Ireland’s Louise Parkes Joins Phelps Media Group Team for Alltech National Horse Show

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Louise Parkes, pictured aboard her pony after winning the Connemara class and the Reserve Supreme title at her Riding Clubs Championships in Ireland. Louise is pictured with her husband, noted equestrian photographer, Tony Parkes.

Wellington, Florida – June 30, 2011 – Phelps Media Group announced this afternoon that they have reached an agreement with distinguished equestrian writer Louise Parkes to join the PMG team for coverage of this year’s Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, to be held from November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

“We’re bringing the entire Phelps Media Group team to Lexington for the Alltech National Horse Show,” said Phelps Media Group President Mason Phelps. “Louise Parkes has worked with PMG in the past and we felt this year’s event would be the perfect time for a reunion. To be honest, the show wouldn’t be complete without her. Her exceptional and wonderfully written reports from the equestrian world add a special international flair to our already first class coverage.”

Parkes reports on major equestrian competitions around the world, including the FEI Nations Cup series, the World Equestrian Games and the Olympic Games, for the FEI, the governing body of equestrian sports.

Married to photographer Tony Parkes, Louise inherited her passion for horses from her father who spent many of his happiest years in the hunting field. In between her busy cycle of assignments she competes at amateur level with the second-greatest love of her life – her Connemara ponies.

Having abandoned the camera for a pen back in 1994, her intuitive writing skills were quickly recognized by the FEI and she has been working on a contract basis for the governing body for equestrian sport ever since. She is also Equestrian Correspondent for the biggest-selling daily newspaper in Ireland, ‘The Irish Independent’, and her distinctive writing style has made her a much-sought-after contributor to top-selling equestrian publications. She has also worked in radio and TV and for media organizations and press rooms around the world. Last year, a book she co-wrote with author and commentator Michael Slavin, which details the history of the Irish Army Equitation School, was a big seller in the Christmas market.

A qualified psychotherapist, she tags emotion and character into her stories and Parkes says she’s really looking forward to joining the Phelps team to help promote the ANHS. “I’ve heard people talk about this show since I was a child – it must have been quite something when it was staged in the middle of New York! It’s obviously a huge move to bring it to Kentucky, but you could hardly ask for a more wonderful venue. We all had such a great time there during last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games,” she said.

“I’m really excited about the prospect of bringing the news from the show to a world-wide audience. I’ve always found that American riders are particularly skilled communicators, and I’m looking forward to providing advance publicity and on-site daily reports that bring the whole event to life for those who can’t be there, including a wide range of media across Europe and elsewhere around the globe. It’s going to be fantastic!” she says.

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 $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, Chansonette and Deerridge 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.

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 904-607-5541
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

For further information on housing in the Lexington area, we invite you to visit: www.visitlex.com and www.georgetownky.com.

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.

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