2025 Media Credentials Application

In order to complete the full Media Credential Application, you must sign the below document. Note: a separate Media Credential Application must be completed for each person.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™
April 24-27, 2025

The Competition

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) will be held April 24-27, 2025, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The event draws nearly 90,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide digital streaming and telecasts including a telecast shown on ESPN in the United States.

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what is best described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse-and-rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. Two distinct Eventing competitions are held, the traditional CCI5*-L and the Cosequin® Lexington 4* with $50,000 prize money.

The Five Star riders compete for their share of $400,000 in prize money. The K3DE is the longest-running Five Star event in the Americas and, as the United States’ premier event, also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™ for U.S. athletes.

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event also hosts the $400,000 Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Saturday, April 26. The International includes a Special Two-Phase ($35,000) competition on Wednesday, followed by the Thursday 1.50m Welcome Jump-Off ($75,000). Friday evening will host the 1.45 Speed Cup ($40,000) and the pinnacle of the competition, the Kentucky International CSI5* ($400,000), is on Saturday evening, April 26, following the conclusion of the CCI Cross-Country competition.

Eligibility for Media Credentials

In order to be eligible to receive Media Credentials, you MUST:

1. Be an adult of legal age and a reporter, editor or photographer associated with or on assignment for a recognized publication, news service, newspaper, website or radio or television station;

2. Submit a signed letter of assignment, on the assigning company’s letterhead, with the official media credentials application.

To ensure that those receiving media credentials are bona fide members of the media, and to maintain eligibility for the following year, you MUST provide this letter of assignment. Editors assigning more than one photographer are asked to designate ONE primary photographer.

NOTE: Photographers wishing to shoot from within the arena will be expected to adhere to a strictly enforced dress code.

PLEASE NOTE

Video: Media credentials to cover the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event will be granted on the condition that you agree not to shoot any video of the competition unless you receive written permission. Should you wish to shoot video of the competition, whether using professional equipment or your cell phone, please send your request to Marty@Classic-Communications.com. Please be advised that posting of competition video on any website or social media platform without written consent will be cause for revoking your credential and possible legal action.

Still Photography: Any commercial use of photography, or advertisement thereof, taken of competition without prior written consent from event management is expressly forbidden. Providing complimentary photos to exhibitors is also prohibited. Violation of these rules will be grounds for immediate removal from the premises and possible legal action.