EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

The 2026 Defender Kentucky entries are out… and suddenly, everything feels very real.
There's something about seeing the list in black and white. The names, the horses, the matchups. The ones who have come close before, the ones building toward something bigger, and the ones who might just change the story this year. At the top, Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality arrive as the standout favourite. The American challenge is strong, with Will Coleman and Boyd Martin both bringing serious contenders, while Harry Meade is once again searching for that elusive five-star win.
Beyond the favourites, it's a seriously deep field. Horses that have been there and done it, horses stepping up, and plenty that feel like they're right on the edge of something big. And behind it all, Kentucky itself is already taking shape. The build-up, the pressure, and the feeling that when the week arrives, it will move fast.
Highlights
First reaction to the 2026 Kentucky entry list
Why Tom McEwen leads the field, and what could stop him
The strength of the US challenge on home soil
Key storylines across the five-star contenders
A look inside the Kentucky build-up and what's new for this year
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder 
Annie – EquiRatings podcast host and client liason
Lillian Dobat – Sponsorship Manager, Kentucky Three-Day Event
Cavan Allen – Event Secretary, Kentucky Three-Day Event
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
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EquiRatings Horse Sourcing tackles one of the hardest parts of the sport, finding and buying the right horse. This episode explains how the service works in practice, from defining what you're looking for, to building a shortlist, understanding price and availability, and making a decision with real clarity.
There's also a first look at the new EquiRatings Horse Sourcing portal, where clients can see the horses being considered, review data and video, and follow each step as it develops.
Highlights
How the horse sourcing process works
The role of data alongside rider insight
Understanding the market and availability
Inside the new portal
How to get involved as a buyer or seller
Guests
Sam Watson – EquiRatings co-founder and data analyst
Samantha Lissington – EquiRatings Horse Sourcing Analyst, evaluating talent and potential using data and experience
Rozzie Bainbridge – EquiRatings Horse Sourcing Client Communications, supporting clients throughout the process
Links & Contact
To find out more about how Horse Sourcing works and explore the new portal: https://www.equiratings.com/horse-sourcing
To view the Horse Sourcing product guide: https://equiratings.info/horsesourcing
To contact Sam Lissington directly: [email protected]
To contact Rozzie Bainbridge directly: [email protected]

The first real marker of the 2026 season has been laid down.
The Setters' Run Farm Carolina International always brings a good field, but this year it was stacked. Margins tight from the first phase, no one making the time, and a track that kept shifting the leaderboard right to the end.
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 didn't lead it from the front, but when it mattered, they were the ones who delivered. Fastest cross-country round of the day, the only sub-30 finish, and suddenly a horse a lot of people hadn't seen much of is right in the conversation.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake put down a serious marker. Jennie Brannigan's FE Lifestyle does what he always does at Carolina. And further down, horses like Diabolo and Miks Master C ran exactly the rounds they needed to, with bigger plans clearly in mind.
Highlights
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 take the four-star win with the fastest cross-country round
Margins tight after dressage, the top five separated by less than a penalty
No one makes the time, across both jumping phases
Caroline Pamukcu moves to the top of the US Open standings
FE Lifestyle delivers again at Carolina
Big names execute controlled runs with Kentucky in mind
Guests
Holly Hudspeth
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
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*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "f033a4e2-3162-4cb2-b983-9bb44ee648b4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-11" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:19cfadc8-2210-4d7e-8286-92fc5a2d99f2-120" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Yorkshire tea in hand, Nicola Wilson sits down for a conversation that reflects exactly where she is now. A winter focused on getting stronger, small milestones that matter, and a return to the sport that looks different, but still feels the same at its core.
Since 2022, her role has evolved, with coaching now at the centre. Working with riders like Katie McGee and Gabby Dickerson, and as part of the British youth teams, she talks about seeing horses and riders through a wider lens, then narrowing in on the details that make the difference.
What comes through is the clarity. Focus on what you can do. Keep moving forward. And take the progress, step by step.
Highlights
A winter focused on strength and steady progress
How her coaching perspective has evolved
The importance of small, consistent improvements
Supporting riders on their path to five-star
Guest
Nicola Wilson - British Olympic medallist and former top-level event rider, now a leading coach working with elite riders and the next generation.






This series is supported by Carr & Day & Martin, globally trusted equine care products since 1765 and now proudly part of the Connolly's Red Mills Group. Learn more about their full range at: https://www.carrdaymartin.com/
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
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Carolina International is here, and with it one of the strongest four-star fields we've seen so far this season.
Nicole Brown is joined by Holly Hudspeth to preview the Setters' Run Farm Carolina International, a key leg of the US Equestrian Open and an important early-season test for horses targeting Kentucky, Badminton and the World Championships at Aachen.
From past winners returning with new riders to major contenders like Diabolo, Miks Master C, HSH Blake and Denim, the field is packed with experience, form and a few combinations ready to take a big step forward.
With cross-country time always influential and a course designed by Derek di Grazia, this weekend will start to shape how the spring unfolds.
Deep dive article on Carolina: https://news.equiratings.com/stories/you-need-to-watch-carolina-this-weekend-heres-why
Highlights
Key contenders and returning winners
What it takes to win at Carolina
World Championship and spring targets
Podium picks and dark horses
Guests
Holly Hudspeth – Horse & Country commentator
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
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