A five-star feast

The 2019 top two could repeat their results in a rematch, says H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome as she previews the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

- Pippa Roome

KENTUCKY has had a tumultuous build-up this year. After initially cancelling, the organisers were persuaded to go ahead with the event behind closed doors after a crowd-funding effort raised over $550,000 (about £400,000).

Seventy-five horses were entered from eight nations and even allowing for the natural wastage in the run-up to any five-star, this should yield a strong starting field for the only five-star of the 2021 spring season.

Oliver Townend has three entered and a chance to defend his title on the 2018 and 2019 winner, Cooley Master Class, while fellow five-star winner Ballaghmor Class could equally grace the winners’ enclosure. The Brit starts as joint favourite with the home side’s biggest hope, Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg TSF. This pair were second to Oliver and Cooley Master Class in 2019 and a repeat battle will ensue.