Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

Big Smiles, Pats And Fences: Our Favorite Pics From ‘The Best Weekend All Year’

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Each spring the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington hosts top eventers from around the world in what is billed as “The Best Weekend All Year”: the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It was a historic weekend, with German juggernaut Michael Jung winning the five-star for the fifth time, a feat no other rider has accomplished. And in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, Will Coleman won for the second year in a row, this time with his longtime partner Off The Record.

Take a look at some of our favorite photos from the weekend.

Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S winners Off The Record and Will Coleman were picture perfect on cross-country. Kimberly Loushin Photos
Hannah Sue Hollberg cuddles with Carsonstown, who finished 32nd in the four-star.
Michael Jung grins after winning his fifth Kentucky five-star and his second with FischerChipmunk FRH.
Spectators pose for a selfie while Jan Byyny and Beautiful Storm negotiate the Cedar Table on the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, on their way to a 10th-placed finish.
Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette finished their first five-star in 17th.
Boyd Martin managed the unusual feat of being the first-, second- AND third-placed U.S. rider in the five-star. He won the Defender USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship and took second overall with Commando 3, shown here.
New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist were eighth in the five-star.
Olympic individual gold medalist and current USEF Chief of Sport David O’Connor signs an autograph for an eventing fan.
Ali Kuhn and Little Hail were hard to miss on the four-star course. They finished 29th.
Jonelle Price rode her Olympic mount Hiarado in the five-star, where they finished 15th.
Arden Wildasin celebrates finishing her first five-star with Sunday Times. They were 20th.
Savannah “Woodge” Fulton and Cash Point over the corner at the Walnut Bank in the four-star.
Harry Meade celebrates finishing on his dressage score with Et Hop Du Matz to place third in the five-star.
This corgi was excited to be out and about at the event.
Spectators gather on the cross-country course to watch Molly Duda and Disco Traveler navigate the Walnut Bank in the four-star.
Boyd Martin negotiates the Head of the Lake, with Fedarman B, who finished sixth in the five-star.
Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna negotiate the EEI Root Cellar in the five-star.
Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z jump in front of the crowd in Rolex Stadium to finish 17th in the four-star.
Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo leap over the dachshund in the four-star, where they finished 20th.
Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park jump under the trees in the five-star.
James Alliston and Karma leap to ninth in the five-star.
Mia Farley pats Invictus after jumping to sixth in the four-star.
Kimmy Cecere and OS Hermintage jump over a cabin at the Park Question in the four-star.

Five-star results

Four-star results

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The Chronicle is on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park with two reporters to bring you everything you need to know at coth.com, so you don’t have to miss a minute of the action. You can find all of our coverage from the week here. You can also follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to read our May 23 issue for more in-depth coverage and analysis of the event. 

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