After a day of deluges on Friday, cross-country day dawned dry, gray, and very cold for late April, with a feels like temperature of 45 degrees that persisted all day. The ground was still holding a lot of water, which turned out to be very deep and tiring for the horses, with scads of time penalties in both the 4* and 5* divisions.Defender Kentucky Three Day Event CCI5*-LReigning Paris Olympic Champion and four-time winner of this event, Michael Jung (GER) rode his Paris mount, FischerChipmunk FRH, to an exceptionally fast round, with just 2.4 time penalties to stay in a comfortable lead. In fact, he has now set a 5* record for biggest lead margins after dressage and cross-country.I had a super ride, said Jung at the press conference after cross-country. Hes an amazing horse in the cross-countryhes full of energy with very big strides, very honest. I can trust him. We get better together. Were still learning, but a great partnership is very important for the cross-country. He felt a bit tired some places. I knew I was behind the time, but he kept galloping to the end of the course. He was really fit.Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH continue to lead the way after cross-country. Photo by Mary CageHolding on to second place with 6.8 time penalties was Boyd Martin (USA) on Commando 3, one of his three mounts in the 5* division. Always one to provide entertainment, Martin spoke at the press conference with his baby on his lap (who didnt want to stay in the back with Mom), and his older son briefly joined them on the stage as well.It was a bloody tiring day, every ride I was huffing and puffing! said Martin. I went quick on [Commando]hes young and fit and gave me a great round, but the ground was a bit tiring.Boyd Martin and Commando 3 make their way through the Defender Head of the Lake complex, an iconic part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course. Photo by Mary CageHarry Meade of Great Britain made an eye-popping climb up the leaderboard with the days only two double-clear rides (no jumping or time penalties), moving from 17th to third with ET Hop du Matz and 18th to fourth with Grafennacht. Meade is ranked No. 4 in the world eventing standings.I was confident they were fit, he said. I thought Id get out there and see how they felt. The first horse [Hop du Matz] I know really well, and hoped hed be a good 5* horse. Hes very adjustable and has a long stride. The mare, Grafennacht, I dont know as well; I had this spring to get to know her and wasnt thinking about coming here. Then she won an event by 24 points, so it was a no-brainer to bring her here. I was disappointed with her dressage test; she got a bit tight in the atmosphereit was her first time in [a big crowd]. I was questioning whether to run her [cross-country] at 11:30 or 12 today, then thought Id just start out and see how she goes. Apparently, the answer was VERY well! 1 of 2 Harry Meade and Et Hop du Matz. Photo by Mary Cage Harry Meade and Grafennacht. Photo by Mary Cage Course designer Derek di Grazia was pleased with the safety of the course this year.You never know at the beginning the day whats going to happen, he said. You hope its going to provide a good competition. Im happy every horse walked homethere were only two rider falls in the 4* and one in the 5* classbeyond that, there were some great rides that were really enjoyable to watch. Their time management is so good; at the end they are right where they need to be. We had lots of little runouts here and there all over the course, but it provided a good competition.Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-SHolding first place aboard Off the Record with the least time penalties in the division (7.2) was Olympic veteran and defending Kentucky 4* champion, Will Coleman (USA). Optimum time was 6 minutes and 37 seconds, compared to the 5*-L division at 11 minutes and 20 seconds.The roping and way the [jumps] were strung together made it tough to get the speed needed for time allowed, he said. It wasnt surprising at all that nobody got close to it.As far as how his mount handled the course, he gives him all the credit it the world.When you have an older horse and they come out inspired to do it, its a rewarding feeling. I have nothing but admiration for that horse.Will Coleman and Off the Record continue to hold the lead in the 4* after cross-country. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan PhotograhyRemaining in second and third with Possante (10.4 time penalties) and Denim (11.6 time penalties), respectively, was Phillip Dutton (USA).I feel a bit relieved, he laughed. It was a lot of hard work. I tried to have a crack at it. They both tried hard and will come out of it better. 1 of 2 Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photograhy Phillip Dutton and Denim. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography Climbing from 14th to fourth with just 8 time penalties was Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix.Freedom GS is pure class, she said of her mount. Shes a fun horse to ride cross-country. She looks for the flags. The way they roped it, she was fast and efficient. She was pretty green when we took her to the Olympics. The first time she did the 4* was last season, but she was unaffected by the crowds. At Paris [2024 Olympic Games] it wouldve been nice to have one more year of experience under her belt, because this year she feels so confident.Stay tuned for tomorrows show jumping phase to see who takes tops the final standings in both prestigious divisions.2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Cross-Country1.Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (21.0)2.Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 (32.8)3.Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz (34.2)4. Harry Meade (GBR) and Grafennacht (35.2)5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality (36.6)6.Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo (40.0)7.Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (41.7)8.Boyd Martin (USA) and Luke 140 (44.7)9. Libussa Lbbeke (GER) and Caramia 34 (49.1)10. Emily Hamel (USA)and Corvett (49.4)2025 Cosequin Lexington 4*-S Standings After Cross-Country1. Will Coleman (USA) and Off The Record (29.0)2. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Possante (33.5)3. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (37.2)4.Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Freedom GS (38.0)5.Allison Springer (USA) and No May Moon (40.4)6.Mia Farley (USA) and Invictus (42.9)=7.Alexander ONeal (USA) and Redtail Penumbra (43.4)=7.Ema Klugman (AUS) and Chiraz (43.4)9.James Alliston (USA) and Nemesis (44.3)10. Dana Cooke (CAN) and FE Quatro (45.1)For complete dressage scores and updates about the event, visit www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.Find all of our coverageon our2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.Thanks toCareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Cross-Country Day appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.