Tag Archives: Ky. Spring Classic

Holloway Wins Med. Jr. Jumpers and WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase at Kentucky Spring Classic

Hunter Holloway and Italia.

Annabel Revers and Quax Secure First Place in ASPCA Maclay for Second Year in a Row

Lexington, Ky. – May 20, 2016 – Hunter Holloway showed her skills in the Kentucky Spring Classic, bringing home wins in both the hunter and jumper rings.

In the Medium Junior Jumpers, Holloway took home the victory aboard Italia, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, with a time of 51.098 seconds, a full four seconds faster than second place finishers Ashley Hartman and Clear Lady.

It was a meaningful win for Holloway, who has done the majority of the training on the home-bred Italia.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Holloway. “He is 7 years old and we bred him. “Lisa Oliver broke him when she worked for us, but since then I’ve been the one on him. I did his first jumps, his first courses – everything. It’s pretty special now to have him moving up into the Medium Juniors. We were planning on having a nice, fast, smooth round. He stepped up to the plate great.”

After her win in the jumper ring, Holloway headed over to the Stonelea Ring and brought home a win in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase with Orion, a 12-year-old Westphalian gelding.

“The plan was just to have a nice round,” said Holloway. “We want to keep getting qualified for finals here. Orion is amazing; I don’t think he gets enough credit. He’s kind of the horse that does all the work, and then we pull Sunny out for finals. Everyone knows Sunny and I as such a good pair, but no one ever realizes how good Orion is.”

She continued, “He’s the one that gets me qualified every year – that does all the work – and he’s for sale this year. He’s a great horse. He’s a blast to ride.”

Holloway was enthusiastic about her first trip to the Kentucky Spring Classic.

“This is actually my first time being here during the spring shows,” Holloway said. “It’s a beautiful facility. They do a great job with the show and the management is great. The weather could be better but it’s been great.”

The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows allowed for Holloway to spend more time in the jumper ring as well as continuing with the hunters.

“This year our focus is more on the jumpers,” Holloway explained. “Mom and I both will hopefully be doing more of the FEI classes. We’re trying to do more World Cup qualifiers and more big classes.”

Madison Dehaven and Chanel brought home the win in the Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers for the second week in a row with a time of 24.013 seconds, a full two seconds faster than second place Alexandra Duval and XM.

Dehaven was full of praise for Chanel, her 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare.

“I was very happy with her today,” Dehaven said. “Everything kind of came up like I wanted it to. I’m really learning to ride her on a nice rhythm. She wants to go forward and gallop, and for me that was really hard to get used to.”

From the start, Dehaven made a plan that paid off in time saved.

“I really liked the course,” said Dehaven. “There were a couple of challenging things for her. In the jump-off, there was a right rollback, and she’s a lot harder off the right. I would say that plank to the last fence was where I made up time. I had planned eight strides down the last line, but we were in a nice gallop and I caught the plank and the seven was just there. I left out to the last oxer and she was really good.”

The Kentucky Spring Classic, running through May 22, features a FEI CSI3* rating. On Saturday, May 21, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix. All three FEI classes held during the Kentucky Spring Classic count for the Longines Ranking List and the Saturday classes will also count for the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List. In addition, the featured national classes will be the $50,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, which counts towards the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List, and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix to be held on Sunday, May 22, in the Rolex Stadium.

Annabel Revers and Quax Secure First Place in ASPCA Maclay for Second Year in a Row

Sixteen-year-old Annabel Revers of Weston, Massachusetts, rose to the top of 16 entries in Friday’s ASPCA Maclay horsemanship class in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Spring Classic aboard Beechwood Stables LLC’s Quax.

Revers and Quax are frequent blue ribbon holders in the equitation ring, and even won the same class together at the 2015 Kentucky Spring Classic.

Annabel Revers and Quax
Annabel Revers and Quax

“It was a really nice way to start the weekend and to start my first show back after the winter,” said Revers. “I just tried to ride it really smooth and relaxed. It wasn’t too technical.”

Revers piloted the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding around the equitation course, made up of 10 fences, under the guidance of trainer and Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde. The track consisted of challenging bending lines, single obstacles, an in-and-out and a large log wall fence leftover from the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

Despite the over fences test Revers was tasked to complete as well as the rainy weather seen during the class, she rode a flawless and fluid round that undoubtedly impressed the judges.

Revers’ equitation caught the judges’ attention once again during the flat portion of the class, where she secured the first place spot.

“I’ve had Quax for about a year and half now,” said Revers. “We got him as a jumper and over the past year and a half we’ve been turning him into an equitation horse. He was really good today. I was really happy that he stayed relaxed and was really good and did his job.

“The rain didn’t bother him at all,” continued Revers. “He was great and was super brave at the hunter derby fence; I was really happy with that.”

Revers has been coming to the Kentucky Horse Shows for years and always loves returning to the world-class facility at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“I love riding in the field when we’re not showing,” said Revers. “That’s one of my favorite parts about coming here. The grounds are really nice, and it’s just a really nice place to be!”

Second place honors went to 17-year-old Summer Hill and Poden Farm’ Aster De La Cense. Hill trains with Andrea Simpson and Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms.

This class was only the second time Hill had ever ridden and shown the 6-year-old Selle Français gelding, but the pair proved to be top contenders in the competitive junior equitation ring.

“I didn’t really have a plan,” said Hill. “I’ve only ridden the horse twice so it was just kind of however it goes. He’s only 6 years old so I had to make up my plan as I went, but he was really good. He really showed himself in the ring so I’m really happy with him.

“He’s very brave,” continued Hill. “He used to do the jumpers a couple of months ago. He gets a little bit upset with the rain, but he held through it pretty well.”

Hill also recently moved from California to the Bluegrass State and enjoys being in close proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park in order to compete at the Kentucky Horse Shows.

“I moved here in June,” said Hill. “We bought a farm like ten minutes from here. I love showing in the Rolex Stadium on my jumpers. This is a great place to come!”

