Sylvester, Texas, March 12, 2012 – It’s the home of bluegrass, bourbon and beautiful horses . . . Kentucky. Having played host to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 and the site of more than 85 national equine events, including the Alltech National Horse Show, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky, now welcomes the newest star in its cap, Road to the Horse.
“We are thrilled to move forward in the growth of Road to the Horse to this world-class facility,” said Road to the Horse Producer Tootie Bland. “Murfreesboro has been a tremendous host for seven years and we’ll miss our many friends here, yet the good news is our growth has made it necessary for the event to move to a larger facility and the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park is the perfect place.”
“The improvements to the Horse Park for the World Equestrian Games were designed for events just like Road to the Horse,” said Park Executive Director John Nicholson. “From its arena to the Park’s campground, Road to the Horse fans will find the welcome mat rolled out with bluegrass hospitality.”
Furthermore, the amenities are nearly endless as Road to the Horse fans will want to make plans to extend their stay and take in the many sites around Lexington, including Claiborne Farms, the resting place of Secretariat, the Mary Todd Lincoln Home and even better, just stroll around the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park where they can take in the many exhibits and see Breeders' Cup Champion Cigar and Kentucky Derby Winners Go For Gin and Funny Cide peeking from their stalls.
Make Road to the Horse a Family Legacy
More than 58% of Road to the Horse fans are repeat visitors each year, and now producer Tootie Bland has made it that much easier for those fans to keep their experience going.
With the move to Kentucky, Road to the Horse will offer a new level of seating to its fans termed “Legacy Seats.” Through this program, Road to the Horse will hold a certain number of seats in a certain location, determined by the purchaser, each year. Ultimately, fans will find their “home away from home” each year as they claim their spot. The seats will remain with that purchaser every year until that purchaser releases the seat by not renewing their purchase.
Dates for the 2013 competition will be March 15-17 with competitors yet to be announced. However, room blocks at nearby hotels havealready been confirmed in anticipation of another sold out event and the expectation of high demand for rooms as has been the case in the past. For more information about Road to the Horse 2013, go to www.roadtothehorse.com.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Road to the Horse is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines education and entertainment for an all-out horsemanship experience.
World-renowned horsemen along with talented trainers discovered by Tootie Bland compete in the invitation only competition to determine the World Champion of Colt Training. Horsemen select a gelding from a remuda or herd of 10-20 American Quarter Horses and are then evaluated on their ability to establish a relationship and bring the animal to its level of comfort under saddle.
Unlike a horse show, these competitors are judged not only on a final test of skill, but the means to the end result. The goal of Road to the Horse is to teach horsemen and women that natural horsemanship is a kinder, gentler way of working with horses.
Road to the Horse enjoys the support of corporate partners such as the American Quarter Horse Association, Ram Trucks, Wrangler, Martin Saddlery, Gist Silversmiths, W-W Livestock, Nutrena, the Four Sixes Ranch and Long Branch Lakes Property Development, along with other more than 20 othervalued industry products and services. To learn more, go to www.roadtothehorse.com or call 325.736.5000.
-RTTH-
Blue Grass Trust’s New & Renewed Antiques & Garden Show Set for March 16-18, 2012
Written by J Kavanagh
March 9, 2012 (Lexington, KY)…The Blue Grass Trust is excited to announce new additions to their 15th annual Antiques & Garden show at their new location at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena, such as an array of speakers; a Vintage Car show, and an Appraisal Fair; and renewed favorites at the show on March 16, 17, 18, with a Gala Preview Party from 7 to 10 pm, March 15 and includes culinary specialties and fine cocktails from Catering by Donna, live music, silent auction, and complimentary valet parking.
Local Area Band Exile to Perform at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event
Written by J KavanaghFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:
Marty Bauman, Press Chief, (508) 698-6810,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Concert Free for Saturday Eventing and Reining Ticket Holders
Lexington, KY —March 8, 2012— Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, is excited to announce that the famed Country music group Exile will perform at this year’s event. The performance will be part of a free two-hour concert for ticket holders to either of the two equestrian events on Saturday, April 28 from 3:30–5:30 pm.
