Attending a horse show is a wonderful experience - especially to see the highest levels of the sport. Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event features top event riders who will compete in Dressage, Cross-Country, and Show Jumping. Unlike Hunter/Jumper horse shows, attending an event requires some wardrobe planning as the viewing area changes, and weather may require you trade in your Sperry’s for a pair of all-weather boots.
This post will walk you through each day of Rolex and give you some appropriate outfit choices that are both stylish and functional. In case you’re unfamiliar with the disciplines, we’ve also included an analogy description in the title for each event!
Thursday & Friday | Dressage | The Equine Ballet
The dressage tests will run all-day, broken into two sections. The first group of dressage tests will take place between 8:30 AM to noon and resume for the second group at 1:30 PM to 3:40 PM. Depending on where you’re sitting, you may or may not be protected from the day’s weather. With sun in the forecast for Thursday, we recommend packing a hat to protect you from UV rays. Though it’s going to be hot, long sleeves are always a suggestion to protect your skin from sunburn. Unlike a day at Churchill Downs, you’ll want to dress for functionality and bring lots of sunscreen!
Note: If you’re participating in any of the after-hours events, the dress is usually casual chic.
Shop The Look:
Caracol Silver, Dalton Cowboy Hat
Ray Ban Sunglasses, Aviator Gradient
Saturday | Cross Country | The Horses' Spartan Race
When you watch cross country, you are walking through fields, across rivers, around mud, and through wooded areas. Keeping this in mind, you absolutely need to dress accordingly. We recommend some kind of tall boots, and clothing that protects your body from the sun. Even though people tend to be wary about wearing hats, we definitely recommend having one!
Shop the Look:
Caracol Silver, Western Leather Hat
Sunday | Show Jumping | Timed Horse “Hurdles”
On the final day of competition, the show jumping events are all about speed. There are only three hours between the opening ceremonies at noon, and the presentation of awards at 1:00 PM, so you can show your more fashionable side on this day. We’ve chosen a mix of selections, including some new items from our site, that make for an excellent Sunday horse show outfit.
Shop The Look:
Caracol, Supima Cotton White Dress