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.

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.

Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Also Returns After Last Year’s Sensational Debut
 
Lexington, KY — January 12, 2012— The excitement of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, and the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 26-29.
 
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.
 
This year’s Event also 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.  Horses and riders from around the world will join their U.S. counterparts in competing 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 Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.  Former Rolex Kentucky champion William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, who won his record sixth Burghley championship last fall, will be seeking to win a second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam at Kentucky in the hopes of joining Pippa Funnell of Great Britain, who won it in 2003, as the only rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam.
 
"There's no question that 2012 is going to be one of the most exciting years we’ve had," said Lisa Ball, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup.  "The fact that the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a selection trial for the London Olympics means that Eventing fans will have a chance to see many of the horses and riders who will be riding in this summer’s Olympics right here in Kentucky.  Adding to the excitement is the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup that was such a huge hit when it made its debut last year and has quickly established itself as a big crowd favorite."
 
As always, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will feature three distinct phases: Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping.  In Dressage, the first phase of the event, horses execute a series of movements while being judged on grace, harmony and precision.  During Saturday's Cross-Country phase, horses and riders gallop across the Kentucky Horse Park countryside at lightning fast speeds.  The bravery and stamina of horse and rider are put to the test in this exciting phase, as they must jump a series of imposing obstacles on varied terrain.  The final day features Show Jumping where horse and rider try to clear a course of brightly colored and decorated fences in a confined arena.
 
Past winners of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the only Four Star Three-Day Event in the Western Hemisphere, include United States Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor, Kim Severson and Phillip Dutton, New Zealand’s Blyth Tait and Nick Larkin, Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Mary King, and Andrew Hoy, Clayton Fredericks and Lucinda Fredericks of Australia.
 
Spectators may purchase reserved Tailgating spaces along portions of the Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park, giving them a chance to experience the action like never before.  The purchase of a Tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for six people.  A variety of hospitality packages is also available for both Eventing and Reining competitions.
 
After its great debut last year, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup returns for a second year, April 27-28.  The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is the only Three Star Reining competition currently scheduled in the world for 2012.  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. 
 
In the 2011 debut of the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, members of the U.S's Gold Medal team from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games swept the top four places in the HorsePower Inc. CRI5* class.  Winning the event was Shawn Flarida, followed by Craig Schmersal, who took second and third, and Tom McCutcheon who took fourth.  Also competing was Grammy Award winning entertainer Lyle Lovett who made his personal debut riding at the sport's highest level.
 
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.
 
In addition to the world-class competition, spectators may get equally excited about the world-class shopping at the Sponsor Village and Trade Fair. With more than 175 merchants selling everything from horse-related items to clothing, accessories, jewelry and art, this is always a favorite place for browsing and buying during the Event!
 
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.
 
For more information on the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, or to purchase tickets, please go to www.KentuckyReining.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, please contact:
Marty Bauman, Press Chief, 508-698-6810, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lexington, KY — October 17, 2011— Ticket packages for the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, April 26-29 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, are on sale now.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM, is one of only six Four Star Three-Day Events in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the world’s best riders will be competing with the hopes of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics. This is a rare opportunity to watch riders compete in Olympic level competition before the London Olympic Games begin!

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is the ultimate destination for Reining in the United States. A qualifier for the FEI World Reining Championship, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is expected to draw horses and riders from across the globe competing for $100,000 in prize money.

“2012 promises to be one of the most exciting events we’ve ever had,” said Lisa Ball, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. “An Olympic year always adds a new level of excitement and this coming year will be no exception. And with the incredible success of last year’s inaugural Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, I recommend that all our fans act quickly and order their tickets right away!”

“Rolex Kentucky,” commonly known as the nation’s premier Three-Day Event, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying 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.

Spectators can receive ringside hospitality packages for a custom world-class experience. Featuring prime locations and hospitality amenities, these packages include the “Patron Plus” and “Patron Club” options, both of which include admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, the International Trade Fair and all four days of competition. Also included are closed circuit televisions, dressage and stadium jumping commentary, a keepsake pin, and an official event program.

Advance sale ticket packages include four-day, three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun)and single day general admissions, as well as group sales and reserved grandstand seating. All general admission tickets include parking, admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from admission.

Once again this year, spectators may purchase reserved tailgating spaces along portions of the famed Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park. The purchase of a tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for up to six people. Standard and Premium tailgating spaces are available at costs of $275 and $325. Tailgaters may bring their own food or there will also be concessions stands near the tailgating locations. Given the popularity of the tailgating when it debuted at last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, it is sure to sell out and those interested are urged to reserve their spaces today.

