Top Event Riders Set to Compete at Kentucky CCI5*-L

Reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung from Germany alongside top event riders Tom McEwen from Great Britain and Tim Price from New Zealand are confirmed entries for this year’s Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L.

Attendees

The event will take place from April 24-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, featuring 42 participants from eight different countries including New Zealand, the United States, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, and Ireland. Jung is aiming for a record-breaking fifth win at Kentucky, riding fischerChipmunk FRH, the same horse he took to victory in 2022 with a record low score of 20.1. Notably, Oliver Townend from Great Britain, who is the only other rider to have won Kentucky four times, will not be defending his title as he competes at Mars Badminton CCI5*-L instead. Nine horses entered for Kentucky are also cross-entered at Badminton, which takes place shortly after from May 7-11.

McEwen will bring two mounts to both events, having competed with JL Dublin at Kentucky before. Harry Meade, currently ranked World No. 7, has five horses in contention at Badminton, with three of them also entered in Kentucky. Tim Price has pre-registered three horses for Kentucky, including his mount from the Paris Olympics, Falco. Several other riders, such as Jennie Brannigan and Lara De Liedekerke-Meier, are also aiming to compete at both events.

The competition will see multiple riders making their five-star debuts, alongside established veterans. In total, two Canadian riders and several New Zealand competitors, including Price’s teammates from the Olympics, are set to participate in Kentucky. Jung will be joined by two fellow Germans, while Australian and Canadian entries are aiming for their first five-star completions following past experiences. A full list of entrants has been made available for fans and followers of the sport.