Kentucky 2025

[EventerAJ]

It really is. Until you’ve been backside at the big 4*/5* events (or even places like Radnor in the old days) you don’t realize how supportive everyone is. Every rider, every groom is happy to help anyone else. There’s not a spirit of competitiveness “me vs you”, it’s a feeling of “us vs the game.” Riders share thoughts on how questions will ride, if there’s a better way here or there, did you notice the footing at 5b…? Etc. Grooms share anything you need. The strangers you sit with in the rider’s tent are your new best friends.

I said it earlier, but you won’t find a more supportive group than everyone riding along in the TV tent at the finish. I can only imagine the collective gasp and claps when phantom went down and bounced back up to continue. For those who don’t know, the TV tent has multiple screens showing EVERY camera, so riders can see how every jump is riding, and grooms can follow their horses the whole way around.It’s so heartwarming to watch a rider’s connections (groom, parents, owners, coach) burst into the tent as they start, and nervously watch the whole round, cheering and clucking, while others in the tent congratulate them for their rider’s success (or console them in a time of failure).

[CatchMeIfUCan]

I’ll have to experience the tent one day - I’m too nervous to watch when I’m working and hover over a vet with a walkie talkie while gripping my emotional support halter Dr. Deb is the best at supporting grooms and usually just hands me one or makes sure I know that my rider is clear.

[MHM]

Jung does it again in the 5-star; Coleman repeats a 4-star win at Kentucky -...

[sami-joe]

I cracked up when he complimented the US eventing crowds by calling us enthusiastic, willing to applaud nearly anything and that we’re all “half drunk.”

[Blugal]

I saw Tim and Happy Boy early on course (fence 4) and it looked like his horse had blood in the foam on his mouth. If that was the case, when he was pulled up, if the people inspecting him determined that it was minor and not ongoing (e.g. horse had bitten its tongue and it was not currently bleeding) then they can allow the rider to continue. Presumably the check involves a towel wiping away the foam and seeing what is underneath it.

[pony_grandma]

@MissusS

I’ll bite!! Tell us (what you can) about your favourite (or memorable) moments from the weekend? You have such a unique perspective looking at it from the work side of things and I’d love to hear it!

And can we hear back from the KY 3 Day event first timers! Did the tips given help? And what did you see?

An example - one year at Rolex the big wide log fence directly after out of the Head of the Lake. by the road, everyone sitting up on the fence- I saw a young lady slip her reins to give her horse the stretch - then while she was still in the air on landing very neatly start inching her hands back into contact. It was a memorable moment for me. The 1st timers that were with me said you saw what??? It takes some time to take it all in and then see the parts. Anyone have any moments?

[c0608524]

@pony_grandma

And can we hear back from the KY 3 Day event first timers! Did the tips given help? And what did you see?

I’ll bite on this one!

First time going, but with another friend who went for her first time last year.

First of all, I just have to say WOW to all the volunteer - thank you. I don’t think I can express how friendly and welcoming every single person at the event was. Long days in all sorts of weather and they absolutely knocked it out of the park.

We did all our shopping on Thursday and just picked up watching dressage here and there on the many big screens. We had our husbands with us and they were good sports about following us around. This was also the day we checked out the property, had a peek at the barns located on property that housed the horses who live at the horse park.

Friday we sat in the covered part of the arena to watch dressage (husbands were doing bourbon tours). We were happy we waited to buy dressage tickets until the day of so we could grab covered seats. Since everyone was pretty cold and dreary we ended up eating out in Georgetown this night instead of cooking at the Airbnb. We ate at Galvin’s and the service was stellar, the food great and huge portions.

Saturday we made some rookie errors. 4* we walked the course to see a horse per jump or so (starting at the first jump) and it worked out well. 5* we did the same but starting at the last jump and it just felt way too rushed. Next year we’ll follow the 4* but for the 5* we’ll pick a few jumps and hangout there for more than one rider. Also, we’ll aim to end whatever jump we finish at to be closer to the parking to avoid retracing our steps too many times. I do agree with what everyone says about Saturday in regards to packing food and snacks. It was 100% a requirement with how many steps you’re putting in.

Sunday for show jumping - we had phenomenal seats and I would buy them again next year in a heartbeat. We totally lucked out with the weather that it wasn’t raining though - probably less of a good time had it been dreary out.

