To Be Official Outfitter for Mounted Stewards, Junior Riding Attendants/Presenters and Adult Award Presenters

Lexington, Kentucky – February 13, 2024 – The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ welcomes LeMieux as an official sponsor of the event. LeMieux will be the Official Outfitter for Mounted Stewards, Junior Riding Attendants/Presenters and Adult Award Presenters when the event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 25-28, 2024. 

Organized by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE) features one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations. In addition to the traditional CCI5*-L, the event also features the Cosequin® Lexington 4* and Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. 

The LeMieux brand launched in 2006 when founders Robert and Lisa Lemieux identified a need for quality lambskin saddle pads and set about making their own range. Robert became involved in the equestrian world as an event rider, competing at the Olympic and World Championship level for Great Britain and Canada. Through the LeMieux brand, he and his wife aimed to make equestrian equipment that was innovative, well-made and above all, affordable. Now, LeMieux is synonymous with an extensive range of high-quality products that keep safety, comfort and fashion in mind.

“The 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event promises to be the biggest and best ever, with many exciting new changes that are possible because of generous sponsors like LeMieux,” said Erin Woodall, Executive Director of EEI. “We are thrilled to have LeMieux as the Official Outfitter for our Mounted Stewards and Presenters, and we welcome them to our family of sponsors.” 

“We are delighted to outfit the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Mounted Stewards, Junior Riding Attendants/Presenters and Adult Award Presenters with the finest quality equestrian products, defined by unparalleled technical expertise and style,” said Dan Mahoney, Managing Director, LeMieux. “We have been an ambitious, aspirational brand since Lisa and Robert LeMieux first started the business in 2006, and as one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world, we are proud to extend this legacy to ‘The Best Weekend All Year.’ Make sure to visit LeMieux’s first-ever stand at a major U.S. event, where you’ll find a huge selection of our colorful and technical gear.” 

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™

The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse and rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping – for $400,000 in prize money to those competing at the CCI5*-L level. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes. Rolex is the Official Timepiece and Event Partner. 

Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S

Introduced in 2021, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S runs concurrently with the CCI5*-L competition, featuring the three phases of eventing – dressage, cross country and show jumping. The Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S offers $50,000 prize money. Tickets for viewing the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S are included when purchasing the K3DE tickets.

Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

The $225,000 Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 27, after the cross-country portion of the K3DE. As part of the competition, there will also be a $35,000 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in the Rolex Stadium, after the day’s K3DE dressage competition. In addition to the new 4* level for the 2024 Grand Prix, there will be a new $35,000 1.45m Two-Phase during the lunch hour on Saturday, April 27. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday’s Ranking Class. For more Grand Prix information, please visit https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/grand-prix/. 

Further information about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S, and the Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is available at https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/.

About Equestrian Events, Inc.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI supports several local and equine charities and has donated more than $725,000 to various charities since 2011. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.