Athlete Spotlight: Oliver Townend

November 14, 2024

In 2024, Oliver Townend and his talented Irish Sport Horse, Cooley Rosalent, clinched the title at the prestigious Kentucky Three-Day Event. This victory marked Townend’s fourth Kentucky win and the first with Cooley Rosalent, an impressive 10-year-old with a feisty spirit and love for competition. Townend, a veteran British equestrian from Shropshire, celebrated this victory with pride, especially as it brought his total 5* starts to an impressive 100—a milestone few achieve.

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The pair tied for 8th in dressage and truly shined during cross-country, delivering a clean, confident round. Their flawless show jumping secured the top spot, missing an FOD (Finish on Dressage) score by only a minor cross-country time penalty. Reflecting on the win, Townend shared his excitement, stating:


"Not even 10 years old and already a 5* winner… What a horse! So proud of her and happy for her owners Paul and Diana Ridgeon, who’ve been fantastic supporters of our sport for so very long and dearly deserved this win. Huge thanks to our sponsors, our team, and everyone supporting us—it truly takes a village!"

Cooley Rosalent’s strong Kentucky finish has only boosted her confidence, and fans are excited to see her back in action at future events, with Townend noting that she may be one of the best horses he’s ever ridden. As the countdown to next year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event begins, we’re keeping an eye on this extraordinary duo, hoping to see them return to Lexington for more unforgettable performances.

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A man is riding a horse over a wooden block in the water.

Athlete Spotlight: Boyd Martin

February 17, 2025
Boyd Martin is known around the world as one of eventing’s most accomplished riders. A fierce competitor with an impressive career spanning decades, Martin has made his mark on the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event with unforgettable performances and podium finishes. A four-time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) and a key member of multiple U.S. Eventing Teams, Martin has helped secure major victories on the world stage. In 2019, he led Team USA to gold at the Pan American Games. At the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Martin has delivered thrilling performances year after year, earning top finishes in the CCI5*-L and the CCI4*-S. In 2024, he clinched second place at the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. His past success at the event also includes a second-place finish in 2019 with Tsetserleg, further solidifying his reputation as a K3DE powerhouse.  With an unmatched work ethic and an incredible string of horses, Boyd Martin remains one of the most exciting riders to watch. Stay tuned to see if Boyd and his team will make an appearance at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event! Don’t miss your chance to see history in the making. Buy your tickets today!

Athlete Spotlight: Will Coleman

February 6, 2025
Few names shine as brightly as Will Coleman when it comes to the elite of eventing. With a career filled with record-breaking moments and unforgettable performances, he has become a force to be reckoned with—and his appearances at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event never disappoint. In 2024, Coleman entered the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4-S* with two powerhouse horses: Off the Record and Diabolo. Having already made history in 2021 as the first American to win the CCIO4-S at CHIO Aachen*, Coleman and Off the Record were expected to put in a strong performance—especially after earning silver as part of the U.S. team at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship. But at the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4-S*, it was Diabolo who stole the show. Coleman and Diabolo secured a victory then claimed another major win at the Brooke USA CCI4-S*. Meanwhile, Off the Record continued to impress, finishing strong in 3rd place at the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S. Now, all eyes are on Will Coleman as we wait to see if he’ll return to 2025 K3DE. Will he be back at the Kentucky Horse Park this April? If so, which of his incredible horses will he bring to the competition? Secure your tickets to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event today!
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