‘It’s Like He Likes Horses’: Riders React to Derek di Grazia’s 5* Cross Country Course at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

“Endurance, bravery, stamina, scope”; “fair”; “big”; “five-star”; “five-star”; “five-star”…

That’s a Derek di Grazia Kentucky CCI5* course for you.

The riders all seem very keen to get out there and give it a good shot. Hopefully they’ve all had a good look at the actual fences as well as the impressive floral arrangements that they just can’t stop talking about.

The Brits are glad to be on dry ground, and sitting pretty in first and second; the US contingent are snapping at their heels with Liz Halliday and Lauren Nicholson in joint-third place; and the Germans aren’t far behind. There are six nations represented in the top twenty and the scores are so tight that every single stride, step and second is going count as the runners and riders vie to be at the top of the pack going into tomorrow’s finale.

There’s certainly a lot to do out there (and a lot of flowers), and the riders will have to be switched on the whole way ‘round. The Defender Head of the Lake is an immense question at 13ABCD and the coffin complex Park Question at 23ABCDE is really tricky, especially given where it comes up on the course. But really, we could say hard things about every single one of the fences on the 5* track, as almost all of the riders remind us, it’s for sure a 5*.

We’ve wrangled together a fair few of the talented bunch who’ll be tackling the cross country to find out what they thought of the task ahead. But first, some housekeeping:

If you want to see when your favorites will be heading out of the start box, you’ll find the ride times here.

We’ll be bringing you live updates from the 4*-S (from 9am ET / 2pm CEST) and 5* cross country (from 1:30pm ET / 7:30pm CEST), and the finale of the 5* show jumping, as well as daily reports from each stage of the competition, and SO MUCH MORE! Keep it locked onto EN and click here for all the Kentucky content you can handle As if that isn’t enough, we’ve also got loads of great IG content happening courtesy of our team on the ground too @goeventing.

And now, let’s get the riders’ reactions to the 5* cross country at The Best Weekend All Year…

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Tickets] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Tom McEwen – GBR – JL Dublin – 24.6 – 1st

Heading the charge after the first phase, Tom and ‘Dubs’ have put themselves in a great spot going into the cross country. Especially as we know what a great jumper this lovely gelding is. They were runners-up last year – will they hang onto the top spot and take the win this time around? Only time (and fences) will tell, literally.

In his post-test interview for the live stream, Tom was very keen to point out that the flower arrangements out on course are “second to none”, and he’s not the only one to notice the amount of effort that’s gone into making Derek’s course appealing to the eye.

Does he have anything else to say on the matter? Well, yes, but also more on the flowers:

“The course is beautiful. [Derek’s] courses are always incredible – beautifully designed, best flower arrangements by far. It’s pretty epic to look at. But I think it’s a really clever course. It’s not for the faint-hearted – it is a true five-star track. [There’s] open and closed distances and you’ve got to make up your mind and be reactive at the same time.”

He was clearly totally wowed by those flowers – I hope he managed to tear his gaze from them to take a glance at the fences he’s about to gallop at.

Yasmin Ingham – GBR – Banzai du Loir – 26 – 2nd

World champs, and runners-up at Kentucky in 2022, Yas Ingham and Banzai got their Best Weekend All Year off to a fine start with the best test on the opening day of dressage to top the leaderboard overnight. They weren’t quite able to hold off compatriots Tom and Dubs, but they’re not in a bad spot as they head into the cross country.

The first thing Yas noted when we asked her about the course was how beautiful it is out there – shout out to crew and volunteers who’ve dressed the course!

“It looks brilliant. Derek di Grazia does such a brilliant job of designing each year. He’s asking different questions. It’s a really true big five-star track. The the ground is just perfection. The way the course has been dressed is just beautiful. I’m very much looking forward to riding it on Saturday and the presentation is just 10 out of 10.”

In typical British fashion, Yas is keen to talk about the weather. We’ve had another incredibly wet spring (and winter, and fall, and last summer…) over in the UK, so Yas is very much looking forward to galloping across the superb Horse Park ground:
“We’re used to galloping around in the mud at home sometimes, so it’s a treat to be on top of the ground.”

Any big questions she’s pondering as she makes her plans?

“I think there’s questions the whole way throughout the course. We start with the first water at fence five [MARS Sustainability Bay – 5ABC – a hanging log into the water, onto a roll-top and then a brush corner]. Each individual combination is asking a different question. I think [Derek’s] definitely ticked all the boxes of endurance, bravery, stamina, scope. He ticks all the boxes here and obviously, to be galloping around this park is such a treat. [Banzai’s] always run well here in the past, so I’m hoping that I can give him a good ride on Saturday.”

