The group trying to save the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky 5-Star Three-Day Event got another reprieve today. They now have until Wednesday at 6 p.m. to raise a bit more than $300,000 to wrap up the $750,000 goal set by Equestrian Events Inc., the competition’s organizer, as one key to reviving the fixture.
“If we get to that point now, that would give us enough comfort to continue on,” said EEI Executive Director Lee Carter, noting the $750,000 doesn’t cover all expenses. Another $750,000 will be needed to pay for the cost of running a bare-bones 5-star, but he pointed out EEI staff already is working on money-saving adjustments.
The 5-star was cancelled last week when EEI stated it couldn’t run at the top level of the sport without funding from ticket sales. Since U.S. Equestrian Federation rules still ban spectators from its licensed competitions due to Covid protocols, the 5-star appeared to be off the books for the second year in a row.
Zara Tindall of Great Britain is among the many foreign riders who have had the goal of competing at the Kentucky 5-star. (Photo © 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
But eventer Sara Kozumplik Murphy and her husband, show jumper Brian Murphy, decided they should try to save the 5-star, and the eventing community enthusiastically joined them.
EEI originally said the $750,000 had to be raised by Sunday night Feb. 7, but the board decided that if $400,000 came in by that date, the deadline could be extended by a few days. With more than $432,000 pledged already, extra days to reach the $750,000 goal were granted.
Lee explained more time to find the money could not be given after Wednesday because riders need to make plans about what they will do with their horses as the season progresses and EEI has to start putting things together in earnest. Sara is confident, however, that the $750,000 goal can be reached. Although she conceded that a few days ago, the fundraising effort “seemed like a complete Hail Mary,” she now is more positive about the outcome as the eventing community has rallied behind the cause.
“I don’t think we’re going to lose the event because we didn’t raise enough money,” she maintained. “I think the momentum is growing.”
For his part, Lee said about the fundraising initiative, “We are grateful folks have made the effort and care enough to do it.”
By Wednesday, “Hopefully we can celebrate together that we’re running the 5-star,” Lee said, “but if not, we can (come up with) the next plan and go from there.”
If the 5-star runs, a 4-star short likely will be held concurrently. Should the 5-star be cancelled for good, the 4-star short could still go, Lee said, along with a variety of national divisions that will allow qualified people who would normally be in the stands instead to be on course at appropriate levels for their skill at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Asked if sponsors have offered to step up with the extra $750,000 needed for the 5-star, Lee said they “have been tremendous; they, like the riders, like us, need confirmation about what the plans are. It’s just a matter of giving definitive direction so they can make their plans.”
The event will not be able to pay out $400,000 in prize money as usual, but there’s a question about how much would have to be offered, even though some riders have suggested running without any prize money to insure it will be held.
FEI rules, however, require $125,000 Euros (approximately $150,000) in prize money for a 5-star, yet a break there could be helpful. Although Lee said there have been some conversations with the FEI about that topic, he isn’t sure it will be pursued, figuring they wouldn’t want to make an exception for a single 5-star.
An FEI spokesperson explained any change in the mandated prize money would need to be reviewed by the eventing technical committee and then proposed to the FEI Board. During the Covid-19 impacted period, however, the FEI has already made exceptions to the prize money rule for certain show jumping 5-stars, allowing a drop down to 4-star money, provided the quality of the competition is maintained at a 5-star level.
Sara noted the Kentucky 5-star is even more important for U.S. eventing than usual because it seems unlikely any American riders will make it to England’s Badminton 5-star in May, given the British lockdown and travel restrictions. Meanwhile, she said, there more than 20 foreign horses “wanting to fly over to do Kentucky.”
Sarah Kozumplik Murphy is one of the leaders of the 5-star fundraising. (Photo © 2017 by Nancy Jaffer)
The prestige of the 5-star, she pointed out, is that it serves as the ultimate test, with a cross-country route that is longer and more difficult than the cross-country at the Olympics. This year, both the Kentucky and Olympic cross-country routes are designed by Derek di Grazia.
Those who donate to the “Save 2021” effort will receive recognition and benefits, including reserved tables and hospitality tickets at the upper levels of giving for the 5-stars in 2022 and beyond, to 2023 and 2024. If the 5 star doesn’t happen this year, donors can request a refund. Should you want to donate, here’s the link:www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/donate
The fund raising group, meanwhile, is asking people who bought tickets for the cancelled 2020 event not to request refunds. EEI has the funds to cover that, but not much else if everyone wants their money back, instead of donating it for 2021 or rolling it over for 2022.
Ticket holders who wish to donate the money they paid for 2020 toward having a 2021 5-star can link here.
Lee is confident that whatever happens this year, the 2022 5-star will happen, barring another Covid upsurge.
But as he pointed out, “If this pandemic never subsides, we all have bigger issues.”
