Lexington, KY – August 29, 2011 – The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, announced today that Sasco Creek Farm and the Weeks family have graciously agreed to join forces with this year’s event as sponsors of the $50,000 Sasco Farm Welcome Speed Stake, presented by Mr. & Mrs. William H. Weeks and family.
The Alltech National Horse Show CSI-W 4* will be staged at the Alltech Arena at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The $50,000 Sasco Creek Farm Welcome Speed Stake is the first class in an Open Jumper division that features fabulous prize money for the inaugural event, including the Saturday night main event, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Shoe Grand Prix.
As owner Bill Weeks points out, Sasco Creek Farm, located in Connecticut and also in Wellington, Florida, was purchased as the home base for his family of equestrian competitors, daughters Alexa and Whitney and wife, Olivia Weeks. “We built the barn for the girls so they could learn to take care of their own horses and train at home,” he said. “My wife and daughters grew up riding and over time I also fell in love with the sport.”
“It was neat to watch the girls set their mind on a goal and actually be able to watch them work to achieve it. The girls were always very focused and worked hard, and as parents, it was amazing to see what they could accomplish. Also, being an owner and watching Madison accomplish her many wins was a great time for my family and me,” Weeks said, referring to one of the country’s very best show jumpers of just a couple of years ago.
As far as the Sasco Creek sponsorship, Weeks explained, “I came on board as a director with the National a few years ago because I believed in preserving the show and I wanted to help attempt to restore it to its former glory. It’s important that people with a close tie, or a passion about the sport, work to preserve it,” he said. “It takes strong people behind the scenes to ensure that the sport progresses and flourishes. I felt a sense of responsibility to do that after all that the sport has given my family. The sport instilled in my daughters, a sense of pride, hard work and accomplishment, and to me it was important to try to give back.”
Weeks also noted that it was important to make a statement as the Alltech National Horse Show made the move to Lexington. “The appeal of big money classes is that it attracts the highest level of competitors, and in turn elevates the show as a whole,” he explained. “You need a few different elements to create a great show, and I truly believe a high level of prize money is that first step. It makes the best riders in our country sit up and pay attention, and make a commitment to attending the show. I hope we are able to achieve this with this horse show.”
“We are delighted to welcome Sasco Creek and the Weeks family to our fantastic group of sponsors,” said Alltech National Horse Show President Mason Phelps, Jr. “The Weeks family’s sponsorship helps us maintain a dynamic and very exciting Open Jumper division for the nation’s best riders. It’s going to be a great division.”
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
This year’s show, designated CSI4*-W, will feature a complete schedule of ‘AA’-rated hunter divisions, including the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunter section. Also on the agenda, a big money Open Jumper division highlighted by the Sasco Creek Farm $50,000 Welcome Speed Class, the $75,000 Double H Farms Thursday’s Jump-Off class, the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Faults Converted Speed class on Friday and of course, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, an FEI World Cup qualifying event. $100,000 will be up for grabs for the Junior and Amateur Jumper divisions, including the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Chansonette and Deeridge Farm. The final Sunday is highlighted by the signature event of the National Horse Show, the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals, presented by C. M. Hadfield’s Saddlery.
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
For more information on the National Horse Show Association of America, Limited, please visit www.nhs.org.
PHOTO CREDITS: ©Kenneth Kraus
Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition – Fast Facts
What:
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, is a weeklong championship event featuring “AA”-rated hunters, open jumpers, junior/amateur jumpers, and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals. The event will run November 2-6, 2011, in the Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games(TM).
Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $5.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.
Information:
Carolyn Vincent
National Horse Show
PO Box 386
Greenvale, NY 11548
Telephone:
Phone: (516) 484-1865
Fax: (516) 484-1982
Email:
NationalHS@aol.com
Website:
www.nhs.org
Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located in the Alltech Arena.
Additional Contacts:
Vendors – Matt Morrissey at Mmorri4398@aol.com or 941 915-3457
VIP Table Sales – Kiki Umla at KIKIUMLA@aol.com or 904-606-5541
Advertising – Laura Reed at reed.laura@insightbb.com or 859-321-7687
Sponsorship – Mason Phelps at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com or 561-753-3389 or Susie Webb at webb_susie@yahoo.com or 301-520-6162
Hotels:
CLARION HOTEL (formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – Approximately 4 miles
FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles
LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles
KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles
EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles
MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles
RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles
COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles
HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles
RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles
RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles
HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles
MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles
Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com
ALLTECH MEDIA CONTACT:
Susanna Elliott
Corporate PR Manager, North America
Alltech Corporate Headquarters
3031 Catnip Hill Pike
Nicholasville, Kentucky
Telephone: (859) 887-5144
Mobile: (859) 473-2696
Email: SuElliott@alltech.com
Web site: www.alltech.com
NATIONAL HORSE SHOW MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com
About Alltech:
Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 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.