Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

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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.