Press Room

Family-Friendly Activities Include Chewy Demonstration Arena, Kentucky Kids Club, Beer Garden, New Safety & Wellness Arena and More!

New Music Programming to Debut on Friday and Saturday in Partnership with  The Hound 96.1; Stage Located in Sponsor Village Near John Deere, the Event’s Official Equipment Provider

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.

The wait is over — the Inside Kentucky Preview Show is here.  Nicole Brown and Sam Watson set the scene for one of the most competitive Defender Kentuckys we’ve seen in years. The field is stacked, the conditions could shake things up, and the storylines are electric. Can Boyd Martin finally win on home soil with one of the strongest strings he’s ever brought? Will Michael Jung and Chipmunk bounce back in style? And Tim Price and Tom McEwen are quietly turning up the heat in the world number one race. Over in the Cosequin® 4*-S, Olympic veterans and rising stars like HSH Blake and Off The Record headline a field stacked with serious contenders. This episode is everything you need to sound clever in the group chat all week long— top picks, and the numbers that matter and why this year’s Defender Kentucky is a must-follow. Highlights: Boyd’s all-in: why this is more than just another five-star for Team Martin Chipmunk and Michi — the comeback everyone’s watching World number one? Tim and Tom are both making a case Four-star form guide: Caroline and Blake, and the other combos ready to surprise One stat that shows just how close Kentucky came to rewriting the record books Guests: Nicole Brown – Eventing Podcast host Sam Watson – Data analyst, five-star rider, and co-founder of EquiRatings 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, and stay in the loop by following Defender Kentucky on Instagram and Facebook !

In our final episode of Behind the Barn 2025, we are joined by none other than Team USA Show Jumping Olympic Medalist, Karl Cook. Join us as we dive headfirst into all things show jumping, hear his take on other Equestrian disciplines and also gain valuable insight into what people can expect in the Kentucky international CSI5* this year!

The big question is, will Michael Jung win a 5th Kentucky CCI5* title? Before he heads down the centerline this week to chase Kentucky glory once more, check out episode 11 of Behind the Barn to learn more about the Olympic Gold Medalist and overall amazing horseman, Michael Jung.

Sydney Solomon’s journey to the top levels of eventing is a story of determination, resilience, and belief in steady progress. Raised in Maryland, Sydney did not grow up in a horse family. What began as a once-a-week hobby quickly became twice a week, and before long, the barn became home. Her first horse, a green Thoroughbred x Percheron cross, presented a true learning curve from day one. During her initial time with "Bella", Sydney wasn’t even aware that eventing existed as a sport. She was riding in 4-H and local hunter shows, building her horsemanship from the ground up alongside a horse who was learning, too. Everything shifted after a visit to Fair Hill International, where she saw eventing at the international level for the first time. She returned inspired and certain that this was the path she wanted to pursue. Eager to move forward, Sydney began searching for a horse that could match her growing ambitions in the sport. That journey brought her to True Prospect Farm, owned by Phillip Dutton, where she discovered Lillian Pink, who was for sale at the time through Boyd Martin. After several successful seasons eventing with Lillian Pink, Sydney stepped into a new phase of development, training under the guidance of Lillian Heard and eventually becoming a working student for her. The experience sharpened her skills, strengthened her foundation, and propelled her confidently up the levels. The working student years were demanding and formative. They offered a clear view into what it truly takes to build a career at the highest level of the sport. After the heartbreaking loss of Lillian Pink, Sydney made a defining choice to continue pursuing her dream, leaning into the challenges rather than stepping away from them. With Heard's support, Sydney was connected with a working student position under Phillip Dutton at True Prospect Farm, immersing herself fully in a high-performance program and the daily rhythm of top-level eventing. Soon after, she was offered the ride on Early Review CBF, a Hanoverian mare who would go on to become a defining partner in her upper-level career. Together, Sydney and “Coco” have worked their way up the FEI levels one step at a time, building experience and confidence all the way to CCI5*. In 2023, they made their 5* debut at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, marking a career-defining milestone — one that stirred emotions Sydney rarely allows herself to show and underscored just how far the partnership had come. As “Early Review, accepted” echoed over the speakers during the first horse inspection, Sydney found herself tearing up, caught off guard by the magnitude of the moment. Even walking into the dressage ring, she admitted she felt the weight of it all — the years of work and the grit it takes to get there. They returned to Kentucky in 2024 to contest the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, continuing to build their résumé at the upper levels of the sport and adding another chapter to a partnership forged through resilience and experience. Today, Sydney continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport while dedicating much of her time to teaching and producing horses within her own program. Having trained within some of eventing’s most respected systems, she has drawn on that mentorship to shape a competitive and training business grounded in intention, patience, and strong fundamentals. Her journey — from learning on a green first horse to stepping onto the five-star stage — reflects a career built thoughtfully and earned step by step. With each season, she continues to add depth to her experience at the upper levels, carrying forward the resilience, perspective, and work ethic that have defined her path from the very beginning.

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.