Lauren Nicholson – USA – Vermiculus – 30.6 – 3rd=

What a showing ‘Bug’ gave between the white boards for joint-third place. This seventeen-year-old can still boogie like the best of them!

Lauren’s plan for tomorrow is simple: “Go fast and don’t make any mistakes!”

She’s sitting on the most reliable cross country jumper on the field according to EquiRatings’ stats, and one of the most experienced horses, so it could actually be that simple, couldn’t it?

“It’s a Derek course – it’ll reward good riding. It’s a bit different than what we’re typically used to here. When I was out walking with David [O’Connor], I typically like to do one less everywhere and he’s like, “No, you got to do one more here… You’ve go to do one more here…”.

It’ll reward riding correctly, riding accurately, taking the time where you need to and then trying to make up time in between. The ground is fast, which will help me I think. He’s not the fastest horse in the world, but we’re longtime partners and I’m really excited to get out there.”

And does she have any worries? “I’m worried that I’m not worried!” she told Frankie Thieriot Stutes in her post-dressage interview.

Nothing to worry about then, it seems, despite facing one of the world’s toughest cross country courses in just a matter of hours. We all need to be a little more Lauren from time to time – you go girl!

Elisabeth Halliday – USA – Cooley Nutcracker – 30.6 – 3rd=

Joining Lauren in third place is Liz Halliday, whose stunning gelding ‘Bali’ proved what an exciting young talent he is when he came out in his first 5* with a very impressive test that showed off all of the scope and power that’ll come in very handy out on Derek’s course.

How does she think Bali will take to the top-level questions he’ll face when he heads out of the start box?

“Obviously he’s never done a five-star; he’s only done two four-stars in the US but he’s finished those with plenty of gas. I actually think it’ll be great for him for me to just let him gallop. He has an incredible gallop – he is quite keen ride cross country. I like the beginning of the course for him, there are fences that you can just ride up to which I think will be great to settle him in. He’s incredibly brave, but he’s never done five-star, so we’ll see, but I truly believe he’s ready for it. I like the course this year and I think hopefully he’ll really enjoy me being able to let him go and let him gallop.”

Sharon White – USA – Claus 63 – 30.7 – 5th

Sharon’s no stranger to bringing horses up to the top-level – Claus is the sixth horse she’s produced to 5*. He’s making his debut at the pinnacle of the sport here this weekend, and what a start he’s had. He’s proved he’s up to it in the dressage, now for the best bit of eventing.

In her post-test interview she summed up Derek’s course building to a tee:

“It’s like [Derek] likes horses. It’s challenging but obvious.”

Sounds pretty perfect.

Kirsty Chabert – GBR – Classic VI – 31 – 6th

One of the four British combinations to have made the trip out to Kentucky, Kirsty Chabert is back at the Horse Park for a second go around. What does she make of this year’s track?

“It’s gorgeous. I think the main water [Defender Head of the Lake – 13ABCD] is the obvious one at the moment that sort of gives the appearance that it requires fairly accurate riding. The rest of it is really beautiful – very flowing, very clear to the horses. I’m really looking forward to it.”

In case you’re wondering about the accuracy question at the Head of the Lake – and what an accuracy question it is! – there’s a big drop into the water, then a bending line to a skinny on an angle, followed by a corner on a very, very tight line, which, seriously, I don’t know how they’ll get to. But these are 5* pros we’re talking about, the superheroes of our sport who make all this look like Pony Club. There is an alternative route if needed, but for sure the big guns will be going for it and what a show it’ll be for the thousands of spectators who’re sure to be crowded right up to the tape.

Oliver Townend – GBR – Cooley Rosalent – 31.4 – 8th=

The World No.1 has topped the podium three times at Kentucky. He’s a little further down the order than we expected with this talented mare, but will be gunning for a leaderboard climb and is another Brit who’s noticed it’s not raining and the ground is well, really good.

The best in the world describes course designer Derek as “the best in the world” – sounds like a top match then. What does he think of Derek’s offering this year?

“I think it’s incredible. Five-stars are five-stars, but I’m a huge Derek fan. I think that he has your twisting and turning early on, which means you’re going to be behind your minutes before you’ve even kicked off and got into a rhythm. He tests you all the way to the end.”

