Kentucky International CSI5* Joins Major League Show Jumping Competition Roster at Kentucky Three-Day Event

August 15, 2025

As Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) launches its fifth season, the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, running as part of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, has joined the list of celebrated North

American competitions to make up the 2025/2026 MLSJ season.


Produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), The Kentucky International CSI5* runs April 23 through 26 at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Formerly known as the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix, the Kentucky International CSI made its debut at the 2018 Kentucky Three-Day Event as a CSI3* and was

held as a CSI4* for the first time in 2024 and a CSI5* in 2025. Returning as a five-star event within the MLSJ schedule in 2026, EEI remains the only event organizer in the world to host both a CCI5*-L and CSI5* in the same week.


“At EEI, we are committed to delivering world-class equestrian sport, and partnering with Major League Show Jumping to run our CSI5* during the iconic Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event elevates that mission to new heights. Their expertise, innovation, and dedication to excellence will ensure an

unforgettable experience for both our athletes and spectators,” said Molly Day, Chief Executive Officer of Equestrian Events, Inc.


EEI is best known for producing the annual Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events (CCI5*-L) in the world, as well as the Cosequin ® Lexington CCI4*-S and Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on the same weekend. 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. 

MLSJ Kentucky International CSI5* is positioned as Leg 8 of the MLSJ Season 5 schedule. Featured in the storied Rolex Stadium, it will serve as the final stop before the tour heads to its season finals in Monterrey, Mexico. It joins a schedule that includes Traverse City Horse Shows in Michigan; Angelstone

Tournaments in Toronto; CSI Greenwich in Connecticut; Highlands Cup in New York; Tryon International in North Carolina; and Desert International Horse Park in California.


“From the beginning, Major League has been dedicated to showcasing the best events in North America,” said MLSJ co-founder Keean White. “The Kentucky International fits in perfectly with that goal, and we are very proud that Major League Show Jumping will continue to elevate and celebrate top horse sport in Canada, The U.S. and Mexico.”


For more information about Major League Show Jumping and to view and complete Season 5 schedule, visit majorleagueshowjumping.com, or download the MLSJ App.

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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