See pictures of one rider’s incredible save to stay on board at Kentucky – and find out what people were shouting as she went across country

US rider Emily Hamel and her mount Corvett provided the drama in the final phase of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event last week. Corvett has a helicopter jumping style, going very high over his fences, and at fence seven on Sunday, one of his leaps went stratospheric. He jumped his pilot out of the saddle, meaning she had to perform a brilliant save to stay on.

“That was unexpected and doesn’t happen that often, but I was like, ‘We have come too far. I am not falling off.’ He’s a crowd pleaser, so I think that was part of why he did it,” said Emily.

Emily had to circle while regaining her seat, incurring four faults, and also had 6.8 time-penalties. But in the end, she only lost one rank on her overnight place and finished 12th.

Corvett’s leap over fence seven, which so nearly resulted in a fall for rider Emily Hamel. Credit: Amy Dragoo

Emily Hamel hangs on tight after Corvett’s unseating leap – and manages to get back in the saddle and continue her round. Credit: Amy Dragoo

The crowd were willing the US rider to stay on board and keep her 100% five-star completion record with the popular grey Corvett.

The pair have started and finished nine times at the top level, their best results including seventh at Maryland 5 Star last year, 20th at Burghley Horse Trials in 2022, 10th at Kentucky in 2023 and 15th at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in 2024. Their five-star results have been recorded across five different events as they have also had a run around Badminton Horse Trials.

At Kentucky this year, Emily Hamel and Corvett, known as Barry, went clear across country with 10.8 time-faults – and cross-country day was particularly special for them.

“It’s his birthday today and people around the course were shouting, ‘Happy birthday Barry!’ It was so sweet, I almost wanted to cry,” said Emily.

Talking about their round, she added: “It rode a little harder than I thought and I don’t know if it was because the footing’s a little bit soft, but he tried so hard out there. He was really nippy when he needed to be – like if he had to add a stride quickly, he’s just so honest.

“We have had such a long partnership and I’m trying not to take that for granted because he’s 18 this year. Every time I get to go around a five-star with him, it’s pretty special.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from Kentucky and other major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘I had no feeling below the waist and was told I wouldn’t ride again’: an extraordinary five-star debut

‘Greatest event rider ever’ takes his fifth Kentucky title

A bitless bridle and brilliant jumping – British riders claim three top-five places at Kentucky

‘As colourful in personality as she is in looks’ – meet the skewbald mare going five-star eventing

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.