by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 25, 2026
In the Cosequin 4-Star Short, Tamie Smith ended cross-country Saturday where she began it after dressage — in first place, but with a different horse.
Tamie retired her leader from the first phase, Danito, on course after a problem at the fifteenth fence. But she rose from third to first with the fastest round of the day, aboard Lillet 3.
No one among the 34 finishers in the section made the optimum clocking of 6:37 on the route designed by Derek di Grazia, but Tamie came closest with just 1.6 time penalties. Of her mare, the Californian enthused, “She’s like a magic carpet.”
While Tamie noted, “it’s taken us a little time for us to get to know each other,” she said that now, “She’s thinking for me and I’m thinking for her. She’s such a fighter, and she’s so fast. She answered all the questions.”
Tamie noted Derek ihas done a “masterful job” of using the park’s rolling terrain for the test.
And Lillet was more than up to tdealing with that task.
“She keeps growing. In horses, you’re hoping they’re comfortable in their job,” said Tamie, and Lillet ha arrived at that place after a careful training journey.
Tamie described the mare as a queen, saying she has “such an elegance about her and a very sure way of going.”
Click here for 4-Star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 25, 2026
The amazing Kent Farrington did it again: In less than a month, he has won the Rolex US Open $1 million Grand Prix, the Longines FEI World Cup Final and Saturday night, the $340,000 Major League Show Jumping International 5-Star at the Kentucky Horse Park.
He’s number two in the world, but it looks as if he may well be back at number one next month with his amazing record. While the spectacular mare Greya was involved in his last two big victories, this time he rode a new addition to his string, the 9-year-old Mexican-bred Descartes SR, a gelding he began showing in February.
Kent and Descartes SR.
A field of 41 was tested by Guillherme Jorge’s course under the lights in the Rolex arena, with seven managing to qualify for the tiebreaker in the class presented by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Kent was the only rider to break the 40-second barrier in the jump-off, finishing in 39.92 seconds. His friend and frequent U.S. teammate, McLain Ward, was second with High Star Hero in 40.42 seconds. That’s a significant achievement, because he has been out of action for seven weeks after hitting the ground hard at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
Third went to Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz in 40.71 seconds.
Kent called Descartes “a very special horse. This is his first 5-star grand prix. He started out the right way. He’s been an exceptional talent since I started with him. I think he’s an unbelievable horse.”
He rode him twice last fall before deciding to buy him, and began showing him in February. Prior to that, Descartes was ridden by Nicolaj Hein Ruus of Denmark.
Kent couldn’t say enough on behalf of Descartes, who was sent his way by the Pasquel family.
The winner “has so much power for a small horse. He has an incredible stride to the last fence,” commented Kent.
“He’s almost like a racehorse, he really covers the ground and still has the power to give a lofty jump at the final fence, which is a rare contribution of attributes in a horse.”
McLain was enthusiastic about his horse, too.
“I was thrilled with Hero. He jumped brilliant,” said McLain, who noted he had returned to the ring against doctor’s orders.
“I have to be a little bit careful,” said McLain, who injured both his hand and his back in the mishap.”
Kentucky was his first show back, but as usual, he had high expectations.
“I’m always a little disappointed to lose, but to lose to who i consider the best in the world right now in the sport, I guess there’s some salvation in that.”
Shane said his horse’s results “speak for themselves. I’m very lucky to have him. He’s a brilliant jumper.”
A regular team member for his homeland, he’s hoping to ride on the Irish squad for August’s world championships in Aachen, Germany, where he once again is likely to be competing against Kent and McLain.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 23, 2026
Will Coleman is going for the Defender Kentucky eventing double.
Two years ago, he won the 4-Star Short at the Kentucky Horse Park with Diabolo, a Holsteiner by Diarado who was imported from Australia. The partnership was on track for the U.S. team at the 2024 Olympics when the horse came up with a hoof problem and couldn’t compete in Paris.
This year, Will is back with Diabolo at the USA’s top competition in his discipline, but in the 5-Star section, where he led the field on Thursday after the first day of dressage.
Will and his slick black gelding were marked at 27.3 penalties, equivalent to a dressage score of 72.69 percent.
An understandably upbeat Will noted, “The first time you do a 5-Star test in that arena with any horse, there’s a certain amount of, `What am I going to get today?’
“He’s a really eager horse, he wants to always do the right thing. But sometimes, his nerves can get the better of him. I’m just so proud of him. He came up here and he was a little bit on edge, even in these final warm-ups, I didn’t feel like I totally had him. But he went in there and he just did it for me and tried his absolute best. That’s all you can ask for.”
Saturday’s cross-country course, laid out as usual by Tokyo Olympic designer Derek Di Grazia, is a “completely different” level than the route Diabolo handled in the 4-Star.
