The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ drawn order for the CCI5* and CCI4*-S have been revealed with the busiest riders Boyd Martin, Harry Meade and Caroline Pamukcu topping and tailing the CCI5* draw.
Riding three horses apiece, although this may change as both Boyd and Harry have horses double entered for Badminton Horse Trials, Boyd is currently the trailblazer on board Miks Master C while Caroline riding HSH Blake will complete the class of 35 entries.
Last weekend Boyd took a tumble in the CCI3* at Stable View International, which resulted in his withdrawal from the 4* there.
Luckily, the injuries didn’t turn out to be too bad and he has confirmed on social media that, although he went home with a ‘few bumps and bruises and my head drooped down’, he is now back in the saddle and “This morning, I dusted myself off and schooled the 5-star horses in Bali, Conner and Mikki at Windurra USA as we prepare for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and Badminton Horse Trials in a few weeks’ time”
The Kentucky field has thinned by one however with Maryland CCI5* winners Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue not making the trip. Colorado Blue has also been withdrawn from Badminton Horse Trials, joining another Irish combination to have withdrawn from Badminton in Ian Cassells and Master Point.
Tim Price and Buck Davdison, both with two horses at Kentucky, will be fourth and fifth out with Tim’s Global Quest his first ride and Vitali fourth last to go. They are both on great form, having taken first and second places in the Advanced at Thoresby Park last week. Monica Spencer is the only other New Zealand rider in the Kentucky 5* and will go at Number 22 in the draw.
Australian visiting rider Sophia Hill and Humble Glory will go quite early in the field at number seven, Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight (who is down as USA but we’re pretty sure he hasn’t changed nationalities!) are at number 10 and Ema Klugman riding Chiraz is later in the field at number 30. You can view the full CCI5* drawn order here
Ema is also competing with two horses in the CCI4*-S which will see Tamie Smith as its first rider out. View the full CCI4*-S drawn order here