The Kentucky Spring Classic will continue through May 22 with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby in the Stonelea Ring on Saturday, May 21, while also offering WIHS and NAL qualifiers plus $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics.

Kentucky Horse Shows is also pleased to host a book signing with George H. Morris for his newly released autobiography, Unrelenting: The Real Story: Horses, Bright Lights and My Pursuit of Excellence.

The book signing will be held on Saturday, May 21, during the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Stonelea Ring.

Come and meet legendary horseman George Morris, take a photo and purchase a signed copy of George’s autobiography, which illustrates the story of his life, from the very public to the incredibly private, while also enjoying hunter derby action from the second leg of the $40,0000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby series!

EQSportsNet will be streaming live webcasts of the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* during the Kentucky Spring Classic on Saturday, May 21. EQSportsNet Full Access subscribers can also watch all rounds of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series on demand at www.eqsports.net.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Minikus and Quality Girl Win Two $35,000 Classes at Kentucky Spring Classic

Photo courtesy of Shawn McMillen Photography.

Lexington, KY (May 20, 2016) — Todd Minikus wasted no time making the most of his quick trip back to the United States from Europe while competing to qualify for the United States Show Jumping Team. During the first day of competition at the Kentucky Spring Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Minikus won the $35,000 Welcome Speed class in the Rolex Stadium with Quality Girl. He also had top finishes with two of his other horses throughout the week. Thursday, he and Quality Girl once again took top honors in the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*.

Minikus and Quality Girl, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Quidams Rubin x Dobrock) owned by the Quality Group, have a proven track record of success at the Kentucky Horse Park. Last year the pair won the $20,000 Blue Grass Classic at the show grounds, and went on to have several more impressive wins both nationally and internationally.

The $35,000 Welcome Speed course, designed by Olaf Petersen Jr., proved to be nothing the experienced pair couldn’t handle. Minikus said, “We had a fair course for a Welcome stakes, full of really fast horses, but I think where we won it was at the roll back to the vertical and the roll back to the oxer in the jump-off. Those two things made all the difference.”

In the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*, Minikus and Quality Girl blazed through the course in 38.24 seconds, pulling ahead of Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck’s time of 39 seconds. “Aaron looked quite fast as always, but Quality Girl’s an extremely fast horse,” said Minikus. “She’s been a winner her whole career and the one thing you know about her is that at any given moment she could be the winner. She generally tries hard every day. She’s a professional show horse and that’s what I love about her.

“Quality Girl really hasn’t shown since Week 11 at WEF, so she was a little fresh today but was definitely on the top of her game,” Minikus added after his victory. Quality Girl is leading Minikus’ American string of horses, while his European string of horses are traveling to Switzerland to compete in the St. Gallen CSI 5*, which Minikus will compete in as part of the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Observation Trials as soon as he returns to Europe from Kentucky.

Quality Girl wasn’t the only member of Team Minikus that was ready to win during the first week of showing in Kentucky. Spring Girl, a daughter of Minikus’ famous mount Oh Star, finished third in the YJC Six Year Old division in the Walnut Arena. The mare only recently started showing during this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival, but jumped an impressive double clear in Kentucky. “This is her first ‘away’ horse show and she handled it really well, so I am happy with her progress,” said Minikus.

Minikus also piloted William Upton’s WEC L’AMI NOIR to an impressive double clear and sixth place finish out of 100 other horses in the 1.35m class.

Despite logging long hours in an airplane and traveling from cold and rainy conditions in France to cold and rainy conditions in Kentucky, Minikus is looking forward to hopping back on a plane and preparing for the competitions ahead. After the second week of the Kentucky Spring Classic concludes, Minikus will jet off to Europe for the final leg of Olympic observation trials. The Pan American athlete will then meet up with Quality Girl and the rest of his American string at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina.

When not competing nationally and internationally, Todd Minikus offers sales and training services just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. You can follow all the action from Team Minikus on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.ToddMinikusShowJumping.com.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
amandajl16@aol.com
562-762-3762
www.toddminikus.com

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Capture Back-to-Back Kentucky Spring Classic Wins

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl.

Payne, Gogul and Barnhill Take Home Championships at Kentucky Spring Classic

Lexington, Ky. – May 19, 2016 – The second leg of the 2016 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, was held on Thursday evening in the Rolex Stadium as the day’s highlight event of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Todd Minikus (USA) took the top spot in the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*, and second consecutive FEI win for the week, aboard Quality Girl, besting a starting field of 61 and gaining valuable points towards the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus.

“She’s been a winner her whole career and the one thing you know about her is that at any given moment she could be the winner,” said Minikus. “She generally tries hard every day. She’s a professional show horse and that’s what I love about her.”

The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2016 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series as well as a $10,000 prize for the reserve champion.

Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group, and Minikus were Wednesday’s $35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3* champions and upheld their reputation for their consistent winning ways on Thursday.

Twenty horses and riders produced faultless efforts around the Olaf Petersen-designed first round course, advancing to the jump-off where only seven were able to finish double clear.

Andrew Ramsay (USA) and Stranger 30, owned by The Stranger Group, were third in the jump-off order-of-go, and were the early clear pathfinders of the shortened track, stopping the timers in 40.400 seconds.

Aaron Vale and Troy Glaus’ Quidam’s Good Luck jumped off four rounds later and laid down a blazing second round, catching Ramsay’s time by one full second, in 39.000 seconds to earn the second place prize for the second week in a row. Ramsay and Stranger 30 went on to round out the top three of the class.

No one seemed able to come close to Vale’s time, and it looked as if Vale would take the title, until 12 rounds later when the last jump-off contenders entered the ring – Minikus and Quality Girl. They achieved the unthinkable and caught Vale’s impressively fast time by one full second, breaking the beam in 38.240 seconds.

