While we all flock to the promised land of eventing (the Kentucky Horse Park) to watch the best of the best compete in arguably the top event in the country, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t also enjoy the shopping, show jumping, and events going on outside of all the CCI5* action. Every year Eventing Nation puts together your guide to everything going on at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event that doesn’t necessarily take place in an arena or on the cross country course. And this year, the vendors have really brought it! We’ve got the inside scoop on autograph signings, course walks, raffles, prizes, Trivia Tours, and more.
Note: all times and locations are subject to change, particularly autograph signings, and this is not an official or comprehensive list. Be sure to stop by the booths to get more details on timing of signings/activities in the mornings to make sure you don’t miss it, and keep an eye out for additional activities happening all weekend long.
Feeling a little lost? Here’s a link to the Trade Fair map.
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ongoing
Check out Eventing Nation’s Trivia Tour with Chinch! Keep an eye out for Chinchilla stickers at a list of exclusive vendors. Scan the QR code and be entered to win a prize for each booth, as well as one Grand Prize featuring combined products from all the booths– including a $400 Vespucci Bridle from World Equestrian Brands. Stay tuned for details!
Ride EquiSafe is running a $1000 giveaway, plus win the stirrups Tamie Smith rode in when she won the Kentucky Three Day Event just last year.
Tamie Smith and the Ahearn/Markell family are teaming up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to increase diversity and accessibility in equestrian sports! A simple and elegant baseball cap with the likeness of Mai Baum will be offered for sale for $25 at the USEA booth. In purchasing a cap, you will be supporting a Mai Baum SEE Scholarship offered through the USEA Foundation. This program will support experiential internships that promote openness and diversity to young equestrians. All proceeds from the cap sales will be contributed to the scholarship. Learn more here.
Win a $500 shopping Spree at Kentucky Performance Products, Visit booth #193 at KY3DE and pick up a KPP bandana. Shoot a pic of your dog (or yourself) sporting the bandana and post it on social media with #KPP500 and you will be entered to win a shopping spree
Stop by the Canter Culture booth (#30 in the main Trade Fair building) to enter to win a pair of breeches, belt & boot sock package! Winner will be drawn at the end of the event.
Zoetis is hosting a scavenger hunt all weekend long! Scan the QR code located at each orange horse statue for a chance to win money back on ProStride. Full details located at each statue!
Boyd Martin fans rejoice– you now have a booth that’s dedicated solely to your favorite 5* eventer. Stop by booth #13 to get all the fan swag you’ve been dying for. You may even see him there!
Stop by the Ethel M Chocolates booth located in the Sponsor Courtyard area for a free sample or to customize a 12-piece box of chocolates for your favorite person – or just for you. All your favorite flavors are back, including Kentucky favorite, Knob Creek Bourbon Barrels, just in time for Mother’s Day!
Fleeceworks will be giving away a Quilted Therawool Saddle Pad with Perfect Balance Technology, as well as donating $250 to the 501(c)(3) Animal Rescue of your choice. Stop by Booth #104 throughout the weekend for a chance to win!
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Alex Jeffery.
Thursday
Thursday is your last day to submit your Achieve Equine #Supergroom Nominations! Do you know of a groom who drinks enough Redbull to give someone a heart attack just to stay awake late into the night and then get up early to get the horses taken care of? Nominate them for one of our superlatives here!
Meet Zebediah the Zedonk at Divine Equestrian! Zebediah will be at booth #254 all day Thursday and Friday. Photo sessions will be held at 9:00-9:30am and 12:00-12:45pm both days. Plus, stop by at 10am and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a Meet Zebediah book signing!
Hear all about the course, right from the designer himself! Derek Di Grazia is leading an exclusive course walk on Thursday morning at 8:30 am. This event is offered by USEA and is only open to members of the USEA Adult Rider Program. Meet at the five-star start box that morning!
Looking for some fast-paced action to start the weekend off right? Stop by the Walnut Arena at 11am to watch the EEI Invitational Pony Club Mounted Games!
Stick around after the Mounted Games in the Walnut Arena to learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project at 1pm. It’s the perfect event for all of our OTTB-loving eventers.
