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.
“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
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.
The Alabama Intercollegiate Event Team stopped by to party with Hawley Bennett. #rolltide #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
We’ve got Doug Payne in the house at the EN Tailgate Party, signings copies of his fantastic new book “The Riding Horse Repair Manual.” We’re to the right of Fence #11 — stop by! #rk3de A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
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.)
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!
There were some green eventing prospects in the Jimmy Woof-ford Canine Gymnastic Jumping Clinic who needed a bit of encouragement. #anythingforabiscuit #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
This little guy earned a huge cheer from the crowd upon completing the grid. Jimmy: “I think the striding was better for the bigger dogs.” #smallbutmighty #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
Patrick the Springer Spaniel received his prize for “Best Style”:
What horse-crazy kid could resist the urge to do this? Or, for that matter, what horse-crazy adult — especially if they’ve been hitting EN’s open bar. #notnamingnames #rk3de #goeventing A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on
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.
