Equestrian Tailgating Dos and Don’ts

January 27, 2023

Whether you’re planning your first tailgate, going as a guest, or hosting a crew of friends, being prepared and planning ahead definitely has its benefits! We’re here to help with some tips on tailgating dos and don’ts so that you can have the best tailgate ever at the Best Weekend All Year or anywhere you may be heading for your equestrian tailgate experience.

Plan Your Tailgate Ahead of Time

Will you be doing a themed tailgate or keeping it simple? Will guests be bringing any dishes to share or will this be all hosted? What about corporate tailgates? All of these are options and planning ahead goes a long way to ensuring you and your guests have a wonderful time. We recommend catching up on our last article, Equestrian Tailgating Tips and then get to planning!



A basic tailgate is the easiest way to go for newbies, large groups, or people traveling long distances to an event. For anyone new to tailgating, we recommend catching up on our last article, Equestrian Tailgating Tips so you have the basic information down. When you’re ready to plan your tailgate, whether you’re keeping it simple or going gourmet, or planning a themed tailgate, the key is to let your guests know the plan.

A table under a tent with the number 21 on it

Themed Tailgates

Themed tailgates can be a ton of fun! If you choose to do a themed tailgate, you can really have a good time with everything from decorations to snacks and even themed cocktails. Some great theme ideas are equestrian styles such as foxhunting or old west themed. Foxhunting tailgates can include all sorts of fun stuff like leather flasks, hunt horns (just don’t blow them when a rider is approaching a jump, please!), old English hunt tack, and traditional British snacks such as tea and crumpets, finger sandwiches, and classic vodka & soda. We recommend this recipe from Tito’s Vodka for a smooth cocktail every time. Old west tailgates can feature salsa and dip, BBQ style snacks and if you’re getting fancy, bring a portable grill and grill up some authentic BBQ at your tailgate. Beers & bourbon are great with this style tailgate with Blade & Bow being our favorite.

Going as a Guest

If you are going as a guest, checking in with your host a few days to a few weeks prior to the event is always a good idea. Make sure you have tickets for grounds admission on the day of the tailgate, as not every host will provide tickets for all of their guests. If your host is providing you a ticket, be sure to make arrangements as to how to get them in case you are traveling to the event in separate vehicles. There’s nothing worse than having to leave your tailgate to bring tickets to guests after you’re started your setup – or have other guests that already arrived! 

A group of people standing around a table in a field.

Be considerate of your host, and their space. Offer to bring your own chair in case there isn’t enough seating. Bringing beverages (alcoholic or non) is almost always welcome, and you can bring snacks or hor d’oeuvres to share. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, bringing your own diet-friendly food or drink makes it easier on your hosts as unlike other sporting event tailgates, equestrian tailgates are usually an all-day-long occurrence and can be quite tiring!

Plan Your Tailgate Ahead of Time

We know there’s a lot that goes into equestrian tailgating, so here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts to help simplify. So check the event rules and let those creative juices flow!

  • Do plan ahead – whether you’re hosting, or a guest, having tickets and a plan before you arrive is always a good idea
  • Don’t arrive late – especially if you’re hosting! Most equestrian tailgates will close the course for vehicle entry at a specific time, and if you arrive after that time you won’t be able to get your vehicle on course to set up your tailgate.
  • Do plan for the weather – weather changes all the time, so a pop-up tent out of the sun and rain can keep you comfortable as most equestrian events take place rain or shine.
  • Don’t go overboard with imbibing – we all love a good cocktail or beverage, but please, stay hydrated and safe. We want everyone to enjoy the event for the entire time and return home safely!
  • Do get creative (just stay within the guidelines of the event). Portable hammocks, cornhole, crazy decorations, and all sorts of other fun stuff can make your tailgate experience memorable. So check the event rules and let those creative juices flow.

We hope you have a great time at whatever equestrian tailgate you are planning and we hope the tailgating dos and don’ts help. Above all else, tailgating is about food, friends, and fun. So kick back and have fun, enjoy time with friends and of course the excitement of the event itself. Don’t forget to grab your tailgate tickets before they sell out!



Stay tuned for more information and tailgating tips in upcoming articles in the weeks ahead. Be sure to share your photos of great equestrian tailgates and share your equestrian tailgating tips on our social and tag us @KentuckyThreeDayEvent on Facebook and Instagram and use hashtags #LRK3DE and #tailgatetips so we can follow along and maybe you’ll even be featured in an upcoming article. Happy tailgating!

A table with a red tablecloth and a stuffed animal on it.
February 25, 2026
Sydney Solomon’s journey to the top levels of eventing is a story of determination, resilience, and belief in steady progress. Raised in Maryland, Sydney did not grow up in a horse family. What began as a once-a-week hobby quickly became twice a week, and before long, the barn became home. Her first horse, a green Thoroughbred x Percheron cross, presented a true learning curve from day one. During her initial time with "Bella", Sydney wasn’t even aware that eventing existed as a sport. She was riding in 4-H and local hunter shows, building her horsemanship from the ground up alongside a horse who was learning, too. Everything shifted after a visit to Fair Hill International, where she saw eventing at the international level for the first time. She returned inspired and certain that this was the path she wanted to pursue. Eager to move forward, Sydney began searching for a horse that could match her growing ambitions in the sport. That journey brought her to True Prospect Farm, owned by Phillip Dutton, where she discovered Lillian Pink, who was for sale at the time through Boyd Martin. After several successful seasons eventing with Lillian Pink, Sydney stepped into a new phase of development, training under the guidance of Lillian Heard and eventually becoming a working student for her. The experience sharpened her skills, strengthened her foundation, and propelled her confidently up the levels. The working student years were demanding and formative. They offered a clear view into what it truly takes to build a career at the highest level of the sport. After the heartbreaking loss of Lillian Pink, Sydney made a defining choice to continue pursuing her dream, leaning into the challenges rather than stepping away from them. With Heard's support, Sydney was connected with a working student position under Phillip Dutton at True Prospect Farm, immersing herself fully in a high-performance program and the daily rhythm of top-level eventing. Soon after, she was offered the ride on Early Review CBF, a Hanoverian mare who would go on to become a defining partner in her upper-level career. Together, Sydney and “Coco” have worked their way up the FEI levels one step at a time, building experience and confidence all the way to CCI5*. In 2023, they made their 5* debut at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, marking a career-defining milestone — one that stirred emotions Sydney rarely allows herself to show and underscored just how far the partnership had come. As “Early Review, accepted” echoed over the speakers during the first horse inspection, Sydney found herself tearing up, caught off guard by the magnitude of the moment. Even walking into the dressage ring, she admitted she felt the weight of it all — the years of work and the grit it takes to get there. They returned to Kentucky in 2024 to contest the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, continuing to build their résumé at the upper levels of the sport and adding another chapter to a partnership forged through resilience and experience. Today, Sydney continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport while dedicating much of her time to teaching and producing horses within her own program. Having trained within some of eventing’s most respected systems, she has drawn on that mentorship to shape a competitive and training business grounded in intention, patience, and strong fundamentals. Her journey — from learning on a green first horse to stepping onto the five-star stage — reflects a career built thoughtfully and earned step by step. With each season, she continues to add depth to her experience at the upper levels, carrying forward the resilience, perspective, and work ethic that have defined her path from the very beginning.
February 19, 2026
2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™  Set to Return, April 23-26
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