THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS, INC. PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Press Contact: Shelley Mann, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pony Club: www.ponyclub.org, 859-254-7669

Record Attendance Expected at Pony Club Festival!

Lexington, KY, July 13, 2011—Record numbers of Pony Club members are expected to converge on the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, Kentucky for the 10^th triennial Pony Club Festival celebration. Pony Club members, their families, friends, volunteers, and other invited participants—more than 4000 in all—from 47 states, Canada, and abroad will come together July 18-26 to compete, learn, and celebrate during the National Championship and Educational extravaganza.

1,160 Championships competitors will vie for ribbons the first half of the week in eventing, stadium jumping, dressage, polo crosse, mounted games and tetrathlon. Both the eventing and show jumping disciplines are hosting record-breaking numbers. During the second half of the week, more than 500 Pony Club members will attend clinics and workshops that will allow them a chance to experience everything from fox hunting, to swinging a polo mallet, to spinning on a famous reining horse.

Thinking of the week ahead, Wayne Quarles, the Activities Director for Pony Club said, “A lot goes into organizing all of these disciplines at one venue, but being able to offer these vast opportunities to our members (and for the first time, our Canadian neighbors) is what Pony Club is all about. It’s nice to see so many members able to take advantage of what Pony Club has to offer in one location.”

About Festival—Festival is a week-long (July 18-26) celebration of Pony Club that brings together more than 4,000 Pony Club members from across the country. Its purpose is to provide a National Championships competition combined with a unique educational learning experience. A host of international caliber clinicians will conduct, both mounted and unmounted clinics during the Education portion of Festival.

Watch a video of USPC Executive Director Kevin Price on WTVQ-36.

Watch a video, shot Thursday, July 21 of Pony Club members getting ready to play polo crosse. 

About Pony Club—The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including many of our Olympic team members, have roots in Pony Club. Members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. There are approximately 10,000 members in 600 clubs and riding centers in 43 regions throughout the country. Pony Club is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky www.ponyclub.org.

BREYER’S 22^nd BREYERFEST® BRINGS FAIRY TALES AND HORSES TOGETHER

Where Equine Fantasies and Fairy Tales Connect Kids with the Horse World

(Pequannock, NJ – July 12, 2011) – Equine fantasies and fairy tales will come true for more than 6,000 Breyer fans and horse lovers whenBreyerFest, the annual horse fair and model horse collector festival hosted by Breyer Animal Creations®, prances into Lexington, KY for its 22^nd consecutive festival at the Kentucky Horse Park. BreyerFest will be held Fri.-Sun., July 15th-17^th rain or shine. The three-day family festival features nationally known equine entertainers, a trade show, petting zoo, free pony rides, fine Artisans’ Gallery, model horse customizing workshops, a free craft & activity tent, dog agility and more! Most importantly, BreyerFest is a place where kids and horses can connect.

Matt McLaughlin’s Pecos has claimed the coveted spot as the 2011 BreyerFest Celebration Horse, the horse whose Breyer portrait model comes with each three-day ticket. Pecos isa gorgeous Andalusian stallion descended from the Champion of Champions Legionario III of Spain (also honored as a Breyer model). They will perform their signature garrocha act daily.

Also performing daily will be the Awesome Aussie Guy McLean, dubbed the “Steve Irwin of horses.” He has brought his four Australian-bred horses out of the Outback and into America dazzling crowds with their mesmerizing performances. Mark & Dusty will prove to you that there is no limit to what you can teach your horse to do. Mark Peterson and Dusty have traveled the country showcasing Dusty’s astonishing ability to learn new tricks and skills on command! The All American Cowgirl Chicks, a team of daredevil, trick riders whose performance partners are rescue horses and rehabilitated mustangs, will dazzle audiences delivering thrills and chills as well as demonstrating the importance of equine rescue and rehabilitation.

BreyerFest will also welcome Kentucky’s own knight in shining armor, when Dan Peterson, director of the Don F. Pratt Museum, Fort Campbell, KY brings his Medieval Pavilion to life. The 30’ pavilion is complete with artifacts, period clothing, furnishings and full suits of armor.

As always, BreyerFest is the place where kids can connect with the horses that inspired the Breyer models. This year’s event features a stellar assembly of the most portrait models ever. Breyer Portrait Models include:KONG, the legendary ‘wheeler’ of the famed Priefert Ranch Equipment Hitch, a massive Percheron, who performs for more than six million people each year. Sato, a Jockey Club registered Thoroughbred stallion that is an extremely rare palomino pinto sabino. He has flashy Paint coloration and the elegant conformation of a Thoroughbred. Kripton Seni II, stunning Andalusian was a USEF Horse of the Year honoree and has more than twelve (12) National Championship titles to his record. TS Black Tie Affair, a 7/8 Arabian Pinto that has won an astonishing 22Pinto World and Reserve World Championships and two Pinto All-Around Pleasure High Point titles. And Grand Central, grandson of Prince Jester, a Missouri Fox Trotter stallion that is a three-time World Grand Champion. Prince Jester has sired 15 World Grand Champions, six Reserve World Champions, and six Futurity/World Champions.

