An April tradition at the Kentucky Horse Park resumes this week. After being canceled a year ago during the early stages of coronavirus in the Commonwealth, the Three Day Event equine competition returns to its central Kentucky home.
It hasn’t been an easy ride trying to see dressage, cross country, and show jumping contestants this April at the Horse Park. A decision to cancel came in early February due to COVID concerns. But, a grassroots fundraising effort brought new life to the event and it was re-scheduled without spectators.
Equestrian Events Incorporated Director Lee Carter said the cancelation of the Badminton Horse Trials in England brings even greater significance to the Three Day Event. He noted many competitors have their sights set on this summer’s Olympic Games in Japan. “They need to run their horses at an upper level competition to make sure they’re fit and they’re sound and able and prepared to potentially compete in Tokyo,” said Carter.
Carter said the international field will include more than 120 competitors over the four days at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Horse Park is also the site of COVID mass vaccinations. Carter noted the two activities can easily run simultaneously. “Where the vaccinations are being held is over at the All-Tech Arena. You know, we don’t utilize that space during our event and so we weren’t really worried about that piece of it. Then it just kind of became how do we move people around so that everybody is able to get to where they need to be, regardless of what they are here for,” explained Carter.
The Three Day Event begins Thursday and runs through Sunday and can be viewed online on the USEF network.
If you appreciate access to this important content during this global pandemic, please help us continue to provide public service journalism and information to Central and Eastern Kentucky communities. Please make your contribution to WEKU today.
