If you&rsquo;re heading to Kentucky or following from home, there&rsquo;s one name that needs no introduction. Michael Jung doesn&rsquo;t just show up at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian &mdash; he rewrites the standard.
With four&nbsp;career wins at the Kentucky CCI5*-L (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2022), a world games victory (2010), a record-breaking finishing score, and now a return with the Olympic champion fischerChipmunk FRH, Jung&rsquo;s Kentucky legacy is far from over.
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="718" data-end="721">
<h3 class="" data-start="723" data-end="765">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="723" data-end="765">Jung at Kentucky &mdash; The Highlights</h3>
<ul data-start="766" data-end="1229">
<li class="" data-start="766" data-end="853">
4 Kentucky CCI5*-L Wins: 2015, 2016, 2017 (fischerRocana FST), 2022 (fischerChipmunk FRH)
</li>
<li class="" data-start="766" data-end="853">1 World Equestrian Games Win: 2010 (La Biosthetique-Sam FBW)</li>
<li class="" data-start="854" data-end="915">
Lowest Finishing Score at CCI5*-L level: 20.1 in 2022 - a dominant 11.6 penalties ahead of second place
</li>
<li class="" data-start="916" data-end="1003">
Perfect Record on Cross-Country: He&rsquo;s never had a jumping penalty at this venue
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/89209013-e4a5-4182-b6f1-363502a714c3.png?width=715&amp;height=490" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 22 144909">
&nbsp;
<hr class="" data-start="1231" data-end="1234">
<h3 class="" data-start="1236" data-end="1279">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 class="" data-start="1236" data-end="1279">Why is Jung still the one to beat at Kentucky?</h3>
<h4 class="" data-start="1281" data-end="1317">1. He's as reliable as it gets cross-country</h4>
Jung has never had a cross-country jumping penalty at Kentucky. At a 5* where the terrain is unforgiving and the margins are thin, that kind of consistency is rare. He makes the toughest phase look smooth.
<h4 class="" data-start="1527" data-end="1564">2. He converts dressage Leads</h4>
Jung doesn&rsquo;t just lead after dressage&mdash;he stays there. In 2016 and 2022, he led from start to finish.&nbsp;
<h4 class="" data-start="1794" data-end="1828">3. He&rsquo;s back with fischerChipmunk FRH</h4>
fischerChipmunk FRH isn&rsquo;t just the horse that won in 2022&mdash;he&rsquo;s also the reigning Olympic champion. Their return to Kentucky is serious. Here&rsquo;s why:
<ul data-start="1980" data-end="2236">
<li class="" data-start="1980" data-end="2017">
Finishing Score in 2022: 20.1 - the lowest finishing score at this level since 2008
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2018" data-end="2069">
HPR in 2022: 111 &mdash; the highest HPR at this level since 2008
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2070" data-end="2134">
Elo: 901 - the highest in the world at this moment
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/kentucky_5l_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/befcf981-1df3-48a8-9634-b7827487f5f3.png?width=892&amp;height=252" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 22 115401"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
Can Jung win Kentucky for the sixth time? Can fischerChipmunk FRH repeat his 2022 brilliance? And most of all&mdash;can anyone beat them?&nbsp;Because if history&rsquo;s any indicator, it&rsquo;ll take something near-perfect.&nbsp;At Kentucky, Jung doesn&rsquo;t blink.
Tune in to Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH:
<ul>
<li data-start="2429" data-end="2552">Dressage: Thursday at 2.18pm EST</li>
<li data-start="2429" data-end="2552">Cross Country: Saturday at 1.54pm EST</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<hr>
<h3 class="" data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h3>
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The Inside Kentucky Preview Show is out now. Listen to the full episode <a href="https://eventingpodcast.libsyn.com/inside-kentucky-2025-the-preview-show">here</a>, or keep reading for our full recap packed with fast facts, sharp stats, and everything you need to know heading into Defender Kentucky 2025.
<h2 class="" data-start="608" data-end="636">The Reign of Michael Jung (read our full blog on Michi&nbsp;<a href="https://news.equiratings.com/stories/jung-returns-to-kentucky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>)</h2>
Let&rsquo;s be clear: Michael Jung doesn&rsquo;t just win at Kentucky. He dominates. With five Kentucky titles to his name and 12 five-star wins overall, Jung has set the standard for modern eventing. This weekend, he returns to the Horse Park aboard fischerChipmunk FRH, a horse who&mdash;while not without quirks&mdash;has already proven capable of producing five-star brilliance.
fischerChipmunk FRH may not be flawless, but when he's on form, there's no one more formidable. He hasn&rsquo;t run since winning in Paris last summer, but Jung has always played the long game&mdash;and Kentucky is where he shines. The question isn&rsquo;t whether he can win. The question is: can anyone stop him?
<blockquote>
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not flawless as a horse... but every part of me goes, &lsquo;No, I think he wins.&rsquo;&rdquo; &ndash; Sam Watson
</blockquote>
<h2 class="" data-start="1387" data-end="1433">The Contenders: Who Can Challenge Chipmunk?</h2>
<h3 class="" data-start="1435" data-end="1472">Tim Price &ndash; The Multi-Weapon Kiwi</h3>
Tim Price is bringing not one, but three top contenders: Falco, Happy Boy, and Jarillo. Falco, the individual bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships, leads the charge. He&rsquo;s been consistent, experienced, and deadly accurate in show jumping. The concern? Speed over a demanding 11+ minute cross-country track. If the rain comes&mdash;and it's forecast to&mdash;he could lose ground.
Happy Boy, the Blenheim winner, is Tim&rsquo;s dark horse. He&rsquo;s newer to five-star level but full of potential. Could this be the start of a dominant new era for Price?
