Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

APRIL 25-28, 2024

About

The Best Weekend All Year

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world’s premier equestrian 5* events showcasing the world’s highest level of equestrian eventing. Held the last weekend in April in Lexington, Kentucky, this internationally renowned event draws the best horse and rider combinations worldwide. The weekend attracts people from around the globe to witness leading riders compete in addition to shopping, attractions, and sponsor experiences you can only find here. The Cosequin® Lexington 4* and the Kentucky 4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are hosted over the same weekend for even more opportunities to see exceptional equestrian competitions.

2024 Event Dates are April 25 - 28, 2024.

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The Disciplines

An Equestrian Triathlon

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. It combines dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases, and the winner of the three-day event is the pair with the lowest combined score.

Dressage

Dressage is hosted in enclosed arenas, and riders cue their horses to perform intricate movements to demonstrate balance, rhythm, suppleness, and obedience.
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Cross-Country

The cross-country phase is formatted as a test of speed where the horse and rider must quickly ride across varied terrains and over obstacles within the optimum time.
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Show Jumping

Show jumping requires extreme coordination as horse and rider jump over a series of 12-15 fences with lightweight rails that are easily knocked down in an enclosed arena.
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Ticket Information

Experience World-Class Equestrian Eventing

There are a variety of ways to enjoy the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, including Saturday tailgating, reserved stadium seating, and premier club experiences. The clock is ticking, buy your tickets ahead of time online now!

Event Dates April 25 - 28, 2024

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download the cross-country app

Explore the Cross-Country Courses

If Cross-Country day is your favorite, you need the Cross Country App! From the app you can explore the interactive map of the 2023 Cross-Country course with photos and video guides. Plus, spectators can find their location on the course and turn on the Venue Guide to see food, arenas, big screens, restrooms and more. *Note, the 2024 Course will not be live until Event Week.

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Premium Experiences

Clubs & Hospitality

Reserve your spot in one of our four private clubs with spectacular views, food and beverage service, and other benefits that can make your experience more relaxed, comfortable, and memorable.

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Tickets

Purchase tickets today!
Shopping
Food & Dining
Livestream
Results

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Stay Connected

Stay connected to what’s happening at the Kentucky Three-Day Event by following us on social media. If you would like more information or to be added to our email list, click here.

The Latest

News & Updates

Behind the Barn 2024: Phillip Dutton

24 Apr, 2024

7x Olympian Phillip Dutton highlights his favorite Kentucky moments, the evolution of the Event and offers his advice to first-timers as he gets set to compete here yet again in episode 8 of Behind the Barn.

Inside Kentucky: The Preview Show

24 Apr, 2024

Get ready for the ultimate showdown at the Kentucky Horse Park! As the excitement builds, we're breaking down the Defender Kentucky 5-Star and the Cosequin Kentucky 4-Star Short, offering insights into the athletes and horses gearing up for their moment in the spotlight. Join Rosie Russell, Nicole Brown and Diarm Byrne as they delve into the stories of redemption, Olympic dreams, and the sheer thrill of competition. With updates that have shaken up the leaderboard and a palpable buzz of anticipation, this episode is packed with analysis and predictions you won't want to miss as we head into one of eventing's most prestigious weeks. Click here to buy tickets to The Best Weekend All Year! Don't forget to follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast on Instagram and Facebook .

Behind the barn kids say the darndest things presented by nupafeed

Behind the Barn 2024: Kids Say the Darndest Things

24 Apr, 2024

As competition kicks off, you might have your own guesses about how your favorite riders will do, but what do their kids think? In Episode 7 of Behind the barn, kids tell all.