BreyerFest holds two raffles and both a Silent Auction and a Live Auction to support worthwhile animal welfare-related causes! 2011 Beneficiaries include: The Grace Foundation (Saved By Grace), Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue, PATH (formerly North American Association Riding for the Handicapped), People Helping Horses, as well as various local Kentucky non-profit organizations including: Lions Club of Lexington, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Kentucky Horse Council and more

Other Activities include:

• 40 unique and thrilling equine performances: Friesians, minis, Pony Club Mounted Games, and much more!
• Breyer Craft Activity Center – FREE craft activities for children!
• FREE pony rides
• Exotic petting zoo with camel rides
• Dog Agility (on Saturday only)
• Autograph sessions with guest horses and speakers.
• 65-Booth Trade Fair featuring equestrian collectibles, equine art, jewelry and more.
• Breyer Store – Find models made ONLY for BreyerFest plus much more!
• Model Horse Shows: Open, Youth and Children (pre-registration)
• Model Hobby Workshops (pre-registration required)
• Free Seminars: Learn to Collect Model Horses, Valuing Your Breyer Collection and more!
• Artisans’ Gallery featuring top equine artists/sculptors at the Clarion Hotel
• A Swap Meet for buying, selling, swapping model horses at the Clarion Hotel

TICKETS: Tickets are available for purchase on-site at the BreyerFest Ticket Booth at KHP.

• Single Day Tickets: Adults: $20 / Children 7-13 yrs: $10 – Each paid ticket comes with a Ltd. Ed. Breyer Stablemates^® model horse available only at BreyerFest.*
• Three Day Tickets: Adults: $85 / 7-13 yrs: $55 – Comes with 2011 Celebration Horse model, Pecos, a Ltd. Ed. Traditional^® Breyer model valued at $40 - available only at BreyerFest.*  *while supplies last

Visit www.BreyerHorses.com for more information or call 973-633-5090.

       For further information or media credentials, please contact:

Kathleen Fallon, Reeves International, Inc.

Mobile : 917-592-5185
mailto: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WATCH A VIDEO SHOT FRIDAY, JULY 15 AT BREYERFEST BY A KENTUCKY HORSE PARK EMPLOYEE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWaIAfpxom4

Contact: Charlene Mingus                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tel. 859-281-1202

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

UK Healthcare’s Bluegrass International Cup at Polo in the Park

Benefiting Bluegrass Conservancy & The Fayette Alliance

May 19, 2011 – Lexington, KY

The location of the 5th annual Bluegrass International Cup at Polo in the Park presented by UK Healthcare has changed. It will now be held at the Kentucky Horse Park’s renowned John Henry field. The eventwill still be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011. The Bluegrass International Cup at Polo in the Park benefits the crucial efforts of Bluegrass Conservancy and the Fayette Alliance. Main tent patrons enjoy a delicious dinner by Dupree Catering and drinks as they watch an exciting polo match between Team U.S.A. and Team South Africa.  While tailgaters get a front row view of the polo match from the limited availability tailgating spots. Tailgaters should bring their own food and drink, as well as, blankets and chairs so they can stretch their feet out in the lawn. After the match, tailgaters are invited to join the main tent for an evening of dancing to the sensational beats of 24/7. Tickets are now available. Please visit PoloBenefit.com or call 859-255-4552 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Last year, over 800 guests enjoyed a fantastic evening of professional polo between South Africa and the United States, delicious food, and dancing. This year, over 1,000 guests are expected to enjoy the same good cheer and unique field sport while supporting farmland preservation and the work of Bluegrass Conservancy and The Fayette Alliance.

Founded in 1995, Bluegrass Conservancy is a private, nonprofit land trust working to protect the Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky through land conservation for future generations. We encourage the preservation of these lands through the use of conservation easements for agricultural viability, natural habitat, rural heritage, and scenic open space. Our service area includes but is not limited to Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Scott, and Woodford counties. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and a qualified land trust such as Bluegrass Conservancy. These flexible agreements are tailored to the landowner’s objectives and property in order to preserve the land for agriculture and/or other open space activities in perpetuity, thereby protecting the land’s conservation values. A landowner donating a conservation easement to Bluegrass Conservancy may be eligible for significant income tax and estate tax savings. Our land trust currently holds 74 conservation easements permanently protecting 11,279 acres.

The Fayette Alliance is Lexington’s ONLY land-use advocacy organization that regularly educates and lobbies local government for a sustainable Lexington that benefits all of us. We believe that preserving and promoting our signature Bluegrass landscape and its related agricultural industries, creating a dynamic and equitable city through responsible development, and improving our infrastructure and environment are key to achieving success here in Lexington-Fayette County. We are an alliance of citizens from the entire community. As a united voice for sustainable growth, we only weigh-in on those land-use issues that have countywide significance. Together we chart our future, and positively impact local zoning and policy decisions—the very building blocks of our community.

