One Big Thing: Two Fan Favorites Say Goodbye at Kentucky
CORVETT
Fan-favorite eventing icon Corvett (“Barry” to his fans) had a big day on Saturday at Defender Kentucky, where he both celebrated his 19th birthday and retired from the top level of the sport as he and Emily Hamel completed their 11th 5*. We wish Emily, his ownership group Black Flag Option, “manager” groom Jeanna Epping, and all fans of Barry much love in what we hope will be the happiest and most deserved of retirements. We will certainly miss his iconic “Air Corvett” style at 5*s around the globe.
Favorite EN Moments with Barry
Sally made sure to catch up with Barry on Sunday following his show jumping round to wish him happy birthday with a bag full of carrots and other treats.
We had Emily Hamel on the Go Eventing Podcast for the first episode of Season 2 this year, which meant we just had to do a “day in the life” with Barry at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field in March.
Watching Emily and Barry complete Pau last October was a treat, making them the first ever North American horse and rider combination to complete all 6 Northern Hemisphere 5*s. Judging by Tilly’s photos, however, they seemed to start regretting their decision once the typical Pau flooding began.
Emily Hamel and Corvett come to Pau to tick off the last of the Northern Hemisphere five-stars on their bucket list — and we reckon it’s got to be the wettest one, too. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Corvett’s Global Accomplishments
- Completed all 6 Northern Hemisphere 5* events with the same rider
- Kentucky 2021, 2023, 2025, & 2026; Maryland 2021, 2023, & 2024; Badminton 2022; Burghley 2022; Luhmühlen 2024; & Pau 2025
- Completions at every one of his 11 CCI5* starts since 2021
- 5 were top-12 results
- US Team Silver Medalist at the 2024 Millstreet Nations Cup
- Finished 25th individually of 59 entries
- 42 competitions in his FEI career
- 38 were at the CCI4* and CCI5* level
- Top 5 at four Stable View CCI4*-S (a local home venue as Aiken residents) in 2023-2026
- Podium finish in 3rd at Stable View Octoberfest 2024
VERMICULUS
Another iconic Kentucky regular also took his last lap around the Rolex Stadium on Sunday — Anglo-Arabian Vermiculus (or “Bug” to friends and family), owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars and ridden by Lauren Nicholson. Bug was a frequent presence on so many international US Teams, from the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni to the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and he will certainly be missed by many fans worldwide. We wish him, Lauren, and the Mars family a long and happy retirement.
Favorite EN Moments with Bug
Fans of Bug got the chance to Meet and Greet him and Lauren on Thursday at Kentucky, but Sunday featured an in-arena retirement ceremony, complete with carrot cake and final champions’ cooler, that definitely resulted in a lot of teary-eyed friends and spectators.
EN breeding expert Amanda Chance did a deep-dive on Vermiculus’ unique breeding in 2024, diving deep into how this elegant, pint-size Anglo-Arab managed to wow the audiences and steal so many hearts at the top of the sport.
At the age of 17 years young, Bug contested his ninth 5* with Lauren to become the 2024 USEF National CCI5* Champions at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Despite his seniority in the 5* sandbox, it didn’t leave him looking any less incredulous after their halt and salute on centerline.
Lauren Nicholson and an incredulous Vermiculus (“Bug”) after the completion of their CCI5* test at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Kristin Leigh Richards.
Vermiculus’ Global Accomplishments
- Completions at 7 of his 9 CCI5* starts since 2017
- Kentucky 2018, 2019, 2021, & 2024; Burghley 2019; Maryland 2021; Luhmühlen 2022
- 5 were top-10 results
- US Team Silver Medalist in the 2022 FEI World Championships at Pratoni
- Finished 25th individually of 90 entries
- Team USA in the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon
- 42 competitions in his FEI career
- 28 were at the CCI4* & CCI5* level
US Events Opening Entries Today
Aspen Farm HT (WA); Shepherd Ranch Pony Club HT I (CA); Seneca Valley Pony Club HT (MD); Horse Park of New Jersey HT I (NJ); Silverwood Farm HT (WI); Golden Spike HT (UT); Full Gallop Farm June HT (SC); Stone Gate Farm Spring Mini Trials (OH)
US Events Closing Entries Today
Spokane Sport Horse Spring HT (WA); USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships (SC); Otter Creek HT (WI); Kentucky May-Daze HT (KY); Course Brook Farm Spring HT (MA); Hunt Club Farms HT (VA); Fair Hill International Recognized HT (MD); Bouckaert Equestrian HT (GA); Spring Gulch HT (CO)
Other Links and Reading
Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products
Congratulations to the two winners of the custom KPP grooming boxes, Dr. Ann Kemper and Deana Henkel! We loved getting the chance to meet with our incredible 5* event coverage sponsors at Kentucky and look forward to another year of their partnership and expertise.
In the meantime, living in our post-Kentucky era means only one thing — it’s officially spring! For horse owners, however, this is often more accurately deemed “mud season”, so here are some tips from KPP to make sure you and your horse are prepared for this busy time of year.
Training Tip of the Day
Join 5* event rider Jon Holling as he breaks down the most influential combinations at the 2026 Kentucky 4*:
Go Eventing
The Horse HealthCast with SmartEquine breaks down the three phases of eventing, what it takes to compete at the highest level, and what makes the Kentucky Three-Day Event one of the most exciting events in the sport:
