Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event 2013

May 01, 2013

Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event 2013

Ahhh, Rolex....

This was my first time going to Rolex. I went to WEG, also at the Kentucky Horse Park, back in 2010, but for whatever reason never found the time to go to Rolex. It was awesome! Great riding, great shopping, great people...I can see why people make the voyage every year.

My favorite parts of the weekend....

Man O' War (the cocktail) - Muddled strawberries, basil and Jim Bean, topped with Lemonade. YUM.
Emily Renfroe and Walk the Line - the kid is just 21 at her first Rolex. We caught her at the first water at fence 7 and she was awesome! I can't even imagine having the skills to jump around that course at that age.
Meghan O'Donoghue and Pirate - I was really interested in seeing this horse go since he's an OTTB. I'd seen videos of Pirate at Jersey Fresh and he's a machine. He skipped around the Rolex xc like it was nothing.
William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning - their dressage test was a dream. They just flowed from one moment to the next. It looked effortless. We happened to be standing at fence 7 when Chilli refused to jump the A element. The gasp from the crowd was LOUD; and everyone's eyes were popping out of their heads in disbelief. Needless to say, no one saw that coming!
Dudley's on Short - Dudley's is a restaurant in downtown Lexington. The walls are covered in pictures of racehorses and news clippings. The racing channel is the only thing playing on TV at the bar. The crowd had a very gentrified Kentucky feel and I imagine the restaurant attracts a lot of heavy hitters from the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. It was packed; the food and drinks were outstanding; I'd definitely go back.
Shopping - We spent a lot of time shopping. I scored a new show shirt (50% off!), a new Charles Owen Ayr8 helmet with red and white piping (30% off!), a new pair of Tredstep Symphony breeches (soooo nice), some bees wax leather conditioner, and of course a Rolex t-shirt and commemorative glass. There was so much to buy! I have my eye on an Ariat show coat which is super thin and lightweight (not the big heavy wool coats I'm used to) - it's going on the xmas wish list.
The Noodle Truck - There was a food vendor who made homemade noodles from scratch right on the truck - that was the best food we had on-site at the horse park. Nothing like a chilly day and a bowl of homemade chicken and noodles....
Lynn Symansky's nerves of steal and sheer confidence - Lynn rode a determined, foot perfect xc round. When she rode into stadium and the crowd cheered, she owned it like a rock star stepping on stage at Coachella. It was a great moment. And then she threw down a clear round. That girl is badass.