Hit me up! I'll get there for dressage on Friday and stay through the weekend, and I am PUMPED.
The 3* at Fair Hill (source of all the pictures below) was my first time attending an FEI event and I'm beyond thrilled to soak up all that Rolex has to offer!!
Email me at fraidycat.eventing at gmail if you're going to be there too!
Or, if you're not going this year but have gone before - what are the things I should absolutely without fail make sure to do?!?
And obvi, you know I'll be taking a ZILLION photos of anything and everything - any special requests for things you would absolutely love to see?
I've never been to Rolex but this will be my third year jump judging at Jersey Fresh (another 3* three-day event). Watching that level of competition is WILD! I will never ever ride XC, but I think it's really cool to watch big name Olympic riders go around the course and you're right in the action. I'm sure you'll have fun, I'll be interested to see what you think! :)
ReplyDeletei love watching my heroes go around - you're absolutely right about that! and who knows - never say never about trying out xc at some point or another ;)
DeleteApparently Majyk Equipe is releasing a new product. They keep teasing it on Insta. Something with colors?! Photos would be awesome ;) Otherwise, just lots of photos for those of us who can't make it. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteooooh good to know - i will definitely keep my eyes peeled!
DeleteI won't be there, but Uni will! Hosting another contest, will post details on Monday.
ReplyDeleteexcellent!!
DeleteSo jealous! Damn work getting in the way of fun... Hope you have a fantastic time.
ReplyDeletethanks - i'll take lots of pictures so you can almost feel like you were there!!
DeleteI was there last year! I would 100% recommend taking advantage of USEA's learning seminars (if they have them again this year). Barely anyone shows up to them, so you get to chat with the pros and ask as many questions as you want. It was fun and I learned a lot when I attended.
ReplyDeleteAlso, be sure to browse around to nab all the free things. You should get shopping out of the way early, as some things sell out. I didn't honestly see many deals though, so don't expect anything price-wise.
oooh excellent advice about the seminars - i will totally look into that. and believe it or not, i really honestly don't have much of a shopping list at all... must resist the urge to impulse shop tho!!! haha. maybe. ;)
DeleteI work at the USEA, so I would highly recommend our seminars :) *Shameless plug* hehe. It's called The Event College and we will post the schedule on our website! She is correct, they are low-key with amazing pros!
Deleteoooh thanks for the added detail - and plug away, we love the insider scoop!!
DeleteI went last year- Wednesday to Sunday since Trainer was competing. Not going this year since she's not competing. If there is something in particular you want to buy or think you might want to buy, GO TO THE TRADE FAIR IMMEDIATELY. We shopped on Thursday and had a good pick of things. I went back Saturday/Sunday and some of my items I was on the fence about were no longer there. BOT had a good deal (buy a sheet and get a saddle pad free, buy a smaller item and get 4 free polos), and that's how I ended up with my BOT saddle pad. I found FITs on uber clearance in one of the tack shops. Have fun and take lots of pics!
ReplyDeleteooooh good to know! i won't be on the actual grounds until friday but perhaps there will still be some goodies to check out. honestly tho i probably won't be too upset if there are limited opportunities to blow through whatever disposable cash might be available....
DeleteNice!! I'm sure no matter where you end up there, you're going to have an amazing time!
ReplyDeletei sure hope so!! :D
DeleteEnjoy!
ReplyDeletei think i just might!!!!
DeleteJealous. Every year I say "Next year for sure" but... NEXT YEAR FOR SURE! I went last in 2013 and stupid life keeps popping up and keeping me from going. NEXT YEAR though. Next year should be golden.
ReplyDeleteha that's what i've been saying every year too. this year i just said 'what the hell' and bought the tickets. slightly impulsively haha. and it's, erm, sliiiightly inconvenient with my new job.... but all the suits say to take the trip anyway so i'm takin it!!
DeleteThis will be our 3rd year to go! Very excited! Best advice - take rain gear and waterproof boots just in case (you will be so glad you did). There are lots of free samples at booths and sign ups (I won my choice of Charles Owens helmets at the Bit of Britain booth my first year!) So many things to check out depending on what you enjoy - check the schedule and soak it all in :)
ReplyDeleteomg you won a helmet?!? that would be awesome haha, and who cares that COs don't fit my head lol. but yea, good advice, i'm gonna sign up for errrythang! and yes... rain gear. always be prepared right?
