The vet box has always been a just wander up. I got to see Andrew Hoy fall at a jump complex many years ago while hanging out at the vet box.
[QUOTE=Madison;8543542]
I think it is up to you what you want to make of the tailgate, and also depends on how many people you have and what the weather is like. Last year, it rained and was cold on cross-country day so our entire group spent much of the day huddled under our tent, NOT drinking much of our bubbly because we didn’t want to get cold! When the weather did break, the guys tended to hang out and the rest of us wandered to see other parts of the course and to shop. Our spot had a good view of plenty of good jumps, so you could easily stay put and be entertained. There was not a lot of socializing between tailgate groups because of the weather. Most of the groups I saw had enough people already that they weren’t really inviting passers-by to join them, but if you were inclined to do so you would probably make a lot of new friends, lol. The tailgate spots are set back a little ways from the ropes so you don’t necessarily have people standing right in front of you.[/QUOTE]
Thank you so much for the advice! I too am hoping for a dry (or dryer) weekend! I was looking at old photos from 20+ years ago and we all had on boots, sweaters, jackets, and a few photos with umbrellas! I was planning to wear my muck boots all day on XC day. I still haven’t convinced my hubby to wear more than low rise height shoes…as I mentioned he’s clueless…I might sneak in his boots 
We have 2 others joining us from Tennessee. We do like to try and attract visitors and make new friends I give my hubby full credit for landing a premium spot! He’s the best!!!
[QUOTE=betsyk;8543564]
I haven’t been in years, but the memories that stand out most include soaked/muddy sneakers, buying a fleece jacket for a ridiculous amount of money due to not packing properly, carrying unused raingear the year it was 80 degrees, eating lots of yogurt and fruit and stuff we could pack in the car, and walking, walking, walking. When I talk to people about it, I usually suggest making Friday a travel day and then going home on Monday. After things are done on Sunday, see the museum, or maybe something else in Lexington, then get up early Monday morning and drive/fly home. That 8 hour drive becomes ten really easily and getting up the next morning for work is no fun.[/QUOTE]
sounds like you have some awesome memories!!! We are planning to drive home after the stadium jumping. And yes I’ll drag myself to the office on Monday…at least, that’s the current plan we will see how we feel.
Exactly how big is the expo/market? I’m sending the hubby to the Makers Mark tasting one day, is AFTER he drinks a bunch of whiskey the right time to bring him shopping?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? He might not be able to add numbers as quickly LOL
Can you get Makers Mark tix at the event of do you need to buy in advance?
[QUOTE=horsemom3399;8543659]
I’ve got two words for this group: You are Totally Awesome!
I have learned so much and it is all so helpful! I love the idea of doing a course walk with a professional rider and my daughter will be over the moon if we can do something like that. She would also love the vet boxes. Is that something you just walk up to on Saturday after a rider finishes or is it a formal deal where you have to sign up etc?[/QUOTE]
The vet box is a large-ish cordoned off area at the finish. The vets will take the vital signs (temp, pulse, respiration rate) of the horse right after they finish, and then teams of grooms/helpers will quickly untack, douse horses with ice water, take out studs etc. before the vet rechecks and allows them to return to stabling when the horse is adequately recovering. It can be fun to watch if you like the ‘how it works’/backstage side of things. Spectators are welcome to watch from behind the chains at any time, but it’s not an ‘event’ or somewhere to try to get closer to the horses or riders - people are very busy and it’s one of the more stressful/chaotic times of the event.
All in all, I find eventers a relaxed lot. There’s not a much you will miss out on by not preparing ahead of time. Rolex is a great event for following what is interesting at the moment and not trying to do it all, or do it on a schedule!
[QUOTE=horsemom3399;8544149]
Can you get Makers Mark tix at the event of do you need to buy in advance?[/QUOTE]
From what I have seen, you can order them ahead of time either on the website or by calling into the ticket office. I’d go ahead and order in advance-don’t want the time you want to go to sell out!
Recent years they have moved the vet box, it is set back more private now. For those Rolex virgins here, as we like to call them, the vet box is at the end of the course.
The course walks on Thurs/Fri usually meet at the start box. The crowd has to stay behind the ropes. You really can’t get up close to the fences until after the end of the go on Sat, then the crowd moves in for size comparison photos! My favorite course walk was Ralph Hill and Eric Dierks. The comedy was rolling. And Ralph was dragging his broken leg and no one still could keep up with him. Of course breakfast at the Keeneland track kitchen with Ralph was all centered on his ‘stories.’ And I’ve been of the opinion that my daughter’s eventing education is far more evolved bc she’s been able to hear all this and experience it from some of the masters. We also did a wonderful small walk with Peter Atkins a few yrs back and he doesn’t hold his cards close he gave a lot of insightful information.
Since course walks can involve current riders the times don’t get set until the ride times come out, and then they know what their schedule is for the weekend competition. The riders have multiple duties, there are also autograph sessions set up at their sponsor booths in the trade fair.
Last year there was no break for lunch on Sat. bc of the weather. I used to always hike 1/2 the course in the am and then end up close to the trade fair area at lunch, then walk the other half in the aft. Please note that there will be long lines at the food vendors at that time of the day. Since we feel that we can eat and enjoy that of the evenings, why waste precious time during the day, we carry in for the day and snack along the way.
Do a Rolex thread search and you can pull up tons of ideas and tips. Isn’t there a sticky on this? I’m not at home I’m using a motel lobby antiquity bc I’m stuck somewhere safe during a storm white-out here.
The tip on the trade fair is that this is the place to meet and question the manufacturer reps. Helmet and safety vest shopping necessities. And to sit in some gorgeous saddles. There are 2 parts to the trade fair, someone asked? The tented area next to the stadium and booths set up in the indoor arena, where there is a jumbotron.
And write back and do tell your stories!
[QUOTE=mollymalone;8544879]
From what I have seen, you can order them ahead of time either on the website or by calling into the ticket office. I’d go ahead and order in advance-don’t want the time you want to go to sell out![/QUOTE]
My husband ordered his ticket online. I believe they are scheduled at certain intervals so from what he explained he bought a ticket for a specific time of day. If you friend the official Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event Facebook page you might be able to message them to get the exact details if you can’t find them here or on the RK3DE site.
Thank you pony grandma for all of the details. I’m so looking forward to the course walk. How do we find the people doing the guided tours, is this by word of mouth at to what time? Or is there another way to find out who is giving course tour/talk and is there a sign-up?
In other news…I’m becoming increasingly interested in where the bars (or tents, rather!) are that serve these amazing sounding specialty drinks…
[QUOTE=Ksyrah;8549970]
Thank you pony grandma for all of the details. I’m so looking forward to the course walk. How do we find the people doing the guided tours, is this by word of mouth at to what time? Or is there another way to find out who is giving course tour/talk and is there a sign-up?
In other news…I’m becoming increasingly interested in where the bars (or tents, rather!) are that serve these amazing sounding specialty drinks…[/QUOTE]
Hi! I might have answered my own question…I read in a blog that we can sign up for course tours in vendor or rider sponsor tents?
