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

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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