The British have something called a seat stick, a walking cane that unfolds into a stool. The ones I’ve seen are three-legged, with a small, round seat.
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What time are the morning work-outs for the horses at Keeneland?
Keeneland’s main track is open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. I would suggest it’s busier earlier vs. later. I’d get there around 7-7:30 at the latest. The track kitchen is easy to find and delicious.
The main track has 2 breaks in the morning - #1 from 7 am-7:30 am and #2 from 8:30 am-9 am
Posting back with an update.
Keeneland was amazing. Our tour guide explained that Keeneland is supported by sales commissions; not by the betting handle. Explains why it’s the most beautiful track I’ve ever seen.
We watched morning work, and bumped shoulders with a lot of big names at the gap. Got a tour of the sales pavilion, which for me, was geek-out worthy.
Of course, we had breakfast at the track kitchen!
Tours of TB breeding farms were amazing.
We actually ditched the Land Rover dressage early and went back to Keeneland for the last couple of races.
Our XC plan was excellent. During the 4*, we gave priority to the 4* only fences. The color markings were hard to decipher, but with the help of the free map, we were able to figure it out. Before the break between the 4 and 5*, one dedicated friend got to the food court, got us all food, and then, when everyone else was in the food line, we staked out a spot at the Head of the Lake and ate our lunch. Seriously good strategy, because at the start of the 5*, there were people behind us five deep.
Interestingly, Head of the Lake wasn’t terribly influential early in the going. We then moved around the course, and saw almost everything except the last couple of fences.
I was really glad NOT to be taking photos, and to stay in the moment.
Notes to self if I ever get to do this again:
Pay for preferred parking. It’s a LOT of walking.
I wasn’t particularly interested in shopping and the vendor fair, and it’s a good thing; because the walking, esp. on XC day, almost did me in. (I am old, fat, and crippled.) If I ever do this again, I’d study the list of vendors carefully and make a plan on which to visit, rather than randomly strolling. Oh, and pay for preferred parking!
The shoe advice was on point: I wore my Ariat paddock boots for dressage and SJ; my muckers for XC. Since it wasn’t terribly wet, short muckers were fine. If I get to do this again, taller muckers would be good.
Didn’t take a walking stick, and didn’t miss it.
A small daypack was a lifesaver.
Though, I toted a refillable water bottle around and there weren’t filling stations. Guess Covid killed them? Would have loved it if they were available.
I packed a short Barbour, a long Horseware duster, and a tiny packable poncho. The Barbour was invaluable on dressage and SJ days, though I got a lot of exercise taking it on and off. For XC day, since I was lugging a chair, I left the Barbour in the car and just took the poncho. Perfect. Wasn’t willing to give up the chair, (though the slog back to the car was tough) and the lightweight poncho was perfect for XC.
Clothing in layers, for sure!
Download everything, tickets, programs, whatever, on your phone before you get close to the park. The signal is terrible with that huge crowd.
Pre-charge and pack a portable charger. My phone was dead every day before we walked to the car.
I wish we had watched the warm-ups for all phases, and the finish of the XC.
If I get the opportunity to do it again, I will. In a heartbeat.
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Yes Keeneland is gentrified. Beautiful stone and vines. I’ve been to the sales before. You walk out and there are the shipper’s tables and the insurance tables! The grooms in the barns stop and watch the monitors when they hit the highs.
Every year do a new thing. Make some friends and the campground parties are good.
Highly recommend going to Denali Stud for a tour. They are a nursery/sales prep farm in Paris, KY so not that far of a drive and you drive by some stunning thoroughbred farms. Denali is right down the street from Godolphin.
Basically the tour shares the history of the farm and you walk to all the paddocks with mints for the mares. And you can pet all of the mares and the foals.
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