Celebrities Join Freestyle Field for Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Jockey Chris McCarron, Olympic Eventers Gina Miles, David and Karen O’Connor to Take On World’s Best in Saturday’s World Championship Freestyle Country Music Legend Lyle Lovett Entered to Compete on Friday
 
Lexington, KY –  April 20, 2012 – Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and Olympic Eventing riders Gina Miles, David and Karen O’Connor will compete with some of the world’s leading Reining riders in the $25,000 World Championship Freestyle Reining at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup.

Meet the adoptable horse of the week: Grayball (Noble Causeway-Mizlala by Unbridled Song).  He's a 3-year-old, 16-hand, unraced Thoroughbred who is looking like a good show hunter prospect. 

He's currently in the retraining program at the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center here at the park, and they say he "has the ease and grace of Tiger Woods' swing in his stride," which you can see from the video of his first ride at the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2012) - The Kentucky Horse Park will welcome 4,800 fourth-graders to the Alltech Arena on March 29 to watch an original, live equine show, written and choreographed exclusively for them. The show is a highlight of a reading program created by the Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program, which the students have been participating in since last year.   

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. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lovett, Concert by Exile and Freestyle Championship Make Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup and Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event "More Than A Day at the Races"

Lexington, KY - March 22, 2012 - Four-time Grammy Award winner and country music legend Lyle Lovett will join a world-class field of Reining riders competing in the second annual Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, April 27-28 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup (AKRC) is held during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, which runs April 26-29. The AKRC features a CRI3*, the only Three Star Reining competition currently scheduled in the United States for 2012, along with the popular $25,000 World Freestyle Championship. It is expected to draw some of the best horses and riders from around the globe.

Lovett's participation adds to a musical theme for the weekend. Much like the Freestyle performances in figure skating, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup's $25,000 World Freestyle Championship features top Reiners riding choreographed programs set to music. Additionally, the famed Country music group Exile will perform as part of a free two-hour concert on Saturday, April 28 from 3:30-5:30 pm. The show will be free to anyone holding a ticket to either the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event's Cross-Country competition, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, or the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup's World Freestyle Championship, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Lyle Lovett has been a fixture of the country music scene for 25 years. He released his self-titled debut album in 1986, and has released a total of fourteen albums. He has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album for The Road to Ensenada (1996) and Best Country Male Vocal (1989). He has acted in a number of films and television shows and he recently contributed a cover of Buddy Holly's "Well... All Right" for the tribute album Listen to Me: Buddy Holly, released on September 6, 2011.

In addition to his music career, Lovett has made a name for himself in the horse world as a horse breeder and reining competitor. He raises about a half dozen foals a year, keeping some, selling others and just giving some of his "babies" away. Reining is one of his particular passions. As a horse owner, he was present to see one of his horses emerge with a Gold Medal in the Reining World Championships at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Last year, he competed alongside all four members of the 2010 World Championship Gold Medal team in the inaugural Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. He looks forward to his return for this year's Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup competition in Lexington.

"I was here for the World Equestrian Games in 2010, and when I was invited to ride in the Reining event at Rolex last year, nothing was going to keep me from doing that," said Lovett, who rode his horse Smart and Shiney in the CRI5*, the sport's highest level, at the 2011 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup.
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a western type horse in a show arena. In Reining, competitors are required to run one of several approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins done in place, back-ups and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.

"It is so exciting to have Lyle Lovett come to compete in the $100,000 CRI3* at this year's Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup," said Brad Ettleman, show manager of the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. "Last year he proved that he is capable of riding at our sport's highest level and I know that his many fans join Reining fans in looking forward to seeing him ride at this year's event."

Advance tickets for the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup are $12 per person for Friday's $100,000 CRI3* with Lyle Lovett and $20 per person for Saturday's World Freestyle Championship. Hospitality options include the opportunity to purchase the use of luxury suites in the Alltech Arena for both nights of competition.

Further information on the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, including ways to purchase tickets, is available on line at www.KentuckyReining.com.

Those interested in up-to-date news may also follow the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup online at:
www.facebook.com/KentuckyReining
www.twitter.com/KentuckyReining
www.youtube.com/KentuckyReining

Coming to the park during Spring Break?