That, Will pointed out, was “nothing compared to what Diabolo has to do this weekend.
“The 5-star is the ultimate test in all equestrian sports. I’m going to have to ride my best and Diabolo is going to have to be at his best for us to do it well, but I think he can. And that’s what we are going to try to do.”
Very veteran Phillip Dutton, who won the 5-Star in 2008, is aboard Possante for that horse’s 5-Star debut. He’s less than one penalty back of Will on a mount produced by Great Britain’s Emily King.
In turn, New Zealander Tim Price — always a threat at the highest level — is third with Global Quest, another 5-star debutante. The horse was brought along by the late Georgie Campbell, a British eventer who died after a fall while riding that mount at the Bicton International Horse Trials two years ago.
World Number One Harry Meade of Great Britain is fourth with his veteran, Superstition, marked at 30.2 penalties.
“I would have hoped to be scored better than that,” said Harry, who seeks to make up the difference on cross-country where there is “going to be plenty to do.”
When Boyd Martin rode into the arena on Cooley Nutcracker, it was an emotional moment for those who spotted the horse’s former rider, Liz Halliday, watching intently from the grandstand. Liz competed on the horse in the 2024 Olympics, only to suffer a traumatic brain injury in a fall a month later at the American Eventing Championships.
Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker.
Boyd took over the ride as Liz, his Olympic teammate, went through hospitalization and rehabilitation (she now hopes to compete in Para Dressage). Nutcracker earned 30.7 penalties to stand fifth as Liz cheered him on.
“I finished the test and looked up in the stands and she was there with her team,” Boyd recounted after his ride.
“It was cool, I haven’t seen her for a good bit.”
After the competition, Liz got on social media to say, “There really aren’t words to express what today meant to me. To finally be back at an event for the first time since my accident … to watch my gorgeous Cooley Nutcracker go down centerline with Boyd Martin… to hug friends I haven’t seen in so long and catch up about everything I’ve missed … I am overjoyed and so grateful to finally be back in the sport I love.”
She added, “Things are a bit different now, of course. I’m now here as an owner supporting Boyd and Bali alongside the rest of the Liz’s Nutcrackers crew. And yes, I did give Boyd a hard time for flubbing that first flying change. But in all seriousness, I am so grateful to Boyd for everything he has done with the horse who made my Olympic dreams come true and am so excited to cheer them on this weekend.”
Liz Halliday was thrilled about being able to watch in person as Boyd Martin rode her Olympic horse, Cooley Nutcracker.
Of his test, Boyd assessed that it was “not too bad; it’s pretty intimidating to try to follow Liz’s performances, but I’m starting to get the hang of it. It’s still not the finished product yet. He’s a legend. He’s a champion horse.”
Discussing the “juicy” course, he noted, “it starts off a little nicer than usual, then he sticks it to you.”
Ever the entrepreneur, Boyd suggested that after the competition, spectators should “go to my merch shop and get a T-shirt.”
The world number two-ranked rider also will be on last year’s 5-Star runner-up, Commando 3, but he had to leave another of Liz’s horses, Miks Master C. at home after the gelding pulled up sore from an outing at the Fair Hill 4-Star Short last weekend.
Boyd’s hair was looking rather shaggy, because the Pennsylvanian is waiting to cut it in a show of support for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team as it seeks the Stanley Cup.
Boyd Martin looking a little shaggy as he grows his hair to keep his favorite hockey team in the Stanley Cup game.
In the 4-Star Short, which ran during the morning, Californian Tamie Smith came East to take the lead with Danito, who at age 17 is back in the big time after recovering from some injuries.
Tamie has the distinction of being the last U.S. rider to win the 5-star at Kentucky, having done it with the now-retired Mai Baum in 2023.
click here for 5-star results
click on this link for 4-star results
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 21, 2026
Acting on guidance from the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the Virginia State Veterinarian regarding horses that competed at HITS Culpeper this month, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board of Directors and Hunter Jumper Committee decided to cancel their facility’s Lexington Spring Premiere Horse Show.
The panels cited “horse welfare as our top priority—and an abundance of caution guiding every decision. We remain steadfast in prioritizing horses’ safety above all else.
A horse that competed at the Culpeper, Va., show was euthanized after contracting the neurological form of EHV-1. Originally, VHC wanted to ban all horses that competed at Culpeper, but USEF said that was against the rules. So VHC took the cancellation action instead.
Meanwhile, the Lexington Spring Encore Horse Show will be held at VHC in Lexington, Va., as planned with enhanced, industry-leading biosecurity protocols. In partnership with Merck Animal Health, VHC is implementing additional preventative measures designed to support horse health and give exhibitors confidence as we return to competition.