CONSIGNMENTS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2012 ART AUCTION
Written by J Kavanagh
The American Saddlebred Museum is accepting consignments to be considered for inclusion in the 2012 Equine Art, Antique and Rare Book Auction. The auction will be held on Saturday July 14 at the museum’s Showplace for Saddlebreds (at the Kentucky Horse Park) in conjunction with the Lexington Jr. League Horse Show. Deadline for submission of consignments is March 26, 2012.
SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL TRAUMA REALIZE THE HEALING POWER OF HORSES
Written by J KavanaghBluegrass Rape Crisis Center partners with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
on innovative program that needs support
Lexington, KY (February 16, 2012) – “Beautiful.” “Balance.” “Strength.” “Friend." “I trust you.” These are just a few affirmations written in chalk that appeared last fall on the shiny coats of the horses of Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) at the Kentucky Horse Park. The words were written by survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse who participated in a unique pioneering collaboration between CKRH and the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.
Called the BRCC/CKRH EAST Group, the innovative experience built upon the existing eight-week BRCC Building Blocks Group curriculum and provided equine-assisted skills experiences that capitalize on the long-established horse-human bond to promote healing. The name EAST (Equine Assisted Survivors of Trauma) fits perfectly with the collaboration's objective to provide survivors of sexual violence a new day filled with hope and promise.
The program resulted from CKRH’s desire to expand its mental health programming at its facility at the Kentucky Horse Park and BRCC’s commitment to offer cutting-edge healing opportunities to survivors of sexual violence.
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) are based on a team approach by individuals who are licensed and credentialed in their respective professions. The pilot EAST Group therapy team consisted of Lee Ellis, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a therapist at BRCC; Leigh Koetsch, B.A., a crisis counselor at BRCC; and Charlotte Easley, a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at Asbury University who is interning at CKRH. Easley, who graduates in May, had interned at BRCC last year; with the support and encouragement of CKRH Program Director Denise Spittler, she approached Ellis and Koetsch about the collaboration. The four women worked enthusiastically to create a brave new model for healing and hope in Central Kentucky while realizing the potential power of the partnership – both inter-agency and with the equine.
“When Charlotte first approached me with the idea of a collaborative group to maximize healing for sexual trauma survivors, I immediately knew that it would be a fantastic way to enrich healing through the unique strengths of both BRCC and CKRH” Ellis said.
Easley, who has specialized training and certifications to provide equine assisted learning and psychotherapy, explained the program: “All EAST sessions consisted of non-mounted activities where group members partnered with their horses to complete tasks designed to put the skills learned in BRCC’s Building Blocks group into practice. The Building Blocks Curriculum was developed by BRCC and has been used successfully for group work many times. We just understood that adding the equine component would take the results to the next level.”
Over eight weeks, participants met as a group for the BRCC psycho-educational component, Building Blocks, and met individually with their therapists. Once a week they gathered at CKRH for the EAST Group, which combined psycho-education, skills building, and equine-assisted learning to create a personal journey of therapeutic healing. From walking to the field to catch and halter their horses to meditating, from serpentine walking to grooming, survivors participated in exercises designed to assist them in working through common symptoms of trauma, such as trust issues, relationship challenges, hyper-vigilance and post-traumatic stress.
Results of the initial program
Equine-assisted activities and therapies have been documented to be an effective experiential approach to emotional and intellectual growth. Based on pre- and post-surveys of the inaugural EAST Group, participants improved their coping and relational skills and reduced their traumatic symptoms by 33%. Responses included:
“I gained confidence in my ability to handle stress.”
“I feel calmer and more confident in how I handle my relationships.”
“It helped me make relationship connections.”
In addition, participants gained confidence in working with horses and in their abilities to interact successfully with their horse and others:
“I feel more confident in how I read people and relationships and learned from the horse about the signals I send.”
“I learned a lot from group and the work with the horses. I think my horse made the difference.”
When asked about the value of the combined group and the ability to better manage emotions, symptoms and interpersonal relationships, the overall consensus was that adding the equine component enhanced the therapeutic process for clients:
“The personality of my horse matched mine so well; he taught me so many things I could not have discovered on my own.”
“Animals and music cut through the layers of my defenses faster than anything else – awesome combination.”
These results have encouraged continued collaboration between the two agencies in a commitment to provide the best possible services to survivors of sexual trauma in Central Kentucky. However, financial support is needed for the program to continue.
