View source for Kentucky Three-Day Event

{{Short description|Eventing competition}}
{{Infobox equestrian event 
| name = Kentucky Three-Day Event
| image = R3DE_StadiumJump.jpg
| sanctioning body 1 = [[International Federation for Equestrian Sports]]
| location = Rolex Stadium, [[Kentucky Horse Park]], Lexington,  KY, USA
| held = Annually 
| length = 4 days
| sponsors = [[Land Rover]]
| inaugurated = 1978
| breeds =   
| website = {{URL|https://www.kentuckythreedayevent}}
| breeds shown = 
| total purse = US$400,000
| number of entries = 
| slogan = 
}}

The '''Kentucky Three-Day Event''', currently the '''Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event''' due to [[sponsorship]], is an [[eventing]] competition held at the [[Kentucky Horse Park]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]].  Land Rover Kentucky is a [[Concours Complet International|CCI5*-L]] eventing competition. Five stars is the highest level of competition in the sport, the same level of competition as [[Eventing]] at the [[Equestrian at the Summer Olympics|Olympics]] and the World Equestrian Games. The event is sponsored by [[Land Rover]].  Prize money of ${{formatnum:400000}} is distributed among the top placings with ${{formatnum:110000}} as well as a Rolex watch awarded to the first place horse and rider. The winning rider also gets a 12-month lease of a Land Rover (2023 Defender Model)

Although the event's name continues to reflect its roots as a three-day competition, the Kentucky Three-Day Event currently takes place over four days (Thursday through Sunday). Due to large number of entries, both Thursday and Friday are devoted to the [[dressage]] test. [[Cross-country equestrianism|Cross-country]] is on Saturday, and [[show jumping]] is on Sunday.

The Kentucky Three-Day Event is held the last weekend of April, the week before the [[Kentucky Derby]]. It is one of the three events in the [[Grand Slam of Eventing|Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing]].

==History==
[[File:R3DE XCountry.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Rider and horse navigating an obstacle on the cross-country course]]

In 1974, [[Bruce Davidson (equestrian)|Bruce Davidson]] and the United States Equestrian Team won individual and team gold at the World Championships held in [[Burghley Horse Trials|Burghley, England]]. This gave the United States the right to hold the next World Championships four years later, in 1978. The [[Kentucky Horse Park]] in [[Lexington, Kentucky]] was due to open around the same time, and plans were made to hold the World Championships there.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) was formed to as a non-profit organization to help plan the competition and raise public awareness. The first horse trials at the Kentucky Horse Park was held in 1976, to prepare. In 1977, the National Pony Club Rally and the North American Junior Three-Day Event Championships were also held there.

The 1978 event had more than 170,000 spectators and added more than $4 million to the local economy. The event was broadcast worldwide, as well as nationally on CBS. The success of the World Championships helped to convince the EEU to continue the event annually. Today, the event is broadcast worldwide in 18 languages.

[[File:Rolex Bridge.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Rider and horse negotiating a rather difficult jump]]
Although the event began as an advanced three-day, and later included open intermediate and preliminary competitions, today it only holds the highest level: the CCI****. Intermediate-level competition was held in 1979 and from 1985 to 1981. An Advanced-level CCI was held from 1980 to 1999 up to the *** level, with Advanced Horse Trials (non-CCI) also held from 1992 to 1996. The CCI**** was begun in 1998, and has been held annually since. Since 2000, the CCI**** is the only competition held during this time, and the preliminary, intermediate, and CCI*** levels are not offered.

[[File:2007-04-27 15-17-13-02.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Rider and horse during the Dressage test]]
The Kentucky Three-Day Event also hoped to continue the [[eventing#Short vs. classic format|classic format]], despite the other major events around the world switching to the short format. Originally, the plan was to alternate years, offering the short format in even-numbered years as preparation for the [[Olympic Games]] or the [[World Equestrian Games|World Championship]], while running the classic format in odd-numbered years. However, in 2006 it was announced that, due to lack of funds and interest from upper level riders, the event would only offer the short format. Therefore, all competition run before 2005 (excluding the 2004 Modified division) was run "classic format," and from the 2006 event onward has been run in the "short format."

