Lexington, KY – July 20, 2009 – This week the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows will launch into action at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will be held this week, starting on Wednesday, July 22, and concluding on Sunday, July 26. The Kentucky Summer Classic will follow from July 29-August 2, 2009.
Featuring classes for hunters and jumpers, the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows welcome riders and horses from across the country. Both weeks have a USEF 5* Jumper Rating and feature two weekend grand prix competitions. Each grand prix event features two rounds of exciting action; only the best horse-and-rider combinations advance to the jump-off round, where speed is the deciding factor.
The $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix will be held in the evening on Saturday, July 25, at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The $40,000 Kentucky Classic Grand Prix is sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington and will be held the evening of Saturday, August 2, at the Kentucky Summer Classic.
The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows offer two $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classics, which are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series. These classics are scheduled for Thursday, July 23, and Thursday, July 30.
The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long competition that includes seven grand prix events. With $215,000 in total prize money, the series is a unique and exciting feature that is only offered at the Kentucky Horse Park. The leading rider of the entire series will win a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus in September after the series’ final class, the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix.
For the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, interviews with top riders, trainers, and owners can be arranged for media on-site. Daily competition press releases will be issued and high-resolution photos are available.
For further information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows or the Hagyard Challenge Series, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
To arrange interviews or receive photos, please contact Jenny Ross of Phelps Media Group, Inc. at 678-525-5361 (cell) or email jross@phelpsmediagroup.com.
