Forces of Nature: Kentucky Show Jumping Rocks Rolex Stadium

As the sun sets on our 2025 Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage, we take a glimpse back at the versatile and resolute riders and equine athletes who contended in this year's show jumping.

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2025 KY3DE Flashback—The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event kicked off two weeks ago, but it already feels like a lifetime ago that Germany’s Michael Jung claimed his historic fifth CCI5*-L Kentucky win and his second with 17-year-old Hanoverian eventing powerhouse fischerChipmunk FRH.

This year’s three-day event that spanned over five days starting with the CCI5*-L first horse inspection also saw U.S.-favorite Boyd Martin deliver a near flawless dressage test in the pouring rain aboard Commando 3 and complete the CCI5*-L with three horses in the top 10. Martin’s performances at Kentucky this year also launched him to the number-one spot in the FEI Eventing World Rankings.

Of additional note, six horse-and-rider combinations competed in their first five-star at Kentucky this year, with five pairs completing.

We hope you enjoy this last glance at the 2025 KY3DE!

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH celebrating after taking top honors in the CCI5*-L at 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Amy K. Dragoo

Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop Du Matz (CCI5*-L). ©Amy K. Dragoo

Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett (CCI5*-L). ©Amy K. Dragoo

Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (CCI5*-L). ©Amy K. Dragoo

Tamie Smith (USA) and Kynan (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

James Alliston (USA) and Nemesis (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Will Coleman and Off The Record sailed through the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S show-jumping course at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to take top honors in the four-star competition. ©Alana Harrison

Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (CCI5*-L). ©Amy K. Dragoo

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (CCI4*-S). ©Heather Terdan

Dana Cooke (CAN) and FE Quatro (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Boyd Martin (USA) helps present awards to Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record for their victory in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. ©Heather Terdan

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH (CCI5*-L). ©Amy K. Dragoo

Shannon Lilley (USA) and Eindhoven Garette after completing their first CCI5*-L at Kentucky this year. ©Kathleen Landwehr

Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record taking their victory lap in the CCI4*-S. ©Heather Terdan

Elisa Wallace (USA) and Lissavorra Quality (CCI4*-S). ©Heather Terdan

Alexander O’Neal (USA) and Redtail Penumbra (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Cassie Sanger (USA) and Redfield Fyre completed their first CCI5*-L at Kentucky this year. ©Heather Terdan

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (CCI5*-L). ©Kathleen Landwehr

Jan Byyny (USA) and Beautiful Storm (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Tommy Greengard (USA) and That’s Me Z (CCI4*-S). ©Alana Harrison

Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett (CCI5*-L). ©Heather Terdan

Michael Jung (GER) walking with Kentucky Three-Day Event Press Officer Marty Bauman. ©Heather Terdan

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.