The Festival of the Bluegrass is the premier traditional Bluegrass Music Festival in the country where the biggest names in bluegrass will converge at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, KY, June 6-9, 2013.

Since 1974, the Cornett Family of Central Kentucky has been bringing the best bluegrass to the Bluegrass. Still going strong, the festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is the oldest family-run bluegrass festival in the country. This week-long celebration takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park and in downtown Lexington with transportation provided between the two. Features include workshops, music, and more!

There are three stages at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground: the Main Stage, the Homegrown Stage and the Progressive Stage. There is an extensive line-up with different bands playing each day. While there is seating available for some stages, it is wise to bring your own lawn chair. Attended by thousands and the crown jewel of bluegrass festivals in the Bluegrass, their mission is to maintain the roots of Bluegrass music in Kentucky and to honor the community spirit of evenings spent on front porches throughout Appalachia. That same spirit can be found in “villages” around the campground as music spills beyond the stage to individual camp sites.

Camping is a big part of the Festival of the Bluegrass experience. Whether you load up your RV or throw a tent in your trunk, you’ll be joining a few thousand of the closest friends you never knew you had. Every year it’s the same; people come for the music, they stay for the community.  The late night pickin’, the morning smells of coffee and bacon, the trek to the showers and dip in the pool all reinforce that the Festival of the Bluegrass is more village than campground.

The Kentucky Horse Park Campground is a beautiful state park campground that provides campers with access to a bath house, playground, store and swimming pool. If you’re interested in a site, book soon as we fill up. Two ticket purchases are required per campsite.

An important part of the Festival of the Bluegrass is encouraging younger generations to carry on the musical tradition. The Cornett family has supported a non-profit Bluegrass Music Camp for this purpose - kids ages 6-18 come and learn the craft from experienced musicians. The Bluegrass Music Camp for youngsters will be opening the festival at 7 pm on Thursday, June 6.

For more information about the Festival of the Bluegrass or the Bluegrass Music Camp, please visit www.festivalofthebluegrass.com or call (859) 253-0806.

Band Schedule:

Thursday– Lonesome River Band, Coal Town Dixie, Newtown, The Grass Stains

Friday– Dailey and Vincent, IIIrd Tyme Out, 23 String Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Bluegrass Collective, Laurel River Line, Moron Brothers, True Life Travelers, Driving Rain and more.

Saturday – The Masters of Bluegrass featuring Del McCoury, JD Crowe, Bobby Osborne and others, Seldom Scene, Town Mountain, The Boxcars, Blue Highway, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Kentucky Blue and more.

Sunday – Dry Branch Fire Squad, and Kentucky Blue

Dates & Time:

Thursday, June 6, 2013 – 7:00 pm

Friday, June 7, 2013 – 1:00 pm – After Midnight

Saturday, June 8, 2013 – 1:00 pm – After Midnight

Sunday, June 9, 2013 – Gospel Show TBA

Admission:

4-Day Ticket – $85.00

4-Day Ticket w/ Primitive Camping – $105.00

Thursday Ticket – $25.00

Friday Ticket – $40.00

Saturday Ticket – $45.00

Sunday Ticket – $10.00

Youth Ticket – $40.00 (4-Day Ticket w/ Camping for ages 13-17)

Kids 12 and under are free.

Location & Parking:

The Kentucky Horse Park Campground – Parking is included with admission.

It’s time again for the Country Heir I & II Hunter Jumper Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park on June 5-9 and June 12-16, 2013.

Country Heir prides itself on offering a fun, friendly show with a great lineup of classes for everyone from Leadline, to Walk Trot, and Grand Prix! There will be show classes every day.

The Country Heir Horse Shows offer a total of $380,000 in prize money. Featured classes over the two-week show include the $60,000 Country Heir II Grand Prix, $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. A total of $105,000 in Hunter Money will be offered and prize money checks awarded.

New this year being offered on Wednesday of week II in the Rolex Stadium is the $8000 Half-Million Jumper Classic which is limited to riders that have won less than $500,000 in Jumper classes since December 1, 2008.

One of this year's highlights not to be missed is the Buckeye Donkey Ball to be held Friday evening of week I in the Claiborne ring.  This event is a quirky twist on basketball played while mounted on the back of donkeys, a long-time tradition in many rural communities.

