by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 26, 2026
Victory in the Cosequin 4-Star Short was well-deserved for Tamie Smith on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park, where she was the lone competitor among 31 starters to go clear in the show jumping phase and clinch the title after leading through every segment of the event.
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 were elated over their Cosequin 4-Star victory.
The Californian became the only rider ever to win both the 4- and 5-Star on what is known as “The best weekend all year,” having topped the 5-Star in 2023 with the now-retired Mai Baum. Tamie has had only one rail down in 23 show jumping starts with Lillet 3, the lone horse to make the elusive 75-second time allowed on the course designed by Guillherme Jorge in the Rolex Arena.
Tamie didn’t think the time was achievable, but she and her coach, Scott Keach, were inspired to go for it. Then Lillet beat the clock.
“She was super I couldn’t have asked for her to be better, ” said Tamie, who ended on Saturday’s cross-country score of 31.3 penalties. Will Coleman moved up with only 1.6 time penalties on Very Dignified to be second with 37.4 time penalties. Next-best timewise, with only 0.4 penalties against the clock was Mia Farley and Invictus, owned by eventing legends Karen and David O’Connor. Invictus had a 38.3 total.
The show jumping was a milestone for Mia, who often has had trouble in that phase.
“I felt normal today,” said Mia,
“I just decided I wanted to ride the best I could. Sammy answered everything, he jumped really well and high. I was impressed with him. It was also nice to hear myself also answer those questions.”
Of Lillet, Tamie noted, “She didn’t get too tense or tight. She just keeps going from strength to strength she was so rideable and tried her heart out I don’t think she touched a rail, she jumped so well.”
What’s next for Lillet, the Holsteiner who came from Germany more than two years ago as an 8-year-old from Andreas Dibowski?
As Tamie noted about the Kentucky 4-star, “everyone considers it like a 5 (Star) Short (format). She’s already done two four longs (4-Star Longs) so i think she’s ready for a 5-star.”
A 5-star certainly looks like the natural step up for the mare, owned by Molly Duda.
After dressage, Tamie led with the 17-yeer-old Danito, but retired him on the cross-country course Saturday when things didn’t go as planned at the fifteenth fence. But Lillet moved right into the top spot after cross-country to take her stablemate’s place on the leaderboard.
Tamie was emotional when fellow eventer and friend Liz Halliday came out to the ring to present an award to her for being the top-placed U.S. competitor in the 4-Star division.
“We always had this thing, we were going to win medals together on teams,” Tamie recounted wistfully about the 2024 Olympian who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an August 2024 fall in Kentucky and has been dedicated to recovering ever since.
“It really was awesome to see how far she’s come. It’s virtually a miracle,” Tamie said.
Liz already has her sights set on competing in Para Dressage, but as Tamie noted “it’s bittersweet,” thinking what might have been.
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 Guilherme 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 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 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
Monica Spencer’s lead in the Defender Kentucky 5-Star Three-Day Event increased to a more comfortable level after the cross-country phase, not only because of her perfect trip Saturday within the 11:05 optimum time, but also because her closest rivals simply couldn’t match the caliber of her performance with the swift thoroughbred, Artist.
The New Zealander and her mount were a picture of fluent speed and agility over the route designed by Derek di Grazia at the Kentucky Horse Park.
After Friday’s dressage, she had an edge of only 0.3 penalties over her countryman, Tim Price on Vitali. But he dropped down to fifth place with 9.2 time penalties.
Thus her main worry going into Sunday’s stadium jumping finale is the USA’s Will Coleman with Diabolo, a fancy horse making his 5-star debut. He was also within the time, so he heads into show jumping on his mark from dressage, which is 27.3 penalties. That gives Monica, with 22.3 penalties, the luxury of being able to have one 4-fault knockdown over the painted rails. But will that be enough?
She is not going to take no for an answer in her Kentucky quest. Not after having moved across the globe to the U.S. with her family to pursue her sport at the highest level. Winning the $400,000 event would go a long way to making the mighty effort worthwhile
“You’re always questioning; everybody sacrificed; I face a lot of pressure to make it work,” she revealed.
And she can almost see the rainbow, with only a show jumping course between her and the view. But she thinks she is on track for what has to be done.
“We’re doing positive reinforcement. The podium is the dream, so we’ll try to stay there,” said Monica, who was second last autumn in the Maryland 5-star.
Monica Spencer and Artist simply took flight in a dramatic leap. (Equestrian Sports NZ/Shannon Brinkman Photography)
Will, the highest ranked U.S. rider so far in the competition, praised the efforts of his mount — who is fueled by a half-pint supplement of blueberries daily.
“I felt pretty good about where the horse was coming into the event,” he noted, and Diabolo didn’t disappoint.
