Laura is a 3-year-old Suffolk Punch, who just arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on August 11, 2011, from her home in Alabama. She will be on staff in the park's Draft Horse Barn, representing her breed, the Suffolk, which originated in England.

The Suffolk Punch is small for a draft horse, usually only 16.1 hands, and always chestnut.

They are known as the Rolls Royce of the draft horse breeds.

This is the first time Laura has been away from her farm, so she is still a little unsure about her new home in Kentucky. Watch a video.

Kentucky Classic CDE
 859-588-1933   •   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    •   www.kentuckyclassiccde.com

Were you one of the thousands of people who enjoyed the spectacular combined driving last October at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington?  Get ready for more carriage-driving action at the Horse Park this fall!
 
The inaugural Kentucky Classic Combined Driving Event (CDE) will take place October 7–9. A new, dedicated driving arena is currently under construction and will hold the dressage and cones competitions for the new Kentucky Classic CDE.
 
Singles, pairs, and four-in-hand teams of horses and ponies—at the preliminary, intermediate, and advanced levels—will compete over the course of three days. For this first year only, the event has adopted a slightly modified competition schedule, with advanced-level dressage and cones on Friday afternoon, preliminary- and intermediate-level dressage and cones on Saturday, and the marathon on Sunday. For the marathon phase, the Kentucky Classic CDE will use seven of the eight marathon obstacles designed by Richard Nicoll for last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
 
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Kentucky Classic CDE will benefit the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope’s (CKRH) therapeutic-driving program.
 
Next year’s event, the second annual Kentucky Classic CDE, will host the 2012 USEF National Pony Driving Championships.
 
For current news and updates before, during, and after the event, please “like” the Kentucky Classic Combined Driving Event on Facebook.
 
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Billy O'Brien, a Gypsy Vanner horse, arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on the morning of August 11, 2011. He will be the newest staff member in the Breeds Barn, where he will be shown in the daily Parade of Breeds for park visitors. He will represent his breed under saddle and driving a carriage.

Watch a video taken minutes after Billie O'Brien arrived.

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
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Kentucky Derby Winner Go for Gin Retires to Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, KY (August 11, 2011)  Go for Gin, the 1994 winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), has arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, to make his home in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions alongside fellow Derby winner Funny Cide, two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Da Hoss, and racing superstar Cigar. 

John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, said, "Go for Gin will make another great addition to our Hall of Champions.  We entertain nearly 1 million visitors each year and they will be delighted to have the opportunity to meet a horse of his caliber, who performed so well in all three Triple Crown races." 

Go for Gin was bred in Kentucky by Pamela DuPont Darmstadt, owned by William J. Condren and Joseph M. Cornacchia, and trained by Nick Zito.  As a 2-year-old, the son of Cormorant-Never Knock, by Stage Door Johnny won the Remsen S (G2).  At 3, he was one of the few racehorses to beat the mighty Holy Bull, which he did in winning the Derby.  He followed that win with a second in the Preakness S (G1) to Tabasco Cat and second in the Belmont S (G1), also to Tabasco Cat.  That same year he also came up just short in the Wood Memorial (G1) and Fountain of Youth S (G2) for second. 

In all, from ages 2 to 4, Go for Gin was in the money in 14 out of 19 starts with earnings of $1,380,866. 

He took up stud duty at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, and was later sold to Bonita Farm in Maryland, where he has been standing since 2004.  His progeny have earned more than $16.5 million and include Albert the Great, winner of more than $3 million.

William Boniface, owner of Bonita Farm, stated, "On behalf of our very dear friend and partner Joe Cornacchia, Bonita Farm is appreciative that the Kentucky Horse Park has accepted our donation of the Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.  I feel that their work providing for and displaying to the public the Top Thoroughbreds is very beneficial to our sport."

John Nicholson concluded, "We’re glad that his connections chose to allow Go for Gin to spend the rest of his days at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he will continue to be respected, appreciated and well cared-for."

The public is invited to welcome him back home to Kentucky.

Park Hours and Rates: Through November 6, the park is open seven days a week.  Admission is $16 for adults, $9 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – In Association with the Smithsonian Institution - and the American Saddlebred Museum.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  A high-resolution photo of Go For Gin at the Kentucky Horse Park is available for use with this press release by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Photos by PixBySteve.com.