<h3 class="" data-start="2030" data-end="2067">Tom McEwen &ndash; Steely and Strategic</h3>
World number one Tom McEwen has opted to bring Brookfield Quality to Kentucky, leaving JL Dublin for Badminton. That decision alone shows the faith he has in this horse. Brookfield Quality was third at Pau and has the scope to challenge, even if the Prediction Centre isn&rsquo;t fully sold on his five-star form just yet. With only two five-star completions&mdash;one retirement and one podium&mdash;he&rsquo;s still building that top-level track record. But don&rsquo;t count him out&mdash;McEwen&rsquo;s consistency is unmatched.
<h3 class="" data-start="2418" data-end="2453">Boyd Martin &ndash; The American Hope (listen to our full Inside Kentucky episode with Boyd <a href="https://eventingpodcast.libsyn.com/inside-kentucky-boyd-martin-on-bringing-his-best-to-the-bluegrass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>)</h3>
Boyd Martin arrives with a three-strong string, but the one most likely to deliver is Fedarman B. This horse has placed in the top 10 at all of his five-star starts, and Boyd&rsquo;s made no secret about the intense fitness regime he&rsquo;s undertaken to improve his stamina. With show jumping prowess and proven pace, Fedarman B is the best shot for a U.S. podium.
<blockquote data-start="2815" data-end="2940">
&ldquo;If any horse can finish on their dressage score in the Horse Park this weekend, it&rsquo;s this one.&rdquo; &ndash; Sam Watson on Fedarman B
</blockquote>
His backup, Commando 3, has raw talent and big potential, while Luke 140 adds veteran reliability.
<h3 class="" data-start="3046" data-end="3065">Others to Watch</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="3069" data-end="3203">Clark Johnstone &amp; Menlo Park &ndash; Exceptionally consistent and now stepping back up to five-star after strong four-star performances.</li>
<li data-start="3206" data-end="3335">Calvin B&ouml;ckmann &amp; Phantom of the Opera &ndash; The German phenom returns to Kentucky older and wiser after a buzzy debut last year.</li>
<li data-start="3338" data-end="3458">Harry Meade &amp; Grafennacht / Et Hop du Matz&nbsp;&ndash; Two exciting mounts for a rider who knows how to peak under pressure.</li>
<li data-start="3461" data-end="3610">Caroline Pamukcu &amp; HSH Double Sixteen &ndash; Fast, smart, and gritty. Don&rsquo;t be surprised if this Thoroughbred climbs the leaderboard on cross-country.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="" data-start="3612" data-end="3633">The Weather Factor</h2>
Rain is expected on Friday&mdash;and that could change everything. With 14mm+ in the forecast, the going could shift from ideal to testing. Slippery turns, deeper footing, and higher fatigue levels all increase the chances for mistakes. On a course like Kentucky&rsquo;s, designed to reward brave riding, a few extra slips could turn the leaderboard upside down.
<h2 class="" data-start="3987" data-end="4026">Dressage: More Influential Than Ever</h2>
Unlike other five-stars like Burghley or Badminton, where cross-country often swings the outcome, dressage is king at Kentucky. fischerChipmunk FRH has scored sub-20 here before. If he lays down another blistering test, it&rsquo;s up to the field to play catch-up over two days of serious pressure.
<h2 class="" data-start="4315" data-end="4345">Sam &amp; Nicole&rsquo;s Podium Picks</h2>
Here&rsquo;s where the predictions land.
Sam Watson&rsquo;s Podium:
<ol>
<li data-start="4411" data-end="4449">Michael Jung &amp; fischerChipmunk FRH</li>
<li data-start="4453" data-end="4488">Tom McEwen &amp; Brookfield Quality</li>
<li data-start="4492" data-end="4561">Boyd Martin &amp; Fedarman B Dark Horse: James Alliston &amp; Karma</li>
</ol>
Nicole Brown&rsquo;s Podium:
<ol>
<li data-start="4593" data-end="4683">Michael Jung &amp; fischerChipmunk FRH (with a bold prediction: a sub-20 finishing score!)</li>
<li data-start="4687" data-end="4712">Tim Price &amp; Happy Boy</li>
<li data-start="4716" data-end="4785">Boyd Martin &amp; Commando 3 Dark Horse: James Alliston &amp; Karma</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="" data-start="4787" data-end="4808">The Bigger Picture</h2>
This isn&rsquo;t just about Kentucky. With the 2026 World Championships and LA 2028 on the horizon, the depth of talent here hints at what&rsquo;s coming. For some, this is a proving ground. For others, it's a shot at cementing their place in history.
Whether fischerChipmunk FRH makes it win number six, or a new name rises to the occasion, one thing is certain: This weekend is what five-star eventing is all about&mdash;brilliance, unpredictability, and moments that define careers.
<h2 class="" data-start="142" data-end="180">Bonus Round: The Four-Star Showdown</h2>
While the five-star takes centre stage, the Cosequin&reg; Lexington CCI4-S* is quietly shaping up to be one of the most intriguing classes of the weekend. With Olympic horses, rising talent, and plenty of eyes from selectors, this division is absolutely worth your attention.
Leading the charge is Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake, fresh off an Olympic campaign and already a proven performer at Kentucky, where they finished fifth last year. Will Coleman and Off the Record bring a wealth of experience and success at this venue, and they&rsquo;ll be aiming to add another big result to their record.
Other key combinations to watch:
<ul>
<li data-start="822" data-end="910">Alyssa Phillips and Oskar &ndash; consistent, competitive, and coming in with solid form</li>
<li data-start="913" data-end="993">Tamie Smith and Kynan &ndash; a promising pair with plenty of potential to climb</li>
<li data-start="996" data-end="1090">Phillip Dutton &ndash; lining up with both Possante and Deniro Z, and always a serious contender</li>
</ul>
The time on cross-country is expected to play a big role again this year. Only five horses made it last year, and with some rain in the forecast, it could be even more influential. Expect it to be tight, tactical, and a great preview of future five-star talent.
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eventing equiratings Kentucky 2025 eventing podcast

