Forty-one Horses Moving Forward to Dressage, One Horse Not Accepted, Special Awards Given, at 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN

April 25, 2019

Forty-one Horses Moving Forward to Dressage, One Horse Not Accepted, Special Awards Given, at 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN


Lexington, Ky., April 25, 2019 – The first horse inspection can always be a nerve-wracking experience, but on Wednesday, April 24, it proved especially anxiety-ridden for three riders.


The first horse inspection is a chance for the ground jury of Christina Klingspor (SWE), Martin Plewa (GER), Mark Weissbecker (USA) and veterinary delegate Karen Nyrop (USA) to see the horses and determine if they appear fit and sound to start in the competition.


Ashley Johnson’s Tactical Maneuver, Hallie Coon’s Celien, and Erin Sylvester’s Paddy The Caddy were all held at the first inspection, with Tactical Maneuver sadly not being accepted upon re-inspection. Celien and Paddy the Caddy were both accepted upon re-inspection.


Jessica Phoenix’s Bogue Sound was asked to re-jog immediately, but was passed.


The remaining 41 horses start the dressage this morning, the first of three phases for these brave horse-and-rider pairs. Dressage runs Thursday and Friday, with the exciting cross-country on Saturday, and the event culminating in a nail biting finish in the show jumping on Sunday.


The first horse inspection is a chance for the riders to “strut their stuff” along with their horses, and the best dressed man and woman from Wednesday’s inspection were awarded a pair of Dubarry boots at the evening’s welcome party held at the famed Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion.


This year’s best dressed man was Felix Vogg of Switzerland and the best dressed woman was Lillian Heard of the United States.


Joe Meyer of New Zealand won the drawing for $1,000 from Equestrian Event, Inc. He will be competing this weekend on Johnny Royale.


An event like this does not run without the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and staff, and this year several special awards were given to recognize those contributions.


The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Debbie Hinkle, who has years of dedicated service to the competition.

The Christopher J. Mobley Contributor of the Year award was given for the first time this year, and it recognized the contributions of a vendor or staff member. This year that person was long-time course builder Mick Costello.


Finally, the William Howard “Buddy” Wade Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Katie Lindsay. Lindsay was unable to be here in person to accept her award, and her prize was picked up by Cyndi Kurth, Sheila Strickler and Becky Bowen.


About the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN
Now in its 41st year, the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (LRK3DE) is a thrilling competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses from across the nation and around the world in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Riders vie for their share of $400,000 in prize money, as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the LRK3DE, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton, and Land Rover Burghley Five Star Events in succession. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN.


Also featured as a part of the competition is the Dubarry of Ireland Nations Cup Team Challenge, with each team vying for $20,000 in prize money. Four teams will line up for their share of the winnings.


LRK3DE also hosts the second annual $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Saturday afternoon, April 27, after the cross-country portion of the LRK3DE. Stadium seating tickets for the Grand Prix are only $5 each – with $1 going to Land Rover Kentucky’s 2019 Official Charity, Bluegrass Land Conservancy. As part of the competition there is also a $36,000 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in the Rolex Stadium, after the day’s LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday’s Ranking Class.


All grounds admission tickets to the LRK3DE include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include seats for the competition in Rolex Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Reserved stadium seating is sold separately from grounds admission.


The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, May 5, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT. It will also be broadcast on NBC Sports Network on June 23, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT. USEFNetwork.com will livestream the competition in its entirety – including the two CSI jumping classes – in the U.S. and abroad. Competition will also be archived and available on demand.


Further information on the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN is available at www.KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com.


About 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 more than 80,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. In 2018, EEI organized and produced the new Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix and will be managing the 2019 and 2020 USEA American Eventing Championships. All three competitions are held at the Kentucky Horse Park. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.


About Land Rover
Founded in 1948, Land Rover designs, engineers, and manufactures its vehicles in the United Kingdom. For almost 70 years the brand has built a reputation for providing its clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world; whether driving through the heart of the city or traversing the countryside on- and off-road. Today’s Land Rover lineup includes the Discovery and Discovery Sport; Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs. For more information, visit the official Land Rover website at www.landroverusa.com.


About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports sedan and sports car brands.


At Jaguar Land Rover, we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, which will provide experiences our customers will love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe. In 2017/18 Jaguar Land Rover sold 614,309 vehicles in 129 countries, with more than 80 percent of our vehicles being sold abroad.


We support around 260,000 people through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. Manufacturing is centered in the UK, with additional plants in China, Brazil, Austria and Slovakia.


Our innovation is continuous: we will spend in the region of £4 billion this year on new product creation and capital expenditure.


From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be electrified, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and gasoline engines.


About MARS EQUESTRIAN
MARS EQUESTRIAN, a brand and sponsorship division within MARS INCORPORATED, is the link between our iconic brands and the equestrian community. For generations, MARS has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS EQUESTRIAN is committed to the sport and building an enduring legacy. From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines, to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS EQUESTRIAN is dedicated to our purpose to improve the lives of horses, pets, and the people who love them.



For more information about MARS EQUESTRIAN, please visit www.marsequestrian.com

The Hands that Build the Sport: Unsung Eventing Heroes, ft. Karen Yates

By Jennifer Sedlatschek • July 31, 2025
Karen Yates has never been one to follow the beaten path. A lifelong horsewoman and passionate amateur eventer, her story is one of grit, generosity, and an unwavering love for the sport. Though her introduction to eventing may not have been conventional, her contributions to the community have become nothing short of transformational. Raised on Air Force bases without the benefit of structured training, Yates’s entry into the world of eventing was entirely self-taught. “I didn’t have an instructor until I was 32,” she says—by which point she had already spent five years actively competing. Without jumping lessons or formal coaching, she would simply show up at events and learn by doing. Her survival in those early days came down to two things: the boldness she carried into the saddle and the athleticism of the horses she rode. She trained every one of them herself, driven more by determination than direction. Yates’s breakthrough came in 1993 when she first competed at the upper-levels at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. “I never schooled any cross-country at all,” she remembers. “My horses saw the course for the first time when I got there.” The experience was a defining moment. Though daunting, it was emblematic of her entire riding career—rooted in experience, experimentation, and an indomitable spirit. But as her ambitions grew, so did her awareness of the risks involved. She recalls the 1996 Olympic cycle, during which she competed with 45 pounds of lead on her horse—weight that ultimately contributed to a suspensory injury. That setback shifted her perspective. She began stepping back from the upper levels, prioritizing the safety and longevity of both her horses and herself. Even as she turned away from elite competition, her love for the sport never wavered. Instead, it found a new outlet. In 2017, Yates launched a unique initiative at Copper Top Farm: the “horse party.” Aimed at introducing newcomers to eventing, the horse party was her answer to what she saw as a troubling trend. “I was running into young people who had never ridden out of a ring,” she explains. “I thought, this is not a good way for this sport to grow.” Her horse parties were designed to be approachable and fun, offering small jumps and cross-country schooling in a low-pressure environment. It wasn’t just about teaching riders to jump—it was about giving them a taste of what makes eventing so thrilling. The concept took off. Riders of all ages and backgrounds began flocking to Copper Top Farm, not just to ride, but to become part of a welcoming, horse-loving community.

Vanessa Coleman Named Chief Competition and Operating Officer of Equestrian Events, Inc.

June 19, 2025
The Board of Directors of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, is thrilled to announce the naming of Vanessa Coleman to the position of Chief Competition and Operating Officer.
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