The 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event kicked off with the First Horse Inspection for the horses competing in the CCI5* Wednesday afternoon. Riders representing seven nationalities presented 36 horses. The ground jury held two horses reinspections. These included Yasmin Ingham’s Banzai Du Loir (GBR) and Doug Payne’s Quantum Leap (USA). The ground jury passed the two horses upon reinspection. Matthew Grayling (NZL) did not present Trudeau.

That leaves 35 CCI5* horses to compete in the dressage phase on Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s CCI5* dressage starts at 1:30 p.m. with the last horse going at 3:58 p.m. Additionally, Friday’s first dressage ride starts at 1 p.m. and runs until 3:55 p.m.

Background Behind Some Outfits

Will Faudree stood out in the horse inspection dressed in a fuchsia suit and pink tie with a cowboy hat. When asked what inspired his outfit, he simply said, “Barbie.” Faudree presented Mama’s Magic Way.

Mia Farley didn’t actually have an outfit selected this morning. She jogged Phelps in a black leather coat, a black scarf with white polka dots, black skinny pants and black boots. “My second mom is here and she got me covered, and so this is actually pretty much all her stuff,” Farley said. “So it’s not a great story, but I think she did a good job. We moved up north on Monday … and the outfit just did not get done.”

Jennie Brannigan looked elegant in an outfit by one of her sponsors Holland Cooper. “When I opened this up I thought, This is the most beautiful outfit I’ve ever seen. I said that to my whole team. It’s just gorgeous. I really appreciate them sending it to me,” Brannigan said. “Then this [pointing to her white top with sheer sections] is from a music festival. … A little flare, you know.”

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S

Meanwhile, 63 horses are contesting the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. That also will kick off Thursday with the first dressage ride starting at 8 a.m. and the last starting at 12:19 p.m. Similarly, on Friday, the first ride again begins at 8 a.m. and runs until the last dressage ride at 12:11 p.m.

Below are photos from the CCI5* horse inspection; scroll down to vote for who you think was best dressed.

Vote on Your Favorite Outfit at the End of the Photos

Vote for Best Dressed at the Kentucky Horse Inspection CCI5*

Thanks to Cosequin for our coverage of the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It includes rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.