EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

There is nothing quite like the Monday morning after a five-star, and this one had plenty to talk about.
Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, fresh from Kentucky, to bring the raw reaction to a weekend that felt special from start to finish. From a dressage leaderboard packed tighter than usual, to a cross-country day that looked one way early and then quickly showed its teeth, this was a five-star that kept unfolding.
At the centre of it all, Will Coleman and Diabolo. A first five-star win, delivered across all three phases, and a performance that answered the biggest question mark coming into the week. Around them, the story kept shifting, big names in the mix, time penalties creeping in, and opportunities taken and missed.
They break down how it played out, the moments that mattered, and why this Kentucky felt like more than just another result.
Highlights
Will Coleman and Diabolo deliver a first five-star win
A dressage phase that kept the field tightly packed
Cross-country day, how it unfolded and where it changed
Harry Meade and the reminder of how tough five-star time really is
Standout performances from Galileo Nieuwmoed, HSH Blake, and more
The atmosphere, emotion, and energy across the week
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings Founder and Executive Director
Annie Bishop — US eventing analyst and regular contributor
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Diarmuid Byrne, Annie Bishop, and Spike the Vet live on Friday night, as dressage wraps up and the leaderboard looks wide open going into cross-country day. With no dominant force in the field, up to 12 combinations could still win - from the leading Kiwis to Tom McEwen and the strength in depth just behind.
They break down a more intense cross-country track, a tighter time, and why the winning score could land around 30 - setting up a Sunday where everything could change.

Check out the Defender Kentucky Fan Guide: https://equiratings.info/kentucky5l2026
Highlights
Friday Night Lights: live from Kentucky
Why this is one of the most open five-stars in years
Up to 12 contenders heading into cross-country
The Kiwi leaders — and the pressure to finish
Cross-country demands and time pressure
Why Sunday could see a major shake-up
Guests Diarmuid Byrne, Annie Bishop, Spike the Vet
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Defender Kentucky might be one of the most iconic stops in the sport, but this year's five-star feels wide open.
Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, with Spike the Vet calling in from Heathrow on his way to Kentucky, to preview a field with only one previous winner, leaving the door open for there for someone new to step up. From Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality at the top of the market, to Boyd Martin and Commando 3 leading the US charge, to Will Coleman's Diabolo bringing one of the most exciting profiles in the field, this is a line-up full of depth and questions.
There's also a cameo from British Eventing Performance Manager Dickie Waygood, adding to the build-up as the team heads out, and giving a snapshot of just how much this week matters.
They look at how Kentucky might play out across all three phases, from the demands of Derek di Grazia's cross-country track to the influence of show jumping on the final day, and where this year's result could be decided.
Highlights
Spike the Vet calls in from Heathrow as the team travels out
A cameo from Dickie Waygood in the Kentucky build-up
Why this year's Kentucky feels more open than recent renewals
Tom McEwen, Boyd Martin, and Will Coleman, the key contenders
Cross-country demands, time, and how the track might ride
Show jumping trends and what it could take to win
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings Founder and Executive Director
Annie Bishop — US eventing analyst and regular contributor
Spike the Vet — FEI team vet with decades of championship experience
Dickie Waygood — British Eventing Performance Manager
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Eventing Manager meets Kentucky… and yes, you will change your team at least three times.
This one kicks off with a live call to Will Coleman, straight from the build-up, giving a quick insight into Diabolo ahead of his five-star debut, before things quickly spiral into team picks, swaps, and second guesses.
From squeezing big names into the budget to convincing yourself your value pick is about to have the week of its life, this is exactly what playing Eventing Manager looks like at a five-star.
You'll have a plan. You'll ignore it. You'll build a new one. And then you'll watch it all play out.
Set your team. Regret nothing. Play now at manager.equiratings.com

Kentucky week is here, and this Inside Kentucky show brings you straight into the final stages of preparation.
Nicole Brown is joined by world number one Harry Meade and world number two Boyd Martin, two of the leading contenders heading into this year's five-star. With multiple horses between them, the conversation goes inside the decisions, the systems, and the reality of getting to the start line.
From differing preparation strategies to managing pressure, building confidence, and delivering when it matters, this is a look at five-star eventing from the very top.
Plus, they look ahead to Kentucky itself, the challenge of Derek di Grazia's cross-country track, and what it really takes to produce a performance across all three phases.
Highlights
Harry Meade and Boyd Martin on their Kentucky contenders and final preparations
Different approaches to five-star prep, from minimal runs to traditional build-ups
Managing pressure, expectations, and delivering on the biggest stage
Cross-country insight, Derek di Grazia's design, and making the time
The balance between individual goals and championship ambitions
Why performance, not position, is the real focus at five-star level
Guests
Harry Meade — British five-star event rider and current world number one.
Boyd Martin — American Olympian and five-star event rider, currently ranked world number two.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.