Prize List
$30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

$7,000 High Performance Hunter Section

$4,000 Performance Hunter Sections

$25,000 Grand Prix Friday-Week II

$45,000 Country Heir I Grand Prix

$60,000 Country Heir II Grand Prix

$10,000 Welcome Prix

NEW - $8,000 Half-Million Jumper Classic - NEW

$10,000 SJHOF Jumper Classic

$10,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Prix

$8,000 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic

For more information, contact Frankie Stark by calling (248) 892-6806 or visit their website at www.countryheir.com.

Dates & Times:

June 5-9 and June 12-16, 2013 – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission:

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

Location & Parking:

Hunter Jumper Complex, Walnut Ring, Rolex Stadium

Parking available in the main parking lot.

The Thoroughbred Horse Show Association (TBHS) is making plans to showcase off-the-track Thoroughbreds that are now competing as hunters and jumpers, as well as dressage, during its second Spring Show on June 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

TBHS was founded in 2011 by a group of Central Kentuckians interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Shows are affiliated with The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon the completion of their careers in racing or breeding.

During TBHS's successful inaugural shows in 2012, more than 200 Thoroughbreds of all ages competed in a variety of classes using their registered Jockey Club names. The TBHS Spring Show is geared for Thoroughbreds just starting their show careers with entry-level divisions in multiple disciplines, including dressage, combined training, hunter jumper and competitive trail riding.

Horses competing in the TBHS Spring Show will be eligible for The Jockey Club TIP High Point Awards. The Jockey Club will award ribbons, prizes and $100 to the winner with the highest number of points in the following divisions: Starter Hunter, Hunter, Jumper, Beginner Novice Combined Test, Training Level Dressage, and First Level Dressage.

Classes during the June 1 show include the $500 Nick Zito Racing Stable Hunter Classic for horses that have not won a blue ribbon at a recognized horse show, and the $500 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Gamblers Choice, a competition in which each fence will have a point value and riders will create their own courses. There will also be the $300 Bantry Farms High Jump Class and the $200 Jumper Classic, Cross Rails Championship, and Handy Hunter Championship sponsored by The Jockey Club TIP, which is providing awards in Dressage and Show Jumping.

For more information regarding the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association, contact executive director Jan Roehl at (859) 559-1409 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.TBhorseShow.com.

Date & Time:

June 1, 2013 – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission:

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

Location & Parking:

Hunter Jumper Complex

Parking is available in the main parking lot.

The 33^rd Annual Egyptian Event, Mares: Queens of the Nile is a must-attend event of 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park!

Every year in early June, thousands of people from across the globe gather in Lexington, KY, “The Horse Capital of the World,” to experience The Pyramid Society’s annual Egyptian Event, well-known as the world’s largest showcase of the Egyptian Arabian Horse. This year’s Egyptian Event theme is Mares: Queens of the Nile.

The Pyramid Society seeks to educate, inspire and connect people world-wide who are interested in Arabian horses with Egyptian bloodlines.  This one-of-a-kind, six-day Egyptian Event is a hands-on exhibition of the highest caliber. There will be show classes starting on Monday and going on throughout the week but below you will find a few of the other featured events. For more specific show class times, visit the Pyramid Society website.

Wednesday, June 5 – Progressive Barn Parties & Tours

Celebrate with friends old and new as we party through the show barns “Progressive Style” beginning at 5:00 pm and continuing until 8:30 pm. Breeders, exhibitors, and visitors will all be treated to a great evening of food, music, and horse presentations. This is a favorite activity of members and guests alike and an excellent opportunity to meet owners and breeders of the participating farms and visit their beautiful Egyptian Arabian horses in a relaxed atmosphere.

And don’t forget to bid on "your" Straight Egyptian futurity colt in the Kalkata Stakes! You could get a BIG payback, even if you didn't bring a horse to show.

Thursday, June 6 – Newcomers Meet & Greet, Guided Barn Tours, Shopping & EBC Auction

The Newcomers’ Meet & Greet will be Thursday, June 6, at 11:00 am in the Covered Arena. All new Pyramid Society members, and all first-time Egyptian Event attendees, are invited to gather on the south end of the Covered Arena concourse to meet The Pyramid Society’s board of directors, trustees, staff and membership committee, and learn more about the society as well as the activities planned for the Egyptian Event.

