Meet the 2025 Champions of the Kentucky Three-Day Event
Each spring, the rolling hills of the Kentucky Horse Park come alive with world-class sport, vibrant crowds, and an undeniable electric energy. The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ delivered on every front, with fierce competition, unforgettable performances, and emotional victories. From eventing legends to Olympic athletes, this year’s champions delivered standout performances on one of the world’s most iconic eventing stages. Here’s a look back at the remarkable riders and horses, who topped the podium.
Michael Jung & fischerChipmunk FRH – 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Champions
German superstar Michael Jung once again reminded the world why he’s considered one of the greatest event riders of all time. Partnered with his Olympic gold medal mount, fischerChipmunk FRH, Jung turned in a record-setting performance.
Laying down a breathtaking 18.6 in dressage—the lowest score ever achieved at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*—the pair left the arena with more than just the lead; they left with momentum that couldn’t be stopped.
After incurring 2.4 time penalties on the cross-country course, Jung and Chipmunk stormed across the cross-country finish line with a historic 11.8-point lead—the widest margin in CCI5* history. The pair tackled the final show jumping phase with veteran focus; delivering a composed, clinical round, picking up only 4 jump penalties to cap a historic performance on 25.0.
"This event is always special. The crowd, the course, the atmosphere. Winning here never gets old," Jung shared in his post-ride interview. The 2025 win marks his fifth CCI5* victory at Kentucky and his sixth overall win at the venue, including the 2010 World Equestrian Games, a stunning record that cements his legacy in Lexington.
Boyd Martin – Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champion
For American favorite Boyd Martin, the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event was more than just a competition—it marked a career-defining milestone. Martin was crowned the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champion, and his remarkable second-place overall finish with Commando 3 launched him to No. 1 in the FEI Eventing World Rankings.
In a display of depth and talent, Boyd also placed 6th with Fedarman B (his 2024 Paris Olympics mount) and 7th with Luke 140, proving the strength of his string and the consistency of his program.
"It is a huge honor and privilege to be named the number one rider in the world in eventing," said Martin. "It’s a goal I’ve been chasing for decades now. Many of my idols, who are champions in the sport and riders I’ve always tried to emulate, have accomplished this honor at some point in their careers.”
He continued, “Even though it’s my name on the list, I would not have been able to do it without the incredible horses and owners, as well as my dedicated team working day in and out in the stable. Lastly, to share this with my wife and kids, who have been with me on this journey every single day from the very beginning, is really special.”
Will Coleman & Off the Record – Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Champions
Winning once is no small feat. Winning two years in a row? That’s a statement—and Will Coleman made it loud and clear. After clinching the 2024 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S title aboard Diabolo, Coleman returned in 2025 to take top honors again, this time with the seasoned and ever-reliable Off the Record.
Their performance was textbook: balanced, bold, and full of brilliance. Coleman’s ability to bring multiple horses to peak performance year after year speaks volumes about his program, precision, and partnership with his mounts.
“There’s nothing like riding here in Kentucky. Every stride out there is electric,” said Coleman. His back-to-back wins, on different horses, have further solidified his reputation as one of the most tactically sharp and adaptable eventing riders on the international stage.
Kent Farrington & Greya – Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix Winners
Under the stadium lights and in front of a roaring crowd, Kent Farrington and his eleven-year-old Oldenburg mare, Greya, brought the house down with a thrilling win in the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix.
Known for his precision, technical brilliance, and fearless speed, Farrington delivered a clear jump-off round that left no room for anyone else to catch him. The crowd erupted as they crossed the finish, sealing a sensational night of show jumping. This victory marks the pair’s second CSI5* Grand Prix trophy, adding to their previous win in the Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule.
“Winning here is always a thrill—the energy, the fans, the competition. It’s second to none,” said Farrington. With Greya’s impressive scope and quick-footed agility, the duo continues to be one of the most formidable forces in international show jumping.
A Weekend to Remember
From record-breaking dressage tests to dramatic cross-country rounds and thrilling jump-offs under the lights, the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event showcased the very best of equestrian sport. These champions, Michael Jung, Boyd Martin, Will Coleman, and Kent Farrington, embodied the spirit of elite competition: courage, precision, and the extraordinary partnership between horse and rider.
To the fans who cheered from the rails, the volunteers who made it all possible, and the riders who gave us their all, thank you for making this #TheBestWeekendAllYear. We’ll see you in 2026!
