Kentucky 2025

[pony_grandma]

We were there yrs ago before a lot of footing improvements were done with walk areas … It was a sea of foamy mud and it was amusing to watch the ‘polo girls’ trying to navigate in fancy slippered shoes. My teenage daughters laughed and laughed. They’d never seen that before. We don’t live near any of it.

The most educational thing to do is go on one of the cross country course walks. That entails trumping thru thick clumps of dewy grass.

Think LLBean /Eddie Bauer if you’re thinking fashion. And the most comfortable waterproof sole bottom shoe/boots you can find.

No one cares/ I can’t remember what anyone wore except those silly girls. They were wearing garden party fashion.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

I do the groom version of dressing up - jeans instead of leggings and my sunhat instead of a baseball hat. I usually make sure to time a purchase of new Oncloud sneakers around a 5*. Pretty fancy over here

[skipollo]

Dress for the weather and for comfort. You can dress up if you want to, but most people don’t. I usually wear leggings, sneakers/boots, shirt, jacket, hat, backpack. You’ll be walking a lot, so comfortable footwear is KEY.

[Madison]

Spectators definitely dress for function not fashion! You might see some Dubarry/English countryside-style looks but even those are for function because if it is cold or wet at all, you definitely want some kind of boot to keep your feet warm and dry! If the weather is warm and dry, I still wear some kind of Merrell-type hiking shoe for cross country day. And on Saturday, a lot of people are watching cross country all day then stick around for the Grand Prix, so it makes for a long day and you want to be comfortable. As everyone said, layers are the key - the weather can vary a lot even in the course of one day, and there are years you basically have 4 seasons in 4 days LOL!

[TwiSedai]

I’m going to volunteer for XC day again, I had a lot of fun last year. Can’t wait! I think going as a volunteer is my new favorite way to do it.

[libgrrl]

I did for a number of years. It was wonderful!

[c0608524]

I am!!

Doing the drive from Canada. My friend went last year with her VERY non horsey husband, and he talked it up so much it sealed the deal for my husband to tag along.

They camped last year off property, but we found a lovely air bnb that financially made more sense than camping so we went that route.

The plan is for the men to go golfing the Friday during dressage, but spend the other days at the park with us.

We are thinking of going to Keeneland Sunday night to watch the races. Can anyone chime in if that’s a feasible plan?

[Texarkana]

@c0608524

We are thinking of going to Keeneland Sunday night to watch the races. Can anyone chime in if that’s a feasible plan?

Keeneland doesn’t do night racing or Sunday racing. The last day of their spring meeting is Friday, April 25th. You could go Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The first race starts at noon usually. Or you could go any morning to watch the horses working. Even after the meeting ends there will still be horses in training.

Churchill Downs’ spring meeting starts Saturday. They sometimes do night racing, although I’m not sure if those dates will be day or night racing. They are in Louisville about an hour away.

[MissusS]

You must report back! I have a VERY non horsey husband who I would love to make the trip with one day (also coming from Canada so… the USD exchange rate will also be a factor). Camping is not our jam so a hotel or air bnb will be required. Golf will sweeten the pot.

[awaywego]

I took my non-horsey husband last year. He had a good time - we will definitely go back. The weather was great so that always helps. I was saddle shopping and he enjoyed being plied with drinks while they all thought the purchase was up to him

[Mack_the_Knife]

And a great sun hat it is. Sector steward again this year.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

Excellent! Cannot wait to see you and hopefully match hats with you because it will be sunny

Going to shoot you a PM with an extremely random and insignificant but fun rules question if that’s okay

[Mack_the_Knife]

Sure!

[FromTheGalaxy]

I’m planning to go this year! First time since 2012 I think? My trainer is planning to do her very first 5* so I don’t want to miss it! I’ve planned to budget a little bit of money for shopping, but don’t have any big purchases planned yet.

[c0608524]

@MissusS

You must report back! I have a VERY non horsey husband who I would love to make the trip with one day (also coming from Canada so… the USD exchange rate will also be a factor). Camping is not our jam so a hotel or air bnb will be required. Golf will sweeten the pot.

Will do!

The exchange rate is super brutal right now, but I’m still ok with the prices so far. Our Airbnb is 200USD a night… which even after converting the dollar is still cheaper or on par with a hotel room in Toronto. It certainly helps we’re splitting that cost between two couples as well.

I keep comparing the cost of going to Kentucky to the cost of going to watch the Royal Fair in Toronto. Again, even with the exchange, Kentucky is coming out cheaper per day.

If knowing that helps justify the trip to the states I can keep enabling

[fire.pony]

I live in Indiana, so I go every year since I moved here lol. Thursday shopping is the best for selection and small crowds. Have fun!

[StrideNSpice]

I’ll be going! My husband and I moved to the area in August and I’m excited to be able to experience it! I’ve invited my trainer to come enjoy the event with me!

[mollina]

I’m going for the first time with my non-horsey husband. We are very excited to see everything but also wondering what people do in the evening if they don’t go to the showjumping. I would love to meet people there but haven’t found anyone I know going this year. Also not sure what to wear because we bought tickets for the hospitality tents. Does that mean a bit more dressy?

[Sharon]

No it is not dressy. I also bought hospitality and have done same in prior years. Although in a tent…it is still cold if it is bitter and windy…but has great bathroom and food. I think it is worth the price to have a place to sit out of the sun and rain…or snow. I spend cross country day out on the course and only come back to the tent to eat lunch. I hope you have fun. I love to go to Kentucky.

[skipollo]

We haven’t done the night SJ classes—by the end of XC day we’re pretty tired and just go back to the hotel. We’re very early risers though—usually up by 4:30-5am, so we get tired early anyway