The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is already delivering drama, and we’re only just heading into cross-country! After two days of dressage, the leaderboard is set — but if there’s one thing we know about eventing, it’s that everything can change on cross-country day.
Here’s a look at where things stand after dressage and what to expect when the riders hit Derek di Grazia’s challenging course on Saturday.
Standings After Dressage
Michael Jung and his legendary partner fischerChipmunk FRH made history again, posting a record-breaking dressage score of 18.6 — nearly 10 points ahead of the rest of the field. The German maestro is looking almost untouchable, but in eventing, “almost” is never a guarantee.
In second place, American favorite Boyd Martin delivered under pressure aboard Commando 3, earning a 26.0 despite battling gusty winds and a veritable monsoon during his ride. Martin is also in 6th place on Luke 140 with a score of 27.9 and 11th place on Fedarman B, with a score of 29.8.
Tom McEwen is in third place on Brookfield Quality, with a score of 26.2 and Libussa Lubbeke is in fourth place with a 27.1 on Caramia 34.
Tim Price has three horses in the top 10, sitting in 5th place on Falco, with a score of 27.8, 7th place on Jarillo with a score of 28.4 and 9th place on Happy Boy with a score of 29.1.
Fellow New Zealander Clarke Johnstone is tied for 7th on Menlo Park.
The Cross-Country Test
Derek di Grazia’s CCI5*-L course is no walk in the park. Riders will need to navigate 27 numbered obstacles and 48 jumping efforts over 6,460 meters, while maintaining a brisk pace of 570 meters per minute to make the optimum time of 11 minutes, 20 seconds.
The course features classic Kentucky questions — bold galloping fences, accuracy combinations, and stamina-testing terrain changes. It’s a true championship track: inviting early on to build confidence, but punishing any lapse in focus by the second half.
Predictions for Cross-Country Day
Tim Price & Clarke Johnstone
Both Kiwis are dangerous over the country. They’ll be gunning for clear, fast rounds to apply maximum pressure on the leaders — and possibly sneak onto the podium.
Michael Jung & fischerChipmunk FRH
Jung has a cushion — but Kentucky’s course is designed to test even the best. If anyone can deliver another clinical, fast round, it’s him. Expect him to stay in the lead unless something truly unexpected happens.
Boyd Martin & Commando 3
Boyd has the grit and the horsepower to make a serious move. If he goes clear and fast, and Jung makes even a small error, Boyd could pounce. Regardless, he’s in a strong position for the national title.
How to Watch
Cross-country kicks off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday for the 4* and 1 p.m. for the 5*. You can catch all the action live via USEF Network with a free fan account and ClipMyHorse.TV, and follow real-time updates through @useventing and @kentuckythreedayevent on social media.
Final thought:
As always at Kentucky, it’s not over until the last horse gallops through the finish flags. Will Jung cement another title? Will Boyd bring it home for the U.S.? Or will someone else emerge from the pack? One thing’s for sure — cross-country day at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is going to be unforgettable.
Stay tuned — and hang on tight!