“Aaron and I – we watched the first couple go together,” said Minikus. “We were debating inside or around the gazebo, and we both thought that around was probably faster. Aaron looked quite fast as always but Quality Girl’s an extremely fast horse. I think I came into the combination faster and that’s where I probably nipped him.

“Aaron was fast so you had to nail it,” continued Minikus. “If you didn’t nail it you weren’t going to catch him. So it worked out nice. I didn’t really plan on going into the combination that fast but she did a good job of holding herself up over the back rail of the oxer and then slowing down for the vertical. That was a professional move she made at that combination.”

“You know Todd’s fast, and I watched Andrew go in the jump-off and he wasn’t as fast as I’ve seen him ride, but I kind of got a decent judge of what the track was from watching him,” said Vale. “In hindsight, if I’d have watched a few more go, there was maybe was an eight from one to two where we did nine. The vertical after the combination Todd caught really smooth. I just didn’t. For me to leave one out there, it was a risk. It wasn’t coming up good so I kind of had to fade and take one extra there just to make sure I jumped it clean. One down is tenth place so better off to put a stride in and be second than take it out and have one down.”

Although Pablo Barrios won the first class of the series with ASD Farfala during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show on May 12, Vale claimed both second and third place with Quidam’s Good Luck and Finou 4, taking the early lead in the 2016 Hagyard Challenge Series.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever even been in the top ten of the series standings,” said Vale. “Todd wasn’t here last week so this will increase my lead. I didn’t have a whole lot of Kentucky shows on my summer schedule actually, but after this I may have to reconsider a little bit. That bonus is attractive enough we might have to reschedule and come try and get back here. I meant to come back here in late August and September for the final show but we might have to add a date or two to our calendar. Maybe I can get out of the bridesmaid position on Saturday night. If not, hopefully I can be second instead of third.”

Prior to Thursday’s competition, Barrios of Venezuela was holding the second place position in the standings, just 10 points behind Vale, and Victoria Colvin was ranked third after she went double clear with Austria 2 to earn fourth place honors.

At the end of the day, Minikus recognizes that his and Quality Girl’s victories are nothing short of a team effort.

“I have to thank not only Quality Girl, but the owners of Quality Girl as well as my sponsors Purina Mills, TheraPlate, ABI Equine, Charles Owen, Vita Flex, Draper Therapies, CWD, Veredus, Premier Equestrian, Neue Schule and Horseware Ireland,” said Minikus.

Throughout the summer, the top riders from across the nation will gather to compete over challenging courses and vie for the winning title and $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. Four more Hagyard Lexington Classic grand prix events will be held during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, the Kentucky Summer Classic, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. The series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be announced and presented with the cash prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

New this year to the Hagyard Challenge Series is the $200 Best Turned Out award, sponsored by Bob Mickler’s. The award goes to a well-deserving groom following each grand prix. After Thursday’s competition, Pedro Sanchez, groom to second place winners Quidam’s Good Luck and Aaron Vale of Thinkslikeahorse, won the second Best Turned Out award of the series. Another new addition to the series is the Hagyard’s Handsomest Hound contest, held at each grand prix and sponsored by MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets. This week’s Hagyard’s Handsomest Hound contest crowned two winners due to inclement weather during the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The two winners were Tucker, owned by Jen Ronczkowski, and Macie, owned by Lynne Hewlett.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry, and Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse.

The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 digital radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full medical and surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and hyperbaric medicine. The practice has performed veterinary medicine for more than 137 years and is currently composed of over 50 experienced veterinarians, with 13 board certifications in specialty areas of medicine, surgery and theriogenology.

For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.

Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include title sponsor MWI Animal Health and presenting sponsor Zoetis as well as Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, Pike & Preston, Sallee Horse Vans and Hagyard Pharmacy. Additional sponsors include Equine Therapy and FooteWorks.

Payne, Gogul and Barnhill Take Home Championships at Kentucky Spring Classic

Christopher Payne and Colton, a Selle Français gelding, took home the Grand Hunter Championship as well as the Green Hunter championship at the Kentucky Spring Classic on Thursday. Payne and Colton were first in the handy class, second over fences and third under saddle after winning both over fences classes on Wednesday. A new addition to the Stonelea Ring courses today came in the form of a large stone wall fence that was used in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show.

“I personally was a little intimidated that they had the derby jump in the hunters,” Payne said. “But both my horses handled it really well; it didn’t faze them whatsoever. I thought the handy course rode beautifully. [Colton] was a little tired after yesterday but he rose to the occasion.”

The Stonelea Ring continued with the Conformation Hunters next. Jeff Gogul and Cortes, a 6-year-old Westphalian gelding, won the championship.

Gogul was delighted with the efforts of his young horse

Christopher Payne and Colton
Christopher Payne and Colton

. “The handy round, I was thrilled with,” Gogul said. “Today was great for him because the course involved a lot of turns, which he did beautifully. We’ve never had to hand gallop a jump and he was great there. He’s dead brave. I know I can always count on him jumping the jumps. You don’t want it to happen too fast for a greenie so we were thrilled with the performance today, and then also to jump the wall was asking a lot of a horse with limited miles so he was a total soldier for that. We were really happy.”

In the final championship of the day, it was Hayley Barnhill and Koala, an 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, who brought home the top prize in the Performance Hunter division.

“Koala is kind of a new horse for us so we’re just figuring him out a little bit,” Barnhill said. “I’m very excited about him. He seems to be very special. He went in and was great for the handy. He won both over fences classes yesterday and the hack today. He’s pretty simple; he’s a big horse, he’s scopey and big strided and he kind of always wants to do the right thing.”

Barnhill was full of praise for the Kentucky Spring Classic. “I’ve been showing here since I was a little kid,” Barnhill said. “Every time I drive in it kind of feels like home. It’s an amazing facility and it’s great for the hunters and the jumpers. Everything its very convenient for us – it’s only three hours from Nashville. I love it here.”

Visse Wedell has been a great supporter of the Kentucky Horse Shows series, sponsoring grand championship prizes in multiple divisions. “I think that it’s fantastic to award the best of the best in each division,” Wedell said.

