What do Pebble Beach and Churchill Downs have in common? They’ll both be home to the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2016. That’s right; Pebble Beach Equestrian Center will live-cast the Kentucky Derby’s “Run for the Roses.” Derby Day & More comes to the Monterey Peninsula to benefit the Monterey Symphony‘s “Music in the Schools” programs. Each year this event is put on to allow musical enrichment in the community and music education in the local schools.
Kick back, put your boots up and sip a mint julep while you watch thoroughbreds in action, as well as a private live horse show performed by equestrians. The live-cast of the Kentucky Derby, the “greatest two minutes in sports” begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by a horse & rider demonstration from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. with an opportunity to meet the riders and their horses. A three course dinner, prepared by Chef Ben Brown from the Lodge at Pebble Beach, will follow with local, farm to table ingredients and a live and silent auction will round out the evening festivities.
The horse show will feature free style dressage, hunters over fences, jumping, reining, Western Pleasure & a demonstration from the Red Rock Hounds of Reno, Nevada. Finally, there will be a special presentation by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse Regiment) a unit of the United States Army garrisoned at Fort Irwin in California.
As with any Triple Crown event, fancy hats are required to watch the Kentucky Derby, or at least highly encouraged. If you need a custom hat, I highly recommend Maggie Mae Designs. After all, what’s a Run for the Roses event without fabulous equestrian and fashion attire? I should note that part of the equestrian extravaganza will take place on an outdoor field, while a portion of the festivities will be on Astro Turf. Wear an extravagant hat and apparel, but you might want to wear appropriate footwear, like a pair of leather Ariat riding boots, to this shin dig.
The equestrian event takes place from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center in Monterey. For Derby Day & More ticket information please call the Monterey Symphony (831) 646-8511.
If You Go:
Pebble Beach Equestrian Center (831) 622-5985
3300 Portola Road
Pebble Beach, California 93953
This post was written by equestrian and horse lover Nancy D. Brown. To date, Nancy Brown does not yet own a fabulous Kentucky Derby hat.