Trinity High School junior William Coon recently earned a coveted spot in the U.S. Pony Club’s Ann Haller Media Internship Program, gaining behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events: the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE).
Held annually at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, K3DE is the largest and longest-running five-star competition in the Americas. It draws Olympic-level riders and horses from around the world to compete in the thrilling and highly demanding sport of eventing.
As the nationally selected intern, Coon joined the professional media team covering the event. He attended press conferences with top-level riders, conducted interviews, and worked closely with media center staff to capture the excitement of the competition. His responsibilities ranged from assisting with social media content and writing articles to potentially shooting photos and video footage of the event.
“I was hoping to gain hands-on experience in media operations, event coverage, and content creation,” said Coon. “This was also a great opportunity to network with professionals in the field and to learn more about the equestrian event industry.”
The internship provided a unique chance to develop key communication skills while witnessing firsthand the complex logistics of organizing and covering a large-scale international event.
For more information about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, visit https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com.