There will be Guided Barn Tours from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm in the stable area, another excellent opportunity for attendees to enjoy personal introductions to the Egyptian Event’s participating farms and horses! Interested attendees should meet on the sidewalk by the Covered Arena in-gate at 12:45 pm to begin their tour.  There will be a Shopping Social starting at 5:30pm in the Covered Arena concourse. Enjoy complimentary refreshments sponsored by Markel and Arabella Wines while strolling through the many commercial exhibit booths on the concourse. This is a perfect opportunity to find that special Egyptian Event treasure!

Watch the live Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge Auction at 6:30 pm in the Covered Arena where auction breedings to some of the world’s most influential stallions will be live in center ring! Registered bidders are welcomed on the area floor to bid on their favorites in hopes of finding the perfect sire for their future champions!

Friday June 7 at 7:00 pm – Gala & Fundraiser

Plan to attend the 2013 Nile-themed Gala & Fundraiser which follows the event theme of “Mares: Queens of the Nile.”  The evening begins with cocktails at 7:00 pm, followed by dinner, our live Premier Art Auction, and dancing at 8:00 pm held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and sponsored by Salayel. Reservations are required for this event.

Saturday June 8 – TheHeirs Apparent &Crowning Champions

The Heirs Apparentis at 1:30 pm in the Covered Arena, showcasing a variety of exquisite, up-and-coming, junior Straight Egyptian stallions (3-5 year olds). Each stallion will be shown individually, allowing the audience an opportunity to meet them up close in the center ring.  Final goodbye cocktails, shopping and socialization will be at 6:30 pm in the Covered Arena in full event spirit prior to the Champions Crowning at 7:30 pm when the gold, silver and bronze will be awarded for the closing of the 2013 Egyptian Event.

For further information about The Egyptian Event, please contact the Pyramid Society at (859)231-0771 or visit www.pyramidsociety.org.

Dates & Times:

Covered Arena

Admission:

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

Location & Parking:

Covered Arena – Parking is available in the main lot.

At the MayDaze Horse Trials, approximately 500 horses are scheduled to compete in dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping, here at the Kentucky Horse Park on May 24-26, 2013.

On Friday, dressage, meaning training in French, where horses are described as appearing to dance, will begin in the morning at 8:00 am. Eventing in the Rolex Stadium will begin at 10:00 am, finishing at approximately 5:00 pm.  Saturday’s competitions in all three, dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping, will begin at 7:30 am and run until 6:00 pm. Sunday will run from 7:40 am to 3:00 pm and will only include jumping phases.

Competitors from both the Olympics and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will participate in these events as well as those in the beginner levels. Competitors will be attending from 20 states. Individual ride times may be viewed on www.champagnerun.com starting on May 21.

Date & Time: 

May 24-26, 2013 – 7:30 am – 6:00 pm daily (approximately)

Admission: 

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

Location & Parking:  

Hunter Jumper Complex, Walnut Ring, Cross Country Course

Parking is available in the main parking lot.

The Kentucky Invitational High School Rodeo Finals, with action you don’t want to miss, is here at the Kentucky Horse Park,May 24-26!

Approximately 85 of the best high school athletes in the region will compete over the weekend.  Each contestant will perform most all of the events.  Events include Bareback Riding, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Calf Roping, Goat Tying, Pole Bending, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, and Bull Riding.

Junior high school students will also compete during Friday and Saturday’s competition for their state finals.  Events exclusive to Junior High will be Cute Dogging, Boys Goat Tying, Ribbon Roping, and Boys Breakaway.

Friday night kicks off the rodeo at 7:30 pm with a Cowboy Mounted Horse Shooting.  Saturday’s performances are scheduled for 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm with a 4-H drill team doing their drill in observance for Memorial Day before the evening competition.  Sunday’s performance will be at 2:00 pm and will feature several Bull Riders and many Barrel Racers.

Scholarships will be awarded to the All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl with the best average for the weekend.  Rodeo proceeds will go to support the Kentucky High School Rodeo Association.

Date & Time:

Friday, May 24, 2013 – 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 25, 2013 – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 26, 2013 – 2:00 pm

Admission:

Adults $9.00

Students $6.00

Children 5 and under are free.

Weekend passes are available.

There is a $5.00 fee for parking.

Location & Parking:

Covered Arena – Parking available in the main lot

For further information about the Kentucky Invitational High School Rodeo Finals, please visit www.kyhsra.com or contact Chasidy Chappell at 270-619-0112.

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. 

For details and online registration information, visit kentuckydressageassociation.org.