2015 EN Tailgate Party Was Off the Chain, As Usual

We don’t call it the EN “Insanity in the Middle” Tailgate Party for nothin’. And this year’s edition, presented by World Equestrian Brands, was no exception.

In its third incarnation our signature Rolex cross-country day soiree was bigger and more ridiculous than ever. Cheers to each and every one of you who stopped by! Despite the cold, soggy weather (“Just pretend you’re at Badminton!”), it was a warm, fuzzy reader love-fest inside our little blue tent. And the more mimosas we drank, the warmer we felt.

EN Rolex Tailgate Party: Start classy, end trashed-y. #breakfastofchampionpartypeople #rk3de

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“Hello, and welcome to the EN Tailgate Party. Can we get you some champagne? A new tattoo?” #goeventing #rk3de A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

 

Hawley Bennett and Jen McFall are here at B90 and b91! #wehavemimosas #rk3de

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It was only a matter of time before we broke out the frosted manifesto that is EN’s signature party snack.

Mmmm.. cookie cake. #goeventing #partychinch #rk3de A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

And that’s about when things started getting out of control.

Future EN Party People of America. #goeventing #rk3de

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The Alabama Intercollegiate Event Team stopped by to party with Hawley Bennett. #rolltide #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

 

It’s official: the EN Tailgate Party has gone to the dogs. #rk3de #goeventing

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There were celebrity guests.

And, of course, there was our third annual Rolex Trivia Tournament. Because EN has the smartest readers in the world, everyone walked away with an armful of EN swag — if not an even bigger prize. (Things got a little cutthroat, I’m not gonna lie. For a few seconds there I was seriously worried that Chinch might lose his tail.)

But the best was still to come.

Jimmy ‘n’ Chinch, awwww. #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on

“Jimmy Woof-ford’s Canine Gymnastic Jumping Clinic” attracted aspiring dog athletes from near and far, all seeking training advice from professional eventing legend and amateur Jack Russell/Labrador collector Jimmy Wofford.

Many thanks to our friends at Practical Horseman for making this once-in-a-lifetime educational experience possible!

 

Jimmy called this pair out for “unauthorized assistance.” #eliminatedbutadorable #rk3de #goeventing

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Some of the greener jumping prospects found the brush boxes a bit spooky. #youcandoit #rk3de #goeventing

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Clear jumping round or not, everyone deserved a biscuit. #winning #rk3de #goeventing

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At the conclusion, Jimmy offered a dose of sage advice:

Patrick the Springer Spaniel received his prize for “Best Style”:

And then we all had to get in on the action.

It was real, and it was fun, but at some point horses stopped galloping around the bend and we all had to go home. Until next time, EN party people!

Go Eventing.