US rider Will Coleman secured his first five-star victory at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event on April 26, showjumping clear aboard Diabolo after sitting second post-cross-country. Overnight leader Monica Spencer of New Zealand dropped to seventh with three rails down and 2.4 time faults on Artist. Caroline Pamukcu claimed second for the US on Blake, while Britain's David Doel finished third with Galileo Nieuwmoed.
Will Coleman and the syndicate-owned Diabolo delivered a faultless showjumping round to clinch the win at the Kentucky Horse Park. Coleman, who had a busy morning in the CCI4*-S, rode Diabolo around 1pm before the final phase. 'I’m just really proud of my horse and happy for all the people that are part of my life and part of this horse,' Coleman said. He added, 'Winning a five-star is every event rider’s dream. I think it’s one of the hardest things to do in equestrian sports.' This marks the first US victory since Tamie Smith's win in 2023, with Pamukcu's clear round on the 11-year-old Blake, owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, the rider and her husband Deniz, securing second place. Pamukcu reflected, 'Blake’s been with me every step of the way for every big milestone,' listing achievements from young horse championships to the Olympics. David Doel rounded out the podium in third on Galileo Nieuwmoed. Monica Spencer's hopes ended early as Artist hit fence four, followed by two more downs and time penalties. Tim Price's Vitali moved up to fourth with a clear round, his ninth top-10 five-star finish. In the CCI4*-S, Tamie Smith won on Lillet 3, with Britain's Isabelle Cook seventh on Cymoon “F” Z after one down and 1.6 time faults.
