[Lexington, KY] - With the historic Alltech National Horse Show preparing for its Lexington debut this fall, horse enthusiasts and members of the community are invited to attend an informational program about the show and the experiences that will be available to spectators during the five-day event.

Free and open to the public, Alltech's popular Equine News and Brews program will be held August 25 at Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company in downtown Lexington.

 "The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were transformational for Lexington and for the Commonwealth of Kentucky," said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech, the first-ever title sponsor of the Games and of the National Horse Show.  "Opportunity once again literally landed in our backyard with the National Horse Show."

"As with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, we are eager to help people understand and enjoy this year's highly acclaimed equestrian competition, along with experiencing the many exhibits and demonstrations on the show grounds for the entire family."

The 2011 Equine News and Brews program, he added, is designed to "build on the spirit of the Alltech FEI Games by providing a forum for all those who share a love of the horse.  The open, casual dialogue encouraged at Equine News and Brews is meant to serve as a catalyst in fostering local involvement and interest in the equine industry."

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held November 2- 6 in the indoor, climate-controlled Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.  This year's show offers more than $600,000 in prize money.  It has been designated CSI-W 4*, with the Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix being named an FEI East Coast League World Cup qualifying event.

The Equine News and Brews program will be held at Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company at 401 Cross St. in downtown Lexington. A Kentucky Ale reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7:00.  There is no charge but attendees must preregister by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Space is limited.

Equine News and Brews is presented by Alltech's natural equine supplement, LIFEFORCE. LIFEFORCE is a once-daily, natural supplement that enhances performance through nutrition and is the official supplement of the Alltech National Horse Show. For more information, please visit lifeforcehorse.com or call Alltech's Customer Service at 1-888-636-3302.   

For more information about the Alltech National Horse Show, visit www.nhs2011.org.

-Ends-

Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with more than 31 years' experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2650 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia.  For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.
 
Press Contact:            
Allie Hembree
Alltech Corporate Headquarters                    
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky
United States                                                                      
Telephone: (859) 887-3326               
Mobile: (859) 553-3728                                           
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site : www.alltech.com

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kentucky Derby Winner Go for Gin Retires to Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, KY (August 11, 2011)  Go for Gin, the 1994 winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), has arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, to make his home in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions alongside fellow Derby winner Funny Cide, two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Da Hoss, and racing superstar Cigar. 

John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, said, "Go for Gin will make another great addition to our Hall of Champions.  We entertain nearly 1 million visitors each year and they will be delighted to have the opportunity to meet a horse of his caliber, who performed so well in all three Triple Crown races." 

Go for Gin was bred in Kentucky by Pamela DuPont Darmstadt, owned by William J. Condren and Joseph M. Cornacchia, and trained by Nick Zito.  As a 2-year-old, the son of Cormorant-Never Knock, by Stage Door Johnny won the Remsen S (G2).  At 3, he was one of the few racehorses to beat the mighty Holy Bull, which he did in winning the Derby.  He followed that win with a second in the Preakness S (G1) to Tabasco Cat and second in the Belmont S (G1), also to Tabasco Cat.  That same year he also came up just short in the Wood Memorial (G1) and Fountain of Youth S (G2) for second. 

In all, from ages 2 to 4, Go for Gin was in the money in 14 out of 19 starts with earnings of $1,380,866. 

He took up stud duty at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, and was later sold to Bonita Farm in Maryland, where he has been standing since 2004.  His progeny have earned more than $16.5 million and include Albert the Great, winner of more than $3 million.

William Boniface, owner of Bonita Farm, stated, "On behalf of our very dear friend and partner Joe Cornacchia, Bonita Farm is appreciative that the Kentucky Horse Park has accepted our donation of the Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.  I feel that their work providing for and displaying to the public the Top Thoroughbreds is very beneficial to our sport."

John Nicholson concluded, "We’re glad that his connections chose to allow Go for Gin to spend the rest of his days at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he will continue to be respected, appreciated and well cared-for."

The public is invited to welcome him back home to Kentucky.

Park Hours and Rates: Through November 6, the park is open seven days a week.  Admission is $16 for adults, $9 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – In Association with the Smithsonian Institution - and the American Saddlebred Museum.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  A high-resolution photo of Go For Gin at the Kentucky Horse Park is available for use with this press release by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Photos by PixBySteve.com.

                                                          -30-

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that hosted more than one million visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2010.  The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations.   Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is The place to get close to horses.   Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.

