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Livvy Dunne responds to critics of Kentucky Oaks 'Riders Up' call

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs05/05/25grant_grubbs_
Livvy Dunne Kentucky Derby Oaks
© Maggie Huber/Special to Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Friday, former LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne had the honor of giving the “Riders Up” command at the Kentucky Oaks. The command is ceremonially used to tell jockeys to take their mount.

While Dunne was honored to be a part of the historic event, some viewers online claimed the entire thing appeared awkward. This potential cringeworthy moment was made worse when the crowd was essentially silent after Dunne gave the awaited command.

Others said that Dunne’s line read felt unnatural. After several of her critics commented on her TikTok account, which has over eight million followers, Dunne finally responded: “I couldn’t hear myself because of the echo of the microphone.”

Churchill Downs’ delegation of the “Riders Up” command to notable figures is a relatively new tradition. Before 2012, the Paddock Judge was responsible for giving the command ahead of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

However, Churchill Downs opted to change that tradition in 2012 and bring more eyes onto the events by doing so. Here is the full list of people who have delivered the “Riders Up” call since 2012:

  • John Calipari (2012)
  • Charlie Strong (2013)
  • Julius Irving (2014)
  • Teddy Bridgewater (2015)
  • Sean Payton (2016)
  • Jeff Bridges (2017)
  • Laila Ali (2018)
  • Baker Mayfield (2019)
  • D. Wayne Lukas (2021)
  • Jack Harlow (2022)
  • Patrick Mahomes (2023)
  • Martha Stewart (2024)

Livvy Dunne’s honorary appearance at the Kentucky Oaks is only her latest venture. During her time at LSU, she was one of the biggest success stories of the NIL era, boasting partnerships with Crocs, Body Armor, Forever 21 and many more.

She finished her collegiate career with a $4.1 million On3 NIL valuation, the fourth-highest in On3’s NIL 100. While Dunne seemingly has a bright future ahead of her, she’ll still miss competing in gymnastics with her teammates.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Dunne said. “Something said when you’re enjoying yourself to the point where time seems to slip away from you. And that’s exactly how the past 20 years in this sport have felt. The highs, the lows. Making the USA National Team and competing for our country. Every risk was worth the reward. Finishing my career over the past five years at the best university in the world has been an incredible journey and I’m forever grateful.

“Gymnastics, you have filled my heart and will always be a part of me. You’ve shaped me into the person I am today, creating memories and sisterhoods that will last a lifetime beyond this sport. You were my first love.”