DeleteI want to go so badly! I thought I'd be able to go this year but then my horse got hurt (ugh) so I'm pushing it out to next year. Have so much fun and take TONS of pictures!!
ReplyDeletesooooo many pictures! would be better tho if you were there with your nicer camera (instead of my iphone haha)... silly horses always having to go hurt themselves and ruin all our plans!
DeleteI'll be there!! :) Emailing you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like Kelly said-BRING WATERPROOF SHOES. It somehow rains on me every time.
new waterproof shoes are actually on rush order right now haha. can't wait to see you there!!
DeleteAwesome!!!! You will have a blast, and I second and third everyone's suggestion to pack waterproof boots and rain clothes.
ReplyDeletehaha yup - i'm gonna pack for literally every season :D
DeleteI'm going! I'm going! I'm going! My friends and I are driving up Friday and we'll be there for XC and stadium. I'll send you an email. :D
ReplyDeleteawwww yissssss - can't wait to see you!!
DeleteSo envious! Have fun!
ReplyDeletethanks! maybe i'll try to actually learn how to post (coherently and with media) from the mobile app so i can do some sorta weird version of live-blogging the event? we'll see ;)
DeleteExciting! I won't be there, but planning Rebecca this year. :D
ReplyDeleteRebecca is such a beautiful venue - definitely on my bucket list. take lots of pictures when you go!!
DeleteSo exciting. I'll email you about a possible meet up. I am totally on the Bring Rain Gear Train of advice. It was so muddy last year.
ReplyDeletehaha yea last year looked like a disaster ground-wise haha. looking forward to seeing you there!!
DeleteWEG 2010 in Kentucky was the first event I ever went to. What a way to be introduced to the sport! I won't be there this year, but keep telling my mom I'm going to take her one of these days. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteyou totally should!!! and i'd love to go to WEG one day too... it's funny how easy it is to get hooked on spectating at these events. Fair Hill last year was SO GREAT!!
DeleteLucky! Have fun, looking forward to the complete recap when you get back
ReplyDeletehaha you shall get the complete recap, i promise! maybe a few ;)
DeleteSo exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteha i'm like a little kid looking forward to christmas morning lol
DeleteSo exciting!!! I will be there, but working and photographing :)
ReplyDeletePeople have said it, but do not underestimate it: pack rain clothes - actually pack for any potential weather (hot, rainy, cold, windy). Rolex has a knack for fitting all four seasons into one weekend. Before I worked at Rolex, I liked to see each fence on course. My advice to do this is to start at the end, or the last big complex, and work forward. The hoards tend to start at the very first fence with the first rider and make their way around. If you do it backwards you can often get less obstructed views :). Go watch the horse inspections if you're there. It's always fun to see what everyone wears, and it's usually filled with excitement because theses horses are four-star fit - so simply trotting down the jog strip is often just too boring for them ;). Check out the trade fair - especially on Sunday AM before SJ because vendors will really sale items then. It's also fun during dressage to watch the warm up. You can stand right at the fence line of the warm up arena, so you get a close up of these horses and coaches! Feels a bit behind the scenes. Have a great time!!
great call about starting at the end and working forward. i definitely want to see the whole course (rather than getting stuck at one fixture) but hadn't quite figured out the best way to go about it. i hope to see some of the jogs too, but am not sure since i'll be a bit dependent on transportation.
Deleteanyways tho, thanks for all the insights and i hope to take full advantage of them! hope you have a blast too :D
I am super devastated that I am not going. :( Try to sneak attack hug a big name rider for me!
ReplyDeleteha for you, i will totally try the sneak attack hug :) could get ugly but sometimes persistence pays off?!? #howemmagotarrestedx2
DeleteI hope you have the best time ever! Can't wait to see the photos.
ReplyDeletethanks! i'm super eager to take approximately 800 pictures so stay tuned - they'll be coming!!
DeleteSo jealous! Is it weird that I want to know about food and vendors?
ReplyDeleteI hope to make my way across the pond to hit it up someday so will be looking forward to your tips & obvs all the fab photos ☺☺☺
ReplyDelete