Defender Tailgate
Saturday/Cross-Country
Tailgating Packages
Cross-Country Day is always a crowd favorite! Every Saturday of the K3DE we get away from the stadiums and arenas to watch competitors take on exciting obstacles along the Cross-Country Course. The Defender Tailgate is the best way to experience the day!
Tailgating set-up is from 7 AM to 8:30 AM sharp on Saturday, and all spaces must be reserved in advance. Only one vehicle is allowed for tailgating space, but any number of friends can join you at the tailgate with a Grounds Admission ticket. Don't have a tent? No problem! You can add-on a Tailgating Tent Package that includes a 10 x 10 tent, 4 chairs, and a 6-foot table. Park nearby for easy access to tent. Full rules and regulations are listed below.
Early Bird Pricing - October 10, 2024 to December 5, 2024
Advanced Pricing - December 6, 2024 to April 2, 2025
Event Pricing - April 3, 2025 to Event
Please note: Tailgating Packages are NOT sold at the gate. All tickets purchased past April 16 will be available to pick up at our off-site will call located in the lobby of EverHome Suites, 757 Newtown Springs Dr., Lexington, KY, 40511
Platinum
Early Bird Price starting at $575
Advanced Price starting at $625
Event Price $650
Platinum Tailgating Packages offer views of multiple Cross-Country Course obstacles for the 5* and 4* from your tailgating space. See red boxes on the map below for location details.
Premium
Early Bird Price starting at $475
Advanced Price starting at $575
Event Price $600
Premium Tailgating Packages offer views of several Cross-Country Course obstacles for the 5* and 4* from your tailgating space. See dark blue boxes on the map below for location details.
Standard
Early Bird Price starting at $375
Advanced Price starting at $425
Event Price $450
Standard offers a tailgating experience with a partially obstructive view of the 5* and 4* Cross-Country course/obstacles. See yellow boxes on the map below for location details.
2025 Tailgating Packages
Experience the excitement of Cross-Country on Saturday (April 26) from your own Defender Tailgate spot along the course! Kentucky Three-Day Event Tailgate passes include:
- One Tailgating Vehicle with two patrons
- One reserved parking space near the Cross-Country Course on Saturday only.
Tailgating at Kentucky Three-Day Event’s Cross-Country Day means fun, friends and good food on the most thrilling day of the Kentucky Three-Day!
2-Person Tailgating Packages
Early Bird Price starts at $375
Advanced Price starts at $425
Event Pricing starts at $450
All tickets sold online and over the phone are subject to a ticket fee.
Prices are subject to change.
All tickets purchased past April 16 will be available to pick up at our off-site will call located in the lobby of EverHome Suites, 757 Newtown Springs Dr., Lexington, KY, 40511
Rules & Regulations
- ONLY PLAIN TENTS are allowed, they must be staked and in place before the first horse is on course and will be checked by security 30 minutes prior to the start of Cross-Country. Tents with logos and banners are NOT allowed. Tents larger than 10′ x 10′ are NOT allowed. All logoed, improperly placed, improperly sized or non-staked tents will be removed.
- Gates open at 7 a.m. Tailgaters are WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED to come early. Traffic can be very heavy on Cross-Country day, so please schedule your travel time accordingly.
- For YOUR safety and the safety of our ATHLETES, you must be in the Kentucky Horse Park and be parked in your designated spot by 9 a.m., and your vehicle must remain parked until AFTER the last horse has completed Cross-Country. Your vehicle may not be moved throughout the day unless accompanied by event personnel and for emergency purposes only.
- Passenger vehicles only; NO RV’s, buses or large vans, including 15-passenger vans. Tailgating spots are 12 feet wide.
- No additional motorized vehicles allowed. This includes: golf carts, ATVs, scooters, segways, hoverboards and motorcycles.
- You may bring in your own food and drink, however, no open containers or glass, please. There will be trash and recycling receptacles available for use. There will also be concessions near the tailgating area.
- You may use a GAS grill but no charcoal or open flames/fires, please. There will not be any grills available; you must bring your own.
- You may not drive on the polo field or onto the Cross-Country Course.
- No flags or banners allowed. DECORATIONS MAY BE ASKED TO BE REMOVED FOR SAFETY REASONS. Please decorate your area as you see fit, but please keep in mind the horse and rider’s safety.
- No generators please.
- Rules subject to change.
Ticketing FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Have additional questions about ticketing? Check out our FAQ section for more info.
