Equestrian Events, Inc. Seeks New Director of Business Development & Sponsorship Sales

April 10, 2024

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of events at the highest level, is seeking a new Director of Business Development & Sponsorship Sales.


EEI is best known for producing the annual Kentucky Three-Day Event, the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world as well as the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix CSI4* on the same weekend. In addition, EEI will host the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2024, and 2026-2028. EEI oversees all budgeting, competition, sponsorship sales, vendor fairs, ticket sales, hospitality, security, branding, merchandise, marketing and more for these events.


Committed to being a pillar of the equestrian community, both in Kentucky and throughout the world, EEI works in collaboration with other events and organizations throughout the year to promote and elevate  equestrian sports throughout the U.S. and internationally.


The Director of Business Development & Sponsorship Sales holds a pivotal role within the EEI organization, spearheading revenue generation efforts through sponsorship sales exceeding $2.5 million, along with securing in-kind sponsorships totaling over $500,000 for esteemed equestrian events including the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Lexington 4*, the Kentucky Invitational CSI4*, and other competitions hosted by EEI. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position entails managerial oversight of the Sponsorship Manager and the Trade Fair Manager/Office Manager.


Applications will be accepted until May 15. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience and qualifications to hiring@eq-events.com or go to https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/careers. Please note that while EEI welcomes all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For specifics and more detailed information on the position and to apply online, please visit https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/careers.


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, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. 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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