MARS EQUESTRIAN New Presenting Sponsor of Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

March 21, 2019

Equestrian Events, Inc. welcomes MARS EQUESTRIAN, a division of MARS INCORPORATED, as the new Presenting Sponsor of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event — a role that will continue through the 2021 event. The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 25-28, 2019. MARS EQUESTRIAN is also the presenting sponsor of the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN.

Now in its 41st year, the 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. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” LRK3DE is a multi-day, highly competitive event in which the world’s best horses and 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.

“Having MARS EQUESTRIAN join as the presenting sponsor of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is not only exciting for us, but for the sport overall,” said Stewart Perry, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), organizer of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. “MARS is stepping up for three-day eventing and we are grateful they will be a part of this event through 2021.”

“MARS EQUESTRIAN is thrilled to be the Presenting Sponsor of the LRK3DE,” said Geoffrey Galant, Vice President MARS EQUESTRIAN. “Through this partnership, we hope to honor the equestrian legacy of MARS and engage fans with our iconic brands as we work to achieve our vision for horses, pets, and the people who love them.”

“The LRK3DE is truly historic, both within the state of Kentucky and also in the sport of eventing in North America. MARS EQUESTRIAN has been an avid supporter of U.S. eventers and the LRK3DE for many years. We are thrilled to not only have their iconic name behind our Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship, but also to see them presenting this important international three-day event on home soil,” said US Equestrian CEO, Bill Moroney. “We are grateful for the support of MARS EQUESTRIAN of this important weekend; they are helping us, EEI, and the competitors of eventing to bring the joy of horse sports to the thousands of spectators that will be in attendance.”

LRK3DE recently received the new Five Star status from the FEI after having been a Four Star event since 1998. As of January 1, 2019, it is now one of only six annual Five Star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; and Adelaide in Australia. LRK3DE is the only annual Five Star event in the Americas and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship for the U.S. athletes.

The second annual $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix Presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place 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 will also be a $36,000 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in Rolex Stadium, after the day’s LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday’s Ranking Class. Grand Prix tickets are available here.

Tickets to LRK3DE 2019 are available here. 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. Reserved stadium seating is sold separately from grounds admission. Traditionally the best seats sell out, so everyone is encouraged to place orders as early as possible. For a unique world-class Kentucky experience, special Ringside Hospitality packages are also available.

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. 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.

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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.

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