===The CCI****===
The CCI**** competition was first suggested in 1994 by [[Edward (Denny) Emerson|Denny Emerson]], who believed the [[United States]] had enough competitors at this high level to warrant the development of a four-star. Previously, American riders trained in England when they were preparing for international competition, as the country had the only two annual CCI**** at that time: [[Badminton Horse Trials|Badminton]] and [[Burghley Horse Trials|Burghley]]. The [[USET]] began making plans in 1996, and held the country's first and the world's third annual four-star competition at the [[Kentucky Horse Park]] in 1998.

=== The CCI***** ===
After the 2018 season, the FEI added an introductory level below CCI*, bumping all subsequent levels upward. While there was no change to the difficulty of the competition, the added level forced all former CCI**** competitions to re-classify as CCI*****.

==Physicality of the sport==
This sport takes many different precautions concerning the horse's health. Two horses died of a heart attack on the course in April 2008.<ref>Thomas, Katie. "Equestrians' Deaths Spread Unease in Sports Growing Ranks." New York Times. April 9, 2008.</ref>

[[Self-efficacy]] is a way to assess themselves and the horse using a scientific method. Evaluating the health of the horse is important because the horse could easily get injured.<ref>Beauchamp, Mark R. "Self-efficacy and Other-Efficacy in Dyadic Performance: Riding as one in Equestrian Eventing." Journal of Sported and Exercise Psychology. June 2008.</ref>

A study was done to compare the heart rate between a trained and untrained horse. The results show that trained horses do not have more stress or pain in comparison with untrained horses. However, if evaluated 30 minutes before competition, the trained horse would show less stress. According to this experiment the training method, "Deep and Round", put more stress on the horse.<ref>van Breda, Eric. "A Nonnatural head-neck Position (Rollkur) during Training Results in Less Acute Stress in Elite, Trained, Dressage horses." Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 2006.</ref>

