See all the fences Tom McEwen and Harry Meade will jump at Kentucky five-star this week
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course for the 2026 event (22-26 April) is designed again by Derek di Grazia.
There are 28 numbered fences and the course is 6312m long, giving an optimum time of 11min 5sec.
Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course: fence by fence
Fence 1: Woerthy Tribute
Fence 2: Market Table
Fence 3: Wofford Rails
Fence 4abc: Mars Sustainability Bay
Fence 4a
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This is followed by a right turn to fence 4b, which is up a bank.
Fence 4b
Fence 4c
Fence 5: Bourbon Barrel Table
Fence 6: Triple Bar
Fence 7abcd: Care Credit Question
Fence 7a direct route
Fence 7b all routes
Fence 7cd direct route
The alternative here involves four elements and means riders jump each part separately rather than on a related line. The same ditch at 7b features on this route too.
Fence 7a alternative
Fence 7c alternative
Fence 7d alternative
Fence 8: Fox’s Den
Fence 9ab: Opposing Corners
Fence 9a
Fence 9b direct route
The long route here involves turning back away from the direction of travel after 9a to jump an easier corner at 9b.
Fence 9b alternative
Fence 10: Ditch Brush
Fence 10 side view
Fence 11abc: Sunken Road
Fence 11abc direct route
Fence 11bc direct route
The longer route here involves three separate elements.
Fence 11a alternative route
Fence 11b alternative route
Fence 11c alternative route
Fence 12abc: Spring Water
Fence 12a all routes
Fence 12a from the back
Fence 12bc direct route
The longer route here avoids the corner in the water.
Fence 12b alternative route
Fence 12c alternative route
Fence 12c alternative route from the back
Fence 13: Mick’s Picnic Table
Fence 14abc: Pete’s Hollow
Fence 14a direct route
Looking over fence 14a to fences 14b and 14c
Fence 14b direct route
Fence 14c direct route
The longer route here is on a wider line to the right of the direct choice.
Fence 14a alternative route
Fence 14b alternative route
Fence 14c alternative route
Fence 15abc: EEI Root Cellar
Fence 15a
Fence 15a side view
Fence 15b
Fence 15c
Fence 16: Owl Hole at the Mounds
Fence 16 full view including decoration
Fence 17: Paddock Gate
Fence 18ab and 19ab: Defender Head of the Lake
Fence 18a direct route
Fence 18b and 19a direct route
Fence 19b direct route
The alternative here involves jumping a difference fence into the water at fence 18a, then circling between 18b and 19a, taking them both at less of an angle on the straight route. The alternative final element, a corner at 19b, then flows on from 19a.
Fence 18a alternative route
Fence 19b alternative route
Fence 20: T Bar
Fence 21abc: Normandy Bank
Fence 21a direct route
Fence 21b direct route
Fence 21c direct route
The long route here is on an S-bend.
Fence 21a alternative route
Fence 21b alternative route
Fence 21c alternative route
Fence 22: Hillside Shelter
Fence 23abcd: Cosequin Cove
This complex offers multiple options, but is cleverly numbered so some routes are not available once a rider has committed to a certain line.
Fence 23a direct route
Fence 23bc direct route
Fence 23d direct route
Fence 23ab alternative route
Fence 23c alternative route
Another alternative 23c
Alternative 23d
Fence 24: Pergola Tables
Fence 25: Lincoln Lodge
Fence 26ab: Mighty Moguls
Fence 26a
Fence 26b direct route
Fence 26b alternative route
Fence 27: Kentucky Coffee Bean Table
Fence 28: The Pinnacle
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.