Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach. Image: Michelle Dunn Photo.

Top ten for Ema Klugman & Bronte Beach following day one of the dressage at Kentucky

By Equestrian Life

The first day of the dressage at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event took place on Thursday, with the first half of the draw in action.

US-based Australian rider Ema Klugman saddled up Bronte Beach for the mare’s first five-star test, with the pair scoring 36.6 to sit in tenth place by the end of the day.

Bronte Beach is a rising 12-year-old Zangersheide mare by Verdi, who is owned by the Bronte Beach Syndicate. Ema – who recently graduated from law school – has had Bronte Beach from a young horse and brought her up through the eventing grades.

No stranger to Kentucky, Ema completed her first CCI5*L in 2021 at the age of 23 with her horse Bendigo, who was also a five-star debutant at age 19. The Saddlebred x Thoroughbred gelding sadly passed away earlier this year aged 22 following complications from colic surgery.

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir lead the field

Great Britain’s 2022 FEI World Championship-winning combination of Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir lead the field on 26 penalties, with compatriot Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI in second on 31.

“I think his test overall had some brilliant highlights,” said Yasmin Ingham of The Sue Davis Fund’s 13-year-old chestnut Selle Francais gelding. “We’ve been working really hard to get a bit more expression in the trot. He carries himself so beautifully in the ring now, and holds so much presence when he’s in there, and he definitely showed that.

Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K are third on 31.1, New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist are fourth on 31.4, and Hannah Sue Hollberg of the USA rounds out the top five on Capitol H I M  with 33.

Rebecca Braitling & Caravaggio in action on day two

Fellow Australian Bec Braitling will saddle up Caravaggio at what will be the horse's first ever five-star event. The pair will enter the dressage arena on Friday at 2.42pm local time, 4.42am Saturday AEST.

Watch all the action via ClipMyHorse.TV.

Live results can be found here.

Published 26 April 2024.

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