Following on from the announcement of entries for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials 2024, we now know who will be heading to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian from 25th – 18th April.
47 combinations are currently on the Kentucky CCI5* entry list, with some, such as Ros Canter riding Izilot DHI, Oliver Townend riding Cooley Rosalent and Boyd Martin with both On Cue and Tsetserleg TSF also listed on the Badminton entries.
This would be Ros’ first ride at Kentucky if she does take this option, but Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend return following past successes here. Tom and JL Dublin, who were on top form in the CCI4*-S at Kronenberg last weekend, took second place at Kentucky last year while Oliver is a three-time winner and took third place at the other US-based CCI5* at Maryland riding Cooley Rosalent in 2023.
World Champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir are also past runners-up at Kentucky and will no doubt be aiming to go one better.
Australia and New Zealand have CCI5* entries in the mix with US-based Australian combinations Bec Braitling riding Caravaggio, who picked up experience on their European campaign last year, and Ema Klugman riding Bronte Beach both having their first go at a 5*.
New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, now based in the USA, will ride her World Championship team bronze winning horse Artist at their second US-based CCI5* after contesting Maryland last year, but this will be their first Kentucky. She is joined by another US-based Kiwi combination, Joe Meyer riding Harbin and Matthew Grayling riding Trudeau who flew in from New Zealand a few weeks’ ago.
Germany has four entries including Blenheim winner, Malin Hansen-Hotopp Carlitos Quidditch K while Susie Berry and Clever Trick are the only combination representing Ireland.
The USA is obviously the highest represented country with 30 entries but several of their top riders have opted to contest the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S instead in this Olympic year.
As Will Coleman told us at the Grand Prix Eventing earlier this month, he will be contesting the CCI4* with Chin Tonic HS, Off The Record and the horse that came from Australia, Diabolo.
Liz Hallliday and Boyd Martin both have three entered in this class as well as entries in the CCI5* and last year’s Kentucky Champion, Tamie Smith riding Mai Baum are also in the 4* while Tamie will ride Elliott V in the 5* this year.