Inside Kentucky 2025: The Preview Show

When they hit record, Alex Bragg had a lorry leaving for Kelsall Hill in half an hour and just minutes to chat before dashing off​. The yard&rsquo;s buzzing with activity, but it&rsquo;s the show atmosphere that really drives him.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know whether I love the pressure&hellip; But you can&rsquo;t be on that stage without it. It&rsquo;s better to rise to the occasion than to shrink&rdquo;​.
That mindset set the tone for a standout 2024 season.
<h3 class="" data-start="1070" data-end="1093">From 51st to the Podium</h3>
Coming off a strong Burghley run in 2023, Alex was aiming for a good result at Badminton with&nbsp;Quindiva - what he got was even better than he expected. After sitting 51st after dressage, they climbed to third overall &mdash; one of the biggest leaderboard surges in history.
&ldquo;I was thinking I was going to jump my way into the top 10, not end up jumping my way onto a podium,&rdquo; he said.
She was one of just 12 horses in 2024 to notch two top 10s in a CCI5*-L and even more impressively, finished on her dressage score at Burghley &mdash; a feat achieved by just one other starter, Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal.
<h3 class="" data-start="1783" data-end="1804">Fueling the Flair</h3>
Managing a sensitive mare like Quindiva takes precision. That&rsquo;s where Connolly's Red Mills comes in.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Feeding goes deeper than just energy,&rdquo; Alex explained. &ldquo;Red Mills have a really simple system&hellip; People forget how feed affects temperament, stress levels, the mind &mdash; as much as the energy&rdquo;​.
</blockquote>
It&rsquo;s not just performance fuel &mdash; it&rsquo;s about giving a horse the right mental space to thrive.
<h3 class="" data-start="2237" data-end="2261">Badminton 2025</h3>
This year, Alex's focus shifts to Ardeo Premier. A very different character &mdash; &ldquo;You can hear him snoring after lunch,&rdquo; Alex laughs &mdash; but one who brings consistency, rideability, and quiet reliability to the table.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a core team player,&rdquo; Alex explained. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s not out there scoring all the goals, but he just keeps getting the job done. He is technically fantastic and his rideability is superb.&rdquo;
As for what Badminton means to him?
&ldquo;Local. Big. Dream.&rdquo;
<hr class="" data-start="3022" data-end="3025">
<h3 class="" data-start="3027" data-end="3069">Presented by Connolly's Red Mills</h3>
From elite performers like Quindiva to grassroots gallopers, Connolly&rsquo;s Red Mills delivers the balance, simplicity, and power behind top sport. Learn more at <a class="" href="https://redmills.com" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3228" data-end="3264">redmills.com</a>.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast.
Follow <a class="" href="https://instagram.com/equiratings" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="3346" data-end="3395">@equiratings</a> for more behind-the-scenes stories and rider insights.
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Red Mills Special: Alex Bragg on Quindiva, Pressure, and the Power of Teamwork

