Greatness Leaves a Mark

In sport, there are always great performances. But then there are the ones that make you stop in awe. 

The Kentucky Three Day Event is always circled on the eventing enthusiast’s calendar. Every year, it delivers storylines that captivate, challenge, and change the game. This year was no different. In fact, it proved why Kentucky still earns its tagline as The Best Weekend All Year.

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH didn’t just win… again. They dominated. It was their sixth title at the venue, and they left behind broken records and a fresh reminder of what peak performance looks like. But this wasn’t a one-man show. Between Boyd Martin’s triple top-ten and Harry Meade’s return to the podium, the leaderboard told a story of veterans, breakthrough horses, and numbers that matter.

Michael Jung Redefines What Winning Means 

Michael’s weekend was unreal. Every time this man trots into an arena, there’s a chance he breaks records. This weekend? He did it in all three phases. 

It’s hard to call a Michael Jung Kentucky Win a surprise, but this one still managed to drop jaws. Michi and Chipmunk set a new dressage record for the event, opened up the largest margin after dressage in modern 5* history, then followed that with the biggest lead ever seen after cross-country. By the time he cantered into the show jumping ring, the rest of the field was already miles behind.

His final margin? 7.8 points — which, if you're counting, gives him four of the six biggest winning margins in Kentucky history.

Jung was characteristically humble afterward, calling it “definitely luck,” but also spoke to the joy of simply riding great horses:

“Ever since I was young, I really love to ride the horses. I love the animals. I’m really happy doing what I’m doing every day.”

Perhaps Michi’s secret isn’t luck after all. Perhaps it’s his deep love and appreciation for not only the sport, but more importantly, the four-legged partners who make it possible. 

Boyd Martin’s Depth Is Paying Off

Boyd came into the weekend with three legitimate contenders for his first Kentucky CCI5*-L win. As he said on the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast a few weeks ago, there was just one problem– the Europeans came over and inflated the field strength. “ It’d be nice if these guys just stayed put, you know, in Europe, and left it to the Yanks,” he joked.

He finished second on Commando 3. Fedarman B placed sixth, and Luke 140 landed seventh. That result makes Boyd just the third rider since 2008 to put three horses in the top 10 at a CCI5*-L.

Commando 3, in particular, answered some big questions. “I wasn’t sure what I was in for this year,” Boyd admitted.

“But after this event, I think he could be a career-changing horse.”

It’s also a testament to Boyd’s long-game investment in talent and team — from sourcing horses like Commando during a visit to a friend of Michi’s in Germany, to building a relationship with legendary jumper Peter Wylde, now a regular presence in Boyd’s eventing camp. “He comes to my barn, rides the horses, trains the horses. I just love the guy,” he said. 

Harry Meade and the Power of Patience

Harry Meade is far from new to the stage, but Kentucky marked something rare: his first-ever 5* podium outside of the UK, and his first with a rising star.

But make no mistake — Harry’s success wasn’t some underdog surprise. This weekend was a reminder of just how much he's quietly built one of the sport’s most consistent cross-country records. With both Et Hop Du Matz and Grafennacht finishing inside the time on cross-country, Harry became the only rider to do so in the entire five-star. In fact, no one — in the 4* or the 5* — made the time on Saturday except those two horses. That’s a rare and telling accomplishment.

He now sits on 10 career clears inside the time at 5*, tying him with David Doel and placing him among the top modern XC performers. He also joins the exclusive list of riders with five or more FODs at 5*, a mark of consistency few can claim.

Et Hop Du Matz, just ten years old, delivered a gutsy performance across all three phases to take third. “He tried his heart out,” Harry said. “The reason I’m here is for the horses. It’s the reason we do the sport for these top level events… having hope is hugely motivating.”

That theme — hope — came up again and again in Harry’s reflections, and not just about the horses. He spoke to the power of these big events, of walking into a packed stadium and feeling the buzz from the Kentucky crowd.

“You go in with a plan, but you can’t help but go in with a smile on your face.”

A Podium Worth Measuring

This year’s CCI5*-L was rich in emotion and packed with performances that stand the test of time. 

Michael Jung now holds the top three winning margins in Kentucky history.

Harry Meade becomes just the fifth rider with multiple top-five finishes at Kentucky.

Boyd Martin joins an elite club with three top-ten finishes in a single 5*.

It’s easy to look at those numbers and see dominance. But what stood out most was the reverence from fellow riders — the kind of admiration that only comes from trying to chase someone at the top of their game.

“I often watch videos of Michael ride. I try to copy him,” Boyd shared. “I’ve never seen someone that good in all three phases.”

Harry echoed it with quiet awe: “I think we’re living in a really special moment.” 

“He will be remembered as the best there ever was.”

When even your fiercest competition starts sounding like a fan club, you know you’re witnessing something special.

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