Horse Park regularly hosts Olympic-caliber athletes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2012) – As the 2012 Olympic Games in London close, Gov. Beshear today recognized the Kentucky Horse Park as an elite international equestrian facility for consistently hosting world-class and Olympic-caliber athletes.   

The Horse Park is also a significant economic contributor to the Commonwealth, with an estimated economic impact of approximately $180 million each year.  

“The Kentucky Horse Park is the only place in our state—and one of the few places in the world—where visitors can see world-class equestrian competitions on a regular basis,” said Gov. Beshear.  “We are not only the Horse Capital of the World, but Kentucky is also one of the premier homes for high-level equestrian sports.  I encourage Kentuckians and visitors to attend one of the many top-rated shows held at the Kentucky Horse Park and witness elite competition firsthand.”

More than 115 athletes who participated in equestrian events in the 2012 Olympics have competed at the Kentucky Horse Park.  Seventeen of those athletes earned a medal in the London Olympics.  

Athletes frequently travel from Australia, France, Great Britain and many other countries to the Lexington facility to contend for top honors in equestrian sports such as dressage, jumping and eventing.  

The Horse Park also hosted the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which marked the first time the elite competition was held outside of Europe.  That event placed Kentucky in the international spotlight and generated more than $200 million in economic impact, and also built on the park’s international reputation as a signature event site.  The new facilities added to the Horse Park for WEG continue to attract competitors and tourists to Kentucky from across the country and around the world.  
    
"We appreciate the continued support from the Governor and First Lady.  We are exceedingly proud of our facility and the competitions that bring in visitors and athletes from around the globe,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park.  “The Kentucky Horse Park is clearly one of the leading equestrian competition facilities not just in North America, but anywhere in the world.  We expect the tremendous growth of the sport horse industry in Kentucky will accelerate in the years ahead."  

The Kentucky Horse Park is a 1,200 acre competition facility and tourist attraction recognized as the epicenter of equestrian life, sports and business.  Most notably, the park annually hosts the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.  The event is ranked at four stars, which is the highest level in international competition.    

The Horse Park hosts a number of other award-winning shows as well.  The Alltech National Horse Show won the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame’s Show of the year. They were also named the top U.S. show by the North American Riders Group. North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and the two weeks of Kentucky Spring Hunter Jumper were named among the top 25 events in North America.

This year, the facility will host 21 grand prix jumper classes as well as seven national or international hunter derbies, with more than $1 million offered in prize money.

The Park will host three upper-level dressage events in 2013, including the U.S. Dressage Finals.  

For more information on the Kentucky Horse Park and its world-class events, please visit http://kyhorsepark.com/.

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Photo above from Rolex Kentucky, by www.PixBySteve.com.

Lexington, KY  (July 17, 2012) - The 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) is proud to welcome all of the 261 young athletes that will compete in five disciplines over the next five days. The NAJYRC is held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Today, the NAJYRC hosted the athletes, trainers, friends, and family at the Opening Ceremonies.
 
Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) will take part in the only FEI Championship to be held annually in North America. The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, ages 14-21. This year, young equestrians have come from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.
 
The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport. Many of North America's best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic, World Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of International experience at NAJYRC. These include show jumpers Greg Best, Chris Kappler and McLain Ward, five-time Olympian and three-day eventer Karen O'Connor, and dressage rider Todd Flettrich.
 
The NAJYRC began in 1974 as an eventing challenge between the United States and Canada. A dressage championship was added in 1981, and show jumping was added in 1982. The first complete Young Riders championship was held in British Columbia, Canada, in 1982. The Championships were expanded to officially include a championship division for juniors in 2006. The discipline of reining was added to the official schedule in 2008; endurance joined the championship for the first time in 2011. Vaulting competition is held at the NAJYRC, but is not officially part of the championship.
 
The opening ceremonies featured all of the teams from the six disciplines in a parade to honor the members and their Chefs d'Equipe. The teams posed for photos before leaving on a golf cart parade to sponsor Spy Coast Farm for an exhibitor barbeque. The golf cart parade featured many brightly decorated carts all vying for the win as "Best Dressed."
 
Held at the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the NAJYRC brings together a multitude of disciplines similar to the WEG. Show jumping and dressage had their jogs today, where horses were tested for soundness before the officials and veterinarians. This is a key part of FEI level competition, and the junior and young riders of all disciplines here at NAJYRC are learning valuable information about international rules and regulations that will serve them well when they go to represent their country at senior-level events.
 
