Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of events at the highest level, has donated $75,000 back to the community following the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™.

EEI is best known for producing the annual Kentucky Three-Day Event, the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world as well as the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix CSI4* on the same weekend. In addition, EEI will host the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2024 and 2026-2028. EEI oversees all budgeting, competition, sponsorship sales, vendor fairs, ticket sales, hospitality, security, branding, merchandise, marketing and more for these events.

Committed to being a pillar of the equestrian community, both in Kentucky and throughout the world, EEI works in collaboration with other events and organizations throughout the year to promote and elevate equestrian sports throughout the U.S. and internationally. Over the last 20 years, EEI has donated more than $1.1 million to the local and equestrian communities through its support of various charities. 

Following the completion of this year’s highly successful Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, EEI donated $75,000 to the following charities:

• Masterson Equestrian Trust, the 2024 Event’s Official Charity, Masterson works to Advocate, Enhance and Protect the Masterson Station Equestrian Facility for horse-related activities and events that serve the entire community
• All Alumni Competitions Inc., the parent company of the Alumni Tournament of Champions and Alumni Equestrian Events which gives Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) alumni the ability to compete after college in a finals-like atmosphere to stay connected to collegiate riding
• Bluegrass Sports Commission, which serves to attract and support new and existing sports events at any level to the Central Kentucky Area and is a major driving force for positive growth in the region
• Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, which is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and health of children and adults with special needs through therapeutic activities with the horse
• Equine Land Conservation Resource, a leader in the protection and conservation of lands for the horse and horse-related activities so that America’s equine heritage lives on
• Glean Kentucky, which gathers and redistributes excess fresh fruits and vegetables to Kentucky’s food-insecure populations in an effort to solve local food waste and hunger problems
• Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, which supports research to uncover solutions to critical problems affecting horse health as well as clues to numerous other solutions for equine health issues
• Justin’s Place, which offers a safe and supportive environment for children ages 3 to 13 with a disability or disorder diagnosis to experience peace and joy through horses
• Kentucky Horse Council, an official affiliate of the American Horse Council dedicated to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community through education and leadership
• Lexington Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, which serves to foster better communication between citizens and police through education
• Midsouth Region Pony Club, an official member of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc., that develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through programs that teach horse care, riding and mounted sports
• Northside Common Market, a place by, for and about Lexington neighbors built to foster opportunity, growth and connection through social entrepreneurship
• Retired Racehorse Project, which facilitates the placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers and organizations that transition them
• The Nest – Center for Women, Children and Families, which supports families in crisis through education, counseling, advocacy and other resources and aims to prevent the abuse and neglect of children and adults
• The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., an educational organization that builds the foundations of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports and horse care while developing leadership, responsibility and community among its members
• University of Kentucky Eventing Team, which allows students to compete in the Intercollegiate Eventing League on their own horses at sanctioned U.S. Eventing Association events
• University of Kentucky Equestrian Team, which allows students to compete on borrowed horses at a regional and national level through the IHSA’s hunt seat and Western disciplines 

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of giving back to the local and equestrian communities,” said Erin Woodall, Executive Director of EEI. “Each of our Charitable Donation recipients does so much for the people and horses they serve. We are grateful for the work they do and are honored to be able to support their efforts.”

About Equestrian Events, Inc.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI supports several local and equine charities and over the last 20 years has donated more than $1.1 million to various charities. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.