Sponsors, Shopping, Live Music, Local Brews and World-Class Competition at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

March 5, 2026

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 

Lexington, KY – March 5, 2026


The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ will debut a new musical hotspot to enhance the onsite spectator experience: The Hound Stage, created in partnership with Lexington-based radio station The Hound 96.1. Centrally located in Sponsor Village near John Deere, The Hound Stage will offer live music programming on Event grounds on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25. 

 

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) is set to return to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26. The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage. 

 

K3DE features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities. Additionally, K3DE features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifying event, and the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. 

 

Designed to create an inviting gathering space that complements the competition, The Hound Stage will mark a natural gathering point in Sponsor Village for K3DE spectators as they move between shopping, dining and competition viewing. In addition to the Stage’s live entertainment, K3DE is thrilled to offer a new Beer Garden for spectators to enjoy a variety of craft beer, cider and local bourbon. 

 

Additionally, EEI is delighted to welcome back John Deere as the Official Equipment Provider of the Event. Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products, including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe, are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news. 

 

“We are proud to once again serve as the Official Equipment Provider of the premier Eventing showcase in North America, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Through the Equine Discounts program and our partnership with John Deere, we’re able to deliver meaningful savings to professionals and enthusiasts across the sport horse industry while helping reinvest in the people, horses, and events that continue to grow the sport,” said Steven Driskill, Vice President of NTRA Advantage & Equine Discounts. “We greatly value our partnership with Equestrian Events, Inc., and look forward to supporting this world-class event for years to come.”  

Just steps away from The Hound Stage and John Deere, one of two convenient “Shop & Drop” locations provided by the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation will allow guests to store their purchases while they continue to explore the grounds. Families will also find nearby kiddie jumps designed to provide interactive entertainment for younger spectators, further enhancing the all-ages appeal of the event atmosphere. 

 

With this more dynamic, well-rounded guest experience, attendees are encouraged to spend more time onsite and fully engage with everything K3DE has to offer — from competition and hospitality to shopping, dining, kids’ experiences and social spaces. The addition of this programming reinforces EEI’s goal of delivering not just world-class equestrian sport, but a vibrant and memorable spring weekend experience in Lexington.  


Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian 

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse and rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping – for $400,000 in prize money to those competing at the CCI5*-L level. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Rolex is the Official Timepiece and Event Partner. 

 

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S 

Introduced in 2021, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S runs concurrently with the CCI5*-L competition, featuring the three phases of eventing – dressage, cross country and show jumping. The Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S is a U.S. Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier and offers $50,000 prize money. Tickets for viewing the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S are included when purchasing the K3DE tickets. 

Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute 

Formerly known as the Kentucky Invitational, the Kentucky International 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. After becoming a CSI5* in 2025, the international show jumping event makes EEI the only event organizer in the world to host both a CCI5*-L and CSI5* in the same week. More information on the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/the-kentucky-international-csi5. 

 

Tickets 

Single- and multi-day tickets are still available with various options to enhance the K3DE experience. Reserved seats in Rolex Stadium provide the best views of dressage and show jumping, while reserved tailgating spots make the most of Saturday’s cross-country phase. 

 

All-inclusive hospitality packages are also available to deliver an unforgettable, first-class experience. Enjoy the competition from elegantly appointed tents with prime views, watch every detail on closed-circuit monitors, and toast the day with premium beverages with three exclusive hospitality offerings, or secure a spot in the Members Pavilion, a brand-new premium experience. 

 

Further information and details on all ticket options on the K3DE, Cosequin® Lexington 4* and Kentucky International can be found at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets. 

 

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. 

Athlete Spotlight: Sydney Solomon

February 25, 2026
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.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ Set to Return, April 23-26

February 19, 2026
2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™  Set to Return, April 23-26
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