Wedell was thrilled with Christopher Payne and Colton’s win of the Grand Hunter Championship today. “Obviously that’s an adorable horse, and it’s fantastic to see Chris in the ring winning as usual again. I love seeing horses like that go in and win that obviously are sweet and love their job.

“There are not a lot of horse shows that still do grand championships,” Wedell continued. “I think that it’s nice to bring that back. You get to take something home other than a ribbon – you actually get to take something home and use it or put it somewhere. It’s a little bit of a throwback. I still have my wine coolers that I won as a short stirrup kid and I still use them. So I like to give take homes – something that you can actually use whether it’s a tray or a bowl. Something you can look at and say, ‘I remember that horse show.'”

Wedell echoed Barnhill’s sentiments about the Kentucky Horse Shows series. “I love this place; it’s become a second home to me at this point,” she said. “I got my real estate license up here with Kirkpatrick & Company. I bought two properties right next to the horse show that I’m redoing and building a barn at. The footing is great to show on. The jumps are beautiful; they really take their time. I’m really appreciative to the whole crowd of people that work behind-the-scenes and at the gates. They do a great job. They’re fantastic!”

The Kentucky Spring Classic, running through May 22, features a FEI CSI3* rating. On Saturday, May 21, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix. All three FEI classes held during the Kentucky Spring Classic count for the Longines Ranking List and the Saturday classes will also count for the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List. In addition, the featured national classes will be the $50,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, which counts towards the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List, and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix to be held on Sunday, May 22, in the Rolex Stadium.

EQSportsNet will be streaming live webcasts of the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* during the Kentucky Spring Classic on Saturday, May 21. EQSportsNet Full Access subscribers can also watch all rounds of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series on demand at www.eqsports.net.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl Prevail in $35k Welcome Speed CSI3* at Kentucky Spring Classic

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl.

Payne, Gogul and Rasmussen Top Professional Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

Lexington, Ky. – May 18, 2016 – Speed was the name of the game Wednesday afternoon as the Kentucky Spring Classic kicked off with the $35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3* in the Rolex Stadium with Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group, racing around the speed course in a time of 65.530 seconds to take the top prize.

Thirty-six horse and rider combinations vied for the winning prize money in Wednesday’s highlight event, but only 10 were able to produce a faultless effort throughout the Olaf Petersen-designed course.

Minikus just returned Stateside this week after representing the U.S. at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* La Baule in France on May 13, finishing in second with the help of teammates Lucy Davis, Margie Engle and Lauren Hough. Having been competing in Europe, Minikus proved Quality Girl is still in top form on Wednesday even after some time off since showing at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami, Florida, in April.

“She’s had quite a rest and she came out today and jumped like a fresh horse should jump,” said Minikus.

Mexico’s Eugenio Garza and El Milagro’s Bariano, winners of Sunday’s $130,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3* at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, were the first to tackle the 12-fence 1.45m speed course, and were the early pathfinders producing a clear round in 78.110 seconds.

10 rounds later, Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity’s Slieveanorra took over the top spot in 69.750 seconds, until Adam Prudent (FRA) and Vasco blazed past his time in 67.470 seconds.

However, Minikus and Quality Girl entered the ring next and left no door open, catching Prudent’s time by two full seconds in 65.530 seconds.

“It got faster and faster and I knew that Adam Prudent had the lead,” said Minikus. “I didn’t get a chance to see him go, but by the sound of the time, it sounded like he had a nice round. Quality Girl – she’s not gifted with the biggest stride so I opted to add in two of the lines and I think that just helped set up a little tighter turn. I think that’s probably where I might have nipped him. Everything just came up perfect so it was nice.

“She’s going to show here in Kentucky and then I go back to St. Gallen next week to show,” continued Minikus. “After that I’ll come back to compete with Quality Girl in Tryon at the 5* there.”

Five others tried to catch Minikus’ time, but only Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm’s Cyklon 1083, winners of last year’s Kentucky Spring Classic $34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*, were able to come close. They broke the beam at 67.360 seconds, resulting in second place honors and knocking Prudent into third.

“I thought it was close enough but I got a bit wide to fence three and to the rollback on the third to last fence,” said Sweetnam. “It was maybe a little wide and that’s probably what cost me. I think the course designer did a great job. Even with a slow, clear round you got a ribbon, which is nice, and then the people who were competitive – there were some options there to make up some time. Todd is a very fast rider and Quality Girl is a very fast horse so I think it was a good class.

“I’ve had Cyklon about five years now and he’s won all over the world at this stage,” continued Sweetnam. “He’s a great horse. He was fourth in this class last week. He’s always there in these kinds of classes. He’ll do tomorrow night and we’ll see how that goes, then maybe Sunday’s grand prix also.”

Each summer, Irishman Shane Sweetnam returns to the Bluegrass State with his string of top horses. It has become custom to see his name at the pinnacle of the ranks, and Wednesday afternoon was no different.

“We always do Kentucky,” said Sweetnam. “Spy Coast Farm is right next door and that’s where we are based for the summer. It’s a great place to be. The facility here is fantastic.

“I go to Tryon for the 3* and 5* next,” continued Sweetnam. “I’ll take my group there, and then we go to Europe after that for a couple of shows.”

Minikus, who was named to the short list for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team with Jack Snyder and Two Swans Farm’s Babalou 41 in April, have already competed in the first designated CSIO/CSI Olympic observation event in La Baule, France, with a top finish.

“Babalou was great in the nations cup last week,” said Minikus. “We stumbled a little bit in the grand prix – I don’t think she was feeling well or something. It wasn’t her best round, but she was great in the grand prix and hopefully she’ll be back on her game for St. Gallen.

“There are a lot of things that have to happen and a lot of jumping between now and the Olympics,” continued Minikus, who is hoping to be part of the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. “All of the stars need to align just right and lightning’s got to strike twice in the same spot, and so on. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!”

