Thoroughbred Horse Show Association Created to Provide Opportunities for Thoroughbreds beginning Show Careers

Lexington, KY –  A group of Central Kentuckians interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of Thoroughbreds off the racetrack has created the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association. The association is working to develop shows exclusively for Thoroughbreds to give them valuable show experience while helping rescue organizations place Thoroughbreds in new homes. THSA members will be able to follow these horses in the shows because the horses must be entered using their registered names with The Jockey Club. 

“Adopting Thoroughbreds after they race is a significant issue and will become even more important if race-day medication is ended and additional racehorses need to find second careers,” said THSA founder Jan Roehl of Lexington. “Our logo of a horse jumping out of a paddock symbolizes these horses are not ready to retire.”

Shows are geared for Thoroughbreds just starting their show careers with entry-level divisions in multiple disciplines, including dressage, combined training, hunter/jumper, suitability for hunting and competitive trail riding. THSA already has scheduled shows in 2012 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for April 14-15 and October 6-7, and is working with rescue organizations and others to hold additional shows next year.

“Thoroughbreds off the track make very talented show horses, but they first need experience to develop their abilities and be seen by trainers who can take them to the next level,” said Roehl, who has spent much of her life working with Thoroughbreds in the show ring and on the racetrack.

Because Thoroughbreds that compete in THSA or affiliated shows must be entered using their registered name with The Jockey Club, THSA members will be able to follow the second careers of horses they admired at the racetrack.

“This is a great feature of THSA membership,” Roehl said. “Many of us would like to keep up with horses after their racing careers end and they become show horses. More often than not, Thoroughbreds off the track don't show under their registered names, so there hasn't been an easy way to follow them.”

Roehl said THSA is a membership-driven community designed to connect Thoroughbred owners to a large group of like-minded people who care about the future of these horses. The association's annual membership of $300 will finance shows and promote Thoroughbred adoption. THSA has launched a website at http://tbhorseshow.org where people may learn more and join the association.

Joining Roehl in THSA is John Prather, a veteran event coordinator and manager. Prather is a board member for Equestrian Events Inc., the governing body of the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, and is on the board of Blue Grass Farms Charities. He was the main stadium manager at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park.

For more information, contact Jan Roehl at (859) 421-8710 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Note:  Photo above of Party Leader, a retired Thoroughbred in retraining for a second career at the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ross Creech (859) 971-7038

USDF Approves National Dressage Championships

Lexington, KY (December 4, 2011) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce approval by its Board of Governors of a US national dressage championship beginning in 2013.  This championship will be a head to head competition showcasing Adult Amateur and Open riders at Training Level through Grand Prix. 

With invitations to be extended to competitors who have qualified through the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, the inaugural championship (exact name TBD) will take place in the fall of 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY.  The KHP was the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It also hosts the annual Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. 

According to USDF President George Williams, the first formal discussions within the USDF, regarding a US national championship, started almost 20 years ago.  Williams also states, “This is indeed an exciting day for American dressage and in particular, our adult amateur competitors.”

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage.  For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, e-mail 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 call 859-971-2277.

Military Night at Southern Lights:
Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights

Wednesday, December 7

Free admission for all current and retired military personnel and their families
on this special Southern Lights evening! 

The Southern Lights Holiday Festival is returning for the 18th year to the Kentucky Horse Park.

Kids and adults of all ages will delight in driving tour through 3 miles of light displays with themes such as the Christmas Village, the 12 Days of Christmas, Keeneland Race Track, Show Jumping, the Spires of Churchill Downs and a brand new dinosaur display—each composed of thousands of twinkling lights. 

Come celebrate the ASPCA's 145 years of protecting America's horses!

Show your support at the Alltech National Horse Show!

International recording artist, Ronan Tynan of the Irish Tenors, will be the featured performer at the Black Tie Gala to launch the Alltech National Horse Show, on Tuesday, Nov 1.

This will be a great opportunity to hear a world-class tenor and support a very worthy cause -- all proceeds benefit the Kentucky Equine Humane Center! 

More information