==Winners==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Rider
!Horse
! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
|1978
|[[Bruce Davidson (equestrian)|Bruce Davidson]] (USA)
|[[Might Tango]]
|[[Eventing World Championships]]
|-
|1978
|Team Canada
|
|[[Eventing World Championships]]
|-
|1979
|Juliet Bishop (CAN)
|Taxi
|Modified Open Intermediate 3-Day
|-
|1980
|[[Torrance Watkins]] (USA)
|Poltroon
|Modified Advanced 3-Day
|-
|1981
|[[James C. Wofford]] (USA)
|Carawich
|Modified Advanced 3-Day
USET Selection Trials
|-
|1982
|Kim Walnes (USA)
|[[The Gray Goose]]
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1983
|Bruce Davidson (USA)
|[[JJ Babu]]
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1984
|Bruce Davidson (USA)
|[[Dr. Peaches]]
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1985
|Derek di Grazia (USA)
|Sasquatch
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1986
|James C. Wofford (USA)
|The Optimist
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1987
|Kerry Millikin (USA)
|The Pirate
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1988
|Bruce Davidson (USA)
|Dr. Peaches
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI), Olympic Selection Trial
|-
|1989
|Bruce Davidson (USA)
|Dr. Peaches
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI)
|-
|1990
|[[David O'Connor (equestrian)|David O'Connor]] (USA)
|Wilton Fair
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI**)
|-
|1991
|[[Karen O'Connor|Karen Lende]] (USA)
|Mr. Maxwell
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
|-
|1992
|Stuart Young-Black (CAN)
|Von Perrier
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
Olympic Selection Trial
|-
|1993
|Bruce Davidson (USA)
|[[Happy Talk (horse)|Happy Talk]]
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
|-
|1994
|Julie Gomena (USA)
|Treaty
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
|-
|1995
|David O'Connor (USA)
|[[Custom Made]]
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
Olympic Qualifying Competition
|-
|1996
|[[Stephen Bradley (equestrian)|Stephen Bradley]] (USA)
|Dr. Dolittle
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
USET Selection Trial
|-
|1997
|Karen O'Connor (USA)
|Worth the Trust
|Advanced 3-Day (CCI***)
|-
|1998
|Nick Larkin (NZL)
|Red
|CCI****
|-
|1998
|Tiffani Loudon (USA)
|Makabi
|CCI***
|-
|1999
|Karen O'Connor (USA)
|Prince Panache
|CCI****
|-
|1999
| [[Kim Severson|Kimberly Vinoski]] (USA)
|Over the Limit
|CCI***
|-
|2000
|[[Blyth Tait]] (NZL)
|Welton Envoy
|Began running as solely a CCI**** event
|-
|2001
|David O'Connor (USA)
|[[Giltedge]]
|
|-
|2001
|Kimberly Severson (USA)
|[[Winsome Adante]]
|
|-
|2003
|[[Pippa Funnell]] (GBR)
|[[Primmore's Pride]]
|Won as the first leg of eventual [[Grand Slam of Eventing|Rolex Grand Slam]] win
|-
|2004
|Kimberly Severson (USA)
|Winsome Adante
|
|-
|2004
|[[Darren Chiacchia]] (USA)
|[[Windfall II]]
|Modified CCI**** Division
|-
|2005
|Kimberly Severson (USA)
|Winsome Adante
|
|-
|2006
|[[Andrew Hoy]] (AUS)
|Master Monarch
|Run without steeplechase
|-
|2007
|[[Clayton Fredericks]] (AUS)
|Ben Along Time
|
|-
|2008
|[[Phillip Dutton]] (USA)
|Connaught
|
|-
|2009
|[[Lucinda Fredericks]] (AUS)
|[[Headley Britannia]]
|
|-
|2010
|[[William Fox-Pitt]] (GBR)
|Cool Mountain
|
|-
|2011
|[[Mary King (equestrian)|Mary King]] (GBR)
|King's Temptress
|Also finished 2nd on Fernhill Urco
|-
|2012
|William Fox-Pitt (GBR)
|Parklane Hawk
|
|-
|2013
|[[Andrew Nicholson (equestrian)|Andrew Nicholson]] (NZL)
|Quimbo
|
|-
|2014
|William Fox-Pitt (GBR)
|Bay My Hero
|
|-
|2015
|[[Michael Jung (equestrian)|Michael Jung]] (GER)
|fischerRocana FST
|
|-
|2016
|Michael Jung (GER)
|fischerRocana FST
|Won as the second leg on the way to winning the [[Grand Slam of Eventing|Rolex Grand Slam]]
|-
|2017
|Michael Jung (GER)
|fischerRocana FST
|First person to win 3x in a row on same horse
|-
|2018
|[[Oliver Townend]] (GBR)
|Cooley Master Class
|
|-
|2019
|[[Oliver Townend]] (GBR)
|Cooley Master Class
|First year of CCI5* classification
|-
|2020
|colspan="2" |Not Held Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]
|
|-
|2021
|[[Oliver Townend]] (GBR)
|Ballaghmor Class
|
|-
|2022
|Michael Jung (GER)
|fischerChipmunk FRH
|
|-
|2023
|Tamie Smith (USA)
|Mai Baum
|becoming the first US winner of the event since 2008 and the first female winner since 2011.
|-
|2024
|[[Oliver Townend]] (GBR)
|Cooley Rosalent
|
|}

