Most outdoor horse shows happily serve as secondary dog parks, which is fantastic because dogs are the best and horses are the best and everything is perfect. Our pups live in a world of constant discrimination and banishment from too many public places, but the show grounds is their sanctuary.

And we absolutely should be allowed to enjoy some Q.T. with our best friends—sniff around a little, split some kettle corn and maybe a beer, go a little ham. After all, statistics show 99.4% of horse people are also dog people*. It’s just good business.

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*total guess but a good one 

There are so many dogs at Rolex Kentucky each year that the people who are not packing leash look lost and out of place. There’s even an on-site kennel (sponsored by the Lexington Humane Society), so you can bring your dog to the show and not actually have to lug them around and tend to their every need.

The dog-friendly nature enhances the atmosphere and is one of several reasons why Cross Country Saturday is perhaps the most spectator friendly event in the equestrian world.

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But some dogs should just stay home.

You know who you are (looking at you, Toby)…

Is your dog prone to uncontrollable yapping?

If so, can you muzzle them or something?

Can your dog fit into a Louis Vuitton? If so, fantastic! But you still can’t take them inside Rolex Stadium.

Does he/she have a penchant for contracting “the runs”?

Is your pooch a noted escape artist?

In the event your pal does get away from you, will they go all “bull in a china shop,” or will they remain calm and patiently await re-capture?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, “maybe” or “uh, not sure”, then you should really consider leaving little Bob Barker at home.

Because all it takes is one well-intended but incorrigible pup to ruin it for everyone. One minute you drop the leash to snap a photo of Michael Jung and there goes little Priscilla, that menacing 4lb. bundle of hair, scurrying under the ropes to defend her turf from the 1200lb. invader barreling in at 25 mph.

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It does happen, and is clearly a major risk to horse, rider and dog. And every time it does, sure enough, the ol’ “should dogs be banned from horse shows?” question gets re-heated, seasoned and served.

Dogs should be allowed on horse show grounds. Let’s not even entertain otherwise. So please, don’t go screwing it up for the rest of us. Even good dogs do bad things from time to time, just make sure that time is not this time.