Lifestyle Defender Kentucky Three Day Event Recap May 1, 2026 Each year, the last weekend in April is dedicated to sport horses here in Lexington, Kentucky. The Defender Kentucky Three Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park and brings together some of the world’s most talented horse and rider pairs to tackle three phases – dressage, cross country and stadium jumping – over the course of three days. The combination with the lowest number of penalties after all three disciplines is crowned the winner. The event has grown into a celebration of equestrianism at the top level, with four competitions hosted during the weekend. The Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L is one of just six 5* events in the entire world. The 5* level is the ultimate stage for eventing competitors, with many of these combinations either Olympic and World Championship veterans or hopefuls. Along with the headlining event, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Three Day Event and Kentucky Invitational CSI3* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute drew top horse and rider pairs. The Land Rover Kentucky CCI5* kicked off on Thursday, April 27 with the dressage phase, which is split over two days due to the volume of riders. Dressage is a test of harmony during which horse and rider complete a prescribed set of movements that emphasize grace and connection. New Zealand rider Monica Spencer, aboard Artist, a New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred, put on a show with a 22.3 dressage score. Her fellow Kiwi, Tim Price, finished the dressage phase in second place with a 22.6, and British rider Tom McEwan rounded out the top three after dressage with a 25.1. New Zealand’s Monica Spencer set the pace with a stellar dressage test on Friday, April 24th. Alexander Conrad and his off-the-track Thoroughbred Malibu Preacher completing their dressage test. Cross country is arguably the most thrilling phase of eventing, and the day drew thousands of fans to the Kentucky Horse Park to watch horse and rider combinations tackle a four mile course of obstacles including jumps, ditches and water features as close to the optimum time as possible. A double clear round (no jumping or time penalties) by Artist and Monica Spencer kept them in the lead, with American rider Will Coleman and Diabolo closing in on second place with their own double clear round. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake picked up just two time penalties out on the cross country course, bringing them up to third place. American Will Coleman and Diabolo completed a double clear round to finish cross country in second place. Fan favorites Emily Hamel and Corvett in front of a huge crowd on cross country day. It all comes down to a final test of stadium jumping in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. The stadium jumping test calls upon both the harmony demonstrated in dressage and the scope shown during cross country to jump a course of obstacles that will easily fall, compared to solid cross country fences. Riders go in reverse order of placing, with the top riders competing at the end of the afternoon. Will Coleman and Diabolo gained just .8 time faults, but left all of the rails up, to secure their second place finish. Monica Spencer and Artist, the last to go, had an unfortunate three rails, dropping them in the placings to 7th, and vaulting Colemand and Diabolo to the top of the standings with a score of 28.1. Will Coleman and Diabolo during the stadium jumping phase of the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake finished third in the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event. With this victory in the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L, Will Coleman and Diabolo became the only horse and rider pair in the history of the event to win both the 5* and Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, which the pair won in 2024. These two events are at the top level of equestrian eventing, making this an incredibly special achievement for Coleman and his entire team. Fellow American Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake finished in second on a score of 28.6. David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed of Great Britain rounded out the podium with a 30.8, finishing on their initial dressage score after no time and jumping penalities the entire weekend. As the highest placed American rider, Coleman also took home the USEF CCI5*-L National Eventing Championship. Prize money of $400,000 was distributed among the top placings, along with awards recognizing the leading young rider, winning owner, winning breeder, grooms of the top placing horses and more. Will Coleman shares a special moment with Diabolo after their first win at the 5* level of eventing. Coleman and Diabolo lead the victory gallop after winning the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event. The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S took place throughout the weekend as well, following the same format as the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L, with dressage, cross country and stadium jumping across three days of competition. American rider Tamie Smith became the first rider to win both the 5*-L and 4*-S (on different horses) with a victory in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S aboard Lillet 3. Smith won the Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-L aboard Mai Baum in 2024. Will Coleman placed second in the 4*-S aboard Very Dignified, with Mia Farley and Invictus rounding out the top three. All but one of the top ten competitors were representing the United States of America. Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 on their way to victory in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. Will Coleman and Very Dignified competing in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S cross country phase. Along with elite competitions, the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event is known for shopping, educational demonstrations and more. The Secretariat Center hosted a demonstration about what to look for when purchasing an OTTB with champion jockey Rosie Napravnik, and New Vocations and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute welcomed guests to their booths to learn more about their respective organizations. Mark your calendars for the 2027 Best Weekend All Year, April 22-27! Tickets are now available, learn more and secure your spot at this thrilling event on the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event website.
