Competitions

23 to Move Forward to Show Jumping in Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff | April 27, 2025
Boyd Martin and Commando 3. USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

Lexington, Ky.—April 27— It was a somewhat uneventful morning in the final horse inspection for both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L, which is always a great testament to the exemplary horse care that these top athletes receive and the horsemanship exhibited by their riders.

In the CCI4*-S, one pair opted to withdraw before the final inspection began, Colin Gaffney (USA) and Baymax, bringing the total field moving forward to the final phase to 37. Ema Klugman's (AUS) entry RF Redfern was held after the first presentation, but was accepted following their second trip down High Hope Inspection Lane. Four-star show jumping will begin at 10:30 a.m. EST.

It was the European contingent that experienced the most disruption in the five-star field, with New Zealand's Tim Price withdrawing Jarillo prior to the final inspection and another of his three entries, Falco, being sent to the hold box where Price ultimately opted to withdraw his Olympic Games partner. Calvin Böckmann's (GER) The Phantom Of The Opera was also sent back to the hold box for evaluation, but was accepted upon representation.

In addition to Jarillo, Australia's Ema Klugman also withdrew Bronte Beach Z rather than presenting her this morning, stating in a social media post that the mare had clipped a heel on cross-country and wasn't 100% this morning.

There will be 23 five-star pairs to show jump this afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m. EST.

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