For us eventers, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event truly is the best weekend all year. Each year, there are special moments that make memories for a lifetime, and I am so grateful for the chance to go watch top eventers at America’s only 5* event.
This year, we missed some of my favorites (Michael Jung) because he didn’t come, but even with a lower-than-normal number of entries, it was still an exciting competition that came down to the wire.
If you read my last article, one of my favorite things to do at Land Rover is checking out the behind the scenes action, and I got to do a lot of that this year.
As I mentioned in my previous article, I love seeing (and even sharing in) the emotions of the riders, whether they had the best round of their life, or came up short for the day. I particularly enjoy standing at the vet box as riders come off the XC course, often wearing their hearts on their sleeves after a grueling ride. I saw one rider come home looking defeated and maybe a little regretful, while the next rider, just a few short minutes later, gave an enthusiastic fist pump and pat for their horse as they trotted into the vet box with a broad smile. It’s like a rollercoaster that you can never see the next turn on, as you experience the raw emotions of underdogs who rise to the occasion and veterans who make mistakes.
Trying to cover my whole weekend at Kentucky is a daunting task, but I picked some favorite moments to share with you. Overall, it’s cool to get a look into what seems like a closed off world that so few of us know, and that is what sums up my “favorite” part of the event. Everything is so much more accessible than you might think- it’s a reminder that the riders are people just like us!
Here are some of my favorite behind the scenes moments from the weekend.
Getting to meet Will Coleman’s dog, Holden, was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. He is 12 years old and still walks the 4 mile xc course. 
I got to meet 5* first timer Chris Talley’s horse, Unmarked Bills, on the morning of xc day! 
Eric Duvander and Boyd Martin are all smiles after a clear xc round from Boyd and his horse, Tsetserleg. 
Watching the Pony Club ponies gallop around in the awards ceremony on Sunday is always fun. 
Lauren Kieffer gives all the credit to her horse, Vermiculus, as she comes in the vet box. 
Doug Payne’s horse Vandiver is proud of himself as he’s being led by groom Courtney Cooper. 
One of Doug Payne’s team members working hard in the vet box. 
Boyd Martin’s horse Tsetserleg shows his priceless expression. 
This little dog loved the attention she was getting on xc day. 
Dom Schramm handled his ride that didn’t go to plan with poise. 
Jenni Autry did a fantastic job of interviewing competitors after their rides. I hope to maybe be doing this someday! 
Lisa Marie Fergusson from Canada rode through the corner question nicely. 
Chris Talley is all smiles after completing his very first 5* xc with no jumping penalties. 
This picture shows, if nothing else, the village that it takes to get anywhere in this sport. 
Hallie Coon showed her sportsmanship when she opted to retire at the Head of the Lake. 
As disappointing as it is to retire, a good rider and horseperson knows that there will be other days. 
The determination you see on the rider’s faces as they fly by is inspiring. 
Lillian Heard rode beautifully through the mounds. 
Horse and rider are both in tune to the exact same goal: getting between the flags safely and coming home. 
Scenes from the morning of xc day by the barns. 
Scenes from the morning of xc day by the barns. 
Scenes from the morning of xc day by the barns. 
Walking the course one last time. 
Buck Davidson chatting with fellow competitor Oliver Townend while walking the course. 
Buck Davidson and his dad, Bruce Davidson, walked the xc course together. 
Waylon Roberts give his horse a pat before going in for his test. 
Tim Price gets a leg up in the dressage warm up. 
Even though it’s impossible to pick a favorite dog of the weekend, I think this one might come close to it. 
Watching dressage schooling on the rainy morning at the Horse Park. 
Watching the warm ups always gives you insight into a rider’s training. 
Erin Pullen, the test rider, is all smiles as she shows off her horse before she goes into the ring. 
I am so thankful for Pony Club for the opportunity to go in the barns and talk to a few of the competitors. This is Allie Sacksen and her horse, Sparrow’s Nio. 
Here is Doug Payne, groom Courtney Cooper, and Vandiver. 
Boyd Martin was swarmed by fangirls on his way back to the barns after his clear xc round. He was very kind and stopped for pictures and autographs. 
Spending time with the COTH’s mascot dog, Sophie. 
Getting to meet Chris Talley. 
I have to say, getting to meet Leo and Nox was one of the highlights of my trip, even though Nox isn’t “good at doing things on command” as Silva said. One day I will get an autograph from him! 
You can’t forget the food- here is chicken and waffles that I got for dinner one night in Lexington. 
The bourbon chicken is now a staple of the event, mostly thanks to Jj Sillman who started the trend.
Murphy's Law of Riding 