CKRH and BRCC need your help
CKRH (www.ckrh.org), which was founded in 1981, is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse.
The Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center (www.bluegrassrapecrisis.org) provides free counseling, therapy and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and abuse, adult survivors of sexual abuse, and anyone impacted by sexual violence. In keeping with that mission, the EAST Group is offered to participants free of charge; however, the program needs financial help to continue. For BRCC and CKRH, the cost to provide a two-hour session for up to eight people is approximately $660. Therefore, both organizations invite businesses, individuals and others to support a person or a session at the cost of $660 OR sponsor an entire group for $3,300.
Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Feature US Show Jumping Team Observation Event
Written by J KavanaghLexington, KY - February 28, 2012 - The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are pleased to announce that their first week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show CSI3*, May 9-13, 2012, has been designated by USEF as a 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Event.
The jumper highlights in the Rolex Stadium during the first week will include the $35,000 Welcome Cup on May 9th. This will be followed on Friday, May 11th by the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic and on Sunday, May 13th by the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. These two major competitions are Observation Events for the US Show Jumping Team. Following the US Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in Wellington, FL in March, riders named to the long list must compete at two of the four designated observation events, one of which will be the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. In addition to the long listed riders many more top horse and rider combinations are expected to gather at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows to vie for the winning title in these challenging events.
Chef d'Equipe George Morris commented, "I think that Kentucky is a premiere facility, they have hosted trials before, they know how to do it. It's a lovely time of year, great footing, so it has to be a hit. The whole area is very horse friendly and very natural."
Mark Leone is also a member of the Selection Committee, and will be attending the Kentucky Spring Horse Show to observe the long listed riders. "Hosting the Observations at Kentucky is an excellent choice for our horses and riders," he said. "It's a top international facility, especially after having the World Equestrian Games there. We are trying to determine that type of championship quality horse, so it's a perfect venue to solidify our candidates for London."
In addition to the three major jumper classes during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, the competition will continue with the Kentucky Spring Classic CSI2* held May 16-20, 2012. The $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic will be held on Thursday, May 17 as riders try to accumulate valuable points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. On Saturday, May 19, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington.
Each year, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show boasts high-level grand prix action, as well as the nation's top hunters with a USHJA International Hunter Derby. New highlights during this year's events will include the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series with Leading Hunter Rider Bonus. The Kentucky Spring Classic will also be a WCHR Member event, where riders can earn points towards year-end awards.
While competing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, exhibitors and their families can also explore downtown Lexington, which features fine dining and shopping. The beautiful Lexington area offers numerous hotel accommodations near the horse show facilities and the main downtown area.
For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Photo Credit: Kent Farrington and Uceko won the 2011 $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
KENTUCKY HORSE SHOWS 2012 HORSE SHOW SERIES FAST FACTS
Events: 2012 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows
What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2012 series includes two weeks of top competition during the month of May. These premier hunter/jumper competitions feature a USEF 5* Jumper Rating and a "AA" Hunter rating. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.
Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW CSI3* - May 9-13, 2012
$35,000 Welcome Cup
$50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic(US Show Jumping Team Observation Event) $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix(US Show Jumping Team Observation Event)
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC CSI2* - May 16-20, 2012
$32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
$75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington
WCHR recognized hunter competition
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK TO OFFER STATE-WIDE HORSE GROOMING CONTEST
Written by J KavanaghLEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2012) The Kentucky Horse Park is pleased to announce a new state-wide horse grooming contest to be held on March 31.
The contest will to provide 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers of America, United States Pony Clubs, and other youth groups an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work together in a safe and humane manner to groom and prepare horses for showing. Both senior and junior divisions will be offered, and champion and reserve champion awards will be given.
Participants will need to dust off their grooming supplies and get in groom-ready shape. The Kentucky Horse Park will provide the horses, and park staff will make sure the animals are all in need of a good grooming before the contest.
Teams of three will be assigned a horse and then given 30 minutes to brush, dust, detangle and polish their way to the champion groom team honors. The contest also will include a written test on general horse knowledge as well as a showmanship class at the end of the day, to show off all of the polished ponies.
This is sure to be good, “clean” family fun and a great opportunity to kick off the summer show season, which is just around the corner.
For complete details and a registration packet, please contact Sheila Forbes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 859-233-4305.
