There’s a reason why it’s not wise to assess the quality of an event’s entry until the closing date has passed. We had some late starters for next month’s 5-star Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and they are special. Not sure why so many waited until yesterday’s deadline to declare, but the end result is a very intriguing field.
First and foremost is world champion Yasmin Ingham of Britain and Banzai du Loir, who was an unknown when she came to Kentucky last year. The British rider was, in fact, so unknown that many people passed up a press conference with her on one of the dressage days; after all, everyone was busy and who had ever heard of her?
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir at Kentucky. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Now we’ve all heard of her, and it will be interesting to see if she can improve her second-place finish from her Kentucky debut. Other Brits joining her include Zara Tindall, a former world champion, with Class Affair and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin). Three-time Kentucky winner Oliver Townend is no longer on the list.
Three-time winner William Fox-Pitt also will be on hand with Grafenacht. Another three-time winner, Germany’s Michael Jung, is not making the trip this time, but there will be plenty to keep track of without him.For other bits of international flair, France will be well represented by the very veteran Maxime Livio (Carouzo Bois Marotin), while Germany’s Sandra Auffarth also is competing.
Phillip Dutton, the last American to win the fixture in 2008, is in with Z, while perennial crowd favorite Boyd Martin has two options with the reliable Tsetserleg and a newcomer to this level, Contessa. Doug Payne, who always does well at Kentucky, is riding Quantum Leap. Other big names from the U.S. include Will Coleman (Off the Record, Dondante and Chin Tonic), the top American finisher in the world championships last year; Liz Halliday-Sharp, Buck Davidson and Tamie Smith.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
If the 5-star isn’t enough action for you at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, there’s also a 4-star eventing competition and a 3-star show jumping competition.
On the Thursday, there will be a 6 p.m. celebration of the life of Jim Wofford, the great eventer and author we lost in February. Everyone is invited to attend at Spindletop Hall, just down the road from the Horse Park.
If you want to see the Kentucky action in person, buy tickets at this link.