The Kentucky Horse Park has a new green project (literally and figuratively green).

In partnership with the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture's Cane Run Watershed Project, M2D Designers and the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community, the park has planted part of the Cane Run Creek that runs through the park with native flowers, trees and shrubs.

It’s part of a water quality improvement project for the Cane Run watershed.

The goal of the project is also to encourage land owners to do the same thing on their property. It’s a practical, sustainable and ecologically sound solution that provides beauty, good habitat for wildlife, erosion prevention, storm water retention and natural pollution filters.

Right now the wild bergamot, black-eyed susans and purple coneflowers are blooming, but there are also plenty of other perennials that will bloom throughout the rest of the season, as well as trees such as sycamore, white swamp oak and bald cypress. This fall another section of the Cane Run Creek at the park will also be planted.

Watch a brief video.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kerri Richardson
502.564.2611
502.330.6633
 
Terry Sebastian
502.564.2611
502.229.6130

Gil Lawson
502.564.4270
502.382.6596

Gov. Beshear announces Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had economic impact of more than $201 million
Report: Visitors to event came from 63 countries, all 50 states

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2011) – The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park had an economic impact of $201.5 million, Governor Steve Beshear announced today.

“The World Equestrian Games were indeed a success and this report illustrates the positive result that our local and state governments, our sponsors, the many volunteers, the business community and the citizens of the Commonwealth working together can have.” Gov. Beshear said. “It also underscores the important role of the Kentucky Horse Park and the legacy the games will have for future years.”

Gov. Beshear, First Lady Jane Beshear, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow and Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John Nicholson participated in the announcement today at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“The World Equestrian Games was a unique opportunity to reaffirm our standing as Horse Capital of the World, as well as promote tourism and business in Kentucky,” said Mrs. Beshear.  “To witness the event first-hand, from its inception to the closing ceremony of the final day, I am thrilled with its success and want to thank everyone who took part in creating and executing such a tremendous, historic event for our state.”

The Alltech World Equestrian Games were held Sept. 25 through Oct. 10, 2010, the first time the international event had been held outside of Europe. The games are composed of eight events – dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining and vaulting.

According to the report commissioned by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Alltech World Equestrian Games Foundation reported that it sold or provided complimentary tickets to 419,853 visitors. They came from 63 countries and all 50 states.

The economic impact took into account “direct” spending that accounted for $128.2 million. This includes guest spending at the Horse Park, lodging, restaurants, shopping centers and retail outlets.

It also considered “indirect” spending – $73.3 million – such as money spent for food and lodging suppliers, construction and other services that were needed to support the influx of guests.

The report found that $55.4 million was spent on tickets, food, souvenirs and other items at the event while $39.6 million was spent on lodging. The games also generated nearly $18.4 million in state taxes and nearly $4.6 million in local taxes, the report said.

“While these financial impact numbers are quite impressive and stronger than even anticipated, the impact extends far beyond the monetary evaluation,” said Dr. Lyons. “For years to come, our community will reap the benefits of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, from a new sense of community pride to statewide improvements and infrastructures that continue to drive tourism today.”

The study was conducted for the cabinet by Certec Inc. of Versailles. Information for the study was supplied by the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. An online version of the report is available at http://www.kentuckytourism.com/industry/research.aspx.

“The investment Gov. Beshear and the legislature made here at the Horse Park has already made this facility the best in the nation for equine-related events and organizations,” Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said. “The visibility the Games brought to our city and the investments the state made in Lexington to help our city host the Games – road improvements, a much improved gateway into our city and a new runway at the airport – have elevated Lexington’s brand as the Horse Capital of the World. The legacy and the economic impact of the Games have been remarkable.”

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had a direct impact on passenger travel at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport. In October 2010, passenger enplanements increased by 39 percent from the previous year, according to the airport’s 2010 annual report.

The airport and its partners hosted more than 700 private and corporate airplanes, provided security for international dignitaries, welcomed more than 460 international athletes and facilitated 18 special event charter flights, said Eric Frankl, executive director at Blue Grass Airport

“It was a privilege for the airport to serve as the gateway to central Kentucky for World Equestrian Games visitors,” he said. “The airport experienced one of its busiest months in airport history as a result of the collaborative effort put forth by our airlines, airport partners and staff to successfully handle an event of this magnitude.”

###

Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear, read the Governor’s personal notes on his blog at http://blog.governor.ky.gov/, and view the Governor's weekly YouTube commentary at http://www.youtube.com/governorbeshear.