TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published April 27, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Will Coleman and Diabolo clinched the CCI5*-L title at the 2026 Kentucky Three-Day Event, marking a major milestone for U.S. eventing and a personal redemption for Coleman after years of near-misses.
What Happened
American eventer Will Coleman achieved the biggest win of his career on Sunday, April 26, capturing the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L title aboard Diabolo. Coleman and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding entered the stadium as the penultimate pair, trailing New Zealand’s Monica Spencer. Under pressure, Coleman navigated Guilherme Jorge’s show jumping track, adding only 0.8 time penalties. While Coleman was guaranteed at least second place, the leaderboard shifted dramatically when Spencer and her mount, Artist, dropped three rails. This propelled Coleman to the top of the podium with a final score of 28.1. American Caroline Pamukcu took second place on HSH Blake (28.6), and Great Britain’s David Doel climbed to third on Galileo Nieuwmoed (30.8).
Why It Matters
Coleman’s victory is a significant milestone for U.S. eventing, making him only the second American rider to win the Kentucky Five-Star in the last 18 years. For Coleman, the win represents redemption after professional setbacks, including a withdrawal from the 2024 Olympic team due to injury and a narrow loss at the 2025 U.S. Open Champion of Eventing. The result also highlights the depth of the U.S. High Performance program, with American riders claiming the top two spots. This win cements Diabolo’s status as a premier international athlete, as he is the first horse to win both the CCI4*-S (2024) and the CCI5*-L at Kentucky.
Discipline Context
As one of only seven CCI5*-L events globally, the Kentucky Three-Day Event is the pinnacle for North American riders. Coleman’s win strengthens the American position on the global stage ahead of future international championships. The performance of younger riders like Caroline Pamukcu, who named her daughter after her mount HSH Blake, signals a strong generational shift in the sport, where talent and horse management converge at the highest levels. The final show jumping phase proved influential, with several top pairs struggling with the technical track and time allowed. Monica Spencer, who led through dressage and cross-country, fell to seventh after her three-rail round. Conversely, David Doel’s double-clear performance allowed him to leap into the top three, underscoring the importance of rails-in-hand at the Five-Star level.
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.