The Carriage Driving Event, one of several gatherings of its kind in North America, is devoted exclusively to recreational equine driving.  Since 2005 this three-day event has been held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Spectators may witness the excitement of carriage driving while being introduced to yesterday’s world, learning the history and art of this equine sport.  Carriage driving focuses on the welfare of the horse, attention to safety and building confidence.

Approximately 60 horses are entered to compete this year. Highlighting the event is a series of clinics, demonstrations and driving instruction featuring some of the nation’s most prominent clinicians and driving experts.  There will be a practice show on Sunday.

Guests of the Kentucky Horse Park will have access to view the events and watch the carriages meander throughout park grounds with the purchase of a general admission ticket. 

Dates and Times:

Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2013 - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission:

Included in Kentucky Horse Park general admission, horse show-only rate available

Location and Parking:

Park wide, parking available in the Main Lot

For more information on the Carriage Driving Event, contact Mike Lyon - 931-686-8727.  Learn more at www.nationaldrive.net.

Written by: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.
Client: Alltech National Horse Show
Release Date: 2011-12-14

Lexington, KY – December 14, 2011 - - Following an amazingly successful debut this year, the second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is set for October 31 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous approval from the horse show community. The Show was a great success with the thousands of attendees, in addition to nearly half a million viewers who watched the events unfold online.

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans, competed this year, and according to Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association, next year’s show will build on the excitement of the 2011 debut. “We couldn’t have been happier with our first year effort in Kentucky. But, that being said, we are already working on a bigger and better event for next year,” he said. “We expect bigger prize money, we’ve already added an extra competition day and the American Saddlebreds will return to the Alltech National Horse Show next year. So we are very excited about what lies ahead.”

The show’s debut this year will go down in the record books as one of the most successful in the history of equestrian events in the United States.

“The Alltech Arena is an ideal location for the National Horse Show, it is perfect for all the horsemen and horses, and it really captured the feel of Madison Square Garden,” noted legendary horseman George Morris after attending this year’s show. “The Alltech National Horse Show has brought back class, something that has been lacking in horse shows today.”

Next year’s show, scheduled for October 31 through November 4th, will build on the success generated during this inaugural run.

“It’s been fantastic. It’s been amazing. It’s been wonderful,” agreed Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. “This inaugural event was a good beginning, but it was only the beginning. This show will continue to grow and next time around the city of Lexington will embrace this show more and we, in fact, will go all out to create a super experience for all who attend.”

“We hope that everyone will mark their calendars for next year,” added Phelps. “With what we learned during our first year, I can promise you that the Alltech National Horse Show in 2012 will prove to be an amazing event.”

Photos above:  (Top) Kent Farrington on Up Chiqui in 2011 Alltech National Horse Show; (Bottom) National Horse Show Association President Mason Phelps, Jr. and Dr. Pearse Lyons, President and Founder of Alltech. ©Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com.