2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™
Set to Return, April 23-26
The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ is set to return to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26. The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts over 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of entertainment activities.
In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, which offers $50,000 in prize money. The Cosequin® Lexington 4* will be a designated qualifying event for the annual U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Final, which will take place at the Morven Park CCI4*-L in October. Comprising 20 qualifying CCI4*-S events, the U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series offers a $200,000 prize pot during the Final, along with Series awards worth $50,000 for athletes who accumulate the most points throughout the year.
Additionally, K3DE will host the Kentucky International CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Saturday, April 25. The Kentucky International features many of the world’s best jumping horses and riders and includes a $62,500 1.55m Qualifier competition on Thursday, followed by the $62,500 1.50m Individual Speed and $200,000 1.50m Major League Show Jumping Team competitions on Friday. Saturday will feature a $32,000 1.45m Power & Speed class before the pinnacle of the competition, the $340,000 Kentucky International 1.60m Grand Prix, in the evening following the conclusion of the CCI cross-country competition.
Read more:
Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event | April 23-26, 2026
