Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Volunteers – Part 4
April 15, 2022
While we say thank you to all of our volunteers who work so hard to make this incredible event happen, we want to say thank you to all of you, too! By helping us celebrate the dedicated men and women who give up so much of their time to help organize, coordinate, and run the iconic Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, you’re helping us give them the recognition they very much deserve! The Kentucky Three-Day Event volunteers are a group of passionate individuals, some of whom have been with us for decades, pouring their hearts into making this the Best Weekend All Year!
Join us in our fourth installment as we celebrate a few more of our stewards and volunteer chiefs!
Meet the Kentucky Three-Day Event Volunteers!
Nanette Eichell – Head of Public Information
Nanette has been with the Kentucky Three-Day Event since 1977, when she started volunteering by answering the phone and making copies. During her years, she stayed in the office/ house answering the phone. In 2010, Nanette ramped up her expertise and came on as our Head of Public Information. She has a ton of fantastic memories to share, and it’s no wonder – she’s had the chance to see some incredible things!
- What are the responsibilities of the Head of Public Information and volunteers? – We help with 2 areas: helping our spectators with information ranging from where the ATM is to where the start is to when the 1st horse inspection is and where. We’re also responsible for producing current times and results copies for officials, riders. Press, and public
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – About 60
- How many volunteers are in your group? – 15 to 20 depending on how we are trying to reach the public. We’ve tried many variations!
- What is your favorite memory from volunteering? – Joe Saito going down centerline when a thunderclap hit; Poltroon, first owned by first CEO Edith Conyers, ridden by Torrance Watkins, Floating! Cathy Wiescchhoff winning Prelim when I was her beleaguered groom ( thank you for letting me crash on the floor of the trailer!). Walking the winning horse back to the stables was amazing! Let’s see. Prince Phillip dropping into the tent in ’78 for a quick question. Sharon White winning 3rd and Tink and I in the Awards ceremony? Tink coming into the tent in’78– his company, Rockwell International were sponsors, and he, not a horse person, came in after the first DRESSAGE day and said, “This is awesome! Can we go to the next Championships?” Getting on the plane to go back to Boston and having Bruce Davidson Sr. With his broken ribs on his way to Badminton; Denny Emerson missing the last fence (He did that for us amateurs). Sunday afternoon wine picnic on the hillside with Cathy Collins (asst sect) and her husband Gary. General Burton? Nigel Casserly? Minna Renz? Sorry but after 45 years there are many memories I would never have had without the staff and EEI Committee and all their hard work.
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – It’s an excellent partnership between horse and talented athletic riders. And seeing all of our spectators seeing their friends from across the globe. Whatever very small part I contribute is satisfying and FUN!
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – The Canadian person who sold embroidered shirts. Wise Choice? The people who made GREAT crepes? Mr. Back fudge?
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I’m a retired public reference librarian.
- Do you, or have you shown? –
- Of course. I evented up to the novice level. Almost made training!. But much involvement in eventing–area I calendar schedule; secretary in area I; scoring in area 8; young rider co-coordinator area 8. Fairy godmother to many successful area 8 riders/trainers.
Paula Moore – Co-Chief of Starters & Timers
Keeping all of the horse and rider teams well organized and on schedule is obviously a monumental task in itself! Paula Moore may have started as a Dressage volunteer in 1979, but in 1985 she put on the Co-Chief of Starters & Timers hat and we couldn’t be more grateful.
- What are the responsibilities of the Co-Chief of Starters & Timers and volunteers? – Recruiting sufficient volunteers for warmup and Start and Finish. Overseeing volunteers to ensure that timing is done properly and coordinating with the electronic timing. Ensuring that individual timers are available in the warmup to each rider, providing the rider with the correct time and how much time remains before their scheduled start.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – About 30
- How many volunteers are in your group? – Now it is about 15 because of the short format used. It was formerly about 25 when the long format was used originally.
- What is your favorite memory from volunteering? –
- Whenever the weather cooperates is a good year!!
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – To give back to the sport (I was formerly a low-level eventer and dressage competitor). Horses have always been a big part of my life. I was first recruited by a close personal friend who also happened to be the Executive Director after the 1978 World Championships.
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – Retired since 1999, I was formerly a policy and budget analyst in the Governor’s Office in KY state government.
- Do you, or have you shown? – I competed in both eventing and dressage at local shows years ago and was a TD (technical delegate) with the Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association.
- Is there anything else you’d like to share? – Today my “passion” is my dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs. Since 1985 I’ve had a total of 8 (soon to be 9), who have all “participated” in the 3-Day Event by attending with me. They even made the program once years ago!
Gail Jackson – Co-Chief of Starters & Timers
Gail has been with the Kentucky Three-Day Event since 1993, when she started volunteering in the 10-minute box. Just this year, Gail has saddled up with Paula Moore as Co-Chief of Starters and Timers. As Gail knows, getting eventers on schedule and ready to start is a huge job, and no one’s happy if the correct times and finishes aren’t recorded and delivered!
- What are the responsibilities of the Co-Chief of Starters & Timers and volunteers? – The starters get the horses and riders to the start box on time alerting them to delays or holds on course. This group is also responsible for starting and recording the time of start and finish.
- How many hours on average do you volunteer for the event? – I am guessing it will be about 40 hours.
- How many volunteers are in your group? – There are approximately 15 people in the group who work on XC day.
- What is your favorite part of volunteering? – I love watching the grooms cheer on the first-time competitors as they come through the finish flags. There is no better accomplishment than watching their joy.
- Why do you volunteer with K3DE? – I think that it is important that we give back to the sport that we love. I always learn something from the experience and I get to spend some time with great people.
- Who is your favorite Vendor at the event? – Clever with Leather and Bourbon Chicken
- What do you do when you’re not volunteering with K3DE? – I teach GED classes at the Boyle County Detention Center.
- Do you, or have you shown? –
- I currently compete at the Training level in eventing and hope to move up a level in the spring.
We want to say thanks again for our hard-working volunteers! This event simply couldn’t happen without their help and passion. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our first 3 installments, highlighting our incredible stewards and volunteers. Be sure to say thanks if you happen to see them!
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.
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.
