The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a part of the fabric of the Lexington horse world. Friends and family spread across the country come to Lexington each April to take part in the country’s premiere eventing competition. But, unlike any other horse event on the show calendar, “the Rolex” stands head-and-shoulders above them all. What makes it so special? Ask anyone who has made the trip to the Kentucky Horse Park and you’ll find an endless list of responses.

For me, the event has been a part of my horse show rituals for decades. Long before Rolex became a title sponsor, the three-day event has lured me in. The combination of dressage, cross-country and jumping just can’t be beat. It’s the elegance of dressage. It’s the excitement of cross-country. It’s the final stage where speed and precision is the name of the game combined. To me, as a spectator, there is nothing like it.

Of course, the sport and action are at the heart of the event. But, it’s the “feel” and “atmosphere” that help make it such a fun equation. This is one time when 1+1=3. Combine the action with the fun and something extra comes out of the mix. I suppose that third thing is that mystique that the event has – drawing so many people (equestrian, fan, curiosity seeker, party animal) into its fold.

For as many competitors and horses at the event there are as many different types of attendees. I think this great mix of folks makes it even more fun. The hardcore fan who is not only at the jog, but can recite last year’s dressage scores, is right beside the local day-tripper who wouldn’t know a horse if it bit him. A few years ago, I remember someone coming up to me to ask a question. I guess my press core vest I was wearing tipped them off that I might be “in the know,” and they wanted information.

“Excuse me,” said the young couple. “So, exactly WHAT is going on here with all this?”

I learned that they were in town visiting relatives, heard the commercial on the radio and decided to check things out and spend an extra day in town instead of driving back to Atlanta.

I explained, as concisely as I could, what the sport was all about, that it’s the pinnacle competition for the sport in our country, it’s the only one of its kind in the U.S., etc. And, as the couple learned more, they had even more questions. I could have spent all day answering them, and I was really happy to share what I knew with them. I bet they’ve been back since.

I can remember during my college years getting a group of friends together and making a day of it during cross-country day on Saturday. I know that most of them didn’t know the first thing about eventing, and quite frankly some of them had never even been to a horse show. It was all about the opportunity to get outside in the fresh spring air, toss back a beer (or two or three or…), get some sun and party and mingle. And that’s fine, too. The Rolex means something different to each person. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For me, it’s changed over the years…my perception of the event and what I get out of it. Sure, I love cross-country day, and show jumping is my all-time favorite sport as a spectator (tennis is a close second). But, as a journalist and editor, it’s a chance for me to see some of friends who are my fellow press core writers and photographers that I only get a chance to see “on the road.” But at Rolex, they are in my proverbial backyard. It’s really great fun (and a fantastic work perk) to get to travel to the world’s greatest competitions and walk into a press room in Europe or Asia or South America and walk up to someone you’ve known for years and give them a big hug. The press core is a crazy and diverse group of creative people who share a common passion. It’s a sometimes dysfunctional, sometimes loud, sometimes amazing equestrian fraternity of sorts. There is friendly hazing, chances to party (when you are lucky and get the all-too-seldom day off) and some lasting bonds that are forged by spending very long days (and nights) in crowded and hectic conditions. I feel really lucky to be a part of it.

And for some, this year’s Rolex will be remembered as a real “pain in the ash.” Hopefully, not too many riders will be affected by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland that have wreaked havoc on European flights. But, I did hear the story of one that has been through the ringer trying to make it here. British eventer Oliver Townend, who happens to stand a chance at scoring the elusive Grand Slam of Eventing (plus a tidy $350,000 prize), has experienced a nightmare in trying to get across the pond to compete. Thankfully, after a Chunnel train from London to Paris, a $3,000 taxi ride to Spain (UGH!) and a flight to Florida, he is making his way aboard a flight to Lexington. Now if that’s not determination I don’t know what is!

To add insult to injury, the organizers have had to make several changes in the officials who are stranded in Europe, as well. Seems like this year’s event is going to be one to remember, and it hasn’t even begun yet.

Another exciting thing about this year’s Rolex is that it has company. With the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games months away, the WEG folks are holding two of the final test events for dressage and show jumping. Today begins the Kentucky Dressage Cup, and later this week will be the Kentucky Jumping Cup. There’s so much going on at the Horse Park that it will give the WEG event organizers a chance to tweak plans and make a very necessary observation of how things will play out.

So…it’s time to get this party started. And I’m determined to have a blast.