World Number1 Harry Meade (GBR) and Number 2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ (K3DE).
Harry Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Boyd, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 36 total athletes from five nations vying for top honours at the Kentucky Horse Park from April 23-26.
Harry also has five horses entered at Badminton Horse Trials (7th - 10th May) so it remains to be seen which ones will make the journey here but, as Et Hop Du Matz was the only horse to finish on his dressage score here last year, he seems a very likely fit for this course.
Whichever horses he chooses, Harry will still have his work cut out as they compete against the likes of World #2 Boyd Martin (USA), World #4 Tim Price (NZL), World #6 Tom McEwen (GBR), World #11 Tom Jackson (GBR), World #15 Austin O’Connor (IRL) and World #20 Will Coleman (USA).
Home field is a strong one
20 of the 37 entries in the CCI5* are from the USA including the winner of the 2025 USEF National 5* Champion here last year, Boyd Martin who has three entries in Miks Master C (also double entered at Badminton), Cooley Nutcracker and Commando 3.
Currently the leading American rider, Boyd has extensive championship experience under his belt, having competed in four Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. He helped the U.S. earn team Silver at the 2022 World Championships and is a three-time Pan American Games Gold medallist. In Kentucky, he placed second in 2019 and 2025 and fourth in 2021. He also placed second in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024.
Will Coleman, Boyd’s 2022 World Championship teammate, has also competed in the Olympic Games (2012), World Equestrian Games (2018), and podiumed on multiple occasions at the K3DE. He won the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024 and 2025 and took third place in 2024.
Additionally, World # 36 Caroline Pamukcu (USA), Martin’s 2024 Olympic teammate, will be looking for her first podium at the K3DE. Her résumé includes individual Gold and team Silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. Other familiar faces from the U.S. include Jennie Brannigan and Buck Davidson, who placed third in Kentucky in 2014 and was the Highest-Placed Sole Owner/Rider in 2023 and 2024.
Emily Hamel and the very popular 18-year-old Corvett (Barry) may not be coming to Adelaide but they are having another 5* run here.
International entries
Leading the international contingent alongside Harry Meade are Tim Price, Austin O’Connor, and Harry’s fellow Brits, Tom McEwen riding Brookfield Quality, David Doel riding Galileo Nieuwmoed and Tom Jackson riding Plot Twist B.
Alongside his double-bronze appearance at the 2022 World Championships, Tim has competed in three Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games, and multiple K3DE – earning second place in Kentucky in 2015 and 2021 and third in 2019. Four-time Olympian Austin O’Connor is entered in the 2026 K3DE with his 2022 World Championship mount, Colorado Blue. Tim’s Vitali and Colorado Blue are ranked among the world’s top 10 eventing horses.
Tim is also bringing Global Quest while US-based New Zealander Monica Spencer will be riding Artist. Sophia Hill will be jetting back in from Australia to ride her currently US-based horse Humble Glory, after competing in the 4* at Adelaide Equestrian Festival on board Tulara Baltango. Sophia is joined by two US-based Australian combinations in Ema Klugman with 5* first-timer Chiraz and Ryan Woods riding Cooley Flight
The Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S also sees international entries with three young British riders making their way from the UK and getting some US experience under their belt. Elizabeth Barrett will be competing Ride for Thais Chaman Dumontceau and Georgina-W, Isabelle Cook is entered with Cymoon “F” Z and Finn Healy will be riding Greannanstown Monbeg Joe.
Ema Klugman will also be contesting the CCI4* class for Australia with Bronte Beach and RF Redfern.
View the full Kentucky CCI5* entry list here
View the full Kentucky CCI4* entry list here
