Michael Jung still leads the Kentucky Three-Day Event while Boyd Martin is second, sixth and 11th (2)
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April 26, 2025
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By Staff Writers
LEXINGTON, Ky.,--Germany’s Michael Jung still leads after his record-breaking score of 18.6 in dressage, but Boyd Martin on Commando 3 is second on 26.0, Great Britain’s Tom McEwen on Brookfield Quality is third on 26.2, and Kentucky newcomer Libussa Lübbeke of Germany on Caramia 34 are just behind them in fourth on 27.1 on Friday, April 25 at the Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Boyd Martin on Commando 3 Photo by Allen MacMillan)Jung has more than a 7-point lead over Martin, who had the misfortune to ride in the heaviest downpour of the day.
The four-time U.S. Olympian and current World #10 showed off Commando’s rideability as he worked through the stormy conditions.
“It might have helped me, actually, made him put his head down a bit further,” Martin said. “I was glancing up at the sky in the warmup, and thinking ‘this is not looking good,’ but some things you’ve got no control over. It was like a Louisiana typhoon, but I tried to stay in the moment. Commando is a champion horse, and he stayed focused. He can be spooky but maybe it distracted him a bit. I was thrilled with him.”
Martin is also sixth on Luke 140 on 27.9 and 11th on Fedarman B on 29.8.
As the highest-placed American entry, Martin on Commando currently lead the CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship and is second on Luke 140 and third on Fedarman B.
“I’VE GOT three good horses here, and it’s maybe the best group of 5* horses I’ve had,” Martin said. “We’ve been working hard with the dressage. They are quality horses, and to have all of them in the 20s is a huge amount of work, not just from me but from my wife (dressage rider Silva Martin) who rides them when I’m away. It’s a relief to deliver good tests.”
Tom McEwan on Brookfield Quality (Photo by Allen MacMillan)McEwen is the #1 ranked rider in the world and a two-time Olympic team gold medalist, and on Brookfield Quality was third at Pau in France in October 2024.
“‘Norris’ is an awesome horse; he tries as hard as he can,” McEwen said. “He’s a lovely fellow, and I’m delighted with him today. He felt fantastic, and coming down the center line, he didn’t even look up. He was nice and smooth and really listening. There were a few little mistakes, but we’re not too far away from [Jung].”
Lübbeke’s experience in Kentucky is a family affair, as the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare is bred and owned by her parents, Annelie and Martin Lübbeke.
This is the pair’s second CCI5*-L, after they finished 19th at Luhmühlen, Germany, in 2024.
“It is really special to be here,” she said. “She was listening and trying her best, like she always does. She was just great.”
With the first phase of competition completed, all eyes now turn to Saturday’s cross-country phase and course designer Derek di Grazia’s test.
“I think it looks amazing. It’s a bit different to European courses, but all the technical questions are clear, and it’s a course to ride forward,” said Lübbeke.
“There’s plenty to do, but at the same time, it’s very clear for the horses,” said McEwen, who placed second at Kentucky in 2023 and 2024. “It’s a positive track, typical from Derek — if you aren’t riding, the questions will catch plenty of people out. You must be on your ‘A’ game.”
“It’s a good course, big and challenging,” said Martin. “It’s a test of endurance and the rider pacing the horse in the beginning to make sure there is plenty of juice left for the Cosequin Cove at the end. It’s not going to be a dressage show and should be an exciting contest tomorrow.”
Will Coleman with Off The Record are one of the most experienced pairs in the Lexington 4*, and they are leading with a score of 21.8.
“‘Timmy,’ he’s … at the tail end of his career, at 16 years old, but I think he’s like me — he’s the kind of horse who thrives on progress and trying to get a little bit better,” Coleman said. “Even at 16, he has a remarkable work ethic and has proven to be remarkably trainable.
“He was just awesome today,” said Coleman, who won the 2024 event with Diabolo. “He was really excited to be here and get into the arena today, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Phillip Dutton had led after the first day of dressage with Denim, and he beat himself on his second horse, Possante, to stand second and third at the end of Friday’s dressage testing.
Phillip Dutton on Possante (Photo by Allen MacMillan)On Possante, Duttton scored 23.1 to stand just ahead of Denim on 25.6.
“I’m very pleased with Possante; he’s a pretty stunning horse, and I’m lucky to have him,” Dutton said. “I don’t have too much to do in the dressage. He kind of does it all for me; it’s just about getting him to relax. He surprised me a bit in the warmup as he was a bit on edge, but in the last few minutes, he took a deep breath and held it together. He’s a good horse and has a ton of potential, hopefully for years to come.”
Chris Talley on FE Marco Polo is fourth on 26.8.
“He’s incredibly special, but he struggles with his confidence and can be quite emotional, kind of like me,” Talley said. “I wasn’t sure how he would be in there today; it’s his first Kentucky and my second, so we felt a little bit of pressure. But he’s so special, and being so young, he has all the makings to be a top horse. With time, he will get better and better. I knew if I did my job and coached him well, he would reward me. I didn’t expect to be up here, but I’m very pleased.”
On Saturday, the competition moves into the heart of eventing, the cross-country.
The CCI4*-S horses go first, with the first on course at 9:30 a.m.
The CCI5*-L division runs in the afternoon, with the first horse scheduled at 1:30 p.m.
