KENTUCKY HORSE PARK EVENTS FOR May 2009
January 7, 2009 - January 7, 2010
Enroll Now for the Professional Horseman's Course

The Kentucky Horse Park’s Education Department will be offering a unique educational opportunity unequaled by any other January 7-May 7, 2010. Students will have the rare opportunity to study and work with up to forty breeds of horses; ranging from the American Miniature to Clydesdales. They will gain hands on knowledge regarding handling, feeding, grooming, and training techniques seen in today’s equine industry. A rotating weekend schedule, as well as night foal watching, will be required to provide students with practical experience required for entry-level positions in the industry. The program will not only challenge the student in a variety of “hands-on” activities, but will also broaden their overall level of equine knowledge and understanding.

 The goal of the program is to provide information and skills necessary for the graduate to enter many facets of the equine industry as a well qualified and conscientious employee. Through partnership with the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, students will also have the opportunity to truly make a difference in the life of a horse needing a permanent adoption home. By teaching students using anything from Thoroughbred lay-ups to strays once running free, this program hopes to alleviate the desperate need for knowledgeable, dependable, and well trained personnel in various sectors of the equine industry.

Topics range from stable management and general health care to facilities and farm management, anatomy, physiology, and a more in depth study on the equine as an athlete. The courses will be tailored both to the previous experience and future goals of the students so that field trips, guest lecturers, and discussion topics will be determined by the students’ particular interests.

The program will be four months in length beginning January 7, 2009 and will be run on a 5 day per week schedule with rotating weekend and night watching duties. The majority of the workload and course work will be done at the Horse Park with field trips, tours, and guest speakers when applicable. Students are required to make arrangements for daily transportation and although housing is not provided, living expenses in nearby Lexington and Georgetown are near the national average. Part-time employment opportunities are also readily available in the horse industry.

There is no experience necessary for the program, however we do ask that applicants be very thorough regarding their past equine experience, work experience, and goals for the course while filling out the application. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Admission to the program is considered on an individual basis. No discrimination will be made regarding sex, age, race, color, creed, or place of national origin. Applicants will be reviewed on the merits of their background, personal integrity, previous experience and/or desire to work within the industry. A personal interview with the selection committee will be held prior to the final selection of students. If a personal interview is not possible a phone interview will be arranged.  

Cost of the program is $1600 with a $100 deposit due at the time of registration. The remainder of the cost will be due the first day of class. Students will also be required to buy necessary texts and literature upon acceptance into the program.

I have attached the program application as well as tentative syllabi for the various classes. Please feel free to contact me at laurie.brown@ky.gov or 859.259.4290 with any further questions.

Location: Education Department
For more information, contact Laurie Brown at 859.259.4290.

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April 30, 2009 - May 2, 2009
Kentucky Spring Premier Saddlebred Show

Four to five hundred Saddlebred horses from across the nation will compete in this show which will also include a trade show.

This is a licensed competition, rated A in 5-gaited, 3-gaited, pleasure, park pleasure, Morgan and Friesian; rated B in park, fine harness, roadster, roadster pony and Hackney pleasure driving; rated C in Hackney and Hackney harness.

Included with park admission.

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Location: Covered Arena
For more information, contact Chuck Walker at 859-268-4509.
Also, visit the event Website for more information at www.kyspringpremier.com.

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April 30, 2009 - May 2, 2009
Gypsy Cob & Drum Horse Classic
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Location: Indoor Arena
For more information, contact Stacy Foncannon at 606-423-9521.

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May 3, 2009
Cross Country Schooling

The Kentucky Horse Park and the KHP Foundation are pleased to once again offer Cross Country Schooling Days at the Kentucky Horse Park Cross Country Course.  The course will include basic to advanced obstacles and combinations and will attempt to mimic problems combinations that regularly occur in competition.  These schooling days are offered as an educational opportunity and safety will be considered a priority for all riders and horses.

 

Two sessions are offered on May 3: 

 

Session 1:  8 am – 12 pm

Session 2:  12 pm – 4 pm

 

Fees are $35/horse/session.  Onsite registration is available or participants may pre-register by going to khpfoundation.org and downloading the form.  [Detailed instructions are on the 2009 Pre-Registration Form]

 

All horses must have appropriate veterinary inspections and a negative Coggins test per state laws. 

 

For More Information:

 

General:  Kentucky Horse Park Foundation 859-259-4285 or foundation@khpfoundation.org

 

Stabling:  Kentucky Horse Park 859-259-4205 or sheila.forbes@ky.gov  

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Kentucky Horse Park Cross Country Course

This event presented with support from the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

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May 3, 2009
Polo 2 Goal Club Match
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Man O'War Polo Field
For more information, contact Lexington Polo at 859-254-5667.