“I adore the horse,” Will said. “I’m just thankful to be here. It’s an awesome event. A lot of the world’s best are here and it was a fantastic day of competition.”
Will Coleman and Diabolo. (U.S. Eventing Association Photo)
In third place is 2024 U.S. Olympian Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake, her Paris Games mount , a horse she loves so much that she named her daughter after him.
She had just two time penalties, so standing on a score of 28.6, Caroline is also a threat to the two riders in front of her.
click here for 5-star results
And if you want the blow-by-blow about every horse on cross-country, click here to get it from the U.S. Eventing Association.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 24, 2026
The Kiwis dominated the second day of dressage at the Defender Kentucky 5-Star Three-Day Event on Friday, holding the first two places going into Saturday’s cross-country test.
Monica Spencer and the elegant, expressive thoroughbred, Artist, wound up with a personal best mark of 22.3 penalties to be on top of the 29-horse field. They are just 0.3 penalties ahead of her compatriot, Tim Price, and the powerful Vitali, a horse who has eight top 10 finishes but no 5-star victories.
Leading the way in the 5-Star are Monica Spencer and Artist.
Monica, based in Virginia far from her native New Zealand, was the runner-up last autumn in the Maryland 5-Star with the horse she fondly refers to as Max. But there’s a long way to go before she can enjoy a win at what is now the only 5-star in North America. (Maryland won’t be held this year).
With Derek di Grazia’s demanding cross-country course looming as a challenge, she isn’t counting her chickens before they hatch.
Keeping the poultry analogy, “With eventing, you can be a rooster one day and a feather duster the next,” Monica advised cheerfully.
Monica Spencer and Artist.
“Max was super today and gave me good energy in the test and I’m really pleased with him,” she continued, noting he is not only “a beautiful mover” but also “trainable.”
Tim noted Vitali was “a little bit on edge,” mentioning that his dressage is usually better in the autumn than the spring.
“I’ve been through a lot with him, a lot of disappointments, really, in terms of final results of the competitions. But equally, he’s an incredible horse in so many ways. I’d never give up on him.
“I think he’s got a big win in him…hopefully, it’s got to come around at some point soon. It’s just a matter of tinkering away to try to find something that’s going to help us be truly successful at this level,” added Tim, who lives in England.
Tim Price and Vitali (Equestrian Sports NZ/Shannon Brinkman)
Great Britain’s Tom McEwen is not much further back from the leaders with 25.1 penalties on the reliable Brookfield Quality. The horse, known around the barn as Nervous Norris, in contrast to that nickname looked very steady, aside from a less-than-perfect reinback.
But Tom noted he “pulled out the same test that he can do every time and laid everything down.”
U.S. rider Will Coleman’s lead with Diabolo on a mark of 27.3 penalties from day one of the dressage phase Thursday was eclipsed by the 26.6 penalty performance of Caroline Pamukcu and her 2024 Olympic mount, HSH Blake. She became the leading American, in fourth place, leaving Will fifth.
Caroline thinks so much of her horse that she named her daughter after him.
Caroline Pamukcu and daughter Blake.
“He’s just such a special partner. He’s my best friend,” observed Caroline.
“He was fabulous, wasn’t he?” she asked. And we knew the right answer.
Caroline hopes she will be able to rate him the same for cross-country.
“There is a lot to do out there,” she commented.
“The good thing is the ground is fast and they’re doing everything they can to water it and make it soft. It’s going to very competitive.”
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. (USEA/Lindsay Berreth Photo)
Caroline is the busiest rider in the 5-star, with three mounts, all of whom she brought along since they were young horses. She stands fifteenth with HSH Tolan King and seventeenth with She’s the One.
“There’s a lot of work for me,” she pointed out, then added, “they all deserve to shine, so hopefully I can give them the ride they deserve.”
It’s very cool that there are two 19-year-old horses in the field. Appropriately, perhaps, both are grey. Corvett, who has competed in every 5-star in the Northern Hemisphere, is making his final appearance at the level for owner Emily Hamel. He is in twenty-first place.
Sunday Times, meanwhile, is twenty-ninth.
“We all know he’s not a dressage horse,” said his owner, amateur rider Arden Wildasin. The horse had a top 10 finish in the Maryland 5-star last year.
Click here for 5-star results
In the 4–Star Short that runs with the 5-star, Tamie Smith kept her lead from Thursday with Danito on 27 penalties. Sharon White is second with Claus 63 (28.1), who did not complete the 5-Star in Kentucky last year.
Tamie also tied for third on Lillet 3 (29.7), while Great Britain’s Elizabeth Barratt has the same score on Ride for Thais Chamon Dumontceau.
Click here for 4-star results
