The Parelli Horse & Soul Tour, guaranteed to entertain just as much as educate, is making a stop at the Kentucky Horse Park on May 25-26, 2013. The Parelli program focuses on building the natural relationship between human and horse using the principles of love, language and leadership as guides.

Founded in 1981 by lifelong horseman, horse trainer, rodeo rider, cowboy and teacher, Pat Parelli and his wife, Linda Parelli, began the Parelli Program to focus on teaching the human rather than training the horse. Participants are guided through a series of segments covering a wide range of topics, from Colt Starting to Horsenality, from Lead Changes to the Game of Contact. Each show features different students, different presenters, different music, and different lessons making each horsemanship tour unique, just like each horse.

Horse lovers at all levels and disciplines are welcome and may benefit from the Parelli Natural Horsemanship method. Themes include achieving success without force, partnership without dominance, teamwork without fear, willingness without intimidation, and harmony without coercion. Horse owners who follow the Parelli program have found that, not only does the program enable them to become a gifted horse trainer, but they also come away with the lasting gift of an enhanced relationship and communication with their horse as well as with everyone in their lives.

For this event, pets will not be allowed.Outside food and drink will also not be allowed into the arena. Food vendors will be open on-site.

Date & Time:

May 25-26, 2013 - 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Admission:

$25 for two full days (parking: $5.00)

Location & Parking:

The Alltech Arena

For further information on the Parelli Horse & Soul Tour, please visit www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com

The 27^th annual Kentucky Dressage Association’s (KDA) Spring Warm Up & Dressage Show, demonstrating the highest expression of horse training, returns May 23-26, 2013, to the Kentucky Horse Park!

Dressage, commonly referred to as horse ballet, is a graceful and disciplined sport where rider and horse perform a series of predetermined movements with minimal direction while maintaining a relaxed posture.  At the KDA’s Annual Dressage Show, viewers can experience firsthand the fine art of dressage performed by such elegant creatures – horses.

The competition begins with the KDA Spring Warm Up on May 23-24 preceding the annual Dressage Show on May 25-26.  The KDA spring shows will conduct all CDI3*/CDI*/CDIY/CDIJ/CDIP classes and many others in the Rolex Stadium, which was the site of dressage and show jumping for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  KDA is expecting more than 230 riders during the four-day show that attracts competitors domestically as well as internationally.  Last year, during the 2012 competition, there were riders from Canada and Spain.

The Kentucky Horse Park, in conjunction with the KDA, will present a special World of Horses show on Saturday, May 25.  Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, which teaches riding to the physically and mentally handicapped, will be introducing their horses to the public and promoting their mission.  There will also be a KDA, hosted cancer walk in memory of Mary Kearney, a former KDA member, horse lover and dressage enthusiast.  The community is invited to participate in the walk at 6:00 pm, and then to stay to watch an exciting dressage freestyle competition in the evening.  Shuttles will take participants to the run/walk course at Mt. Brilliant Farm behind the Kentucky Horse Park and then bring them back to the park afterwards for the Dressage Freestyles in the Rolex Stadium.

Dates & Time:

May 23-26, 2013 – 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, May 25, 2013 – 6:00 pm – KDA Kearney Cancer 5K & Fun Walk (Mt. Brilliant Farm/Rolex Stadium)

Admission:

Included in Kentucky Horse Park general admission, horse show-only rate available

Location & Parking:
Dressage Complex – Parking is available in the Main Parking Lot

For more information about the 2013 KDA Spring Warm Up & Dressage Show, please visit www.kentuckydressageassociation.org. 

*Cancelled Event* - Event cancelled as of 5/11/13 by event organizers

The High Hope Steeplechase, held annually at the Kentucky Horse Park, is the only day dedicated to steeplechase racing in Kentucky! Area horse lovers’ enjoy the beauty and excitement of live steeplechase racing in a family-fun ambience with entertainment for all ages in a country fair setting.

The first race of the day is the Horse Farm Worker’s Olympics, followed by the Lexington Derby Jumper Relay, Lexington Polo Club Relay, and the Irish vs. American relay race. The last race will be the “Catch a Riding Star” race - a flat race featuring student jockeys from the North American Racing Academy. 

Other featured events include the Parade of the Woodford Hounds, an arts and crafts fair, terrier races, a tailgating picnic competition, a silent auction and many other activities for children such as stick horse racing, face painting, and Miniature horses from Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Come watch the races, shop, tailgate and picnic all day, rain or shine!

There will be equine demonstrations by the Kentucky Mounted Patrol, Mounted Games Across America, and Double Dan Horsemanship.

Proceeds benefit four Lexington charities: Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation, the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. The High Hope Steeplechase and many of its activities are sponsored by ABC 36, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Central Equipment, Darley,Green Horse, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, KBC International, Turftown Properties, Turner Foundation and Susan G. Komen, Lexington.

Date & Time:

May 19, 2013 - Cancelled

For further information, please contact the High Hope Steeplechase office at (859) 967-9444 or visit online at www.highhopesteeplechase.com.