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May 3, 2009
BOOK SIGNING - Ted Bassett

The Kentucky Horse Park is pleased to welcome Thoroughbred industry icon, Ted Bassett, for a book signing on Sunday, May 3, from 1-3pm.  "Ted Bassett - My Life" is published by the University Press of Kentucky, contains more than 400 pages and 50 illustrations chronicling the life of the man whose name is most frequently linked to the extraordinary history and success of Keeneland.

Bassett has served as Keeneland's president, chairman of the board and trustee. One of the most respected figure within the global racing industry, he was also president of the Breeders' Cup during its greatest period of growth. During his life, Bassett has been a close friend and professional associate with heads of state and government officials both domestically and afar including Queen Elizabeth II, Ronald Reagan, J. Edgar Hoover and the Maktoum family of Dubai. He has formed equally close ties with racing legends such as D. Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito and Pat Day. Written with two-time Eclipse Award-winning racing journalist Bill Mooney, Keeneland's Ted Bassett: My Life is essential reading for fans of the Sport of Kings and a valuable resource for historians. It chronicles each definitive period of Bassett's life, from Kent school to Yale to Keeneland and beyond, illuminating the private details that shaped his public achievements, and offers readers a unique, intimate portrait of the man who helped shape Keeneland and an entire industry.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Gift Shop

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May 6, 2009 - May 10, 2009
Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show I

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, the first week of competition, will be held from May 6-10. This is a World Championship Hunter Rider Event. An exciting new highlight for hunter exhibitors and spectators is the $15,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA Hunter Derby, which will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Walnut Ring. This derby will include jumps reminiscent of the hunt field, such as a natural post and rail, a stone wall, a coop, an aiken, hedges, logs, banks, and ditches.
 
Two of the main features for show jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show include the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*, and the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, CSI 2*, both of which will be held in the new Main Outdoor Stadium.   
 
The second week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Classic, is scheduled for the week of May 13-17, 2009. Show jumping action continues with the second $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, CSI 2* sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington.
 
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show and Kentucky Spring Classic are both qualifying events for the Washington International Horse Show Championships and the North American League Finals. Both weeks offer High Junior and Amateur-Owner Classics that are part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series and $20,000 Bluegrass Classics for open jumper riders.  

Photo by Lesley Ward

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Total Facility
For more information, contact Hugh Kincannon at 859-233-0492.
Also, visit the event Website for more information at www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

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May 10, 2009
Cross Country Schooling

The Kentucky Horse Park and the KHP Foundation are pleased to once again offer Cross Country Schooling Days at the Kentucky Horse Park Cross Country Course.  The course will include basic to advanced obstacles and combinations and will attempt to mimic problems combinations that regularly occur in competition.  These schooling days are offered as an educational opportunity and safety will be considered a priority for all riders and horses.

 

Two sessions are offered on May 10: 

 

Session 1:  8 am – 12 pm

Session 2:  12 pm – 4 pm

 

Fees are $35/horse/session.  Onsite registration is available or participants may pre-register by going to khpfoundation.org and downloading the form.  [Detailed instructions are on the 2009 Pre-Registration Form]

 

All horses must have appropriate veterinary inspections and a negative Coggins test per state laws. 

 

For More Information:

 

General:  Kentucky Horse Park Foundation 859-259-4285 or foundation@khpfoundation.org

 

Stabling:  Kentucky Horse Park 859-259-4205 or sheila.forbes@ky.gov  

 

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Kentucky Horse Park Cross Country Course

This event presented with support from the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

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May 10, 2009
Polo Beginners Clinic & Umpire Clinic
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Man O'War Polo Field
For more information, contact Lexington Polo at 859-254-5667.

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May 13, 2009 - May 17, 2009
Kentucky Spring Classic Horse Show II

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show is a World Championship Hunter Rider Event. 

The Kentucky Spring Classic, is scheduled for the week of May 13-17, 2009. Show jumping action continues with the  $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, CSI 2* sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington.
 
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show and Kentucky Spring Classic are both qualifying events for the Washington International Horse Show Championships and the North American League Finals. Both weeks offer High Junior and Amateur-Owner Classics that are part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series and $20,000 Bluegrass Classics for open jumper riders.  
 

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Total Facility
For more information, contact Hugh Kincannon at 859-233-0492.
Also, visit the event Website for more information at www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

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