Having shown in Kentucky for years, Minikus believes the shows and the facility only continue to improve and get better, and enjoys returning to the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows each spring.

“I was coming to Kentucky before it was cool to come to Kentucky,” said Minikus. “We used to show up on the hill. There wasn’t even a ring, it was just gas station flags marked off and Mary Rena was running horse shows here.

“It’s a great facility and this time of year when the weather is a little questionable the footing is always still great,” continued Minikus. “It’s horse country too. I love just driving around looking at the farms and the fields as well.”

Payne, Gogul and Rasmussen Top Professional Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

A gray and rainy start did not deter hunter riders in the Stonelea Ring on day one of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Christopher Payne and Colton, a Selle Français gelding, won both First/Second Year Green Hunter classes. In the first class he also brought home second place aboard Anderson. Third place went to Tim Goguen and Splendid. In the second class, second place went to Tim Goguen and Splendid, while Tori Colvin and Batman were third.

Christopher Payne and Colton
Christopher Payne and Colton

“He rode beautifully; I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out with it being cold and rainy but he just went in like a pro,” Payne said of his ride today.

Colton is a relatively new ride for Payne, having been imported recently.

“He’s wonderful. He got imported this winter and he was a stallion – we gelded him,” Payne explained. “He hadn’t done the hunters before this winter. He has double duty doing the over 50 adults and the First Years. He has such a great mind and he’s so athletic that it works out well.”

Maria Rasmussen and Jeff Gogul went one-two in the Regular Conformation Hunter classes today each placing first and second in one class. Rasmussen was aboard Subject to Change, a 7-year-old Warmbood gelding. Tim Goguen and Splendid brought home third place in both classes.

Rasmussen was thrilled with her ride today. “My horse was wonderful,” she exclaimed. “He went around really, really well, and I can’t complain especially as cold and gross as it is today.

“He’s just basically a simple horse,” she continued. “He just requires you to keep him together and stay out of his way. We call him smarty in the barn because he’s so smart.”

Jeff Gogul and Cortes, a 6-year-old Westphalian gelding, had excellent rounds today at their first outdoor show of the season. “We were really happy,” he said. “This was the first time outdoors this season. He competed indoors all winter and was really good and was getting more and more consistent. Last week we did the 3’3″ Performance just to see where he was outside.”

Payne and Gogul were both full of praise for the Kentucky Spring Classic and the city of Lexington. “I’m from Cincinnati so I’m very lucky that I have this facility an hour away from me,” Payne said. “It’s amazing – great stalls, great rings, great show management. We are very, very lucky to have this. It’s a beautiful place.”

Gogul, who has a long history with the show, echoed these sentiments.

“We have been coming here for 30 years,” he said. “It feels like home, actually, after 30 years of showing here, when we arrive you feel like you just drove around the block and you get out of the car and you’re home again. We love the area and we love the town and the horse show is great.”

The Kentucky Spring Classic held May 18-22 features a FEI CSI3* rating. The $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic will be held on Thursday, as riders try to accumulate valuable points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. On Saturday, May 21, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix. Once again all three FEI classes will count for the Longines Ranking List and the Thursday and Saturday classes will also count for the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List. In addition, the featured national classes will be the $50,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix, which counts towards the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List, and the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix to be held on Sunday, May 22, in the Rolex Stadium.

EQSportsNet will be streaming live webcasts of the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* during the Kentucky Spring Classic on Saturday, May 21. EQSportsNet Full Access subscribers can also watch all rounds of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series on demand at www.eqsports.net.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Media Contact: Rebecca Walton
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Another Kentucky Win for Todd Minikus in the $20,000 1.45m Bluegrass Classic

Minikus and Cordonos (Photo courtesy of Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group)

Lexington, KY (May 21, 2015) – The winning doesn’t stop in Lexington for FEI World Cup Jumping 2014/2015 North America East Coast League champion Todd Minikus, who topped his recent victory – three wins on three separate jumpers during the Kentucky Spring Horse Show on May 6-10 – with another win less than a week later on a fourth horse in the $20,000 1.45m Bluegrass Classic on May 15 at the Kentucky Spring Classic.

“They are all exceptional talents and individuals,” Minikus said, referring to his renowned 12-year-old Oldenburg partner of three years, Quality Girl; Matthew de Grande’s Oldenburg gelding and Bluegrass Classic winner, Cordonos; and rising jumper talents, Plum Creek Hollow Farm’s 12-year-old Westphalian stallion, Con Capilot, and Two Swans Farms’ Six-Year-Old division star, Maharaja Del Juncal. His victories at the Kentucky Horse Park this month have certainly backed up his statement.

Minikus’s win on May 15 in the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic on Cordonos came after the pair watched more than 40 riders attempt – and fail – to catch the 62.530 second fault-free lead set early in the go by Shane Sweetnam and Beluga.

“Shane had a heck of a round. There was a window by leaving out strides, so I used raw speed instead of going inside. Cordonos won the first Grand Prix in Wellington this year and then had a little streak where he had the fastest time with one down. Today the jump gods were with him. We ended up with a nice win.”

Minikus isn’t taking those “jump gods” for granted and plans next to compete on May 23 in Saturday night’s $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3*. “We will see who has their jumping shoes on then,” Minikus grinned.

Todd Minikus is based in the Homeland equestrian development just minutes from Wellington, Florida’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. Follow Team Minikus on Facebook or www.ToddMinikus.com as he continues to jump to victory.

Contact: Amanda Minikus
toddminikus@yahoo.com

Andres Rodriguez and Darlon Van Groenhove Win $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix

Andres Rodriguez and Darlon Van Groenhove.

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2015 – Andres Rodriguez left no door open during the Sunday finale of the Kentucky Spring Classic, riding his own Darlon Van Groenhove to the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix winged victory in an untouchable 43.193 seconds. Ireland’s Kevin Babington captured the second place just behind Rodriguez with Mark Q, while Todd Minikus (USA) closed out the competition in the third place.