                                                          -30-

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that hosted more than one million visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2010.  The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations.   Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is The place to get close to horses.   Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.

Upcoming Kentucky Horse Park Events and News:

-Now through Oct 23:  Ancient Bronzes of the Asian Grasslands exhibition in the International Museum of the Horse

-Now through Dec 31:  Celebrities:  Saddlebreds and Personalities from the Silver Screen, Cinema and History exhibition in the American Saddlebred Museum

-Now through Aug 6:  Natural Horseman and Performer Guy McLean 

-Now through Aug 7: Kentucky Summer Classic Hunter Jumper Show

-This weekend Aug 6:  Hats Off Day a free day at the park!

-This weekend Aug 6:  Rood & Riddle Grand Prix to benefit KHP Foundation and Kentucky Equine Humane Center

-Aug 9-14:  USEF Pony Finals

-Aug 17-21:  Bluegrass Festival Hunter Jumper Show

-Aug 19-20:  USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals

-Aug 24-28:  Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association Show

-Sep 1-5:  Bluegrass Classic Cluster Dog Show

-Sep 2-4:  Kentucky Classique Horse Trials

-Sep 6-11:  NRHA East Coast Championship

-Sep 9-11:  MSEDA Dressage at the Park 

Other equine interests & future events:

-Alltech National Horse Show debuts new website

-Horses and Hope Trail Ride

-Save the Date - Save a Horse! Black Tie Gala at Alltech National Horse Show 

-Meet some of the adoptable KyEHC horses!

-Bronze statue of Ch Wild Eyed & Wicked unveiled at American Saddlebred Museum

-For the most current information on the Kentucky Horse Park, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

 Photo (c) www.jennifermunson.com

MEDIA ALERT
Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
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LEXINGTON, KY (August 1, 2011) The Kentucky Horse Park is honored to welcome Guy McLean, an accomplished, self taught, thinking horseman, who will be appearing this week at the park.

Through a complete love of horses and a burning desire to find better ways of building relationships with horses, not having to use force, instead, asking them to do the job as a partner, Guy has developed his own training methods, trying something new every day as a new personality poses new problems to work through.

Master Horseman Guy McLean provides a true Australian experience. His performances include 1 to 4 horses, young horse starting, bush poetry and whip cracking. Guy has performed across Australia over the past 10 years and at Equitana Asia Pacific, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, corporate events and numerous agricultural shows.

 
In 2005, Guy won the Australian Horsemanship Challenge, in which he had 2 hours to start a young horse and perform a set routine. He is also a 2-time Australian Bush Poetry Champion and 2002 and 2006 Ambassador of the Outback.

Guy is performing this week, through Saturday, August 6, twice a day in the Parade of Breeds at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Included with park admission.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Please take a few minutes to watch Guy's video, to see why we're so excited and honored to have this horseman and performer here at the park:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYNNSiDoOVk.  Guy performs at 11am and 2pm, and is available for interviews.
 

Park Hours and Rates: Through November 6, the park is open seven days a week.  Admission is $16 for adults, $9 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse - In Association with the Smithsonian Institution - and the American Saddlebred Museum.

WHO:  Nearly 250 riders, ages 14-21, from 6 countries, along with their families, trainers, friends, veterinarians, farriers, judges, volunteers and spectators (174 riders from the U.S., 59 riders from Canada, 10 riders from Mexico, 2 riders from Columbia, 1 rider from Germany and 1 rider from Spain)

WHAT:  Opening ceremonies of the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships

WHEN:  Wednesay, July 27, 6:30pm;  Entire event, July 27-31.

WHERE:  Kentucky Horse Park's Rolex Stadium

WHY:  The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.  Many of North America's best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic, World Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of international experience at NAJYRC. Watch a short video of last year's NAJYRC.

HOW:  Members of the media who wish to attend the opening ceremonies should park in the main Visitor Parking lot and walk to the Media Center, located next to the large Hospitality Tent by the Rolex Stadium. For more information, contact Cindy Rullman at the Kentucky Horse Park 859-259-4209, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.youngriders.org.

The public is invited to attend. The NAJYRC is included with park admission; opening ceremonies are free of charge.

