2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ Set to Return, April 23-26

February 19, 2026

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

Set to Return, April 23-26

Lexington, KY – February 19, 2026

The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ is set to return to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26. The Event is 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. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.

 

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities.

In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin®Lexington CCI4*-S, which offers $50,000 in prize money. The Cosequin®Lexington 4* will be a designated qualifying event for the annual U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Final, which will take place at the Morven Park CCI4*-L in October. Comprising 20 qualifying CCI4*-S events, the U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series offers a $200,000 prize pot during the Final, along with Series awards worth $50,000 for athletes who accumulate the most points throughout the year.

 

Additionally, K3DE will host the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Saturday, April 25. The Kentucky International features many of the world’s best jumping horses and riders and includes a $62,500 1.55m Qualifier competition on Thursday, followed by the $62,500 1.50m Individual Speed and $200,000 1.50m Major League Show Jumping Team competitions on Friday. Saturday will feature a $32,000 1.45m Power & Speed class before the pinnacle of the competition, the $340,000 Kentucky International 1.60m Grand Prix, in the evening following the conclusion of the CCI cross-country competition. 

K3DE also features many of the world’s best show jumping athletes during the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute © Winslow Photography LLC





Single- and multi-day tickets are still available with various options to enhance the K3DE experience. Reserved seats in Rolex Stadium provide the best views of dressage and show jumping, while reserved tailgating spots make the most of Saturday’s cross-country phase. 

 

All-inclusive hospitality packages are also available to deliver an unforgettable, first-class experience. Enjoy the competition from elegantly appointed tents with prime views, watch every detail on closed-circuit monitors, and toast the day with premium beverages with three exclusive hospitality offerings, or secure a spot in the Members Pavilion, a brand-new premium experience. 

 

Further information and details on all ticket options on the K3DE, Cosequin®Lexington 4* and Kentucky International can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/.


About Equestrian Events, Inc.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, which upgraded to the Kentucky International CSI5* for 2025, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI is also hosting the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2026-2028. EEI supports several local and equine charities and, over the last 20 years, has donated more than $1.1 million to various charities. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.

Coleman brings the win back to the USA at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian

April 28, 2026
Lexington, Ky., April 26, 2026 Despite it being an American event, American champions have been hard to come by over the last 18 years in the CCI5*-L at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), with only Tamie Smith’s 2023 win standing out in a sea of foreign victories. But Will Coleman has entered his name into the record books as just the second American in nearly two decades to take home the top prize. He and Diabolo added just 0.8 time penalties in the final phase to finish on a score of 28.1 and take home the trophy. Double-clear show jumping rounds propelled Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake (28.6) and Great Britain’s David Doel on Galileo Neiuwmoed (30.8) to 2 nd and 3 rd respectively. Overnight leader, New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist, dropped three rails to fall to 7 th . “I probably can’t put it into words,” he said of his victory abord the Diabolo Group’s Holsteiner gelding. “It’s a surreal feeling; it’s something we all dream about. Winning (a five-star) is the hardest thing to do in equestrian sports, and I feel like (all the riders) deserve the win. It’s such a hard game, it takes so long to get good enough at it to contend at this level. “I have so much respect for the sport, and the horses and riders, so it feels like it’s unfair that I’m the only one that gets to take home the win,” he continued. “But I’m overjoyed for the horse and all who are involved in his journey — the owners, my family, my coaches, and our staff at home. I wake up most days feeling like the luckiest guy in the world and today I feel extremely lucky.” As the highest-placed American, Coleman is also the winner of the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. riders.

Farrington flies to victory in the Kentucky International CSI5* $340,000 1.60m Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Eques

April 28, 2026
Lexington, Ky., April 25, 2026  Fresh off his win in the show jumping World Cup Final, world #2 Kent Farrington continued his winning ways by streaking home fastest in the jump-off with Descartes SR at the Kentucky International CSI5* $340,000 1.60m Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), the penultimate stop on the Major League Show Jumping tour. Mclain Ward and High Star Hero put in a strong performance to stop the clock in 40.42 but couldn’t quite catch Farrington’s time of 39.92. Shane Sweetnam of Ireland and James Kann Cruz chased them both, but his time of 40.71 was only good enough for third. “I’m really excited about this horse,” Farrington said. “He’s just 9 and this is his first five-star, and we started it the right way. He has an incredible stride like a racehorse and I know he can eat up the ground.”
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