The best riders and horses in the world are about to be center stage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event this Thursday, April 28 - Sunday, May 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Event is the only CCI4* in America. In fact, there are only five other CCI4* events in the world, including:
- Badminton in Great Britain, won earlier this month by New Zealand's Mark Todd.
- Burghley in Great Britain, held in September, and won last year by another New Zealander, Caroline Powell.
- Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide, Australia is held in November. Home-town girl Wendy Schaeffer took home the win last year.
- Luhmuhlen Horse Trials in Germany, won last August by Sharon Hunt of Great Britain.
- The Stars of Pau in France, will be held in October this year. Andreas Dibowski of Germany celebrated the win last year.
What is a CCI4* (CCI 4 Star)?
Eventing, as with many equestrian sports, has levels of competition that are ruled and governed by the Federation Equestre Internationale or FEI.
CCI stands for Concours Complet International; a French term meaning an international complete contest or a three-day event that includes dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping. Because this competition is international, it is open to competitors from anywhere in the world.
FEI governed equestrian competitions are rated on a starring system, ranging from one star where riders must be 14 and horses 6 years of age to the highest level, the four star, where riders must be 18 and horses 7 years of age.
A one star competition may have 32 obstacles on the cross-country course whereas the four star may have 45.
Most Eventing competitions held around the United States are regulated by the United States Eventing Association or USEA and are CCI* or below.
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