Thursday Morning Feed from Fleeceworks: Rolex Bound!

April is just around the corner and Team Fleeceworks is gearing up for a trip to Kentucky. Sally Spickard catches up with 2015 entrant Jen McFall and reminds us why Rolex is a can’t-miss event.

Jen McFall and High Times. Photo by Bill Olson.

It’s that time of year when many eventers (and equestrians in general) are planning their annual pilgrimage to the Bluegrass State. Fleeceworks rider Jen McFall will be running her second CCI4* event with her own High Times, known as “Billy” around the barn.

Last year Jen and Billy completed their first Rolex and couldn’t wait to get back to it this year. Jen has been working hard with Billy since last April, and this year they most recently finished in sixth place in the Advanced division at Twin Rivers. Jen commented on her Facebook that this was the best cross country run she’d had with Billy to date, so it seems this pair is peaking just in time to make another go at Rolex.

Haven’t been to Rolex before? It’s definitely a trip we recommend you take at least once, even if eventing isn’t your sport of choice. Here’s a few compelling reasons to attend — just once, unless you end up catching the bug like most of us did!

This was one of the highlights of my pre-EN career days.

Celebrity sightings

Seriously, where else can you go to see riders such as Jen herself, her coach Hawley Bennett-Awad, Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and William Fox-Pitt all in one place? Not many, at least here in the States! There’s some sort of adrenaline rush the accompanies a glimpse of your idol up close and personal. There are also plenty of autograph opportunities throughout the weekend, so be prepared with a souvenir to have signed!

Jen Mcfall and High Times at Rolex. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Serious athleticism

If you’ve never watched a cross country course in action, this is definitely one you’ll want to see. I remember bringing a couple of first-timers to Rolex and watching them gasp as the first horse powered through the Head of the Lake. There really is nothing like watching these brave horses and riders tackle a cross country course. And seeing it in person is even better.

Team Fleeceworks at Rolex: Kristi Nunnink, Tamie Smith, Heather Morris and Danny Warrington.

Shopping

And then more shopping. Perhaps just a bit more on Sunday. The trade fair at Rolex is unparalleled. You have rows and rows of booths to peruse at your leisure indoors in the trade fair and many more to wander through on Sponsors’ Row. My bank account always takes a huge hit the last weekend of April, so I usually have to work to pad it a little before I go. Some people have Christmas savings accounts? I have a Rolex savings account.

Don’t you need a new pink-accented cross-country saddle? Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Eventing Nation’s 3rd Annual Rolex Tailgate Party

Eventers love to party, we know that much. We’ll let this video speak for itself:

Those are just a few reasons why you need to make a trip to the Bluegrass State. There’s something for everyone, from demos of other breeds and disciplines to top class international competition. We’ll have more in-depth coverage of this year’s event over on our sister site, Eventing Nation, but stay tuned for much more ridiculousness from Kentucky!

Plan to make Fleeceworks part of your shopping plan at Rolex! You can get a preview of all of their great products for every discipline by clicking the banner below.

Go Fleeceworks!