CONTACT:  Jessica Oldham Stith, High Hope Steeplechase: 859-967-9444; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.          Website: www.highhopesteeplechase.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, KY, Friday, May 11, 2011 – The 45th running of the High Hope Steeplechase returns to the Kentucky Horse Park this coming Sunday, May 20th.  

High Hope Steeplechase remains area horse lovers’ only chance to enjoy the beauty and excitement of live Steeplechase racing in a family fun ambience complete with activities and entertainment for all ages in a country fair setting. 

Be sure to join us this year as High Hope Steeplechase and the Susan G Komen Foundation team up for the inaugural running of the Sportswomen’s Challenge Race for the Cure. 

This will be a one mile flat race for lady riders and their trusted sport horses, each sponsored by and carrying the racing silks of many well-known local thoroughbred farms.  

In addition to four top-tier jump races worth a total of $70,000 in purses, High Hope Steeplechase Day will also features great fun for the entire family, including:

• Kids’ Playground and Activities – including the annual kids Stick Horse Derby, face painting, clowns and much more.
• Terrier Races
• Equine Demonstrations
• Tailgating
• Great Food and Arts and Craft booths. 

Also on High Hope Day… the 4rd running of the “Catch a Riding Star” flat race featuring student-jockeys currently enrolled in the North American Racing Academy. 

Launched in 2006 by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System under the guidance of Hall of Fame and two-time Kentucky Winning jockey Chris McCarron, NARA is now part of Bluegrass Community and Technical College. 

NARA Graduates have gone on to win over 750 races and have purse earnings of over $10 million.

McCarron and many of the students will be on hand when High Hope Steeplechase is previewed during the May 17th Thursday Night Live festival at the 5/3 Bank Pavilion in downtown Lexington (http://www.downtownlex.com/thursday-night-live-concerts). 

High Hope staff will also be on hand to sell tickets for High Hope day. 

Proceeds from High Hope Steeplechase day will benefit Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and, this year, Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital.  To date, High Hope Steeplechase has helped raise over $1.5 million for worthy causes.

Tickets Information:

Track Side Parking ($25) 
Park on the top side of the steeplechase course beside the rail. Includes admission for everyone in the car and a program. Tailgating invited. 
Box ($125)
A box for 8 people overlooking the finish to High Hope. Includes table and 8 chairs, admission and parking.
Member's Pavilion ($75 single $125 couple)
Buffet lunch, drinks & admission
Preferred Tailgating ($225 - 250)
Corporate Tent ($2000)
20' x 20' tent close to the finish line of High Hope - includes two 8' tables and 40 chairs. Admission for 40 people and preferred parking. Great way to entertain friends and clients.

For tickets, information or to volunteer please contact the High Hope Steeplechase office at (859) 967-9444; email at 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. or visit us online at www.highhopesteeplechase.com.
 

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.

Today, March 21, is Worldwide Equine Rescuers Recognition Day, so we're asking all of our friends to do something nice for an organization that assists horses, donkeys, mules, burros or ponies.

Every year at this time, we try to make the world a little nicer for someone. Please join us through these giving options!

 
Good Giving Challenge
Kentucky Horse Park Foundation
Show your support for the Kentucky Horse Park through this new campaign that will help the foundation continue to provide enhancements for the park!
Contact Maria Jones, 859-255-5727
 http://khpfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&;view=article&id=126:goodgiving-challenge&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=206

Cigar, who was named "Horse of the Decade,"  is a resident of our Hall of Champions.  He earned nearly $10 million on the racetrack and is ranked as the 18th greatest racehorse of the 20th century. 

WHO:  Richard and Jeannette McGrath of Hearts Up Ranch

WHAT:  Press conference with Public Safety Administrative Officer Rick Curtis, representing Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Kentucky Horse Park executive director John Nicholson, and the McGraths. 

WHEN:  Wednesday, Sept 7, 4pm

WHERE:  Kentucky Horse Park's Alltech Arena

WHY:   Richard and Jeannette McGrath are 3,000 miles into a 4,000-mile coast-to-coast horseback journey to raise awareness and funds for Hearts Up Ranch, a serene, working ranch established in Jackson, Wyoming where "emotionally broken people can find peace with both God and themselves once again."  Their ride began on March 4, 2010.  They have traversed the deserts and mountains of the west, winter on the plains, and the flooding and storms of the spring on the same 4 horses (who will be resting and recuperating at the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center, located at the Kentucky Horse Park before finishing the last segment of the ride in Virginia Beach). www.HeartsUpRanch.com.  

HOW:  Members of the media should go to the Alltech Arena.  Past the parking booth, take the roundabout to Cigar Lane, then turn left on Alltech Way.  The press conference will be held outside the main entrance (signs will be posted for alternate rain location).  For more information please contact Equestrian Influence Media Department, www.equestrianinfluence.com, 615-830-1001, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Watch an interview with the McGraths from the Kentucky Horse Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfElmeNDETk

Watch a video from WTVQ-ABC36 from the press conference:  http://www.wtvq.com/news/9551-4000-miles-on-horseback-to-heal

Photos from the Lexington Herald-Leader from the press conference:
http://www.kentucky.com/2011/09/07/1873207/couple-rides-x-country-on-horses.html

Press Conference for High Hope Steeplechase

Who:  Hall of Fame Jockey and founder/director of the North American Racing Academy (NARA) Chris McCarron; leading Thoroughbred and steeplechase owner Ken Ramsey; Remi Bellocq, chairperson of the High Hope Steeplechase Committee

What:  A press conference announcing the return of High Hope Steeplechase on May 22, 2011, following a one-year hiatus to accommodate the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.