The rider from Venezuela has been knocking on the door throughout the Kentucky Spring Series, riding to the second place during the $34,000 Hagyard Challenge Series at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and consistently putting in clear rounds during the second week of competition. Today, as the third in the order of 14 to return for the jump-off, he knew he would have to put on the pressure to keep competitors on their toes in an attempt to catch his trailblazing pace.

“I had 11 riders behind me, so I knew I had to take a big risk,” Rodriguez said. “That risk was my decision to do eight strides to the last jump. It was nine strides going forward, so I needed to angle it to try to get the eight. I am really happy with this win, Darlon jumped amazing.”

The win marks a milestone in the progress Darlon Van Groenhove has made recovering from a slight injury incurred during the 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona, when he did not pass the jog.

“Darlon was my best horse result-wise last year,” Rodriguez elaborated. “He is coming back from a six-month rest. This is his first show back, and he is in good shape. I have high hopes for him in Calgary, and he is probably the horse I would consider for the Pan American Games. I couldn’t have expected more from him out there. It was a wonderful victory because this is his biggest win since we started competing with him again, and when you bring a horse back after so long and that you have missed for so long, it really is something special.”

The eight strides to the final oxer was not the only move that Rodriguez made to secure the win. He also left out a stride down the first line, clearing the second obstacle in only six strides, setting a pace that second place rider, Kevin Babington (IRL), admitted that he knew he could not catch.

Four riders attempted to leave out the stride down the opening line, but only Rodriguez succeeded with the leave-out, seeing either the first or second obstacle fall in a shot to catch his pace. The pressure to catch Rodriguez during the first half of the course caught Shane Sweetnam, Richie Moloney and Roberto Teran.

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra attempted to angle the penultimate obstacle in the same fashion as Rodriguez, but the Audi-vertical fell in their haste.

Minikus was able to lay down a clean and quick jump-off round in 45.171 seconds with Con Capilot, but the time was not enough today to catch the Venezuelan, falling short with a 1.97 second differential.

“When I heard that Andres had made his move down the first and last line, and how fast his ride was, I knew I was riding for second,” Babington laughed.

Kevin Babington and Mark Q
Kevin Babington and Mark Q

He continued, “Mark Q is 13 years old now, and I have Shorapur who has stepped up to the plate as my number one horse. It takes the pressure off of Mark Q to use him for classes like today instead of in the 1.60m or the grand prix all the time. He jumped great in the first round, and I was delighted with our results from the jump-off.”

Babington and Mark Q tripped the timers in a clear 44.835 seconds to take the second place.

Although today’s event was only nationally ranked, the Kentucky Spring Horse Show Series featured a CSI2* week and a CSI3* week, which brought many riders back to the Kentucky Horse Park. “It has been quite a few years since I have been here for the Spring and Summer shows, and honestly, it is the FEI classes that brought me back,” Babington said. “In order to be on the world stage, you have to keep your eye on your ranking points. I thought that this was a nice build up before going to Europe and I am really glad I came. I was chatting with some of the other riders and it is just incredible the level of riding; it has changed, and it is incredible. There is such a great camaraderie at these shows, and we are all trying to learn from each other and help one another. The sport is really turning a corner for very positive reasons, I think.”

Rodriguez echoed Babington thoughts, saying, “I am really happy that I made the decision to come here. Everything was top-notch. The course was really good for a CSI3*; Bernardo Costa Cabral has done an amazing job; he builds according to the horses and the riders. He makes us have to go all in. I really want to congratulate the show organizers for making this an FEI competition. I would not have thought of coming if it was not for the FEI classes; there are many venues we love, but it is our job to compete for world ranking points, so when you have the availability to get the world ranking points in a facility like this, where you can also bring other horses along, it is perfect.”

Only three other riders would ride to double-clear results.

Emanuel Andrade and Bon Jovi went clean in 45.171 seconds, a conservative pace for the otherwise speedy rider. Colin Syquia and Adventure E grabbed the fifth place in 47.427 seconds, while Hayley Barnhill and Zephire finished just under the time allowed in 51.736 seconds to round out the top six.

Today marked the conclusion of the Kentucky Spring Classic, but in July competition will continue at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Kentucky Summer Series. Throughout July and August, riders will have the opportunity to compete in top-notch hunter/jumper events, and also try to earn valuable points toward the $50,000 Hagyard Challenge Series’ Leading Rider Bonus, and the $15,000 Leading Rider Bonuses available during the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. 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:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

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

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

Junior Hunter Champions Crowned on Final Day of Kentucky Spring Classic

Vivian Yowan and Ransom.

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2015 – For 17-year-old Vivian Yowan, Kentucky is home. The local resident of the Bluegrass State has captured multiple wins over the years, from the ponies to the Junior Hunters, as well as even riding to the top of the Junior Jumper leader board. Today, in the Stonelea Arena on the final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic, Yowan once again impressed the judges to capture three tricolors in the Large and Small 16-17 Junior Hunter divisions, as well as the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Grand Championship, sponsored by Visse Wedell of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Yowan showed Ransom to two blue ribbons on Saturday during the Small 16-17 Junior Hunter division, and duplicated her efforts today to take the first place finish in the handy and the under saddle with her talented mount.

“Ransom is really special to me, especially because I own him,” Yowan said of the bay gelding. “I love him; he is awesome. He has really come into his own this year – he is a horse you can rely on. When we go in the ring, I know I can depend on him. He is so much more confident, and I think that shows through in the ring.”

Ransom was not the only horse that impressed the judges over the two days of Junior Hunter competition. Yowan also rode a new horse, Rookie, owned by Belhaven Stables LLC of Wellington, FL, to the reserve championship behind Ransom. Although the pair is a relatively new partnership, they claimed two second place ribbons on Saturday and returned on the final day of competition to close out the show with the first place over fences and the second in the handy round.

