Lasso Partners with the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian to Bring the Sport to Life Like Never Before

Lexington, KY – February 9, 2026

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, one of the most iconic and respected competitions in the equestrian world, is raising the bar once again. This year, the event announces an exciting new partnership with Lasso Media, marking a bold and progressive step forward in how elite equestrian sport is experienced, shared, and celebrated.

Through this partnership, Lasso will bring its renowned Influence Group and Catalyst Group onsite to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event — activating one of the largest and most diverse collectives of equine social media creators ever assembled at the competition. These creators span disciplines, backgrounds, and audiences, united by a shared passion for horses and storytelling.

The result: unprecedented access, reach, and perspective.

For fans attending in person, this partnership transforms the event into a fully immersive experience. Spectators will have the opportunity to engage with creators they follow and admire, see the competition through new creative lenses, and witness behind-the-scenes moments that reveal what truly makes the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event so intense, emotional, and historic.

For viewers watching from home, the impact is just as powerful. Lasso's creator groups will capture the heart-pounding action, quiet preparation, and legacy moments of the event—bringing audiences closer than ever before through real-time, authentic storytelling shared across social platforms. This is not a highlight reel; it's a front-row, all-access pass into the sport of eventing.

"This partnership represents a smart and forward-thinking evolution for the sport. By inviting creators behind the scenes, the event is opening its doors to a new generation of fans while honoring the legacy that has made it one of the most respected competitions in the world." — Anne Hawkins, CEO of Lasso Media.

"This collaboration with Lasso Media reflects how we're thinking about the future of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, and the Kentucky International CSI5*. We are deeply committed to honoring the history and prestige of these competitions while embracing new ways to invite people into the story. By working with creators who bring fresh perspectives and dynamic storytelling, we're able to broaden our reach, showcase the emotion and intensity of the sport, and connect with audiences in an authentic, accessible way." — Jen Sedlatschek, Director of Marketing & Communications, Equestrian Events, Inc.

As three-day eventing continues to grow globally, this collaboration signals a powerful shift in how equestrian events connect with modern audiences—blending tradition with innovation, heritage with digital reach.

Whether you're planning to attend in person or tune in from around the world, this year's Kentucky Three-Day Event promises something truly special. Expect deeper access, richer storytelling, and a celebration of the sport that goes far beyond the arena.

Tickets are on sale now. Come meet the creators, experience the energy, and see the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian like never before — or follow along online as the story unfolds across social media. Tickets are available at www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets

About Lasso Media

Lasso Media is an equine-focused influencer marketing company connecting brands, events, and creators through strategic storytelling and high-impact content. With a network of top-tier and emerging equestrian creators, Lasso helps the industry reach wider, more engaged audiences through authentic digital experiences.

About the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world's premier equestrian competitions and a cornerstone of the international five-star eventing calendar. Hosted each spring in Lexington, Kentucky, the competition week includes the Kentucky International CSI5* and Lexington CCI4*-S, paired with a nationally recognized spectator experience featuring cross-country tailgating, shopping, premium hospitality, and more.

Organized by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation established in 1978 to produce the World Three-Day Event Championships, the event evolved into today's annual, world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event. In addition to producing the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Kentucky International CSI5*, and the Lexington CCI4*-S, EEI will host the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships from 2026–2028 and has donated more than $1.1 million to charitable organizations over the past 20 years.

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Athlete Spotlight: Elisa Wallace

February 5, 2026

There are riders whose stories unfold quietly over time, and then there are riders whose journeys feel woven into the rhythm of the sport itself. Elisa Wallace falls into the latter category. A 5* event rider, trainer, and educator, Wallace has built a career defined by curiosity, commitment, and a deep belief in the horses she brings along. Long before she ever cantered out of the start box herself, Wallace experienced the Kentucky Three-Day Event as a spectator. Like many young riders, she watched from the sidelines, taking in the scale of the competition and the electricity that comes with a week where the entire eventing world seems to gather in one place. After spending time in several disciplines as a junior rider, she found her way back to eventing with a focus on understanding the process as much as the outcome. Over time, that approach became central to her program, with an emphasis on developing horses thoughtfully and building confidence step by step. In 2015, Wallace and Simply Priceless, affectionately known as Johnny around the barn, stepped up to the 4* level, now known as the 5* level, for the first time at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. It was a milestone moment, not because it marked an arrival, but because it marked a beginning. The pair returned to Kentucky two additional times between 2016 and 2018, gaining experience with each start and earning a loyal following of fans drawn to their bold cross country style and clear partnership. Propelling themselves onto the international stage, the pair were named alternates for the United States Olympic Three-Day Eventing Team for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. That same year, Wallace and Johnny went on to compete at the Burghley Horse Trials, followed by the Badminton Horse Trials in 2017, with both events contested as 4* competitions at the time. From Kentucky to Burghley to Badminton, the partnership proved it belonged among the sport’s elite, showing grit, durability, and the ability to meet the demands of championship level eventing. As the years have passed, the Kentucky Three-Day has remained one of many familiar checkpoints along Wallace’s path. Returning with Renkum Corsair, Lissavorra Quality, Let It Be Lee, and Riot Gear, she has taken on the CCI4* and CCI5* levels, using the event as an opportunity to test progress and celebrate growth. Away from the competition arena, Wallace has become widely known for her work with American Mustangs and Off the Track Thoroughbreds; from championship wins to high profile retraining projects, she has helped shift perceptions around what these horses can achieve. In 2012, she earned her first Extreme Mustang Makeover win with Fledge, launching a chapter that would include multiple Mustang projects and titles. In 2018, Wallace claimed the America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred title with Reloaded at the Retired Racehorse Project, held at the Kentucky Horse Park. She has even brought fan favorite Mustangs Fledge and Rune to the Chewy Demonstration Arena at the Kentucky Three-Day, showcasing their freestyle and liberty training while offering a glimpse into the depth of partnership beyond competition. Education and storytelling remain central to her work. Through clinics, digital content, and an open look into her training program, Wallace shares the reality of producing horses over time, celebrating small wins alongside major milestones and reminding audiences that progress is rarely linear. Whether galloping across the Kentucky Horse Park or cheering on fellow competitors, Elisa Wallace embodies what makes the sport so compelling: dedication, partnership, and the understanding that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

How Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone Shapes Who You Become

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