Hannah’s latest installment of her guest blog series in the lead up to Rolex Kentucky has taken on a slightly different twist. As most of us that have been following know, Hannah will be partnering with St. Barths to contest Kentucky this year; she’s been blogging all throughout the winter keeping us up to date with her preparations. Hannah has many talents, and one of them could very well be writing! Over the past couple weeks she assumed the reporter role, assembling a post asking a variety of people what they most look forward to during the week of Kentucky. Best of luck to Hannah this week!
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From Hannah:
Just talking about Rolex gets me excited, I can smell the fresh Kentucky air that I grew up on, see the bluegrass (it’s really blue), and taste the funnel cakes…yes, funnel cakes are probably what sticks out in my mind most when I think of Rolex. When you’re as obsessed about food as I am, it is always the first thing on your mind! So make sure to check out all the wonderful food vendors in between shopping, and of course watching!
Lindsey Rairden, a Kentucky native, says she looks forward to the brisk Kentucky mornings and watching the first horse on cross-country breathe steam as it gallops around the course. “Another favorite Kentucky pastime is anxiously awaiting and then finally observing what flamboyant fashion statement Christian ‘Red Pants’ Landholt will make.”
One of the biggest hometown heroes and many-time competitor at Rolex Kentucky, Cathy Wiescchoff, says her most memorable part of Kentucky are the crowds on cross-country day and how supportive they are as we are jumping around!
Joni Morris, USEF Communication Director, High Performance and Event Director for the NAJYRC says, “My favorite thing about Rolex Kentucky is that is an annual pilgrimage for so many people: Riders, grooms, horses, dogs, fans, staff and volunteers – I see the same faces and friends year after year at the event. It is that sense of camaraderie that makes it special. There are people that I only see once a year, but I can count on the fact that I will see them at Rolex. It is always a culmination of so much work – and something that is on everyone’s calendar every year. Watching horses grow up and evolve to be CCI4* horses and then prove themselves at the Kentucky Horse Park is one of my very favorite parts of the event. When I groomed, seeing them come across the finish line was always the best part.”
Liz Millikin, who competed her horses Samson and Decision Time all through the 90’s, “Rolex is always like coming home for me, as I lived there for a couple of years working with race horses. The crowds are the best and it runs like a well oiled machine! It is such a rush galloping down through the crowds. We are so blessed for the Kentucky Horse Park! The adrenaline starts pumping when you pull into the entrance and there is white fencing as far as the eye can see!”
Matt Fine, Equestrian Events Inc. Board Member says the best thing about Rolex is the atmosphere. “I believe few other equestrian competitions can boast the variety and commitment of the Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event’s crowd. From decade long volunteers to first time ticket holders, the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd is truly remarkable and a priveledge to be a part of every year.”
Emma Ford, head groom for Phillip Dutton since August 2005 writes, “My favorite thing…first is probably the fact that I have a chance to socialize much more at Rolex due normally having only 2 horses as opposed to the general 5-7! The food would be second…the grooms get fed well at the hospitality tent by the stables. Also the coffee on tap in the stabling office…a must have for me!!”
I feel really blessed that I have been able to experience Rolex as a competitor, but I think a big part of what makes Rolex so special isn’t even the competition in itself. It’s the thousands of people who experience it in a variety of ways–from the grooms behind the scenes, to the directors, organizers, officials, and spectators. Each person has a different role but we all unite for that one weekend under a common bond of love and appreciation for the horse. We’re less than a week out now, and I can’t wait!!!
– HSB
