The effects of Saturday’s gruelling cross-country efforts rippled through the CCI5* field Sunday morning at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, with multiple horses being held for re-inspection.

Two-time defending champion Cooley Master Class, ridden by world number one Oliver Townend (GBR), did not pass the inspection and will not be moving forward to the final phase of show jumping Sunday afternoon.

“He’s picked up a cut that he’s sore on but at the same time I’ve hopped on him and given him a little ride this morning,” said Townend. “He’s sound to ride and very fresh. I’ve no doubt he would jump very well but unfortunately he didn’t present well.

“Obviously, the welfare of the horse is paramount in our sport. That’s [the ground jury’s] decision to make. It’s very sad for him and very sad for the team, but he’s still in one piece. It’s more of a frustration than anything else, but he’s 100%.”

Townend’s second ride and the overnight leader Ballaghmor Class was accepted.

Phillip Dutton’s (USA) Fernhill Singapore was held but passed on re-inspection. Doug Payne (USA) was asked to jog Quantum Leap twice and was then sent to the hold box. Quantum Leap was accepted on re-inspection. Five-star first-timers Ema Klugman (AUS) and Bendigo were held but also passed on re-inspection.

In the Kentucky CCI4*-S, Meaghan Marinovich Burdick’s (USA) Riviera Lu was held but passed on re-inspection. Twenty-two 4* horses move on to show jumping beginning at 10:45am.

The MARS Best Turned Out Horse Award in the 5* division was presented to Diachello, ridden by Jesse Campbell (NZL) and groomed by Hannah McLean. MARS Best Turned Out Horse in the 4* division was awarded to Albano, ridden by Bobby Meyerhoff (USA) and groomed by Kirsten Daniels.

Feature image: Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Master Class during the first horse inspection at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian held in Lexington, KY.