He may be a little off the lead as he heads out of the start box, but as we all know, this is…

… “definitely not going to be a dressage competition. I think that stamina will have a huge effect even though the ground is incredibly good, good to firm. So we’re on the good ground, but I still think you’ll see a lot of mistakes and a lot of times penalties.”

Just not for him, he hopes.

Calvin Böckmann – GER – The Phantom of the Opera – 31.4 – 8th=

Birthday boy Calvin Böckmann will be hoping his 24th is one to remember. Personally I enjoy a drink or four on my special day, but Calvin’s mounting up and launching himself ‘round one of the toughest cross country courses in the world on his. As you do.

History tells us it’s not actually a bad idea if you’re an eventer. Michael Jung took the Tokyo lead in the dressage on his birthday, Swiss eventer Felix Vogg won Luhmuhlen the day he turned thirty-two and Kitty King celebrated her day with a second place finish at the German 5*. Blow out those candles and make a wish Calvin.

What does he think of the course? Has Derek delivered up a gift?

“Everything is quite clear for the horses and for the riders. I think the course designer did an amazing job, because here and there, you can always choose if you want to take one stride more one stride less, so I think it is really, really fair. But you always need to be focused – every jump you really need to be there and be 100% focused, so I think that’s going to be very interesting.”

Hannah Sue Hollberg – USA – Capitol H I M – 33 – 12th

Hannah Sue’s here in hot form with ‘Chito’ after finishing 4th at Maryland last fall and then coming out with a win at Bouckaert Farm this season. She made her 5* debut at Kentucky in 2007 with a horse she’d found in the classified ads when she was thirteen, and has returned a number of times since then. What does she think of the course this year?

“It looks hard… harder. I feel like Derek’s courses normally walk in a way where you’re like, ‘Where’s the trick here?’ because it walks kind of okay. I don’t feel like this walks that great. He’s done a great job, but it looks harder than I normally walk his courses at this level. But that’s good for me because I need to take it very seriously.”

Any bits more serious than others?

“I think the beginning is really twisty and then it gets kind of up and down the hills, wearing them out a bit. Then that coffin is way harder [The Park Question at 23ABCDE – she’s right, it looks incredibly hard!]. I’ve got to ride every literal stride. But I’m excited. I love this horse very much, and I love his owner and Ms. Mars, her mother, and it’s just a really special thing for me to be able to be here on him.”

Phillip Dutton – USA – Quasi Cool – 33.8 – 13th= / Azure – 37.4 – 21st

There’s a dad and daughter race going on over in the 4*-S between Phillip and Olivia, but what does he think of the 5*? Basically, it’s exactly what he expected it to be:

“It looks, as we expected – big and scopey, and it’s going to test all the training that we needed to have done. It’s an endurance test. You got to have a speedy horse, you got to have a scopey horse, you got to have an adjustable horse – all of what we expect when we come here.”

Christoph Wahler – GER – D’Accord FRH – 34 – 15th

Christoph’s been on the 5* podium over in Germany, but what does he make of how things go down Stateside?

“It’s difficult, it’s big enough. It walks like a real five-star track. You have to be very, very smart and sort of intelligent as a rider in the beginning – just give [your horse] a good feeling, get him into the course, because it twists a little bit and turns and you just want to get into a good rhythm and give him a nice confident feeling about what’s to come. And then the course opens up a little bit more and gets more galloping. That’s probably going to suit [D’Accord] a little bit more. There are tough questions all the way around. [The horses] have to be fit and they have to be willing to jump everything that we put them in front of.”

Sara Kozumplik – USA – Rock Phantom – 35.3 – 16th

She’ll be our trailblazer and give us our first proper look at the course with her 5* first-timer ‘Rocky’. But will she be looking at the fences or the flowers? Sara’s another rider to notice the aesthetics of the course (hopefully, also the fences):

“It’s absolutely beautiful. Derek di Grazia is one of my favorite course designers, and he always does a very good job. The builders here are unreal as well – everything looks amazing.”

Did she notice anything other than the decor (delightful as it may be)? Thankfully, yes:

“The ground is absolutely top notch this year, we’re very lucky. It’s a five-star. Derek’s courses, historically, somebody might think something looks like it might might be fairly straightforward, but it rarely is. He rewards positive riding and, fingers crossed, he gives us quite a few options if things don’t go quite to plan or if you’re on a greener horse – I think we’re very lucky that way.

Ema Klugman – AUS – Bronte Beach – 36.6 – 18th

Law student, eventer, superwoman, Ema Klugman is obviously the studious type having recently passed the bar – has she applied herself as keenly to her course walk? Um, absolutely.