Dressage kicks off the competition tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. with the junior and young rider team tests. There are 80 dressage riders slated to ride at the NAJYRC this year. In the afternoon, medals will be awarded to the junior and young rider dressage teams, with the winning team honored with their national anthem. On Friday, the individual tests are held, and riders return on Saturday for their freestyle tests. Both days' competition will award medals to the top three finishers.
 
Show jumping will hold their first individual qualifiers on Wednesday afternoon with 58 starters and will return on Thursday morning to compete in their team finals. Medals will be awarded for the junior teams, followed by the young rider teams. The individual finals will be held on Saturday.
 
Three-Day Eventing starts on Thursday with dressage tests for both the CCI 2* and CCI 1* riders (which total 59 in all), and the always exciting cross country will take place on Saturday. The eventers wrap up their competition on Sunday morning with the stadium jumping phase and receive their individual and team medals.
 
Reining composes 20 riders, and they will start with a welcome competition on Wednesday afternoon in the Alltech Arena. Their team championship is held on Thursday where they will receive medals in a podium presentation, while individual medals will be contested on Saturday.
 
Seventeen Endurance riders will travel on a 120 kilometer course around the Kentucky Horse Park bright and early on Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. Awards for the Best Conditioned Horse and the team and individual medals will be awarded on Saturday morning.
 
Vaulting competition will be featured in the Mary Murphy Ring on Thursday morning. The 26 vaulters will return on Friday morning for their final competition.
 
More exciting news and results will be forthcoming as the week progresses. To learn more about the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, please visit www.youngriders.org.
 
NAJYRC showcases the best young rider and junior horse/rider combinations in dressage, eventing, jumping, reining, and endurance. Young equestrians from across the continent will descend on the Kentucky Horse Park to vie for FEI medals at these Championships.

For sponsorship information visit www.youngriders.org/Sponsors.aspx.

Lexington, KY - The 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North will take place July 17-22, 2012 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance. 2012 will also feature a CVI running concurrently as vaulting continues to gain momentum in partnership with these Championships. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

For more information about the event, please visit: http://www.youngriders.org/

The NAJYRC is included with park admission.

Media Accreditation/Press Credentials
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone
April 26-29, 2012
and
Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup
April 27-28, 2012

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

The Competitions
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, April 26-29, 2012 will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, along with the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. The event draws anywhere from 50-100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a live telecast on NBC in the United States.
 
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the 15th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, and is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM.  The world’s best horses and riders compete for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. 2012 will serve as a selection trial for the London Olympics held in the Summer.
 
The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in the Olympic sport of Eventing. This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features selection trials to choose the U.S. Eventing Team for the 2012 London Olympic Games.  The nation’s best horses and riders will be competing in the hopes of earning places on the team for this summer’s Olympics.
 
The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, April 27-28, is the only Three Star Reining competition in the world in 2012, and is a qualifier for the FEI World Reining Championship.  It is expected to draw horses and riders from around the globe, vying for their share of $100,000 in prize money as they compete in the CRI3*, along with the popular $25,000 World Freestyle Championship. 
 

Contact: Marty Bauman, Press Chief, (508) 698-6810, 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.

Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Also Returns After Last Year’s Sensational Debut
 
Lexington, KY — January 12, 2012— The excitement of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, and the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 26-29.
 
This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features selection trials to choose the U.S. Eventing team for the 2012 London Olympic Games.  The nation’s best horses and riders will be competing in the hopes of earning places on the team for this summer’s Olympics.
 
This year’s Event also features the 15th Rolex USEF Four Star Championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, and is part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM.  Horses and riders from around the world will join their U.S. counterparts in competing for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.  Former Rolex Kentucky champion William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, who won his record sixth Burghley championship last fall, will be seeking to win a second leg of the Rolex Grand Slam at Kentucky in the hopes of joining Pippa Funnell of Great Britain, who won it in 2003, as the only rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam.
 
"There's no question that 2012 is going to be one of the most exciting years we’ve had," said Lisa Ball, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup.  "The fact that the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is a selection trial for the London Olympics means that Eventing fans will have a chance to see many of the horses and riders who will be riding in this summer’s Olympics right here in Kentucky.  Adding to the excitement is the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup that was such a huge hit when it made its debut last year and has quickly established itself as a big crowd favorite."
 
