Team PracIt was another day of lovely dressage tests in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, but no one could catch Tamie Smith (USA) and Danito. The pair had the top score of the day on Thursday with a 27.0, and they head into Saturday’s cross-country phase as the overnight leaders.
“He just went in there like the seasoned little showman he is, and we both had a good time,” Smith said on Thursday of the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding. “He’s my flashy little dressage fancy prancer who kind of stepped in right behind Mia Baum and is like an old friend. We just fit together.”
Sharon White and Claus 63 Lie in Second Place
Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 had a flowing test to impress the Ground Jury of Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Robyn Fisher (USA). They earned a score of 28.1 to sit in second place on the leaderboard.
“Claus was really quite good,” White said. “We were quite present and together, which was really nice because it doesn’t always happen. It was very satisfying.”
White elaborated that the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding has a big personality and a high level of athleticism, While these qualities can be an asset, White said that it does make him a mentally challenging ride.
“It’s been really fun to figure that out,” White said of finding what works best for Claus. “I think in his 14th year he has finally started to take a breath sometimes, which is exciting.”
While the pair are 2023 Pan American Games team silver medalists, they have had a few blips in their recent FEI results. White elected for the CCI4*-S rather than the CCI5*-L to solidify where they are in their training.
“It’s just been the constant day-to-day ‘be with me, buddy. It’s just a little work; it’s no big deal.’ And not so exciting all of the time. Just repetition of constant thoroughness, connection, ‘be with me, do your job, good job.’”
A Tie for Third With Two Talented Combinations
Two quality tests on Friday morning were good enough to tie for third place on a score of 29.7. Young rider Elizabeth Barratt (GBR) and Ride for Thais Chaman Dumontceau laid down a solid test to sit high up the leaderboard after the first phase. Barratt was pleased with her horse’s trot work and medium canter.
“I’ve never ridden this horse in such a big atmosphere before, but I expected him to rise to the occasion, which he did,” Barratt said. “He loves a crowd; he loves attention on him, so it was the perfect atmosphere for him to go into and do a great test.”
The pair has been together for about 18 months after Barratt took over the ride from Stephane Landois (FRA). The “Ride for Thais” in the horse’s name honors Landois’s friend, Thaïs Méheust, who passed away in a riding accident. Now, the 14-year-old Selle Français gelding is teaching the next generation with Barratt in the irons. After competing at the three-star level last year, they moved up to the four-star level at the end of 2025. She said they got to know each other while refining their dressage and jumping over the winter, and they are feeling like a “true partnership.”
Additionally, Barratt traveled from Great Britain with a group of up-and-coming riders as part of the Rising Lions. The private initiative helping support the next generation of British eventers as they compete overseas.
“It has been such an amazing opportunity that we have had to come out here—seeing the five-star riders while walking the course,” Barratt said. “It has been great so far.”
The other combination tied for third on a score of 29.7 is Smith and Lillet 3. The 10-year-old Holsteiner mare has competed at major events on the West and East Coast with Smith, but Kentucky was a new experience.
“I haven’t been in that much of an atmosphere with her yet, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect,” Smith said after her test. “She is always all business and tries so hard. She did the same just now; she is such a lovely horse. I was really pleased with her test.”
Cross Country on the Horizon
The CCI4*-S competitors will have put their training to the test with Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course. While his courses are known for being fair, Kentucky’s four-star track is often described as a four-and-a-half star. Smith noted that the time will be challenging to achieve on Saturday, but it is a fair test.
“I think the course is very good and very fair, and it’s Derek. We love and trust Derek,” Smith said. “There’s definitely some serious accuracy questions, and you’ve got to make sure you’re focused and on your game and your horses are prepared because of the atmosphere.”
Smith has her work cut out for her with three rides between Danito, Lillet 3 and Kynan, who is currently in 13th place. However, the large division gives her a chance to decompress between horses.
“I’m happy to have enough time to get off one and refocus and get on the next,” Smith said.
With White electing to compete in the CCI4*-S, she was happy with the course and the questions it will ask her and her horse.
“It is exactly what I need for Claus,” White said. “If the universe could’ve put right what I need, it’s right there. I’m really grateful for Derek.”
Barratt thought likewise as Smith and White saying it was a good track testing horses and riders.
“I think it is going to take riding, but if it is ridden properly, then it should ride nicely,” Barrett said.
Smith summed things up nicely of the eventer’s mindset saying, “It’s why we do this sport—it’s for tomorrow.”
For More
For the full results, click here.
To visit the event website, click here.
To check out more of our coverage from the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, click here.
Thanks to Dechra for our coverage of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.