Come visit Derby Days, the chance to meet past Kentucky Derby winners, Funny Cide and Go for Gin, right here at the Kentucky Horse Park on May 3 and 4.

Help us celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Funny Cide’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness wins, and Go for Gin’s 1994 Kentucky Derby win, by visiting with them in their stalls or catching them at the Hall of Champions Show.

View one of the largest collections of past Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown trophies anywhere, on display in the International Museum of the Horse, featuring the trophies of Triple Crown winners Affirmed and Seattle Slew.  The museum’s collection includes the amazing Calumet Farm’s eight Derby trophies, seven Preakness trophies, two Belmont platters and two Triple Crown trophies for Whirlaway in 1941 and Citation in 1948.

Racing fans and history buffs will further have the opportunity to visit the grave of Isaac Burns Murphy, probably the world’s greatest Thoroughbred jockey, who won the Kentucky Derby three times, and achieved an incredible lifetime winning record of 44%.  Kentucky Derby winners War Admiral, Bold Forbes and Alysheba, among other great Thoroughbred horses, are also buried on park grounds.

The Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop provides officially-licensed Derby merchandised including Daily Racing Forms and programs, and, of course, carries a variety of Derby hats, fancy to plain; scarves; ties; prints and notecards; and, books on Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing heritage.

This family-friendly event also includes performances by two singer/songwriters, Taylor Dye and Dale Pyatt, and the Bittersweet Cloggers on both Friday and Saturday, and stick horse making and a coloring contest for the kids all day Saturday.

Each child (7-12) will receive a free return visit to the park just for visiting, and adult guests will be eligible for a drawing for one of several Family Season Passes.

Bring the family out to the Kentucky Horse Park for Derby Days to experience beautiful Kentucky scenery, horse culture and a lovely compliment to your Derby weekend!

Dates & Times -

Friday, May 3, 2013 – 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday, May 4, 2013—9:00 am-5:00 pm

Admission* –

Adults - $16.00

Children (7-12) $8.00

*Guests who show a wagering ticket from Keeneland, or here at the drive-thru booths at the Kentucky Horse Park, will receive up to 50% off of general admission on Friday or Saturday.

Photo by Steve Faust.

The Carriage Driving Event, one of several gatherings of its kind in North America, is devoted exclusively to recreational equine driving.  Since 2005 this three-day event has been held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Spectators may witness the excitement of carriage driving while being introduced to yesterday’s world, learning the history and art of this equine sport.  Carriage driving focuses on the welfare of the horse, attention to safety and building confidence.

Approximately 60 horses are entered to compete this year. Highlighting the event is a series of clinics, demonstrations and driving instruction featuring some of the nation’s most prominent clinicians and driving experts.  There will be a practice show on Sunday.

Guests of the Kentucky Horse Park will have access to view the events and watch the carriages meander throughout park grounds with the purchase of a general admission ticket. 

Dates and Times:

Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2013 - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission:

Included in Kentucky Horse Park general admission, horse show-only rate available

Location and Parking:

Park wide, parking available in the Main Lot

For more information on the Carriage Driving Event, contact Mike Lyon - 931-686-8727.  Learn more at www.nationaldrive.net.

Admission

CRI3* Open FEI Reining - $18

Reining World Freestyle Championship - $25

Dates and Times

CRI3* Open FEI Reining – Friday, April 26, 2013 – 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Reining World Freestyle Championship – Saturday, April 27, 2013 – 5:30 – 7:30 pm

For more information, please visit the Kentucky Reining Cup website at www.KentuckyReining.com.

NOTE:  NBC stations will televise a wrap-up show of this event on Sunday, April 28 at 4 pm EDT.  Check local listings for details!

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, returns to the Kentucky Horse Park. Come experience this iconic international event, celebrating its 35^th anniversary along with the park.

One of the most popular equine sporting events in the world, it will be an exciting weekend of fun leading up to Derby the following week. Here you can experience top riders of international horse sport with their best horses in the highest classes of eventing.

Defending champion, William Fox-Pitt, as well as Olympic veterans and other past Rolex champions are included among riders set to compete. The list of entries includes some of the best riders and horses from Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. These contestants are chomping at the bit to win their share of the $250,000 in prize money and a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing award.

The Sponsor Village and International Trade Fair will also be set up outside the Rolex Stadium for when you need to stretch your legs and shop the many offerings available. More than 175 merchants, corporate sponsors and food vendors will be ready to open at 9:00 a.m. on the days of the event selling clothing, horse related merchandise, jewelry, and artisan crafts.

The stakes are high and the award winning line-up is impressive. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is sure to be a tough competition for the riders and a thrilling sight for spectators!

Admission –

General admission (including parking) –

Thursday - $15

Friday - $15

Saturday - $35

Sunday - $30

Kids 12 and under - Free (when accompanied by an adult)

Dates and Times –

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 25, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Ticket sales begin at 7:00am

For more information, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.

If you cannot attend in person, you can watch online at www.usefnetwork.com. 

