Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) has announced the addition of the Kentucky International CSI5*, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, to its 2025/2026 season lineup. The competition will take place April 23–26, 2026, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, running as part of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™.
Organized by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), the Kentucky International has quickly risen through the ranks since debuting as a CSI3* in 2018. It was elevated to a CSI4* in 2024, reached CSI5* status in 2025, and will return as a five-star event within the MLSJ circuit in 2026. Notably, EEI is the only event organizer worldwide to host both a CCI5*-L and CSI5* in the same week.
“At EEI, our goal is to deliver world-class equestrian sport,” said Molly Day, CEO of Equestrian Events, Inc. “Partnering with Major League Show Jumping to present our CSI5* during the iconic Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event raises that mission to a new level. Their innovation and commitment to excellence will provide an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans alike.”
EEI is renowned for producing the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of only seven CCI5*-L competitions held annually worldwide, alongside the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S and the Kentucky International CSI5*. Widely recognized as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who enjoy elite competition, shopping, hospitality, and a wide variety of demonstrations.
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The Kentucky International CSI5* will serve as Leg 8 of MLSJ’s fifth season, hosted in the historic Rolex Stadium. It will be the final stop before the season finale in Monterrey, Mexico. Other venues on the 2025/2026 schedule include Traverse City Horse Shows (Michigan), Angelstone Tournaments (Toronto), CSI Greenwich (Connecticut), Highlands Cup (New York), Tryon International (North Carolina), and Desert International Horse Park (California).
“From the beginning, Major League has focused on showcasing the top events in North America,” said MLSJ co-founder Keean White. “The Kentucky International is a perfect fit, and we are proud to continue elevating world-class show jumping across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.”
