Twenty-nine horses passed the first trot-up at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event on April 22, marking the start of the five-star competition in Kentucky. No horses were referred to the holding box despite minor spooks from two entries. The cross-country course, designed by Derek di Grazia, features 28 fences over 6312 meters with an optimum time of 11 minutes 5 seconds.
The trot-up took place in the afternoon under warm sunshine with temperatures around 24°C. Horses from Europe presented first for biosecurity reasons, separated from North American entries. Britain's contingent included David Doel's Galileo Nieuwmoed, Tom Jackson's Plot Twist B, Tom McEwen's Brookfield Quality, and Harry Meade's Superstition and Grafennacht. Ireland's Padraig McCarthy brought Pomp N Circumstance, while New Zealander Tim Price entered Global Quest and Vitali, according to Horse & Hound reports from the scene. Tim Price's Vitali grew tense during the inspection, jibbing and pulling back at the turn onto the strip. Price coaxed the experienced horse through, as commentator Steven Wilde urged the crowd to withhold applause to keep Vitali calm. Later, American first-timer Alexander Conrad's Malibu Preacher bucked repeatedly on the return runway, prompting the ground jury to step back. The five-star ground jury comprised Andrew Bennie of New Zealand as president, Finland's Seppo Laine, and the United States' Valerie Pride, with veterinary delegate Debbie Williamson also from the United States. The cross-country course offers direct and alternative routes at several combinations, including Mars Sustainability Bay at fence 4, Care Credit Question at 7, and complex options at 18-19 Defender Head of the Lake and 23 Cosequin Cove. Riders face challenges like banks, ditches, water, and corners across the 6312-meter track.
