2024 Media Credentials Application
In order to complete the full Media Credential Application, you must sign the below document. Note: a separate Media Credential Application must be completed for each person.
Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™
April 25-28, 2024
The Competition
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) will be held April 25-28, 2024, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The event draws nearly 90,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide digital streaming and telecasts including a telecast shown on NBC in the United States.
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what is best described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse-and-rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. Two distinct Eventing competitions are held, the traditional CCI5*-L and the Cosequin® Lexington 4* with $25,000 prize money.
The Five Star riders compete for their share of $400,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Defender Kentucky, Badminton and Defender Burghley Five Star Events in succession. The K3DE is the longest-running Five Star event in the Americas and, as the United States’ premier event, also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian™ for U.S. athletes.
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event also hosts the $225,000 Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Saturday, April 27, after the cross-country portion of the three-day event. 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.
Eligibility for Media Credentials
In order to be eligible to receive Media Credentials, you MUST:
1. Be an adult of legal age and a reporter, editor or photographer associated with or on assignment for a recognized publication, news service, newspaper, website or radio or television station;
2. Submit a signed letter of assignment, on the assigning company’s letterhead, with the official media credentials application.
To ensure that those receiving media credentials are bona fide members of the media, and to maintain eligibility for the following year, you MUST provide this letter of assignment. Editors assigning more than one photographer are asked to designate ONE primary photographer.
NOTE: Photographers wishing to shoot from within the arena will be expected to adhere to a strictly enforced dress code.
PLEASE NOTE
Video: Media credentials to cover the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event will be granted on the condition that you agree not to shoot any video of the competition. Should you wish to secure video of the competition, please contact Carr-Hughes Productions at 518-584-0202. Please be advised that posting of competition video on any website or social media platform without written consent will be cause for revoking your credential and possible legal action.
Still Photography: Any commercial use of photography, or advertisement thereof, taken of competition without prior written consent from event management is expressly forbidden. Providing complimentary photos to exhibitors is also prohibited. Violation of these rules will be grounds for immediate removal from the premises and possible legal action.
