.m. ET, whereas the CCI5*-L begins at 12:45 p.m. ET. The second day of dressage takes place on Friday, and combos contest Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course on Saturday. The competitors ends on Sunday with Steve Stephens’s leaping course deciding the winners of the K3DE and the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing Nationwide Championship introduced by MARS Equestrian.
Occasion web site | Schedule | Outcomes
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