Izzy Taylor is no stranger to success on Irish soil. In fact, she&rsquo;s one of the most successful riders to compete here &mdash; her six 4*-S wins in Ireland since 2008 put her at the top of the leaderboard alongside fellow Brit Oliver Townend.
 <img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/8c15eab6-18da-4c11-a611-ff3400b15dc2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Wins 4s Irel Ns Izzy">
&nbsp;
<hr>
She also knows what it takes at Ballindenisk. Taylor has taken three wins in the CCI3*-L at this venue, riding&nbsp;Be Touchable, PSH Lava Flow, and Call Me Maggie May to the top spot. In the CCI4*-L format, she&rsquo;s been just as consistent with a podium finish in three of her four starts.
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/ad9aa08d-accc-4ea6-80bc-9e91bd4bde7c.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Izzy Wins Blog">
&nbsp;
<hr>
But when it comes to the 4-S*, the win still eludes her.
She&rsquo;s come very close &mdash; finishing second on four occasions &mdash; but never winning. This weekend, she&rsquo;ll hit a milestone: her 20th start at Ballindenisk 4*-S. No one could say she hasn&rsquo;t put in the time. So&hellip; will Taylor finally take the win?
The numbers suggest she might!
<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/ballindenisk_4s_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/df804e89-84f0-46ba-9b40-e59be859d2ed.png?width=1561&amp;height=1027" alt="Screenshot 2025 04 14 172216"></a>
&nbsp;
<hr>
Taylor heads into the weekend as the clear favourite, with a 41% chance of winning according to the EquiRatings Prediction Centre. That&rsquo;s no small margin in a sport as unpredictable as eventing. Leading the charge is SBH Big Wall, responsible for 33% of her overall win chance. His last 4*-S appearance in Ireland? Lisgarvan House International &mdash; and he won.
Also in the mix is Barrington Alice, contributing 8% to Izzy&rsquo;s win probability. Between the two horses, she has a formidable hand to play &mdash; and a serious shot at finally conquering Ballindenisk.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<hr>
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👉 Follow us on Instagram: <a class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/equiratingseventing" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="318" data-end="387">@equiratings_eventing</a> 📲 Join our WhatsApp Channel: <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGnPJYFHWq9b1iSB647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real-time insights, straight from the team</a> to your phone &mdash; no noise, just good eventing.&nbsp;

Is it Taylor's Time at Ballindenisk?