One of the biggest surprises I had was just how nice everyone was. Even all the workers in the vender tents. Not once did I walk in anywhere and felt snubbed or out of place, and I can’t say the same about certain venders at other horseshows I’ve been too. The giveaways are extravagant and mostly all as easy as scanning a QR code and giving your name and email. I’d be curious to know if anyone knows anyone who actually won anything though - how easy would it be to collect all this information from people and just never draw it? I hope that would never happen, and it probably doesn’t, but the small cynic in me realizes that would be an easy thing to do

Overall, I would say the usual tips and tricks given hit the nail on the head and I don’t have too much to add. I will say it was a total game changer going with someone who knew the lay of the land, even though she’s only been once before. Had it been just my husband and I, I think I would have been very overwhelmed with the sheer amount of things to do and see.

Edited to add:
Seeing how FIT these horses are in person is also eye opening. The videos online don’t do it justice.

[frugalannie]

I was last at this competition 33 years ago, with the same dear friend I attended with this year. I was struck by how the facilities have changed and the attendee experience improved/enhanced.

I sorta follow eventing but even so I was impressed by seeing the technical expertise of the riders and horses in person. They can make the very difficult look so easy (and Jung is in a class by himself!)

The emotions of the riders, whether elation or feeling crushed. They were in it 100%. There was a rider who was eliminated and just flung herself on her horse’s neck crying. I imagine she was comforted by that as she pulled herself together quickly.

Covette, at 18, being the poster pony for hang time over a fence. My friends and I couldn’t imagine how his rider was able to stay on for any of those extravagent efforts. She got popped out of the saddle once when he twisted, but got it back together and finished.

The posture of event riders in stadium jumping. It’s pretty different from the hunters (not saying better or worse, just different). The horses were so elegant and well turned out.

The village that it takes to make this event happen, the coordination, the professionalism of the volunteers and their kindness (never heard a cranky word all weekend). It was amazing to peek behind the curtain.

And finally, the generosity of Mrs Mars, the sponsors, the owners of horses. It was what made it all possible.

[c0608524]

@frugalannie

I sorta follow eventing but even so I was impressed by seeing the technical expertise of the riders and horses in person.

I’m in the “sort of follow” camp as well - and you’re right, it’s very impressive. I was also surprised at the technical difference between the 4* and 5* courses, especially in the show jumping. Silly me just thought the difference would be the height and that isn’t the case.

[pony_grandma]

@c0608524

we’ll aim to end whatever jump we finish at to be closer to the parking to avoid retracing our steps too many times.

We took a 4H mom and her 14 yr old daughter w/ us - first timers and didn’t know English riding. When we drove in the parking attendant flagged us to the furthest row. I grumbled about it. Then after walking the trade fair and the course all day she earnestly apologized to me ! I guess she had thought I was an ungrateful complainer? She said now I get it. Even now 20+ yrs later the daughter last I saw her tells me that it was the best day of her life.

ETA and speaking to moments they had theirs. We had hiked out to the far reaches and there was a huge flat cut hanging table log and we got to see a horse take a big huge full gallop flyer over it!
That’s when I turned to her and apologized to her, because they had no urgency in their walk ( they had no clue about how much ground we had to cover). I told her that we were exactly in the right place at the right time with that one!

[leighbo009]

@c0608524

The giveaways are extravagant and mostly all as easy as scanning a QR code and giving your name and email. I’d be curious to know if anyone knows anyone who actually won anything though - how easy would it be to collect all this information from people and just never draw it? I hope that would never happen, and it probably doesn’t, but the small cynic in me realizes that would be an easy thing to do

I’ve been wondering about this too. This was my 4th year & I haven’t won any of the giveaways (nor have I heard of anyone winning the giveaways - besides the scavenger hunt off course) - except 50% a pair of custom boots, but the sales person told me that a good number would get that deal… So I am curios, has anyone won a giveaway from scanning the QR code / filling out a form???

[PonyApocalypse19]

@frugalannie

The emotions of the riders, whether elation or feeling crushed. They were in it 100%. There was a rider who was eliminated and just flung herself on her horse’s neck crying. I imagine she was comforted by that as she pulled herself together quickly.

