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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Portraits of people from around the globe
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Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Sands of Time

Stark beauty of desolate dunes
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Inside Kentucky: The Kentucky Review Show

April 29, 2025
The first five-star of the year is done and dusted — and Michael Jung has officially made history. In this episode, Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop to break down all the big stories from the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Mickey’s record fifth Kentucky title, Boyd Martin’s epic weekend with three in the top seven, Harry Meade’s masterclass across the country, and a few warm and fuzzy moments that reminded us why we love this sport. From dressage dominance to that one early rail that gave us 15 seconds of jeopardy, they cover it all — plus, they take a look at the shifting US eventing landscape, future stars to watch, and why Kentucky just hits differently. Whether you were there soaking it in or following from home, this is your full wrap-up of an unforgettable weekend. Highlights : Michael Jung's historic fifth Kentucky win with fischerChipmunk FRH Boyd Martin's standout performance with three horses inside the top seven Harry Meade’s cross-country masterclass and a big weekend for Et Hop du Matz and Graffenacht Big moments for the US eventing team — and where the strength lies heading into a massive year Future stars to watch (including a few who might just steal the show in 2026 and beyond) Guests : Nicole Brown — Our host for the show, keeping the conversation moving with expert insights and all the key moments you need to know. Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings co-founder, bringing sharp analysis, big-picture context, and a look at what it all means for the world rankings. Annie Bishop — US eventing insider and producer, offering standout stories, and plenty of inside scoop from the heart of the action. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Catch up on all of our Inside Kentucky episodes wherever you get your podcasts.

Jung takes his fifth title at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

April 27, 2025
Lexington, Ky., April 27, 2025 — Germany’s Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH cantered into Sunday’s show jumping test at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) with 11.8 faults in hand over their fellow competitors. Though they dropped one rail on course, they still had enough cushion to finish comfortably in first and secure Jung’s fifth Kentucky victory with a score of 25.0. World #10 Boyd Martin (USA) chased Jung the whole way, finishing his stellar weekend in second place with Commando 3 (32.8), sixth with Fedarman B (40.6), and seventh with Luke 140 (44.7). World #4 Harry Meade (GBR) finished third and fourth with Et Hop Du Matz (34.2) and Grafennacht (39.6), respectively. Et Hop Du Matz was the only horse to complete the weekend on his dressage score. 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.
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