‘He was absolutely mega’: podium finish for British rider at Kentucky

David Doel achieved another five-star podium finish with Galileo Nieuwmoed when he finished third at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event today (26 April).

The British pair jumped clear to finish on their dressage score, moving up from fourth after cross-country, and David described the 15-year-old’s performance as “absolutely mega, fantastic”.

“He jumped super in here three years ago when he came and I thought he actually jumped better again today,” said David.

“It was a little bit too forwards at times, but we knew the time was tight and I was absolutely dead chuffed with that.”

David commented that Galileo, who belongs to his rider, Mary Fox and Gillian Jonas, loves coming to the USA, prompting a question about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“He might be a bit old for that, but we’ll try and keep troubling the selectors,” said David.

“We’ve had an amazing time here once again, everyone has looked after us so well and we’ve been made to feel so welcome.”

This is David Doel and Galileo’s ninth top-15 five-star finish and their third podium – they were second at Burghley Horse Trials in 2023 and third at Maryland 5 Star in 2024 – as well as their second strong Kentucky Three-Day Event result after eighth in 2023.

Britain had another top-five finisher in Tom McEwen, whose ride Brookfield Quality – owned by John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn – jumped spectacularly for a clear today to move up from sixth to fifth.

It hasn’t quite been Harry Meade’s weekend here in Kentucky and Superstition, who belongs to his rider and Mandy Gray, had the oxer in the middle of the treble at 9b and the final upright down. The pair dropped from eighth to 12th.

Tom Jackson’s clear with Ruth McMullen and Mary Harris’s Plot Twist B elevated him from 16th to 15th.

Will Coleman scored his first five-star win today, jumping clear on Diabolo to land the title.

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