New Name and 5* Status to Bring Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to Next Level

October 3, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky – October 3, 2024 – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of events at the highest level, is thrilled to announce a new name and elevated 5* status for the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute!


EEI is best known for producing the annual Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), 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 recently upgraded 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.


Early Bird Ticket Pricing opens Thursday, October 10, for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27, 2025. The best deals on tickets are only available until December, so don’t miss out on your chance to watch the world’s premier three-day event! 

A person is riding a horse over a hurdle in front of a crowd.

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. As a CSI5* in 2025, the international show jumping event will make EEI the only event organizer in the world to host both a CCI5*-L and CSI5* in the same week. As has been the case since the start of the CSI, Derek Braun and his Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) team will produce and manage the event for EEI.


“We’re thrilled at Hagyard to be the Presenting Sponsor once again at this prestigious event, and we are

excited for the changes announced for 2025,” said Dr. Laura Werner, Surgeon, Hagyard Equine Medical

Institute. “EEI and Hagyard are two of the premier brands in the equine industry, so it seems like a

natural partnership.”

 

Starting on October 10, Single-Day and Multi-Day tickets will be available at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets. All grounds admission tickets to the K3DE include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to the competition in the Rolex Stadium. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission, and traditionally the best seats sell out fast, so everyone is encouraged to place their orders early. Grounds admission is free for children 12 years and under with adult ticket purchases. 


For eventing fans looking to enjoy the ultimate curated Kentucky experience, there will be several Hospitality Packages available including the Five-Star Club, the Kentucky Club and a new hospitality offering The Start Box Club. Details will be available on the website beginning October 10.


Reserved spaces for Saturday’s Defender Tailgate will also be available when ticket sales open. This is the best way to experience the excitement of Cross-Country Day. Platinum and premium spaces tend to sell out fast, so be sure to book early! 


Further details on all ticket options and information on the K3DE and elevated Kentucky International can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/. 


About Equestrian Events, Inc.

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 nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, which upgraded to the Kentucky International CSI5* for 2025, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI is also hosting the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2026-2028. EEI supports several local and equine charities and over the last 20 years has donated more than $1.1 million to various charities. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.

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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