WHO:  Competitors, ages 14-21, who are in Kentucky for the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) at the Kentucky Horse Park

WHAT:  75-mile endurance race from the Kentucky Horse Park, utilizing part of the now world-famous Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games endurance course

WHEN:  Friday, July 30, 6:30am

WHERE:  The race begins and ends at the Kentucky Horse Park in front of the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.

WHY: The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually in this country. Many of North America's best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic, World Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of international experience at NAJYRC.  Watch a video, shot at 10:45am< Jul 29, at one of the endurance veterinary inspections.

HOW:  Members of the media who wish to attend should contact Cindy Rullman at the Kentucky Horse Park (859-259-4209, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Vonita Bowers at the United States Equestrian Federation (859-225-6001, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) for additional information.  There will be other opportunities throughout the day to follow the race, however, there will be no media or public access to the private lands through which much of the race will take place.  A map of the entire 75-mile route is available by request.

Tolley Graves, American Saddlebred Museum
859-259-2746 ext 304
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                

WGC CHWILD-EYED & WICKED
 BRONZE AND COURTYARD DEDICATED

LEXINGTON, KY - At 11:30 a.m. on July 16, 2011, Sally and Joe Jackson hosted the unveiling and dedication of the WGC CHWild-Eyed & Wicked bronze and courtyard seating area at the American Saddlebred Museum. 

The ½-life size bronze portrays the two-time World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited horse at the rack and was sculpted by his owner Sally McClure Jackson. A noted artist, Jackson’s works are in the collections of the United States Equestrian Federation, the Kentucky Horse Park, and Lord Westmorland of London, England, among others.

A crowd gathered to hear Museum Executive Director Tolley Graves give a brief explanation of the origin of the Museum’s sculpture Garden and thank the Jacksons for their generous donation of not only the magnificent sculpture but also the beautifully designed courtyard seating area. Located to the left of the main entrance to the Showplace For Saddlebreds, the bronze serves as a focal point, drawing visitors from within the Horse Park to the Museum. Signage affixed to the base of the bronze gives a brief Saddlebred history along with an explanation of the breed’s gaits. The multi world’s champion gelding was also a two-time winner of the American Saddlebred Triple Crown among other awards throughout his stellar show career. CHWild-Eyed & Wicked is buried outside the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions.

The museum is open daily from 9-6. For more information contact museum curator Kim Skipton at 859/259-2746 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Photo (top) by Kentucky Images.  Photo (bottom) sculptor Sally McClure Jackson with her sculpture courtesy of American Saddlebred Museum..

Presented by Alltech and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Kentucky

Hats Off Day is a special day to celebrate Kentucky’s horse industry at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentuckians are invited to the Kentucky Horse Park for a FREE day of family fun and educational activities to learn about the state’s amazing horse industry.

Hats Off Day provides something for everyone – fantastic entertainment for families, intense show jumping competition, a state-of-the-art facility for riders, and premium hospitality and enhanced benefits for sponsors.

Activities include all the regular features of the Kentucky Horse Park, plus free pony rides (1 per child), educational booths and interactive equine stations, equestrian demonstrations, and more, all leading up to the featured event of the evening, the Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix.

The $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix is a premier show jumping competition with a 27 year history at the Kentucky Horse Park. Top level show jumpers are guaranteed to impress and thrill the crowd as they fly over 5 foot fences.

In addition to thrilling spectators over the years, The Rood & Riddle Grand Prix has served as a charity fundraiser since 2003 and raised over $350,000 for charitable organizations.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT HATSOFFKY.COM!

Our Beneficiaries

Since its inception in 1985, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation has followed its mission to “expand and enhance the Kentucky Horse Park.” The Foundation has provided funding for many of the park’s facilities, such as show rings and barns for equine competitions, new horses, tack and carriages, safety equipment, costuming, educational programs, landscaping projects, signage, sound systems, special research projects, and special exhibits at the International Museum of the Horse.

The mission of the Kentucky Equine Humane Center is to provide humane treatment and shelter while working as a clearinghouse to seek adoptive homes for all of Kentucky’s unwanted equines, regardless of breed; To educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis; To work with and serve as a model for organizations with the same mission in other states: to save America’s equines from inhumane treatment.