WELCOME TO THE

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

APRIL 24-27, 2025

About

The Best Weekend All Year

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world’s premier equestrian 5* events showcasing the world’s highest level of equestrian eventing. Held the last weekend in April in Lexington, Kentucky, this internationally renowned event draws the best horse and rider combinations worldwide. The weekend attracts people from around the globe to witness leading riders compete in addition to shopping, attractions, and sponsor experiences you can only find here. The Cosequin® Lexington CCI4* and The Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are hosted over the same weekend for even more opportunities to see exceptional equestrian competitions.

2025 Event Dates are April 24 - 27, 2025.

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new for 2025

Defender to Showcase The Vehicles of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Located in the K3DE Sponsor Village the Vehicles of HM Queen Elizabeth II will be available for viewing to all ticket purchasers and will feature vehicles used by the Royal Family either in an official capacity or as part of the household fleet. Five historic models will be on display at the event, including two of the earliest Royal vehicles.

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The Disciplines

An Equestrian Triathlon

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. It combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases, and the winner of the three-day event is the pair with the lowest combined score.

The Competition is Heating Up

See the Current Standings & Latest Results

Results of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, and The Kentucky International CSI5* will be posted as soon as possible concluding each event.

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download the cross-country app

Explore the Cross-Country Courses

If Cross-Country day is your favorite, you need the Cross Country App! From the app you can explore the 2024 Cross-Country course with photos and video guides. Plus, spectators can find their location on the interactive course and turn on the Venue Guide to see food, arenas, big screens, restrooms and more.

Download the App View the Courses

Premium Experiences

Clubs & Hospitality

Reserve your spot in one of our four private clubs with spectacular views, food and beverage service, and other benefits that can make your experience more relaxed, comfortable, and memorable. 

Explore Hospitality

Stay Connected

Stay connected to what’s happening at the Kentucky Three-Day Event by following us on social media. If you would like more information or to be added to our email list, click here.

The Latest

News & Updates

March 31, 2025
A field of top veteran riders is entered in this year’s Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier, at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27. Heading the list of entries are defending champion and U.S. Olympic veteran Will Coleman, 2024 U.S. Olympian Caroline Pamukcu, 2023 Kentucky 5* champion Tamie Smith, and seven-time Olympic veteran Phillip Dutton, whose daughter Olivia is also entered. Coleman placed first and third in last year’s event, Smith placed second in both 2021 and 2023, and Dutton placed second in 2022. Other U.S. veterans who are entered include Jennie Brannigan, Jan Byyny, Buck Davidson, Ali Knowles, Allison Springer, Lynn Symansky, Alyssa Phillips, who won the inaugural Cosequin ® Lexington 4*-S in 2021, and James Alliston, who placed third in 2022. Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington 4* and the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Introduced in 2021, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S is a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier. The inaugural US Equestrian Open Eventing Series consists of 20 qualifying events around the country leading into the Series Final, to be hosted as a CCI4*-L at the Morven Park International in Leesburg, VA, October 9-12. The Series awards $50,000 in prize money to the three highest-placed combinations following the conclusion of the qualifying period, as well as $200,000 in prize money at the Final in October. The Series was created to further invest in future eventing athletes and showcase the sport to a broader audience. Additional information is available at https://www.usequestrianopen.org/categories/eventing. “The Cosequin® Lexington 4* couples with our traditional CCI5* competition to give eventing fans a full day of world-class competition,” said Molly Day, EEI Executive Director. “As part of the new US Equestrian Open Eventing Series, the Cosequin® Lexington 4* has more meaning than ever before, assuring us an even more thrilling competition.” The full list of Cosequin® Lexington 4* entries can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/4-entries-and-ride-times. The list of CCI5*-L entries can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/5-entries-and-ride-times. Tickets for viewing the Cosequin® Lexington 4* are included when purchasing K3DE tickets and can be purchased at kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets.
March 28, 2025
Learn about this year's favorites, top horses, the strength of the field, and more.
March 27, 2025
Entries Feature Six of the World’s Top 12 Eventing Riders, Athletes from Seven Countries Six of the world’s top 12 eventing riders, including World #1 Tom McEwen (GBR) and World #2 Tim Price (NZL), head an impressive list of entries for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ . The event will feature 11 Olympians and athletes from seven countries when it returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27. Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin ® Lexington CCI4*-S and the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
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