“This is the first show I have ever done with him,” Yowan explained. “His name is appropriate, as he is a little green, just a little bit of a Rookie [laughs]. Tim [Goguen] has been doing him in the 3’3″ Performance and the First Years, and then we decided I would show him in the Junior Hunters. He is a little green, but he really has all of the talent.”

During the Large 16-17 Junior Hunters, Yowan rode Character, owned by Belhaven Stables LLC, to the reserve championship with the first and two third place finished over fences, as well as the first place finish in the handy. It was 16-year-old Tyler Petrie of Moreland Hills, OH who rode to the division’s top honors to secure the championship tricolor with Quite Ruffy 840.

Petrie said, “He actually used to be a grand prix horse, and only a year and a half ago he was still competing in the jumpers. My father and trainer, Scott Petrie, found him in Gulfport, Mississippi, and we wanted him really badly, so we went to go try him and ended up turning him into a hunter.”

The championship win marks a milestone in the junior rider’s career. “It means the world to win champion for the division. I used to have a few horses and ponies that were a little naughty, so for me to be able to know that I can win and I can do this makes me have a lot of self-confidence. This is even more special because it is with Quite Ruffy 840, who just started the hunters. It makes me feel like I can do it, and he can do it, too.”

Earlier in the day it was Annabel Revers and Kingpin who took the Small 15 and Under Junior Hunter Championship, while Emma Wujek and Chabilano Z finished out the week with the reserve championship. In the Large 15 and Under Junior Hunters Emma Kurtz and Fredrick were awarded the champion rosette, while Revers and Diplomat finished as the reserve champions of the division.

The final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic concluded the two-week spring series with the Pony Hunter Grand Championship, sponsored by Visse Wedell of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Emma Seving was awarded the Pony Hunter Grand Championship for her efforts in the Medium Pony Hunter division with her own Sassafras Creek.

Today marked the end of the Kentucky Spring Classic, but the hunter and jumper competitions at the Kentucky Horse Park continue this summer with the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, kicking off on July 22, 2015.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. 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:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

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

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

Déjà Vu for Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck, Winning $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3*

Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck (Photo by Shawn McMillen)

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2015 – It was not chance tonight that secured the victory for Aaron Vale (USA) and Quidam’s Good Luck during the $127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*. Tonight, it came down to raw speed and power. Vale bested a field of 41 competitors during the highlight event, claiming his second consecutive Saturday night victory with a blazing jump off ride, breaking the beam in 40.96 seconds.

Thirteen horse and rider combinations were able to master Bernardo Costa Cabral’s opening course, moving into a jump-off that would rival the day’s earlier Preakness Stakes.

Margie Engle (USA) and Royce, owned by Elm Rock Partners LLC of Wellington, FL, were the first to clear the serpentine of seven obstacles. As only the second to take on the shortened track, Engle knew that she had some of the sport’s fastest riders hot on her heels. Engle stopped the clock in 44.770 seconds with the hopes of putting enough pressure on the consecutive riders for rails to fall in an attempt to catch her pace.

Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group of Loxahatchee, FL, entered the ring two rounds later with his eye on the prize. He executed a textbook jump-off course, posting a time of 41.180 seconds, but a rail at the final oxer would cost him the victory.

Abigail McArdle (USA), a young rider known for her speed and consistency, rode Cade, owned by David McArdle, to a clean round just ahead of Engle in 44.08 seconds. Her lead would not hold long as Scott Keach (AUS) tripped the timers two seconds quicker with Fedor, owned by Southern Cross Equestrian of Reddick, FL, landing from the final obstacle in a clear 42.09 seconds.

Vale was next in the ring with Quidam’s Good Luck, and knew that he could leave nothing to chance. They dashed to the second obstacle of the course, a double combination in a speedy nine strides to shave the seconds, and compensate for the additional stride in Vale’s plan to be cautious at a tricky vertical set in the middle of the ring.

As soon as they landed from the vertical, at a 19-second pace, it was down to the wire, using the open space to the oxer to cover the ground. They made a tight left rollback to the signature sponsor fence of the class, the Hollow Creek Farms vertical, and raced for the final distance to jump the last fence of the class and trip the timers in 40.960 seconds.

Vale said, “I used his Thoroughbred quickness and hit the gas and made him run down to the oxer on the end. I wasn’t looking at the clock – sometimes you can look at the clock, but tonight there wasn’t enough time to do that. I caught a good spot there, and just wanted to make sure I didn’t do something too stupid at the last fence. About halfway down the line I could tell I was in a spot that he could jump it from.”

The only remaining rider to challenge Vale’s time was the 18-year-old Eugenio Garza (MEX) with Bariano. Richie Moloney (IRL) put in a more conservative clean round in 44.67 seconds with Carrabis Z, owned by Equinimity LLC of Wellington, FL, but Garza did not hesitate to go for the time.

“You scared me there,” Vale said to the young rider shortly after the end of the class. Garza was able to claim the second place just behind Vale in 41.280 seconds, only a 3/10ths of a second differential.

Eugenio Garza and Carrabis Z
Eugenio Garza and Carrabis Z

Garza said, “Honestly, we saw Aaron go, and as always, he is incredibly fast, so I thought, ‘Why not? We will try to get it.’ We had so much fun out there. My horse jumped unbelievable; I couldn’t have asked more from Bariano. He really gave it his all, and I had a blast out there, I really did.”

“I heard the spectators; it is hard not to lose your head a little bit; I have before,” Garza laughed. “I saw Aaron go, and he was very fast. We did 10 strides to the double and then we caught a very nice one off of the vertical. From there, we really just pushed and went for it; it really all flowed together. We had really good distances. I think it is just that Aaron is very fast. He has years of experience, and hopefully one day we can catch him.”

The $127,000 Hollow Creek Farms Grand Prix CSI3* earmarks a page in history for the Kentucky Spring Classic, as it is the largest grand prix earnings offered during the series. Tonight marks Vale’s second consecutive Saturday night victory, earning valuable Longines Rider Ranking points for the pair.

