2025 Kentucky Cross-Country Powerhouses

Glance back at greatness: Check out our photo montage of the thrilling, high-octane action during this year's Kentucky cross-country competition.

Home » Competitions » 2025 Kentucky Cross-Country Powerhouses

The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia created an impressive CCI5*-L course of 27 obstacles over the 6,460-meter track with an optimum time of 11 minutes 20 seconds. This year also marked the fifth running of the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier. Horse-and-rider combinations tackled 22 fences on di Grazia’s CCI4*-S cross-country course, over a 3,990 meter track with optimum time of 7 minutes.

Check our photo gallery of this year’s Kentucky CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S cross-country riders and their fearless mounts!

Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 clinched second in the CCI5*-L at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Alana Harrison

James Alliston (USA) and Cora (CCI4*-S). ©Heather Terdan

Brooke Burchianti (USA) and Cooley Space Grey. ©Heather Terdan

Bec Braitling (AUS) and Caravaggio II (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record, who claimed the CCI4*-S win. ©Kathleen Landwehr

Brooke Burchianti (USA) and Cooley Space Grey (“Astro”) completed their first CCI5*-L together at this year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Alana Harrison

Sarah Kuhn (USA) and Mr. Cash Van De Start (CCI4*-S) ©Heather Terdan

Molly Duda (USA) and Disco Traveler (CCI4*-S). ©Heather Terdan

Michael Jung (GER) claimed his fifth CCI5*-L win at Kentucky this year and his second with fischerChimpmunk FRH. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (CCI5*-L). ©Alana Harrison

Taren Hoffos (USA) and Regalla (CCI4*-S). ©Kathleen Landwehr

Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop Du Matz took third in the CCI5*-L at this year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Tim Price (NZL) and Happy Boy (CCI5*-L). ©Alana Harrison

Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Katherine Coleman (USA) and Monbeg Senna (CCI5*-L). ©Alana Harrison

Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (CCI5*-L). ©Alana Harrison

Will Coleman and Off The Record cruise through the CCI4*-S cross-country course during this year’s event. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop Du Matz (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Fluorescent Adolescent (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Michael Jung (GER) claimed his fifth CCI5*-L win at Kentucky this year and his second with fischerChimpmunk FRH. ©Heather Terdan

Cassie Sanger (USA), who completed her first CCI5*-L at Kentucky this year, with Redfield Fyre. ©Alana Harrison

Bec Braitling (AUS) and Caravaggio II cruise through Derek di Grazia’s 27-obstacle CCI5*-L cross-country course at this year’s Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Alana Harrison

For more of our coverage on this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, click here.

Thanks to Kent Nutrition Group and Blue Seal for our coverage of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.