Kentucky Calls for Kiwi Combos
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
The Northern Hemisphere 5* season kicks off this week at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in the United States and there are three Kiwi combinations keen to stake a claim on the podium.
Monica Spencer and Artist, Matthew Grayling aboard Trudeau and Joe Meyer with Harbin are on a 40-strong star-stacked entry list for the very popular event and each will be keen to catch the eyes of selectors for the Paris Olympic Games.
Monica, who headed back to her Stateside base earlier this year, says Artist is feeling great. The two were on the bronze medal winning New Zealand eventing team at the 2022 World Championships.
“We are based just 10-minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park,” she says. “To be here in the United States and about to compete at one of the most prestigious events in the world is an incredible privilege and one I hope to make the most of.”
Taranaki dairy farmer Matthew Grayling, who represented New Zealand at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, is another keen to make the most of every opportunity his trip brings.
“I am well aware our task ahead is going to be tough but Trudeau is feeling good,” he says. “He appears to have coped with the travelling so far and has been eating well. We think he will be fit to run the distance we just have to jump some obstacles on our way.”
Beijing Olympian Joe Meyer says Harbin is feeling great and ready for Kentucky. Kentucky’s 5*-L cross country is again designed by Derek Di Grazia, who has given a little insight into it here - https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/2024-defender-kentucky-three-day-event-course-preview .
With $US400,000 on the line and a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing for the rider who wins Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley on the trot, there is plenty at stake.
New Zealand has a good record at the event, with wins by Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo (2013), Blyth Tait aboard Welton Envoy (2000), and Nick Larkin with Red (1998). Tim and Jonelle Price have both been on the podium in recent times, finishing second and third (2021) respectively, and Tim third aboard Xavier Faere (2019) and second with Wesko (2015).
The first horse inspection is on Wednesday (April 24), with dressage Thursday and Friday, cross country Saturday afternoon, and showjumping on Sunday afternoon.
WHAT: Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event WHERE: Kentucky, United States WHEN: April 25-28, 2024 MORE INFO: https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com LIVESTREAM: https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/livestream
