Germany's Michael Jung claims Olympic-sized momentum at this year's Defender KY 3DE

34 horse and rider combinations from six nations will start the first of three competitive phases, the dressage, which takes place Thursday and Friday at the Kentucky Horse Park. WUKY's Samantha Lederman reports.

One horse was disqualified Wednesday afternoon at the first horse inspection, a formal vet check to make sure each horse is fit and sound to compete. Now, 34 horse and rider combinations from six nations will start the first of three phases, the dressage, which takes place Thursday and Friday. They include the current world numbers one and two, Great Britain's Tom McEwan and New Zealand's Tim Price, respectively. Hot favorite though is Germany's Michael Jung riding Fischer chipmunk FRH. They won individual gold at the Paris Olympics last year and competed at this event in Kentucky in 2022.



They won convincingly then on a record breaking score, and this year, Jung says his horse is on top form.

"My feeling is he's getting better and better. He has a very strong body. He looks very good. He's very soft and nice to ride. Yeah. Preparation was good. And, the other things, I don't wanna change too much, So I try to keep him, in his normal routine," Jung said.

The competition continues through Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park.