The Magic of Kentucky

By Emily Hamel

Every spring, the eventing world begins looking toward Lexington.

Entries take shape, riders make their final preparations and fans start planning their trips to the Kentucky Horse Park. The anticipation builds steadily as one of the most iconic competitions in the sport approaches: the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

For many American riders, Kentucky isn’t just another five-star—it’s the event we grew up watching. It’s the place where dreams begin. That was certainly true for me.

When I was 10 years old, I traveled to Kentucky with my 4-H group from Wisconsin to watch what was then the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. I remember standing along the ropes watching riders gallop across the country and thinking how incredible it would be to compete there someday.

Like so many young riders, I left that trip inspired. Kentucky had planted a seed.

Years later, in 2021, that dream became a reality when I competed there for the first time with my horse Corvett—better known in the barn as Barry, a horse who would go on to shape far more of my journey than I ever imagined.

Walking into the Kentucky Horse Park that week as a competitor felt surreal. After years of watching from the sidelines and imagining what it might feel like, I remember thinking, This is finally happening.

That first Kentucky was unique. Because of COVID restrictions, spectators were limited, and the event felt much quieter than usual. Kentucky is normally known for its incredible crowds and electric atmosphere, so the difference was noticeable.

One moment that really highlighted that contrast was jumping into the Head of the Lake for the first time. It’s one of the most iconic fences on the Kentucky cross-country course and is typically surrounded by thousands of spectators cheering riders on. Instead of packed crowds, there were only a handful of people there that year.

It felt strange at first because the moment looked so different from what I had imagined growing up. But even without the huge crowds, it was still incredibly special. The people who were there made the moment meaningful, and simply getting to jump that iconic fence was something I had dreamed about for years.

Barry, for his part, was a superstar that week. He handled the atmosphere and the challenge like a seasoned professional, and honestly, it felt like he knew he belonged there. Some horses rise to the occasion at big events, and Barry has always been one of those horses.

Looking back now, I sometimes think about the 10-year-old girl who first visited Kentucky all those years ago. If I could talk to her today, I would simply say, “We did it!”

Completing Kentucky truly was a childhood dream.

Since that first experience, Barry and I have been fortunate enough to compete at five-stars around the world, including all six of the Northern Hemisphere five-star events. Each venue has its own personality and unique challenges, but Kentucky will always hold a special place in my heart. Part of that is because Kentucky feels like home for so many riders and fans.

Unlike some international events that many of us first experience through television coverage, Kentucky is a competition that riders often attend as spectators long before they ever ride there themselves. It’s a place where young riders walk the course, watch their heroes compete and begin to imagine what might be possible for their own future.

That connection makes Kentucky different. It’s not just a championship-level competition—it’s an event that inspires the next generation of riders.

As the 2026 Kentucky Three-Day Event approaches, the familiar excitement is beginning to build once again. Riders are preparing their horses, teams are finalizing plans and fans are counting down the days until cross-country Saturday. Barry and I are excited to be part of that experience once again.

Every time I return to Kentucky, I’m reminded how special it is to be part of an event that means so much to so many people in our sport. Because somewhere along the ropes each year, there’s likely another young rider watching the action unfold and dreaming about the day they might gallop across that famous course themselves.

And that’s the magic of Kentucky.

Photo by Phil DeDomincis