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup features the only Five Star Reining competition in the world in 2012 and the incredibly popular World Freestyle Championship. Action begins on Friday night with the CRI5* with riders guiding their horses through prescribed turns, sliding stops and flying lead changes in pursuit of $100,000 prize money.

On Saturday evening, riders will seek the title of World Freestyle Champion and their share of $25,000 in prize money as they entertain spectators with choreographed musical performances that electrified the Alltech Arena crowd during last year’s inaugural championship.

Advance tickets for the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup are $12 per person for Friday’s CRI5* 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.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org. For more information on the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, or to purchase tickets, please go to www.KentuckyReining.com.

As of November 1, tickets may be ordered directly online, or by printing the ticket order form and returning it via mail or fax (859)-254-5116 to Equestrian Events, Inc. Tickets may also be ordered by calling 859-254-8123. To receive a printed ticket brochure, please send your name and mailing address to 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. .

Follow the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone and the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup online at:
www.facebook.com/RolexKentucky
www.twitter.com/RolexKentucky
www.youtube.com/RolexKentucky
www.facebook.com/KentuckyReining

www.twitter.com/KentuckyReining www.youtube.com/KentuckyReining

Eventing Riders Coming From Around the World
2010 WEG Gold Medal Team Entered in Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup
 

Lexington, KY—April 11, 2011—It comes as no surprise that the entry list for this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, boasts the names of many of the best horses and riders from around the world. A field of entries containing Olympic veterans, past Rolex Kentucky Champions and World Equestrian Games (WEG) veterans will converge on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, when the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, returns April 28-May 1.

This year, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup will debut alongside the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and it will feature the world’s best reiners including the four members of the Gold Medal team from last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, all of whom are entered to compete.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM and features the world’s best horses and riders vying 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.

The only CCI4* in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the 14th championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, signifying the zenith in Eventing competition in the United States. The event draws 50-100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a 60-minute live broadcast on NBC in the United States that will air from 2-3:00 pm on May 1.

As always, spectators at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event can look forward to rooting on their favorite horse-and-rider combinations as they compete in the three phases of competition: dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

Those expected to compete during this year's Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event include:

• William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, an Olympic Silver and Bronze Team Medalist, winner of the inaugural HSBC FEI ClassicTM Series, 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Team Gold and Individual Silver Medalist, and defending Rolex Kentucky Champion
• Mary King of Great Britain, a 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Team Gold Medalist
• Mark Todd of New Zealand, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Team Bronze Medalist
• Clayton Fredericks of Australia, a 2008 Olympic Team Silver Medalist and 2006 WEG Individual Silver Medalist
• Karen O'Connor of the U.S, a three-time Olympic veteran, 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* winner and two-time Rolex Kentucky CCI3* winner
• Phillip Dutton of the United States, a two-time Olympic team Gold Medalist for his native Australia and 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* Champion
• Kim Severson of the United States, a three-time Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* Champion and 2004 Olympic Team Bronze and Individual Silver Medalist
• Boyd Martin of the United States, a 2010 Alltech FEI WEG team member
• Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr. of the United States, a 2010 Alltech FEI WEG team member
• Jil Walton of the United States, a 1992 Olympic veteran

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup includes a CRI5*, the sport’s highest level, as well as the first-ever World Championship Freestyle. The CRI5* offers $50,000US in prize money and will be the only Five Star Reining event in the western hemisphere in 2011.

The World Championship Freestyle marks the first time that the title of “World Champion” will be awarded in Freestyle Reining, a consistent crowd favorite. The event’s $25,000US prize money also marks the largest purse for a Reining Freestyle anywhere in the world.
Heading the list of entries are the four riders who led the United States to the team Gold Medal at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:

• Tom McCutcheon, who also won the individual Gold Medal
• Craig Schmersal, who also won the individual Silver Medal
• Tim McQuay
• Shawn Flarida

"In 2010, the world turned its attention to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games," said Christina Gray, Director of Competition for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. "We are ready for that attention again as we welcome back riders who participated in the Games as well as an impressive roster of Olympians, past Champions and legends in the sports of Reining and Three-Day Eventing."

Further information on the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, is available at the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org and for the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup visit www.KentuckyReining.com.

Follow Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone and the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup online at:
www.facebook.com/RolexKentucky
www.twitter.com/RolexKentucky
www.youtube.com/RolexKentucky
www.facebook.com/KentuckyReining
www.twitter.com/KentuckyReining
www.youtube.com/KentuckyReining