As always, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will feature three distinct phases: Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping.  In Dressage, the first phase of the event, horses execute a series of movements while being judged on grace, harmony and precision.  During Saturday's Cross-Country phase, horses and riders gallop across the Kentucky Horse Park countryside at lightning fast speeds.  The bravery and stamina of horse and rider are put to the test in this exciting phase, as they must jump a series of imposing obstacles on varied terrain.  The final day features Show Jumping where horse and rider try to clear a course of brightly colored and decorated fences in a confined arena.
 
Past winners of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the only Four Star Three-Day Event in the Western Hemisphere, include United States Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor, Kim Severson and Phillip Dutton, New Zealand’s Blyth Tait and Nick Larkin, Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Mary King, and Andrew Hoy, Clayton Fredericks and Lucinda Fredericks of Australia.
 
Spectators may purchase reserved Tailgating spaces along portions of the Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park, giving them a chance to experience the action like never before.  The purchase of a Tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for six people.  A variety of hospitality packages is also available for both Eventing and Reining competitions.
 
After its great debut last year, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup returns for a second year, April 27-28.  The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is the only Three Star Reining competition currently scheduled in the world for 2012.  It is expected to draw horses and riders from around the globe, vying for their share of $100,000 in prize money as they compete in the CRI3*, along with the popular $25,000 World Freestyle Championship. 
 
In the 2011 debut of the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, members of the U.S's Gold Medal team from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games swept the top four places in the HorsePower Inc. CRI5* class.  Winning the event was Shawn Flarida, followed by Craig Schmersal, who took second and third, and Tom McCutcheon who took fourth.  Also competing was Grammy Award winning entertainer Lyle Lovett who made his personal debut riding at the sport's highest level.
 
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a western type horse in a show arena. In Reining, competitors are required to run one of several approved patterns. Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, 360 degree spins done in place, back-ups and the exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.
 
In addition to the world-class competition, spectators may get equally excited about the world-class shopping at the Sponsor Village and Trade Fair. With more than 175 merchants selling everything from horse-related items to clothing, accessories, jewelry and art, this is always a favorite place for browsing and buying during the Event!
 
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org.
 
For more information on the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, or to purchase tickets, please go to www.KentuckyReining.com.

By Joanie Morris, NAJYRC

Lexington, KY - The dates and location of the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North have been designated. 

The competition will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park from July 18-22, 2012 - the week before the Olympic Games commence in London.

Adequan has returned as the title sponsor of this competition, and makes the dreams of young equestrians (ages 14-21) a reality. It is through the support of Adequan that this event has been able to grow - it now boasts nine FEI Championships.

Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Reining each offer a championship for Juniors and one for Young Riders. Endurance - which was added in 2011 as a championship, offers an FEI championship for Young Riders.

In 2011 both Vaulting and Para-Equestrian produced exhibition performances at the championship - both were very well received by the other athletes and spectators.

"We look forward to another excellent year of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park," said John Long, CEO of the USEF. "This is the showcase for our youth athletes in these five disciplines and it is a fantastic opportunity for them to compete in a championship of this caliber."

Other supporters of the only FEI Championship held annually in North America include: Gotham North, SmartPak, Equine Canada, Platinum Performance, Ariat, Howard and Martha Simpson, the United States Dressage Federation, the United States Eventing Association, the United States Hunter Jumper Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, Griffin Gate Marriott, Sallee Horse Vans, Hodges Badge Company, Phelps Media Group and the Alltech National Horse Show, the Mexican Equestrian Federation, Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC., Hagyard Equine Medical, WISE Equestrian, Equifit, Dever, Inc., Best of Flowers, and Hertz.

A huge number of people and farms made the first 75-mile Endurance ride possible: Barton Brothers Farm, Ben Koostra, Black Fences/After Hours Farm, Billie Steffie, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Chad Needham, Dunroven Stud (Steve and Martha Brown), Emmett Ross, Fayette and Scott County Police, Gaylord Highlander, Glenn Thompson, Kentuckiana Farms, Oscar and Eloise Penn, Secretariat Center, Spy Coast Farm, UK-Ag Department (Dr. Nancy Cox), Ulrike McGovern, Equine Monitors (Donna Shifflette) and Distance Depot.

And thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event a success.

ENDS
Please visit: www.youngriders.org for more information.

Mark the Calendar for the 2012 Event, to get involved, please contact Joanie Morris at 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 859.225.2052.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, please contact:
Marty Bauman, Press Chief, 508-698-6810, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lexington, KY — October 17, 2011— Ticket packages for the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, April 26-29 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, are on sale now.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM, is one of only six Four Star Three-Day Events in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the world’s best riders will be competing with the hopes of qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics. This is a rare opportunity to watch riders compete in Olympic level competition before the London Olympic Games begin!

