Not just for show: OTW equestrian barricades at the Kentucky Three-Day Event

Welcome to Kentucky, where horse season all but takes over once the weather begins to warm. Included in the lineup of highly lauded activities and events in the springtime, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event boasts a rich history and features the highest level of athletes. This family-friendly event, among others, is hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park and currently sponsored by notable organizations, including Land Rover North America, MARS Equestrian, Cosequin, and the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. This year’s event was held April 24-27, 2025.

What is the Kentucky Three-Day Event? 

Horse and rider pairs gather every year to test their mettle against events like Cross-Country, Dressage, and Show Jumping at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Cross-Country consists of a demanding obstacle course at speed out in the hilly country, while Dressage demonstrates the horses’ obedience, flexibility, and balance through various predetermined movements. Finally, Show Jumping brings excitement to the arena with a timed course of colored fences to navigate. 

As a CCI5* (Concours Complet International) competition, the talent is at its best with the stakes and winnings to match. The CCI star level denotes the level of difficulty of each event being attempted (read a full breakdown on the star system in eventing here) and is a marker of high talent. The best pairs from all over the globe gather in Kentucky for this incredible show of world-class riding over a four-day weekend. (It once took place over three days, but Dressage was extended to two days due to various factors.) The event is held at the end of every April, the week before the Kentucky Derby takes place.   

What is the history of this long-standing Kentucky event?

Debuting in 1976 were the first Horse Trials, followed two years later by the organization of the World Championship of Eventing and the very first World Three-Day Event Championships. Throughout the years, from 1978 to now, the Kentucky Three-Day event has consisted of selection trials, title sponsorships, and competitions. In 1981, Rolex became the title sponsor, and the event was known as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for the next 36 years. 

In 1998, the Rolex Kentucky became the only CCI4* (four-star) event held outside of Europe, while still hosting CCI3* (three-star) events until the following year. 

Entering the 2000s, the format of the event began to change, with a complete switch from the long-format of three-day eventing removed in 2006 and replaced with short-form – this modern format removes roads and tracks, and steeplechases. In 2018, Land Rover North America took Rolex’s place as the title sponsor of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, and in 2019, MARS Equestrian signed on as a presenting sponsor. That same year, the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix, and in 2021, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4* debuted. 

All this led up to 2022, where the CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix, the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*, and the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event were all held the same weekend and ran concurrently, as they do today (you can learn more about the history of the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Kentucky Horse Park here). 

What goes into executing such a large equestrian event?

With an event of this magnitude, it’s no surprise that over 2,500 volunteers and many months of planning are required to make it happen. To manage thousands of attendees, dozens of elite-level competitors, and four days worth of equine exhilaration and fun, it takes detailed planning and precise coordination (and lots of event barricades!).  

Here’s where OTW comes in.

Our classic crowd control barrier, the Billboard Barricade, is an excellent choice for use around big crowds and horses. Our elite event barricade is perfect for guiding guests, separating spectators from the arenas, and can even moonlight as a temporary holding pen for waiting competitors. The benefits are endless, but some of the most lauded are:

• A sleek, aesthetic profile that complements nearly any event
• Folding feet for ease of storage and minimizing tripping hazards
• A built-in interlocking system creates a sturdy, seamless perimeter
• A thoughtfully designed custom signage inlay to highlight sponsors or give direction

Most equestrian institutions use our event barricades – often in white, sleek black, or hunter green – for the crowd control reasons listed above, as well as creating full walkways from the stables to arenas and displaying sponsorship signs.

Equestrian events the OTW way 

Whether a large, multi-arena experience like the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, a qualifier at your local equestrian facility, or day-to-day usage, there’s no better way to add gorgeous and secure safety measures to your equine events than with OTW Billboard Barricades. We were thrilled to partner with and see our event barricades at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, and we look forward to collaborating in the years to come. 

Ready to invest in your own equine barricades? Our experts are standing by to help you determine your safety needs for your next event.