Lexington, KY – April 9, 2026 

Two-time Olympic veteran and World #2 Kent Farrington (USA) is set to defend his title against an impressive field of entries representing 14 countries in the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Farrington, who has placed sixth (2019) and eighth (2022) in Kentucky alongside his 2025 victory, will have to face many international stars, including 15 of the world’s top 30 riders and two Olympic champions. 

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. Expanding its world-class offerings, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifier, alongside the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Co-organized with Major League Show Jumping, the CSI5* brings an exciting team-based format to the week, culminating in a highlight Grand Prix. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE draws more than 90,000 attendees annually. 

Introduced at the 2018 K3DE as a CSI3*, the Kentucky International CSI5* has annually taken place to the cheers of a packed stadium of fans. This year, it also serves as Leg 8 of the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Season 5 schedule – the final stop before the tour heads to its season finals in Monterrey, Mexico. The show jumping event kicks off Thursday, April 23, with the $62,500 1.55m Qualifier; Friday features the $200,000 1.50m MLSJ Team Competition; and Saturday features the $32,000 1.45m Power & Speed before culminating in the main event, the $340,000 1.60m Kentucky International Grand Prix.   

Farrington’s consistency at the highest levels of the sport truly shone in 2025; he claimed the #1 spot on the Longines FEI World Jumping Rankings in May 2025 following his win in Kentucky and held that position through January 2026, taking victory in 28 grand prix classes from the 3* to 5* levels along the way. Still, he has his work cut out for him at this year’s Kentucky International with the likes of Olympic champions Ben Maher (GBR) and Christian Kukuk (GER) hot on his tail. 

Maher has five successful Olympic Games on his record, including the 2012 team Gold and 2021 individual Gold medals. He currently sits at #4 on the World Rankings ahead of Kukuk, a two-time Olympic veteran and current World #9. Kukuk blazed to the Olympic individual Gold medal in 2024. 

Joining Farrington from the U.S. contingent are four-time Olympian, Show Jumping Hall of Famer and World #10 Laura Kraut; six-time Olympian and World #12 McLain Ward, who placed sixth in Kentucky in 2023; 2024 Olympian and World #18 Karl Cook; World #25 Aaron Vale; World #28 Lillie Keenan; and Olympic team Silver medalists Lucy Davis Kennedy (2016) and Jessica Springsteen (2021). 

Other familiar American faces at the Kentucky Horse Park will include Mimi Gochman, who placed third in 2025; Charlotte Jacobs, who placed 12th in 2023, third in 2024, and ninth in 2025; McKayla Langmeier, who placed seventh in 2024; and Alex Matz, who placed eighth in 2023 and fourth in 2024. 

Additionally, Farrington is not the only Kentucky CSI champion on the 2026 roster. Three-time Olympian and World #14 Daniel Bluman (ISR) is also set to return, aiming to replicate his 2023 Kentucky victory. 

More top athletes from the international circuit include 2024 Olympian and World #3 Richard Vogel (GER); World #6 Nina Mallevaey (FRA); two-time Olympian and World #7 Shane Sweetnam, who placed 10th in Kentucky in 2019, sixth in 2022, third in 2023, and second in 2025; 2024 Olympian and World #15 Daniel Coyle (IRL), who placed sixth in 2018 and seventh in 2019; 2016 Olympian and World #16 Nicola Philippaerts (BEL); and 2021 Olympian and World #20 Abdel Saïd (BEL). They will be joined by their fellow Olympic veterans Erynn Ballard (CAN); Mario Deslauriers (CAN); Thaisa Erwin (AUS), who placed sixth in 2025; Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN); Uma O’Neill (NZL); Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA); Cassio Rivetti (BRA); and Roberto Teran Tafur (COL), who placed ninth in 2023. 

In addition to these phenomenal athletes, EEI is thrilled to welcome back Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky International CSI5*. Now known for its deep expertise in horse care, Hagyard’s story actually began by caring for a bull in 1876. As the world’s oldest and largest private veterinary practice, Hagyard has had veterinarians at the forefront of numerous veterinary medical innovations since the beginning. These include the advent of penicillin and antibiotics, developing parasite control programs to keep foals from dying at alarming rates, the use of inhalation anesthesia, fetal sexing, and the first equine C-section. 

Hagyard’s 150th year will be marked by a variety of activities, including a renovation of its facility in Lexington and continued investment in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, to name a few. One of the biggest initiatives for the year, however, is the establishment of an endowment to provide scholarships to aspiring equine veterinarians. Hagyard has set a bold goal in partnership with the Foundation for the Horse to raise $1.5 million to help provide annual scholarships in perpetuity. 

“We’re excited to continue partnering with a marquee event like the Kentucky International CSI5*,” said Ken Ford, CEO of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. “It consistently attracts the top horses and riders globally and really illustrates why Lexington is known as the horse capital of the world.” 

More information can be found at https://www.hagyard.com/. 

Major League Show Jumping Standings  

Launched in 2021, Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) is a premier CSI5* team-based equestrian circuit across North America designed to elevate the sport with high-stakes and a fast-paced team competition. Featuring eight teams of six riders, the League emphasizes a fan-friendly, exhilarating format with significant team prize money and top-tier competition. The 2025-2026 season included events at Traverse City, Toronto, Greenwich, Highlands Cup, Tryon International, and Palm Springs before traveling to Kentucky International; the Finals are set for April 29-May 2 in Monterrey, Mexico. 

Coming into Kentucky, the standings are as follows: 
 

Team Leaders 

1. Maccabi United – 234 points 

• Daniel Bluman (ISR), Mark Bluman (COL), Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA), Thaisa Erwin (AUS), Vanessa Hood (ISR), Uma O’Neill (NZL) 

1. Trelawny Trailblazers – 194 points 

• Natalie Dean (USA), Charlotte Jacobs (USA), Lillie Keenan (USA), Nayel Nassar (EGY), Abdel Saïd (BEL), Conor Swail (IRL) 

1. DIHP Roadrunners – 187 points 

• Erynn Ballard (CAN), Elisa Broz (USA), Kaitlin Campbell (USA), Laura Kraut (USA), McLain Ward (USA), Gregory Wathelet (BEL) 

Individual Leaders 

1. Daniel Bluman (ISR) – 96 points 
2. Kent Farrington (USA) – 76 points 
3. Skylar Wireman (USA) – 51 points 

“Bringing Major League Show Jumping to the Kentucky International is a huge moment for us,” said Keean White, Co-Founder of MLSJ. “It’s an iconic venue with deep roots in the sport, and it represents exactly the kind of world-class stage we want for Major League Show Jumping. We’re incredibly excited to partner with Equestrian Events Inc. – their reputation and expertise elevate everything they touch. This collaboration not only strengthens our current season but also sets the tone for what’s possible in the future, as we continue to grow the league and expand our presence at the very best venues in the sport.” 

More information can be found at https://www.majorleagueshowjumping.com/. 

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. 

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/. 

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.