At 11:45am, Elisa Wallace will be leading a course walk, presented by Stable Feed. Walk with Elisa and her friends at Stable Feed to get a 5* eventer’s opinion on the ins and outs of this year’s course.
Lillian Heard will be signing autographs and leading a 5* course walk at Zomedica during the lunch break. Meet at booth #303 to get started!
5* eventer Jennie Brannigan will be signing autographs at Schneiders Saddlery at 2pm.
Pan Ams Medalist Sharon White will be signing autographs at Sentinel Feeds on Thursday! Stop by their booth for more information on time.
Alexa Thompson will be hosting an autograph signing and 4* course walk at the Zomedica booth during Thursday afternoon. Stop by booth #303 for more details on time!
Joe Meyer will be signing autographs at the Devoucoux tent Thursday afternoon. Stop by the Devoucoux tent Thursday morning for more details on what time Joe will be there. You don’t want to miss it!
Last but absolutely not least, Zach Brandt will be signing autographs at Buckeye Nutrition on Thursday afternoon.
Kyle Carter entertains the group at the EN x Ride iQ course walk at Kentucky. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Friday
Meet Zebediah the Zedonk at Divine Equestrian! Zebediah will be at booth #254 all day Thursday and Friday. Photo sessions will be held at 9:00-9:30am and 12:00-12:45pm both days. Plus, stop by at 10am and 3pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a Meet Zebediah book signing!
You’ll have multiple opportunities to get an autograph from Phillip Dutton this morning! He’ll be at the Antares booth from 10 – 10:30, at the Triple Crown booth from 10:45 to 11:15, and at the Ariat booth from 12:15 to 12:45.
The pony action continues into Friday morning! Stop by the Walnut Arena at 11am to watch the EEI Invitational Pony Club Mounted Games.
Stick around after the Mounted Games in the Walnut Arena to learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project at 1pm. It’s the perfect event for all of our OTTB-loving eventers.
Head to the USHJA tent at 2pm to get an autograph from a CSI4* rider. (We see you, hunters!)
The Ride IQ Course Walk, led by Kyle Carter and Will Faudree, will take place at 4:45pm, after dressage is completed. This year, we’re going to meet at the Normandy Bank. As a stop on the EN Trivia Tour with Chinch, you won’t want to miss this course walk! Ride IQ will be giving away Lemieux saddle pads. World Equestrian Brands will also be doing a drawing at the Ride IQ Course Walk to give you an opportunity to win Equilibrium Open Front Boots and Fetlock Boots. Sign up here in advance!
After 5* dressage, stick around to watch the Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Saturday
Meet Zebediah the Zedonk at Divine Equestrian! Zebediah will be hosting a book signing at 10am and 3pm at booth #254.
The USEA Area V Adult Rider Program is hosting a USEA Adult Rider Tailgate in Section L! If you’re a USEA Adult Rider Program Member, drop by to enjoy a good time watching cross country.
Have you ever wanted to get insight on the 5* cross country course from another 5* eventer? Thanks to Ecogold, you now have your chance! You can watch the 5* cross country sitting right next to Caroline Pamukcu who can answer any questions you might have about the course, the riders, and their horses. Spots are extremely limited! Reserve yours here.
Looking to cram even more excitement into your day? Watch the $35,000 1.45m two-phase competition during the lunch hour.
Tamie Smith will be signing autographs at Wise Choice Tack/Fleeceworks at 3pm! Head to booth #104 to get an autograph from last year’s KY3DE Champion.
Sharon White will be signing autographs at Sentinel Nutrition (Booth #30 in the Sponsor Village) at 3:30pm. At 4pm, find Sharon at the Mrs. Pastures booth on The Hill (#306). Then at 5pm she’ll return to the Sentinel Nutrition booth for more signings!
Are you a Phillip Dutton fan? Get an autograph from the man who’s competed in seven Olympic games. He’ll be at the Cosequin booth for a meet and greet immediately following all cross country.
Why settle for one autograph when you could get four? The Pan Ams team will be signing autographs at the USEF booth. Stop by the booth in the morning for more details.
And of course, we can’t forget the annual Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix! Taking place at 6:00 p.m. after the event’s cross-country phase, head to the show jumping arena to watch these show jumpers soar.
Vendors and riders– are you running an event that’s not on this list? Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll update the article!
