Lexington has a lot of great restaurants so on the nights we aren’t at show jumping, we make sure we have a bird-in-hand dinner reservation, and if we are too tired, we cancel. We have actually started staying downtown to be able to walk to dinner and it works well.
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There’s a liquid refreshment place in the shopping tents 
I’ve met people there. :Just sat down and asked where are you from. I brought my own lunch and was sitting in the bleachers on the Fri nooner break and so was another lady same as I and we became friends and met up there for many yrs after.
If you know someone camping the campground is great for end of the day entertainment…
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I’m old, so after the day is over I go to my lodgings, eat, shower, and go to bed! As of right now, I’m not going. I cannot find a reliable cat sitter. My kitty is in early stages of renal failure and her litter box has to be changed every day.
I will be! Actually, I’m hosting a course walk through two great brands, one of which is in their first year of sponsoring/advertising within the eventing space so I want to make sure they just fall in love with the sport. I’ll share more details as they come in (I will hopefully have another upper-level rider with me, as I’m just boasting a 3*** resume), but if you’re looking for something to put on your agenda I’d love company! (I’m still a little in gasp mode that I was asked) But, I’m going to make sure it’s fun, offer all the insights I can provide, and work for my supper that it’s a fun and educational time.
And to dress -> I’d fifth, the dress is for comfort and walking and weather. The park is so large and weather is unpredictable. I would say the majority of the event spectators are groups of horsey-women here to watch the event + shop for their horses at home. Compared to other events, like Burghley and maybe even Maryland (slightly) that are bringing in a large audience of local, tailgating, “here for socializing,” Kentucky, has much more of a “horse-girl” energy. (There is tailgating, but the air is more relaxed)
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That’s very helpful information. Will there be ways to sign up for your course walk? … ‘just’ 3*** lol!
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Thank you for validating me, compared to the riders at the event who will be walking it to ride the next day… my resume is much shorter.
And yes there will be, but I was just called less than a week ago and still waiting to see who/if anyone is joining me. I do know dogs are invited to mine 
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DH and I would love to join your course walk if we can make it. 
Thursday we have a bourbon tour and are meeting up with his OTTBs breeder but we’ll be there Friday.
I have never gone on a course walk. I would love to go on one! Please post details when you get them!
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Course Walks : Most have sponsors. Some are organized with this year’s riders. The riders will need to know their ride times before those can be scheduled. Best to stay with some social media that will show alerts for the times as they are announced Wed/Thurs. Some may have sign-ups at the sponsor tents. Some are impromptus and some we’ve joined as they were in progress. Some are interactive and some are more like a lecture. I suggest trying at least 2. Depends on how much walking you can do. It will also help you determine where you might want to move around/view on Sat.
There is an event app for the xc course.
The most entertaining one I did was Ralph Hill and Eric Dierks. Ralph had injuries in 2011 and was favoring one leg and no one could keep up with him,… The sponsor did film it. I wonder if that is still around somewhere.
The most educational one was a small very interactive group with Peter Atkins. He told us every line to ride to save time and it all came true on Sat.
YouTube has quite a # of walks that have been videoed
Flair was the sponsor I found it!
Ralph Hill was about as cool and chill under pressure as any rider I’ve known.
One year at Rolex it was pouring, and Ralph and I and a few other riders were walking our horses before heading out onto roads and tracks.
Rain was dripping off both ends of Ralph’s Fu Manchu moustache, off the end of his pony tail, and was glittering on his gold earring. Another rider said to me—Ralph looks like a deranged pirate!”
If you’ve ever waited for your start time at some big 3-day, you know how the nerves can ratchet up. I rode up beside Ralph, and he flashed his manic grin, and said, “Another day at the office.”
Later, someone told me that out on course he heard someone loudly singing. It was Ralph as he galloped past.
– Denny Emerson
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I honestly like the course walks more than actually spectating at XC.
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Ralph was singing Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Remember it very clearly!
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I once heard him say that if he’s singing R&R it’s a good ride. If it’s gospel well bets are off.
My favorite memory was the Rolex complex he ‘flew’ through, when he landed the last element 2 strides later he turned completely around in his seat and fist pumped the crowd. The roar went off! One very lucky moment in time to be there.
I feel the need to reminisce some stories. The younger folk didn’t get to grow up with these kinds of characters. I made it a point that my youngest daughter, who still rides, she either got to audit or ride in clinics with a whole list of fabulous characters that openly shared the primal knowledge of early eventing.
Another wild Ralphie memory eating breakfast at the track kitchen with he and a small bunch of us that did the backside of Keeneland workouts at 6 a.m. one Rolex week. Ralph was on a roll telling stories.
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I was on that one too! It was my first course walk and worth the walk (and I’m a fast walker so it worked out okay for me lol)
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