THOROUGHBRED HORSE SHOW ASSOCIATION PREPARES FOR SPRING SHOW AT KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Written by Cindy RullmanLexington, KY – (February 22, 2012) – Entries are being taken for the inaugural show for off-the-track Thoroughbreds conducted by the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association (TBHS) on April 14-15 at the Kentucky Horse Park. The TBHS Spring Show is geared for Thoroughbreds just starting their show careers with entry-level divisions in multiple disciplines, including dressage, combined training, hunter/jumper and competitive trail riding. TBHS will hold a second show at the Horse Park on October 6-7, and is working with rescue organizations and others to hold additional events.
“I've received phone calls from people who are interested in the show from West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C., in addition to Kentucky,” TBHS Executive Director Jan Roehl said. “One woman from West Virginia said she wanted to bring her ex-racehorses just so she could ride them at the Kentucky Horse Park. Some people want to come a day or two early to enjoy Lexington.”
TBHS (tbhorseshow.org) was founded in 2011 by a group of Central Kentuckians interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Horses must be entered in the TBHS shows using their registered names with The Jockey Club.
Horses competing in the TBHS Spring Show will be eligible for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) High Point Awards. The Jockey Club will award ribbons, prizes and $100 to the winner with the highest number of points in the following divisions: Starter Hunter, Hunter, Jumper, Beginner Novice Combined Test, Training Level Dressage, and First Level Dressage.
Officials of the Spring Show include Dressage Judge Susan Posner, Hunter Judge Shelley Mann, Showmanship Judge Samantha Kline and Technical Delegate Joe Carr. John Prather is the Show Manager, and Tina Desjordy is the Show Secretary. The opening reception for participants on April 13 will include a talk with Posner about how to get the most from a Thoroughbred in the dressage ring. Posner is a noted dressage trainer who has ridden and trained ex-racehorses. The show also will include a seminar titled “Ins and Outs of Feeding Your OTTB” with Kristen Janicki from Buckeye Feeds; tips from Mann on show ring etiquette and what to do if things don't go as planned in the show ring; and a presentation about success in showmanship by Samantha Kline. Former jockey P.J. Cooksey, director of public relations for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, will emcee the opening reception and present awards on Saturday.
To date, the Spring Show has received generous support from the following patrons: Adena Springs, Akindale Farm, Bantry Farms, Buckeye Nutrition, Darley, Ellen Frost, John and Devi Hall, Juddmonte Farms, Kris S. Bloodstock LLC (Kris Stuebs), New Vocations, Pauls Mill, Siena Farm, Taylor Made Farm and WindRiver Fence. Information about the event, including a schedule and class list, class descriptions, rules and information and entry form, is available at tbhorseshow.org.
The TBHS offers an annual membership of $25 and to date has members from 17 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario. Benefits include a monthly electronic newsletter; assistance in promoting and encouraging Thoroughbred adoptions; email notification about horses entered in TBHS and affiliated shows by their registered name with The Jockey Club; and networking social events with like-minded people and organizations. Members of the TBHS also become members of the Kentucky Horse Council at no charge and are able to receive a discount on insurance premiums and weekly e-News with links to articles pertaining to everything in the equine world in Kentucky.
For more information, contact Jan Roehl at (859) 559-1409 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Photo by Gayle Strickroot.
Media Credentials Available for Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup
Written by Cindy Rullman
Media Accreditation/Press Credentials
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone
April 26-29, 2012
and
Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup
April 27-28, 2012
The Competitions
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, April 26-29, 2012 will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, along with the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. The event draws anywhere from 50-100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a live telecast on NBC in the United States.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the 15th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, and is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM. The world’s best horses and riders compete for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. 2012 will serve as a selection trial for the London Olympics held in the Summer.
The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in the Olympic sport of Eventing. This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features selection trials to choose the U.S. Eventing Team for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The nation’s best horses and riders will be competing in the hopes of earning places on the team for this summer’s Olympics.
The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, April 27-28, is the only Three Star Reining competition in the world in 2012, and is a qualifier for the FEI World Reining Championship. It is expected to draw horses and riders from around the globe, vying for their share of $100,000 in prize money as they compete in the CRI3*, along with the popular $25,000 World Freestyle Championship.
Partners
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