Spring Bay Horse Trials

The Spring Bay Horse Trials are this weekend, April 6 and 7.  Spring Bay is the first United States Equestrian Federation competition in the area for the new year for riders from novice to preliminary level and for horses that may be new to the sport of eventing as well.  It is also a dual-site event with the trials being held at both the Kentucky Horse Park and the Masterson Station Park, a few miles away in Lexington.

Dressage and Stadium Jumping will be held on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park, and Cross Country will be held on Sunday at Masterson Station Park.  More than 250 horses have been entered to compete over the two days, with seven states and Canada represented in the registrations. 

The Masterson Award will be given to the Junior Young Rider Preliminary Champion and the Foxmoor Trophy will be given to the Adult Amateur Preliminary Champion.

For more information, contact Mary Fike at 859/621-2479 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Admission -

Included in Kentucky Horse Park general admission, horse-show only rate available

Parking -

Main Visitor Parking Lot

Location -

Saturday - Dressage in Dressage Complex (begins 8:00 am)

            Saturday - Stadium Jumping in Claiborne and Stonelea Rings (begins 10:15 am)

            Sunday - Cross Country at Masterson Station Park (begins 8:30 am)

Times –

Saturday, April 6, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm (approx.)

            Sunday, April 7, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (approx.)

The annual Hippity Hoppity Hunt takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground on Saturday, March 30!  Little campers and their parents will enjoy the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, a petting zoo, crafts, inflatables and a lunch sponsored by Northside RVs. 

The Hippity Hoppity Hunt is open only to campers, so be sure to get your reservation in by contacting the KHP Campground at (800) 370-6416 directly or the reservation system at (888) 4KY-PARK or www.parks.ky.gov or going straight to the campground pages on this website at:

http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=571&Itemid=264

Date and Time:

Saturday, March 30 – 11 am – 3pm

Campground Fee:

$30.00 – Sunday-Thursday per night/1-8 people

$32.00 – Friday-Saturday per night/1-8 pepole

$26.00 per night/primitive with electric

$20.00 per night/primitive

The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation’s Antiques and Garden Show at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena will celebrate its 28th year with its show March 8-10, 2013. Highlights include nationally renowned Keynote Speakers* landscape designer Jon Carloftis, Hall of Fame interior designer Laura Bohn, and culinary artists Christopher Hirsheimer & Melissa Hamilton of Canal House Cooks; a special loan exhibit “Kentucky Revealed: Treasures from the Speed Art Museum”, a vintage car show, Designer Vignettes by Matthew Carter Interiors, Jennifer Schnabel Interior Design, Kimbrel/Birkman Interior Design, and J. Michael’s Design; daily complimentary lectures featuring regional experts, and on Saturday only, an Appraisal Fair* with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and Bluegrass Auction & Appraisal.   

The festivities begin with a Gala Preview Party* on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm featuring fine cocktails and culinary specialties from Catering by Donna, a silent auction, valet parking, and shopping opportunities.  The three-day show features more than 80 exhibitors of antiques, gardens, designer vignettes, silver, jewelry, collectibles and fine home furnishings, and hosts an A la Carte Café & Bar by Kentucky Horse Park Catering.  

The show’s complimentary daily lecture schedule begins March 8 at 2:00 p.m. with “Beauty & the Bluegrass:  Maine Chance Farm & Elizabeth Arden” with Martha Birchfield.  On March 9 at 10:30 a.m. “The Seasons of the Gardens & Flowers of the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion” with Beth Sebastion, Garth Vinson and Tim Depenbrock; at 2:00 p.m., “Antiques in the Market Place” with Taylor Thistlethwaite; and at 3:30 pm, “Gardens of Inspiration: Incorporating Ideas from Historic Gardens around the World into Your Own Garden” with Joseph Hillenmeyer.  On Sunday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m., “Short Stories of Early Kentucky Furniture, 1790-1820” with Mack Cox; and the final complimentary lecture will be at 2:30 p.m., “Kentucky in Prints” with James D. Birchfield.

*Denotes events requiring reservations, by calling the Blue Grass Trust at (859)253-0362 or going online at www.bluegrasstrust.org 

Dates and Times:

Thursday, March 7, 2013 – 7:00 – 10:00 pm – Gala Preview Party

Friday, March 8, 2013 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday, March 9, 2013 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 10, 2013 – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location and Parking:

Alltech Arena

Admission:

Daily entry is $10.00; Run of Show ticket is $15.00 – available at the door

*Gala Preview Party $125 p/p; $95 young collector (35 & under)

*Keynote Lectures: Hirsheimer/Hamilton: $60 p/p; Laura Bohn: $40 p/p; Jon Carloftis: $60 p/p. Special See all 3 for $130.

*Appraisal Fair on March 9, 10 am – 4 pm: with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers Alexander Eblen, G.G., Director, Fine Jewelry and Time Pieces, and Rowley Kennerk, Director, Fine Arts; and from Bluegrass Auction & Appraisal LLC, Filson Graham, owner. Reservations required, call BGT @ 859/253-0362. $20 p/p, includes appraisal fee and daily show ticket. Limit: 2 items p/p, subject to approval.