Vale concluded, “I am just thrilled that the horse went so well; it is nice to do it in back-to-back weeks. It has been a great two weeks of jumping here. He has had a super two weeks, and my other horses have made progression to be able to do this. The whole barn has done really well. It has been a great Kentucky.”

The Kentucky Spring Classic will conclude tomorrow with the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, which will count for the valuable points earned towards the USEF Ranking List.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. 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:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

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

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

David Beisel and Lavish Collect $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Victory

David Beisel and Lavish.

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2015 – David Beisel was not going to let the pouring rain stop him and Lavish from wowing the judges during the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Classic.

Beisel and Lavish, the 10-year-old gelding owned by Phyllis Harlow, shot to the top of the leader board during the classic round, taking all four of the high options along Bobby Murphy’s course to earn a score of 89.

The pair excelled in the handy round, once again taking all of the high options and topping the charts with a score of 94. Beisel said that this is only the gelding’s fifth time showing this year, and he just comes out to play for the derbies.

“He has a great life; he’s spoiled and loves peppermints,” Beisel said. “I think he did some really nice turns today, and I felt like he did a really nice hand gallop. I thought he balanced up really nicely and stayed soft for the next couple of jumps that followed.”

The second-place ribbon was awarded to Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole, who coincidentally finished second in last week’s derby, too.

When Serenity Farm imported Totem Pole three years ago, the gelding was never completely sound. The veterinarian eventually discovered a bone chip in his ankle, which was quickly removed. However, the next day, the horse’s condition had worsened. Totem Pole had EPM, but thankfully recovered due to Cruciotti family’s fast response.

Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole
Kelli Cruciotti and Totem Pole

Although the horse is coming on 11 years old, Cruciotti said he acts like a 7-year-old due to the three years he spent in and out of training.

“He’s finally really maturing,” Cruciotti said. “He’s an amazing jumper. He just has to learn where to put his legs sometimes.”

In the classic round, Totem Pole showcased his newfound mature side. The duo got a break from the rain, taking the course’s high options to earn a 90, beating Beisel in the first portion of the division.

“He was great,” Cruciotti commented. “The best part about him is that he’s so brave. It was a great class; I loved the course, and David’s horse went great, too.”

The pair returned for the handy, receiving a score of 91, including the added points for all four high options. Cruciotti and Totem Pole ended up settling for second with a two-point differential.

Third-place finishers Steve Heinecke and So Lucky were hot on the leaders’ heels, missing second place by only two points.

Heinecke and Jane Olsen Fisher’s So Lucky took the high options and were awarded a score of 89.5 in the classic round, also beating Beisel’s initial score of 89.

The pair returned for the handy, earning a 90 with the high options to secure the third-place ribbon.

Fourth place was awarded to Emma Kurtz and Scott Stewart’s VIP Z, earning scores of 87 and 85. The fifth-place ribbon went to Helen Voss and Cashmere, who earned scores of 85 and 86. Rounding out the top six were Lilly French and Candor, with their scores of 76 and 89.

The Hallways Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby is a five-part series that has become a staple at the spring shows and will continue into the summer series. The leading riders will be presented with the cash prizes at the end of the Bluegrass Festival on August 16, 2015.

After today’s win, Beisel commented, “It’s very generous of Hallway Feeds to sponsor this, and I appreciate their support. I think I have my eye on that bonus now.”

Coverage of the Kentucky Spring Classic will continue tomorrow in the Stonelea with the Junior Hunter divisions, which will wrap up the spring show series at the Kentucky Horse Park.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. 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:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

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

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

Annabel Revers Takes Home the Blue in ASPCA Maclay at Kentucky Spring Classic

Annabel Revers and Quax.

Lexington, KY – May 15, 2015 – Annabel Revers has become a familiar face in equitation ring, and today the 15-year-old rose to the top in a field of 29 entries, taking home the blue ribbon in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Class at the Kentucky Spring Classic.

The young talent from Weston, Massachusetts placed fourth last week, but came back today with Quax ready to win. The pair impressed the judges with a smooth trip around Bobby Murphy’s course, which included an in-and-out to a single on a bending line, rollbacks and a brush jump.

“I thought it was a great course, but I wasn’t sure how Quax was going to react to the jump at the end of the ring,” Revers said. “He spooked a little bit, but it wasn’t enough to be noticeable. He was great, though. He turns so well and maintains a really nice rhythm around the whole course.”

Revers’ equitation also stood out on the flat, where the judges asked the riders to show at the walk, working trot, sitting trot and canter. The pair rode away with the win, continuing on the path to Regionals, which Revers has already qualified for.

Coming in second place behind Revers and Quax were Sophie Simpson and Clifford, an entry from Blue Hill Farm LLC of Wellington, Florida.

Although 16-year-old Simpson competes regularly in the equitation ring, her horse Clifford is brand new, doing the Maclay for only the second time today.

“Clifford is a really green horse; he’s only 8,” Simpson said. “He’s just starting equitation, but he was awesome. I thought that for a horse’s second time going around the Maclay, the course was spooky enough with the brush jump and the wall, but I knew he was going to be really good. He’s really straightforward and really brave, so I was really happy with him. He handled everything very well.”

Sophie Simpson and Clifford
Sophie Simpson and Clifford

Simpson has also qualified for Regionals and is looking forward to competing there, with her sights set on eventually qualifying for Finals.

“I’m hoping everything goes well, and we can continue to Finals,” Simpson commented. “It would be a heartbreak if it didn’t, but I’m excited for both.”

Third place went to Martha Ingram and Tenacious, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram from Nashville, Tennessee. Helen Voss and Mark Bone’s Cashmere took the fourth-place spot, with fifth place going to Elizabeth Bailey and her horse Acido 7. Rounding out the top six were Anna Bremermann and her horse Pretentious K.

Up next at the Kentucky Spring Classic is “Derby Day,” with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby taking center stage.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. 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:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

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

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