How many times do you plan on walking the course, Ema?

“300!”

OK then.

And her three hundred thoughts on it?

“I think that it’s very well built. I think it’s quite big. Obviously, coming here, you wouldn’t think it would be small. I think that not any one combination stands out as being extremely technical or hard or big or anything, but the accumulative impact of the course is going to really be the challenge, for everybody, but certainly for me and my horse. There’s nothing out there she’s never jumped – she’s done variations of all of those questions for years and years, and she’s done them well, but putting them all together in eleven and a half minutes is a big question, so I’m hoping that I’m very accurate and brave and I give her a good ride.”

Bruce Davidson Jr – USA – Sorocaima – 37 – 20th

Buck Davidson is no stranger to Kentucky Horse Park, it’s been a part of his life forever. As a toddler he watched his dad triumph at the event, and now, each time he rolls up to compete here himself, he’s greeted by the famous bronze statue of Bruce Davidson Sr and Eagle Lion in that most iconic of eventing poses – hailing a cab.

The course at Kentucky is as bold and beautiful as ever, but there are some changes. And Buck’s in favor:

“I think it’s an amazing course, it’s the best one I’ve seen here. I think the last few years it hasn’t flowed that well and I didn’t think it was really that nice to ride. I think [this year] it flows really well. There’s not so many ABCDEF [combinations], there’s no U-turns and so the horses will be thinking forward – when they’re thinking forward, they’re going to jump better. I’m looking forward to it.”

One big change is that the course is running in the opposite direction, meaning the terrain will come into play in a new way. Buck’s sat on a Thoroughbred who was incredibly successful over his racing career, winning over $80,000. How does Buck think this new track will suit his speedy guy?

“It feels like there’s more uphill, but it feels like there’s more galloping as well. It’s all about what you’re sat on right? I’m on a Thoroughbred horse that can gallop and so I love it. [Derek’s] done a great job. The way he make you slow down on your lines is genius. If you were going to go a minute and a half slow, it would probably be pretty easy to pick your way through this, but to try to go really fast, mistakes are out there for sure.”

Andrew McConnon – USA – Ferrie’s Cello – 37.7 – 22nd / Wakita 54 – 41.5 – 33rd

Andrew’s another rider with his eye drawn to the spring flowers. He’s also very appreciative of the volunteers – and the media – and for that Andrew, we thank you. Here’s what he actually said:

“The cross country looks great. It’s beautifully presented – it’s decorated really well. The volunteers do an incredible job. We couldn’t do it without everybody here – and the media like you guys. [The course] should suit the horses quite well. Everything’s there to be jumped and I’m looking forward to having to go.”

Doug Payne – USA – Camarillo – 38 – 23rd / Quantum Leap – 39.9 – 29th

Doug’s got two rides in the 5* – one super experienced top-level campaigner and third place finisher here in 2022, and one debutant at the top level. What’s his plan?
“[With] Quantum I’m just going to take a shot everywhere. It’s direct. As fast as I can get it. With him, I’m probably going to go out 80 percent fast early, and then sort of gauge what we’ve got. I’ll probably go wide at the coffin [The Park Question at 23ABCDE] – I don’t think it’s a huge time waster, and it’s absolutely a ton safer. I guess you’re just going to react on the day, if something weird happens, you’ve got to always have your plan B and C and D ready. I think he’s more than capable of doing it.”

And what does he think of the course?

“It’s pretty typical of what [Derek] presents for the horses. I think it’s super fair – everything’s laid out, no traps or tricks or anything. There’s a lot of opportunity to make mistakes – it’s one of those deals. Individually it’s all very doable, and it’s just a matter of getting it done in its entirety.

Ariel Grald – USA – Leamore Master Plan – 38.2 – 24th

We have a number of Derek fans in the field, and Ariel’s for sure one of them, hailing him as a “genius”:

“It looks amazing. As always, Derek, sets a brilliant track. There’s plenty to do out there, all the way through the course. I just think he’s so genius in how he uses the terrain and changes up all the questions and he really asks everything of you and the horse. It’s going to be a proper test.”

Rebecca Braitling – AUS – Caravaggio II – 39.3 – 28th

Rookie combination Bec Braitling and Ernie have a long, hard wait ahead of them, going so late in the day.

This is what she said about the course:

“It’s pretty big. Big and long. Looks hard.”

And there you have it, straight from the horses’ mouths, so to speak.
With that, let’s go eventing!

EN’s coverage of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for all types of horses. Click here to learn more about Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Tickets] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]