As the countdown begins to the Longines FEI Jumping European Championship A Coru&ntilde;a 2025, excitement builds for what promises to be one of the most hotly contested events in recent memory. Hosted from July 16&ndash;20 at the stunning Casas Novas Equestrian Center in Galicia, this year&rsquo;s championship not only marks the 25th anniversary of the venue, but also gathers the elite of European show jumping in one historic arena. With team and individual glory up for grabs, let&rsquo;s look ahead to four champions we might see battling for medals once again &mdash; names that have already etched their place in the history books and are more than capable of doing it all over again in Spain.
&nbsp;
<h2>Steve Guerdat &amp; Dynamix de Belheme</h2>
Defending European Champions
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/107daad7-fb34-41e4-a038-5fbcf10dd9fe.jpg?width=2192&amp;height=1600" alt="2023 Milan 1 Steve Guerdat &amp; Dynamix de Belheme">
If there is one name synonymous with style, skill, and show jumping supremacy, it&rsquo;s Steve Guerdat. Add to that the exceptional Dynamix de Belheme, and you have a combination built for championships.
Crowned European Champions in 2023, Dynamix was just 10 years old at the time &mdash; the youngest winner in recent memory &mdash; and she did it with flair: the only horse to leave every rail intact over the entire championship. Entering that event, she had already posted 6 clears from 10 five-star 160 rounds, a consistency that translated perfectly onto the biggest stage. Now 12 years old and among the Top 5 rated horses in the world, Dynamix heads into 2025 with maturity, momentum, and the medal pedigree to defend her crown.
<h2>&nbsp;</h2>
<h2>Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47</h2>
Reigning Olympic Champions
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/fcaeed8a-5657-4370-b831-9e5783401c14.jpg?width=3000&amp;height=4500" alt="Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47">
They call them the pair of 2024 &mdash; and for good reason. Christian Kukuk and the battle-hardened Checker 47 delivered one of the most memorable seasons in modern jumping, culminating in Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games.
Their road to Paris was paved with power performances: a win at the Rolex Grand Prix in Wellington, followed by another top-tier triumph in the LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid. They&rsquo;ve wasted no time in 2025 either, defending their Wellington GP title and reaffirming their position as one of the world&rsquo;s most experienced and successful pairs. A European title would be the perfect companion to their Olympic gold &mdash; and this could well be the year.
&nbsp;
<h2>Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward</h2>
Reigning World Champions
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/c7e1957c-a7ff-498e-8ae4-1cb32546a183.jpg?width=2667&amp;height=4000" alt="Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward">
The fairytale duo of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward continue to dominate the sport with a blend of brilliance and precision that leaves fans breathless. After a sublime performance at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, they stood atop the podium as the undisputed kings of show jumping.
King Edward&rsquo;s legacy is already secured &mdash; he holds the highest Elo rating ever recorded (822). Only two other horses have crossed the 800 barrier: Explosion W and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, both with 804.
Though 2024 brought some jump-off frustrations, their base-level consistency at five-star 160 remains unshakable. In 2025, they&rsquo;ve already secured Top 12 finishes in all four five-star Grands Prix entered. And in a championship where precision and steadiness across multiple rounds is key, this pair could once again rise to the top.
&nbsp;
<h2>Julien Epaillard &amp; Donatello d&rsquo;Auge</h2>
Reigning World Cup Champions
<img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/fab40085-cc8a-40d3-94b1-fe405f1b13f2.jpg?width=4500&amp;height=3000" alt="Julien Epaillard &amp; Donatello d'Auge">
There&rsquo;s never a dull moment when Julien Epaillard enters the arena &mdash; especially when he&rsquo;s partnered with Donatello d&rsquo;Auge. Fresh off their World Cup Final victory, the Frenchman has added yet another major title to his name.
Not only did Epaillard lead from start to finish, but he did so in a format that closely mirrors the European Championship structure. His aggressive, clock-perfect style makes him one of the most feared riders on the circuit when time is of the essence.
With a bronze medal from Milan 2023 (riding Dubai du Cedre) and a 4th place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, Epaillard is as proven as they come. Donatello now joins the list of elite horses under his saddle &mdash; and the duo looks set to challenge once again in La Coru&ntilde;a.
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
<h3>What&rsquo;s Next?</h3>
As we move closer to July, we&rsquo;ll be diving deeper into the contenders, the statistics, and the stories that will shape A Coru&ntilde;a 2025. These four champions have already shown what it takes to win. Will they do it again?
Stay tuned each week for more previews, rankings, and insights from EquiRatings, official fan engagement partners of the OXER Sport.
For all things 2025 Jumping Europeans, visit <a href="https://casasnovasfeijumping2025.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://casasnovasfeijumping2025.com/</a>

Jung Returns to Kentucky

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Jung Returns to Kentucky

Inside Kentucky 2025: The Preview Show

Red Mills Special: Alex Bragg on Quindiva, Pressure, and the Power of Teamwork

Is it Taylor's Time at Ballindenisk?

4 Champions We Might See at the Jumping Europeans in La Coruña This Summer

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