Things You Don’t Want To Miss At DK3DE
Ah, the Kentucky Horse Park in April. Sounds like heaven. If you’ve never attended the Kentucky 3-Day Event before, let me tell you, it’s really a bucket list horse show to experience, no matter if you’re an eventer, hunter or dressage rider or just like horses in general. The atmosphere cannot be beat.
In honor of the upcoming DK3DE, Heels Down put together this quick guide on all the things you don’t want to miss if you’re headed to the KHP for the first time. It truly is the Best Weekend All Year. But spoiler alert: Pack a rain coat!
Be ready to shop
One of the greatest draws to attending DK3DE is the shopping in the vendor’s village. Set up inside the indoor arena and along a main thoroughfare outside of Rolex arena are dozens upon dozens of your favorite equestrian retailers and brands – it’s a great place to take advantage of deals and seeing/feeling products all in one place. But buyer beware: shop early! These vendors often sell out of hot products long before the last day of the event. That said, there are deals to be found on show jumping day – most retailers are hoping to limit the amount of product they ship home, so if you’re looking to splurge on something you don’t need, maybe hold out!
All the margs, maybe some bourbon
There are plenty fan-favorite snacks and drinks to try at the Kentucky Horse Park. I’m partial to the margaritas they sell in Rolex stadium – so good! The bourbon chicken in the outdoor food vendor area is another classic. Being in Kentucky, even if you don’t have time to do touristy things outside of the horse park, you’ve got to try the bourbon. There are endless opportunities to sip on something strong (or sweet)!
Be prepared to make friends
What I love about this event and really just the eventing community in general is that you could come to the horse show completely on your own and still leave the weekend with tons of friends. Cross-country day is an epic tailgating party. People are friendly and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. So come with a smile and you’ll surely find your tribe, or at least a few new buddies along the way.
Pack accordingly (aka for anything and everything)
Springtime in Kentucky is a bit of a roller coaster. Not many years ago, there was still snow on the ground when five-star riders were preparing for the jog. Some years, the weather is sunny, cool and beautiful. Others, it’s wet, soggy and cold. Come prepared – the weather can change in an instant. My go-tos are always a good waterproof wind breaker and comfortable waterproof shoes. You’ll be walking A TON so comfort in all elements is key. Layering is smart – it’s chilly in the morning but if the sun is indeed shining, you can get away with short sleeves.
Mark your calendar
There’s so many opportunities to learn while at Kentucky. One example is the dozens of course walks with professional riders, offered by various brands and equestrian entities. Last year, Elisa Wallace will do a XC course walk for the Retired Racehorse Project this year. Members and fans of RideiQ, the equestrian coaching app, always have a packed calendar of events for spectators. Competitors can be seen signing autographs in vendor booths from Purina to Ecogold. And the horse park offers so much more to see than just the three-day event. There’s so much to see and learn about how the horse industry fuels this part of Kentucky, from the Thoroughbred racing history and meeting those living legends up close, to checking out the truly amazing breeding operations at farms nearby. It truly is a horse haven for any equestrian.
Take it all in
There are some obvious stand-out things you just don’t want to miss during the event. Finding a spot at the Head of the Lake on cross-country day will really fill you with a sense of awe and inspiration. It’s amazing to watch the horses tackle the iconic spot on the course. Watching the riders in a packed Rolex stadium on show jumping day is also truly special – so many are brimming with a sense of pride and accomplishment for finishing the event, even if they’re not at the top of the leader board. It’s emotional to witness. We recommend taking some time to hang out at the warm-up arenas, on dressage day or otherwise, to watch how the pros prepare. And we highly recommend staying for the Kentucky Invitational, a purely separate show jumping event that runs concurrently with the horse trials, but draws some big name show jumpers each year.