== Casualties and incidents ==

=== Riders ===
* 2010: Rider [[Oliver Townend]] (GBR) was airlifted to the hospital after he and his mount Ashdale Cruise Master experienced a serious fall at fence 20.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oliver Townend Transported To Hospital After Fall At Rolex Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/oliver-townend-transported-hospital-after-fall-rolex-kentucky/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> Townend cited his [[air bag vest]] for saving his life after the accident, Ashdale Cruise Master was euthanized less than a year later of neurological issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyer |first=A. J. |title=Ashdale Cruise Master is put down - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary |url=https://eventingnation.com/ashdale-cruise-master-is-put-down/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=eventingnation.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Horses ===
* 1998: Boucane ridden by Yves Landry (CAN) died after rupturing an aorta and falling at jump 7C during the cross country portion of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=1998-05-01 |title=Official Statement On Horse's Rolex Event Death |url=https://thehorse.com/16234/official-statement-on-horses-rolex-event-death/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=The Horse |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2002: Titlelist ridden by Mark Weissbecker (USA) died of a broken neck after falling and hitting his hind legs on the 10th fence of the cross-country event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Equisearch |date=2002-04-28 |title=Rolex Kentucky: Cross Country |url=https://equisearch.com/news/eqjaffer2034/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=EquiSearch |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2007: Le Samaurai was euthanized after suffering a "proximal displacement of the proximal sesamoid bones" and thrombosis of the vessels of the lower limb. The horse became noticeably lame after suffering injuries during the cross-country event, yet his rider [[Amy Tryon|Amy Tyron]] (USA) encouraged her mount to complete the course.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jurga |first=Fran |date=2007-04-29 |title=Rolex Relay: Amy Tryon's Le Samurai Injured at Last Obstacle on Cross-Country Course |url=https://equusmagazine.com/blog-equus/rolex-relay-amy-tryons-le-samurai-injured-at-last-obstacle-on-cross-country-course |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Equus Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The FEI later sanctioned Amy Tyron for two months for the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2007 |title=Decision of the FEI Tribunal Alleged Abuse Case No.: 2007/1 |url=https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Le%20samurai.pdf |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=FEI.org}}</ref>
* 2008: Frodo Baggins was euthanized after crashing into a jump on cross country after his rider Laine Asker (USA) misjudged the obstacle.<ref name="horseillustrated.com">{{Cite web |date=2008-04-30 |title=Early Reports Show Rolex Accident Was an Error |url=https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-news-rolex-accident-error |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Horse Illustrated Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2008: The Quiet Man died after suffering a severe shoulder injury after falling with his rider Sarah Hansel (USA) on the cross country portion of the event.<ref name="horseillustrated.com"/>
* 2009: Kingpin ridden by [[Mike Winter (equestrian)|Mike Winter]] (CAN) died while competing on the cross country course of a fatal hemorrhage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingpin Suffers Fatal Hemorrhage At Rolex Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/kingpin-suffers-fatal-hemorrhage-rolex-kentucky/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2015: Dambala (ridden by Emily Cammock NZL) was euthanized after sustaining a suspensory injury while participating in the cross country phase of the CCI4* event. It was his first CCI4*.<ref>{{Cite web |last=John |title=Dambala Euthanized Due to Cross Country Injury at Rolex - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary |url=https://eventingnation.com/emily-cammock-announces-that-dambala-to-be-euthanized/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=eventingnation.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2024: Quasi Cool fell at the last fence on the cross country course after his rider [[Phillip Dutton|Philip Dutton]] (USA) improperly calculated the distance to the final obstacle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Good Decisions, Bad Ones, And Ones That Didn't Happen At Kentucky - The Chronicle of the Horse |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/opinion-good-decisions-bad-ones-and-ones-that-didnt-happen-at-kentucky/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> The horse was down and attended to by veterinarians behind screens after the accident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-27 |title=Phillip Dutton gives update on horse who fell at final fence at Kentucky five-star |url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/kentucky-three-day-event-quasi-cool-856610 |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Horse & Hound |language=en}}</ref>
* 2024: Zach Brandt (USA) riding Direct Advance received a [[Federation Equestre International|FEI]] yellow card for “Abuse of Horse—Riding an exhausted Horse” in accordance with eventing rule 526 after the cross-country portion of the event. Brandt was later eliminated by the ground jury.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Loushin |first=Kimberly |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Two Riders Sanctioned At Defender Kentucky |url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/two-riders-sanctioned-at-defender-kentucky/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=The Chronicle of the Horse}}</ref>
* 2024: Susie Berry (IRL) riding Clever Trick received a warning for “Abuse of Horse—Minor case of blood on the Horse” in accordance with eventing rule 526.1.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Eventing]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Equestrian sports in the United States]]