Lexington, KY June 19, 2008 This summer, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC will once again host the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, held July 30-August 3 and August 6-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Both weeks of competition will feature a $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. These two events are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series, a series of seven major show jumping competitions held throughout the summer at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
The series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, offers $215,000 in prize money. Each event counts toward the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus, awarded to the rider earning the most money throughout the Hagyard Challenge. The final grand prix in the series, the $50,000 World Cup qualifying grand prix, is scheduled for the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show on Friday, September 26. The $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be presented at the conclusion of this grand prix.
The first event of the series was the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI 3*, held in May at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Danielle Torano and Marlo captured the victory, while Margie Engle and Hidden Creeks Pamina L took home the win the following week at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Both of these riders are now in the running for the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus.
Bobby Murphy, assistant manager of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, is thrilled about the series and the rider bonus. Weve developed a great relationship with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The series is for the progression of the sport, Murphy explained. All of the sponsorship dollars go toward the prize money, and it really rewards our riders. It brings a better group of exhibitors to the series and makes the series more exciting. We have raised the rider bonus up to $50,000, and we hope to increase that each year.
In addition to the involvement of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Griffin Gate Marriot Resort & Spa; Turf Town Properties, Inc.; Hagyard Pharmacy; Kathleen Sullivan, CIMAฎ; Fifth Third Bank; Dean, Dorton & Ford; Butler Animal Health Supply; Fort Dodge Animal Health; and Porsche of Lexington.
Along with the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will host the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix on Saturday, August 2, at 6:30 p.m. At the Kentucky Summer Classic, the $40,000 RV Sales of Broward Kentucky Classic Grand Prix, a member event of the AGA Grand Prix Series, will be held in the Walnut Arena at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9.
A beautiful location for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, the Kentucky Horse Park offers superior show rings, excellent footing, and plenty of riding space. The park is currently undergoing many changes to prepare for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This will be the first time the games have been hosted by the United States since their inception in 1990.
For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
2008 KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOWS FAST FACTS
Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Show July 30 August 3, 2008
Kentucky Summer Classic August 6 -10, 2008
What:
Two of the nations premier equestrian competitions, featuring two grand prix competitions, one of which is AGA sanctioned. A World Championship Hunter Rider recognized hunter competition. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows offer two Hagyard Lexington Classics, which are part of the summer-long $215,000 Hagyard Challenge Series. The competitions are also qualifying events for the Washington International Horse Show Championships and the North American League finals.
Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.
When:
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW JULY 30 AUGUST 3, 2008
A World Championship Hunter Rider Event
$20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
The $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix
KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC AUGUST 6 10, 2008
The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
The $40,000 RV Sales of Broward Kentucky Classic Grand Prix
A Member Event of the AGA Grand Prix Series
Hours:
8am 5pm daily
Admission:
Admission is free to the public. The Kentucky Horse Park charges a $3.00 daily fee for parking.
VIP Seating:
Tables of six are available each week in the ringside spectator pavilion for both shows at a price of $1,000 per week. This will entitle table holders and their guests to exclusive seating in the pavilion, which provides daily continental breakfasts and complimentary lunches. Additionally, table holders receive a VIP parking pass and access to wireless internet service. Tables may be reserved by contacting Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com.
Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $5.00.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Before Show - Telephone: (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show - Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling - Email Tom Blankenship at Tomb@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Prize List Advertising - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Vendors - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
VIP Tables - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Ring Dimensions/Specs:
All outdoor competition arenas and schooling areas consist of a limesand base and mortar sand cushion. The Indoor Arena consists of sand and loam. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:
Stonelea: 135 x 285, Claiborne: 140 x 270
Murphy: 140 x 290, Indoor: 145 x 285
Walnut: 300 x 370
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.
Hotels:
HOLIDAY INN NORTH-859 - 233-0512 - Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON 859-259-1311 Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA 859-231-7551 Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN 859-231-0255 Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES 859-455-5000 Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE 859-231-5100 Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN 859-231-6191 Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT 859-253-4646 Approximately 5 miles
RAMADA INN 859-299-1261 Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN 859-293-2626 Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN 502-867-4888 Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT 502-863-4888 Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES - 502-868-8000 - Approximately 6 miles
Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
13833 Wellington Trace
Unit E-4 #221
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com
Photo: Danielle Torano and Marlo, winners of the first $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI 3*. Photo ฉ 2008 Jenny Ross. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
