The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) is set to take place in less than a month’s time, and a slew of talented horses and riders are aiming to compete at the premier event. A total of 37 combinations from five nations in the K3DE CCI5*-L division and 45 pairs combinations from five nations in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S division will headline the event from April 23-26 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The entry list could change between now and the event with potential last-minute withdrawals and some pairs being cross-entered in the MARS Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*-L two weeks after the K3DE. Regardless, spectators can count on seeing a top-notch competition with some of the world’s best eventers.

K3DE CCI5*-L Entries

While last year’s CCI5*-L winners Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH won’t return for the 2026 event, both the second- and third-place finishers are traveling back to Kentucky. World no. 2 Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 were second in 2025 and earned the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship title as the highest-placed U.S. pair. This year, Martin and Commando 3 were second in the Bouckaert Equestrian International CCI4*-S as they kicked off their season. World no. 1 Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz placed third in last year’s K3DE and may be returning to the Bluegrass State for 2026, but it’s worth noting that they’re one of the pairs cross-entered at Badminton.

To view the full CCI5*-L entry list, click here.

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Entries

In the 2025 CCI4*-S, Will Coleman (USA) won with Off The Record, but this year, he’s bringing two rising stars, Fahrenheit Addict and Very Dignified. Last fall, Coleman rode Very Dignified to a third-place finish in the Morven Park CCI4*-L and Fahrenheit Addict to a fifth-place finish in The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-S. Additionally, Alyssa Phillips (USA), who won the inaugural CCI4*-S in 2021 with Oskar, is back this year with her own up-and-coming mount, Rockett 19. The pair was second in last fall’s Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L and won the Bouckaert Equestrian International Advanced division to kick off their 2026 competition season.

To view the full CCI4*-S entry list, click here.

Competition Overview

Competition for the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S will run from April 23-26, though the ever-popular CCI5*-L first horse inspection will take place in the afternoon on Wednesday, April 22. Two days of dressage competition will follow on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24. The thrilling and highly anticipated cross-country phase will take place Saturday, April 25, and the 2026 K3DE will come to an exciting conclusion on Sunday, April 26, with the stadium jumping phase.

With the 2026 FEI World Championships coming up in mid-August in Aachen, Germany, the K3DE is a prime event for both horses and riders to prepare for the competition season ahead. For U.S. combinations, the CCI5*-L division is one of 20 team selection trials that serve as an opportunity for pairs to prove their mettle in a world-class competition.

In addition to the eventing action, a CSI5* jumping competition will take place from April 23-25. Outside of a world championship, the K3DE is the only event in the world to host a CCI5*-L, CCI4*-S, and CSI5* during the same weekend. The jumping classes kick off with Thursday’s $62,500 1.55m CSI5* Qualifier. On Friday, the new $200,000 1.50m CSI5* Major League Show Jumping Team competition will take center stage as a mix of team members from different countries join together to vie for the top prize. The jumping competition concludes Saturday with the $32,000 1.45m CSI5* Power & Speed and the $340,000 Kentucky International Grand Prix CSI5*. The jumping classes will be held in the Rolex Stadium, with the exception of the Power & Speed class, which will occur in the Claiborne Arena. The entries for the jumping competition are still to come.

For More

To find out more about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian, click here.