Lexington, KY – October 31, 2011 — Anticipation and excitement is at an all-time high as the Alltech Arena at The Horse Park in Kentucky receives its final make-over ahead of this week’s Alltech National Horse Show. In five days’ time, a new era in the history of the oldest indoor horse show in the world will begin, and fresh life will be breathed into a story that began over 128 long years ago. But it is its distinguished past that makes this event stand out from the rest – and the tale of the alliance between two remarkable men from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean whose foresight, drive and ambition had led to an unique, and lasting, link between the USA and England, and to the sporting tradition of both countries.

America’s Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt and Hugh Cecil, the 5th Earl of Lonsdale whose English estate was at Lowther in Cumberland, were giants of their day and had a lot in common, including fabulous wealth and a passion for sport. The colourful Vanderbilt – father of artist, author, heiress and socialite, Gloria Vanderbilt, who went on to develop the whole concept of designer jeans – was a keen horseman and President of the Association of American Horse Shows and the Hackney Horse Society. Lonsdale, who was also known as the “Yellow” or “Sporting” Earl, was once described by King Edward VII as “almost an Emperor, not quite a gentleman”! The flamboyant character was an arctic explorer, friend of royalty, an avid follower of hounds, and a lover of all sporting activities including boxing, to which he left a lasting legacy in the shape of one of its great honours – the championship trophy known as the Lonsdale Belt.

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