Written by: Kendall Bierer
http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Release Date: 2012-03-22

Lexington, KY – March 22, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows is quickly approaching, and one of the highlight events that will kick-off the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows is the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 9-13, 2012, features the lead-off event on May 11, 2012, with the $50,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*. This event will also be a US Show Jumping Team Observation Event, and will feature the country’s top horse and rider combinations vying for the top honors. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 16-20, 2012, will host the second $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* on May 17.

Later in the year, four more Hagyard Lexington Classic grand prix events will be held during the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and the KHJA Horse Show. The Series concludes with the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier held on September 21, 2012, during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner for the Leading Rider Award will be announced and presented with the prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

“The Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is pleased to be continuing its sponsorship of the Hagyard Challenge Series in 2012. We enjoy being able to support competition at the highest level of the show jumping sport,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, President of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. “As a Lexington-based company, we are happy that we can encourage riders to stay in the area and compete throughout the spring and summer through the Leading Rider Bonus. The Hagyard Challenge Series offers a wonderful opportunity for the Bluegrass community to come out and enjoy the exciting sport of show jumping at a beautiful venue.”

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse for more than 130 years.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 Digital Radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens Open MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, a high speed treadmill, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full surgical services, 24-hour ambulance and emergency services, and Hyperbaric Medicine. The institute has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 133 years and is currently composed of over 60 experienced veterinarians, with 12 board certifications in specialty areas of Medicine, Surgery, Critical Care, and Theriogenology.

For more information about the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit http://hagyard.com.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows or to download a copy of the prize list, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Photo Credit: McLain Ward, winner of the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series’ $45,000 Leading Rider Bonus. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Photo may only be used 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

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance and Sleepy P Ranch.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2012)  The Kentucky Horse Park’s 34th season is set to begin Thursday, March 15, when the park returns to its regular hours of 9am to 5pm daily through November 4. Visitors will be entertained and delighted as the park features special events and themed weekends throughout the season.

Highlights of this season will include the park’s newest attraction, the Kids Barn, which features interactive exhibits, while the park’s education department staff will host daily hands-on activities with the park’s resident horses in the Kids Barn each day.

USDA NEWS RELEASE
Hallie Zimmers
National Stakeholder Liaison
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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.
202-720-0378 or 202-799-7029

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Animal Care Program will hold listening sessions throughout the United States [including the Kentucky Horse Park] to obtain public feedback on the Horse Protection Program.  In particular, APHIS is interested in hearing feedback on the questions below:
 
•         Congress passed the Horse Protection Act in 1970 to eliminate the cruel and inhumane practice of soring horses. How close are we to achieving the goal?
 
•         Can the industry achieve a consensus on how to carry out a self-regulatory program to enforce the Horse Protection Act in a consistent way?
 
•         What responsibilities should USDA-certified Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs) have within the industry?
 
•         How can the industry reconcile its inherent competition aspect with ensuring compliance with the Horse Protection Act?
               
•         What can USDA do now (and in the future) to ensure compliance?
 
•         What responsibilities should USDA have within the industry with respect to enforcement and what hinders oversight of the HIOs and/or industry?
 
•         Should there be a prohibition of all action devices?
 
•         Should there be a prohibition of pads?
 
•         Currently the Horse Protection regulations have a shoe weight limit on yearlings. Should there now be a shoe weight limit for all aged horses?
 
A listening session is planned on March 15, 9am to 1pm, Kentucky Horse Park (South Theatre), 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
 
 
Speakers will be limited to 5 minutes in order to ensure everyone registered will have the opportunity to have their comments heard.  If you have written comments, you may leave them with the USDA officials at the session. 
 
Online registration is available on the APHIS Animal Care website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/events_reg.shtml
 
We look forward to your comments in order to ensure the success of the USDA APHIS Horse Protection Program.  If you have any questions, you may contact Dr. Rachel Cezar at (301)851-3746 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. .
 
Further information is also available at: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/hp

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-

Meet the adoptable horse of the week: Sophie.

She's a Mustang cross who is sound, loyal as a Labrador, and needs a new home. 

Sophie is going well at walk, trot and canter in the training program at the Kentucky Equine Humane Center.  She is brave and confident, a real people horse, loves barn cats and gets along well in any situation. 

She's about 14.3-hands and only 4-years-old. 

For more information on Sophie or any of the other adoptable horses from the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 859-881-5849, or go to www.kyehc.org.