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is the ultimate destination for Reining in the United States. A qualifier for the FEI World Reining Championship, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is expected to draw horses and riders from across the globe competing for $100,000 in prize money.

“2012 promises to be one of the most exciting events we’ve ever had,” said Lisa Ball, President of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup. “An Olympic year always adds a new level of excitement and this coming year will be no exception. And with the incredible success of last year’s inaugural Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, I recommend that all our fans act quickly and order their tickets right away!”

“Rolex Kentucky,” commonly known as the nation’s premier Three-Day Event, is one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.

Spectators can receive ringside hospitality packages for a custom world-class experience. Featuring prime locations and hospitality amenities, these packages include the “Patron Plus” and “Patron Club” options, both of which include admission to the Kentucky Horse Park, the International Trade Fair and all four days of competition. Also included are closed circuit televisions, dressage and stadium jumping commentary, a keepsake pin, and an official event program.

Advance sale ticket packages include four-day, three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun)and single day general admissions, as well as group sales and reserved grandstand seating. All general admission tickets include parking, admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from admission.

Once again this year, spectators may purchase reserved tailgating spaces along portions of the famed Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park. The purchase of a tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for up to six people. Standard and Premium tailgating spaces are available at costs of $275 and $325. Tailgaters may bring their own food or there will also be concessions stands near the tailgating locations. Given the popularity of the tailgating when it debuted at last year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, it is sure to sell out and those interested are urged to reserve their spaces today.

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup features the only Five Star Reining competition in the world in 2012 and the incredibly popular World Freestyle Championship. Action begins on Friday night with the CRI5* with riders guiding their horses through prescribed turns, sliding stops and flying lead changes in pursuit of $100,000 prize money.

On Saturday evening, riders will seek the title of World Freestyle Champion and their share of $25,000 in prize money as they entertain spectators with choreographed musical performances that electrified the Alltech Arena crowd during last year’s inaugural championship.

Advance tickets for the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup are $12 per person for Friday’s CRI5* and $20 per person for Saturday’s World Freestyle Championship. Hospitality options include the opportunity to purchase the use of luxury suites in the Alltech Arena for both nights of competition.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org. For more information on the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, or to purchase tickets, please go to www.KentuckyReining.com.

As of November 1, tickets may be ordered directly online, or by printing the ticket order form and returning it via mail or fax (859)-254-5116 to Equestrian Events, Inc. Tickets may also be ordered by calling 859-254-8123. To receive a printed ticket brochure, please send your name and mailing address to 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. .

Follow the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone and the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup online at:
www.facebook.com/RolexKentucky
www.twitter.com/RolexKentucky
www.youtube.com/RolexKentucky
www.facebook.com/KentuckyReining

www.twitter.com/KentuckyReining www.youtube.com/KentuckyReining

WHO:  Nearly 250 riders, ages 14-21, from 6 countries, along with their families, trainers, friends, veterinarians, farriers, judges, volunteers and spectators (174 riders from the U.S., 59 riders from Canada, 10 riders from Mexico, 2 riders from Columbia, 1 rider from Germany and 1 rider from Spain)

WHAT:  Opening ceremonies of the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships

WHEN:  Wednesay, July 27, 6:30pm;  Entire event, July 27-31.

WHERE:  Kentucky Horse Park's Rolex Stadium

WHY:  The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance.  Many of North America's best equestrians who now regularly represent their country on Olympic, World Championship and Nations Cup teams got their first taste of international experience at NAJYRC. Watch a short video of last year's NAJYRC.

HOW:  Members of the media who wish to attend the opening ceremonies should park in the main Visitor Parking lot and walk to the Media Center, located next to the large Hospitality Tent by the Rolex Stadium. For more information, contact Cindy Rullman at the Kentucky Horse Park 859-259-4209, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.youngriders.org.

The public is invited to attend. The NAJYRC is included with park admission; opening ceremonies are free of charge.

Next week, Jul 27-31, we'll have the very prestigious Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships here at the park.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the U.S, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and (for the first time) endurance.  They will use 75 miles of the now world-famous endurance course designed for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The competition is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

The NAJYR is included with park admission.

For more information go to www.youngriders.org or contact Joanie Morris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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.