We were at this fence and it was heartbreaking to see. She was so close to the finish.
It just me and my mom that went this year (we’re just dressage riders but love going). Last time we attended was 2016. We made an adventure out of this year and did the primitive electric camping which is first come first serve. This year I felt like if you knew where to go, you could get some super deals and free stuff. I don’t remember that so much in 2016 but it could have been that we were wandering around in shell shock then. The last time we had been before 2016 was in the 90s! We couldn’t remember what year was the first year we ever attended, but it had to be the early 90s. So much has changed from what I remember. Some of it hasn’t (like the mud on saturday lol).
One of the years we went in the 90s was formative. I remember a warm Friday dressage day and a gray horse doing an extended trot across the diagonal and just floating. It looked like the hooves weren’t even touching the ground. I was hooked from then on.
There’s something special about the Kentucky 3-Day that I haven’t felt anywhere else.

[Texarkana]

@leighbo009

@c0608524

The giveaways are extravagant and mostly all as easy as scanning a QR code and giving your name and email. I’d be curious to know if anyone knows anyone who actually won anything though - how easy would it be to collect all this information from people and just never draw it? I hope that would never happen, and it probably doesn’t, but the small cynic in me realizes that would be an easy thing to do

I’ve been wondering about this too. This was my 4th year & I haven’t won any of the giveaways (nor have I heard of anyone winning the giveaways - besides the scavenger hunt off course) - except 50% a pair of custom boots, but the sales person told me that a good number would get that deal… So I am curios, has anyone won a giveaway from scanning the QR code / filling out a form???

Last year at KY I won a free bucket of supplements from, shoot, I forget who. They mailed it to me. But I did win something.

I’ve won 3 giveaways at the MD 5 star since it became the 5 star: two saddle pads and a runner up consolation prize of 50% off custom boots (which I still couldn’t afford to take advantage of).

[leighbo009]

@Texarkana

a runner up consolation prize of 50% off custom boots (which I still couldn’t afford to take advantage of).

That’s probably the same one I won also, but also could not afford to take advantage of.

[Not_Your_Janice]

I went with a friend (my 3rd time, her 1st) and we volunteered. K3DE is the gold standard for how to treat volunteers, honestly. We felt very appreciated and in turn it made us look for additional opportunities to help. Everyone was SO nice, the weather was mostly terrific (other than a few downpours on Friday which were largely avoidable by hanging out and spending money in the trade fair area ). We tailgated with friends on Saturday and had a blast meeting both new and old friends along the course as we explored. My friend has been to the Maryland 5* and the AECs but definitely felt like this was the best of the best as far as organization, customer service, volunteer perks, etc. went.

My ONLY gripe (and it is so tiny it feels truly insane to even say it) would be that it would be great if the app had an interactive and/or searchable map. We were constantly having to scroll through all the different vendor maps to figure things out and it gets a bit confusing. Even as a person who has been multiple times, I still couldn’t really tell you where the lines are between different vendor areas. I was recovering from a cold and just wanted a good hot tea and it was a real chore to find it without looking all a bunch of maps/info.

It was another amazing year though and we are already looking forward to next year!

[trakehners]

@leighbo009

So I am curios, has anyone won a giveaway from scanning the QR code / filling out a form???

I won a few things in past years! My best friend has also won a few of the giveaways. I’m sure some are BS but I won the Ariat and Ride Equisafe giveaways a couple of years ago and also Hagyard one of the years before that.

I am that person who tries to walk both of the courses on XC day and all I’ll say re: the 5* course is that if you want to be able to stop at most of the fences to watch at least one rider go before you continue on, you need at least 40-45 riders to have enough time. We didn’t get around the whole course this year and I still managed to walk 17 miles on Saturday according to my watch (and almost 50 miles in total between Thursday and Sunday, my whole body is still tired).

[ClassyJumper]

There was a few riders that had breeches with a bit of glitter on the thigh, does anyone know what brand they are? I am a sucker for a little sparkle

[MHM]

@c0608524

Friday we sat in the covered part of the arena to watch dressage (husbands were doing bourbon tours).

That sounds like a fantastic way to divide and conquer on a trip to Kentucky. Lol.

[erouland]

We won two saddle pads at the MD 5*, a meet-and-greet with Liz Halliday last year (only now do I fully appreciate that opportunity), and Purina gave us a giant bag of horse treats and a boot bag last year just for entering a raffle (I’m still working through that treat bag…).

[MHM]

At first glance I read that a little too quickly, and thought you had won two saddles, and I was thinking, wow!! Lol.