To learn more about these organizations, please visit www.bluegrassconservancy.org and www.fayettealliance.com.

Carriage Association of America To Host a “Driving Show and More”

The Carriage Association of America (CAA) is pleased to announce the first CAA Carriage Classic, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, July 1–3. The event, which will take place mostly in the Horse Park’s Alltech Arena, will be part pleasure-driving show and part mini-Conference.

Participants and spectators alike will all find something to see, do, and enjoy at this year’s inaugural CAA Carriage Classic.

The pleasure-driving-show portion of the event will feature the standard pleasure-driving classes and a several “just for fun” classes, in a variety of divisions. The prize list for the show is available now, and entries close on May 15. You can download the prize list at www.caaonline.com (click on Calendar of Events), or you can contact the CAA office for a copy (call 859-231-0971, send a fax to 859-231-0973, or write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

The event will also feature pleasure drives throughout the Horse Park (for those entered in the pleasure-driving show, or not), lectures, and social activities usually associated with a full CAA Conference. Also in the works are a few special events, such as an antique car show. More details on this portion of the event will be posted at www.caaonline.com as they become available.

The CAA was founded in 1960 and is the oldest and largest international organization devoted to the preservation and restoration of horse-drawn carriages and sleighs. The CAA has more than 3,000 members in all 50 states and in 40 other countries.

For more information on the Carriage Association of America or to join, visit www.caaonline.com, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call 859-231-0971.

Join us the Kentucky Horse Park Campground this weekend for lots of activities!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

• 9am-5pm:  Golf Cart Rally featuring up to 10 area vendors who will showcase their golf carts and ATVs to include customization and accessories.  (West Primitive camping area)
• 10am:  Honor Guard Presentation (West Primitive)
• 11:30am:  Children’s Bike Parade (Swimming pool parking lot)
• 1pm:  Rick Arnold will perform.  (Swimming pool parking lot)
• 2pm:  Vendor clinics (West Primitive)
• 2:30pm:  Thunder Ridge will perform. (Swimming pool parking lot)
• 8pm:  Twilight Golf Cart Ride through the Horse Park (Meet at the Campground store)
• Dark:   Fireworks show (Primitive camping area)

Sunday, July 3
10am-3pm  Kentucky Blood Center Blood Drive (Campground store parking lot)

Photo by Michal Zacharzewski

Next week the the park will be filled with Quarter Horses during the Mid-East Kentucky Quarter Horse Association's Bluegrass Classic, June 23-26.

This AQHA and KyQHA-approved show will begin at 7:30 each morning and go throughout the day, with an exhibitors' party Friday and Saturday nights.

Included with park admission.

For more information go to www.KyQHA.com.

Photo courtesy of AQHA.

CAA Carriage Classic Weekend Makes Its Debut at the Kentucky Horse Park
 
Whether you’re a carriage driver, a driving enthusiast, or completely new to carriage driving, you’ll find something to enjoy at the Carriage Association of America’s (CAA) first CAA Carriage Classic Weekend. The event—a pleasure-driving show plus a mini-Conference—will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, July 1–3, 2011.

June 9 - 12, Kentucky Horse Park Campground
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: AnnaMarie Cornett
859-253-0806
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LEXINGTON, KY - For the 38th consecutive year, the biggest names in bluegrass will converge at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, KY for the oldest family-run bluegrass festival in the country, the Festival of the Bluegrass.

Started in 1974 by Bob and Jean Cornett, this event is attended by thousands and is the crown jewel of bluegrass festivals in the Bluegrass. At its heart, the mission of the Festival of the Bluegrass 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.
The music begins at 7:00 on Thursday, June 9 and concludes with a gospel show on the morning of Sunday, June 12. On the days in between, music begins at 1pm and runs until after midnight.

The familiar faces of The Seldom Scene and Mountain Heart will be there, joined by first
timers the Dixie Bee Liners and Steep Canyon Rangers. We’re also excited to welcome back Town Mountain for their second Festival of the Bluegrass performance. Tickets for this family-friendly event run between $15 for the day to $95 for the entire weekend, with an extra $20 per ticket to camp.

Find out more at www.festivalofthebluegrass.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or
by calling 859-253-0806.

Note to editors: If you would like additional information or to sit down for an interview, please contact AnnaMarie Cornett at 859-327-0473 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for arrangements.

Full line up of bands:
Steep Canyon Rangers
Town Mountain
Katie Penn & New Town
IIIrd Tyme Out
Dixie Bee-Liners
Lonesome River Band
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
Kentucky Blue
Seldom Scene
Mountain Heart
Nothin Fancy
JD Crowe & the New South
Dry Branch Fire Squad
Continental Divide
Driving Rain
Bluegrass Collective
Blind Corn Liquor Pickers
The Grass Stains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Submitted by The Pyramid Society

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Since its inception in 1981, the Egyptian Event has been revered as the world's premier showcase for Egyptian Arabian horses. This year, The Pyramid Society will host the Egyptian Event June 7-11, 2011, with the theme “The Egyptian Arabian