VHC stated, “We look forward to welcoming the community back next week.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 21, 2026
An application by Select Event Group to run the Maryland 5-star in October 2027 is “actively” being prepared, with Paris Olympics 2024 cross-country course designer Pierre Le Goupil on board for the eventing competition, as he was for the 2025 edition.
David O’Connor, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s chief of sport, said the group in May will be presenting a proposal to the organization for resumption of the event next year. The FEI also would have to approve it.
The 2026 competition was cancelled after key personnel departed the organization and the state of Maryland indicated funding would not be available for it.
The event, the first autumn 5-star held in the U.S., ran for five years at a new facility, the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, which also hosts horse racing. The organizing team now is headed by Marissa Melzer, who was the number two person in charge of presenting the 5-star previously.
Boyd Martin, Felix Vogg and Monica Spencer on the podium at the 2025 Maryland 5-star.
“Select is eager to build on the momentum created over the past several years and to thoughtfully broaden what this event can be,” said Alex Corgan, president of Select Event Group, which is the lead organizer for the effort to “reimagine” the event. Select has been involved with the Preakness Stakes, Maryland’s leg of racing’s Triple Crown.
“Our goal is to expand the aperture of supporters and participants — from longtime equestrian fans to new community partners — creating more opportunities for people to engage, contribute, and feel invested in the event’s success. By bringing together a strong team and welcoming all those willing to help make this a success, we believe that we can deliver at Fair Hill an experience that is both world-class in sport and deeply rooted in community.”
He added, “Select intends to expand opportunities for participation from other regional jurisdictions, partners, and organizations both within and beyond Maryland.”
Select already has submitted to USEF an application for presenting the 3-star and Young Event Horse competition that ran with the 5-star. If approved, those fixtures would be held this October as Select partners with Cecil County on the project.
The iconic crab fence has become a symbol of the Maryland 5-star.
County Executive Adam Streight said, “Cecil County is pleased to see the 3-star event continue this year, ensuring the tradition of world-class eventing at Fair Hill remains strong.
“We look forward to working with Select Event Group, who understand the importance of including Cecil Countians and local businesses, along with our partners, to deliver a successful 2026 competition and welcome the return of the Maryland 5 Star in 2027.”
Tim Gardner, a member of the organizing team, said Select is “very motivated to keep this event as an asset for Maryland and believes in it as a business opportunity.”
He noted Corgan “sort of rallied some of the other Maryalnd vendors.”
His involvement, “gets it into the hand of a professional event producer and gives us a really bright future not dependent on state money. It’s a great solution. We’re pretty optimistic.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 19, 2026
The remarkable black Rheinlander stallion Zonik Plus has set another personal best for his rider, Belgium’s Justin Verboomen, earning a stratospheric 91.855 percent in the Fontainebleu, France 5-star Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle this weekend.
One judge had the 10-year-old son of Zonik marked at 93.850 percent. The scores put runner-up Lottie Fry of Great Britain in the shade with Glamourdale, another black stallion, doing their usual Glamourdale Airlines routine.
The world champion, who will defend her title this August in Aachen, was marked at 88.225, although one judge did give her more than 90 percent, with a 90.150. Frederic Wandres of Germany finished third on Bluetooth Old with 81.085.
Justin, the number one-ranked dressage rider in the world, said “The setting at Fontainebleau is exceptional. I was really looking forward to taking Zonik out to compete outdoors again, because I feel that in this environment, he really wants to show off, to put on a show.
Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus.
“For our return to outdoor competition, we delivered the two finest tests of our career. (He received 83.500 for the Grand Prix.)
“I am truly delighted. Before the class, I stay completely focused and in my own bubble; however, once we leave the arena and during the prize-giving ceremony, it is incredibly gratifying to see so many people lining the ring.”
In the Grand Prix Special, Isabell Werth of Germany, the world’s most decorated dressage rider, was the winner with Wendy de Fontaine.
“I’m really happy with my mare this weekend, even though we still need to do a bit of work on the Special test.,” Isabell conceded after receiving a mark of 79.893 percent.
“The competition was exceptional: a mini-Paris 2024. I came to Fontainebleau two years ago and it was already amazing at the time. But the competition has really gone from strength to strength. I say this with a smile, but we’re really looking forward to a World Championship stage being held here.”
Isabell was part of the German team that won the Nations Cup earlier in the week, with Britain second and Belgium, led by Verboomen, third.
Second in the Special was Carl Hester of Great Britain with Fame.
“Today, I really felt my horse was with me,” he said.
“And we undoubtedly performed one of our best Grand Prix Special tests ever. The horse was relaxed, easy to ride and in good spirits. Since this was the first outdoor competition of the season,”
Click here for Freestyle results
Click here for the Special results
