12.02.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Events, Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, World Equestrian Games at 12:16 pm by Thomas
Celebrity Chef Dinner Series
Celebrates 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
New York, N.Y.—America’s leading chefs are partnering with the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition to showcase the country’s rich culinary heritage for 16 nights during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with Cookin’ in the Bluegrass: A Celebrity Chef Dinner Series.
The James Beard Foundation has partnered with the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games for Cookin’ in the Bluegrass. This dinner series will occur each night from September 25-October 10, 2010 in Lexington, Ky., as the Kentucky Horse Park hosts the world championships in eight equestrian sports.
Each dinner will feature two celebrity chefs, many of whom are James Beard Award-winners, and one local or Kentucky-based chef, cooking side-by-side at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Farmhouse restaurant. Each night, 80 guests will enjoy dining experiences that replicate the sumptuous dinners held at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City.
Tickets for Cookin’ in the Bluegrass will be available for purchase in early 2010 at www.alltechfeigames.com. Prices have not been finalized.
Current Participating Chefs include:
John Besh, Restaurant August, New Orleans, La.
Philippe Boulot, the Heathman at the Heathman Hotel, Portland, Ore.
Clifford Buittano and Anne Quatrano, Bacchanalia, Atlanta, Ga.
Sanford D’Amato, Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, Minn.
Roberto Donna, Galileo, Washington, DC
Jose Garces, 2009 Iron Chef Winner, Amada, Philadelphia; Pa.
Mark Kiffin, The Compound restaurant, Santa Fe, N.M.
Mike Lata, Fig, Charleston, S.C.
Christopher Lee, Aureole, New York City, N.Y.
Emily Luchetti, Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, Calif.
George Mavrothalassaitis, Chef Mavro Restaurant, Honolulu, HI
Nancy Oakes, Boulevard restaurant, San Francisco, Calif.
Vitaly Paley, Paley’s Place Bistro and Bar, Portland, Ore.
Joachim B. Splichal, Patina Restaurant Group, New York, NY.
Mark Vetri, Vetri, Philadelphia, Pa.
“The James Beard Foundation is honored to be part of an event that allows a diverse group of chefs to share their culinary points of view with a whole new audience,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Our 2010 Games dinners will pair the best local and national chefs in America’s great southern region, where we celebrate so many of our nation’s deepest culinary roots.”
In spring 2010 the James Beard Foundation will offer a coinciding “Bluegrass Experience” at the James Beard House in New York to honor the World Equestrian Games culinary events.
Sponsors include the Kentucky Proud Program, dedicated to marketing Kentucky-made or –grown food products (funded in part by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture). From local farmers to brewers, distillers, growers and cheese-makers, Kentucky Proud represents an array of local products distributed throughout the world. Kentucky Proud will facilitate the use of fresh, local ingredients every night of Cookin’ in the Bluegrass.
Proceeds from Cookin’ in the Bluegrass will benefit the James Beard Foundation, The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
About the James Beard Foundation
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America’s culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary schools, and publications, and by maintaining the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit www.jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter.
About the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation
Since its inception in 1985 the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and a prestigious board has been fulfilling its mission to become the unquestioned leading equestrian facility of its kind in the world and continues to provide funding for the park’s facilities such as show rings and barns for equine competitions, horses and carriages, costumes, signage, demographic research, land surveys, and publications.
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11.02.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, World Equestrian Games at 5:40 pm by Thomas
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the Kentucky Horse Park today announced the first participants of the Equine Village, an exhibit area showcasing the equine industry through education, demonstrations and entertainment.
This major exhibition area will be a main spectator attraction during the 2010 Games, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010.
To date, 53 organizations and presenters have been selected for the Equine Village. Eighteen breed organizations are set to showcase their breeds and disciplines, including the American Paint Horse Association, which will have a special performance by Lynn Palm and Rugged Painted Lark.
Featured educational speakers include John Lyons, Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Craig Cameron and others. They will demonstrate and discuss natural horsemanship, groundwork, and riding tips.
On the list to provide entertainment is Tomas Garcilazo, Tommy Turvey-Equine Extremest, the California Cowgirls Drill Team and several others. Entertainers will perform stunts, dances, tricks and other exciting demonstrations.
The Equestrian Federation of India, the Federation International Horse Ball and the United States Mounted Games Association will also present. For a full list of organizations and presenters, click here.
The Equine Village will be located in heart of the Kentucky Horse Park, in the outdoor show grounds, the Breeds Arena, and barns in the permanent exhibit areas of the park, and will include live horses and a hands-on activity center for children and families.
Initial plans for the Equine Village were conceived by the World Games 2010 Foundation staff. In an effort to provide the best range of educational and entertainment opportunities for spectators, planning has become a partnership, and the actual coordination of the Equine Village will now be handled by Kentucky Horse Park staff.
“We were overwhelmed with the number of responses we received from equine organizations that wanted to participate in educating Games’ spectators about the horse industry and all it comprises,” said Kathy Hopkins, Equine Operations Director at the Kentucky Horse Park and Equine Village Director for the 2010 Games. “We are thrilled to have such a wide representation of the industry in the Equine Village.”
All information regarding the Equine Village is available on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Web site at www.alltechfeigames.com. Equine organizations seeking involvement in the Equine Village can contact Layson Griffin at layson.griffin@ky.gov or at 859-948-5919
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10.25.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, News Release at 6:58 am by Thomas
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LEXINGTON, KY (October 23, 2009)
The Kentucky Horse Park and the
Kentucky Equine Humane Center
are partnering in a new project
to assist Kentucky’s
unwanted horses.
Last week the Kentucky Horse Park became aware that some unwanted, pregnant Thoroughbred mares were in need of a home. The owner of the mares no longer wanted them, and sent them to the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC), a 72-acre facility located in central Kentucky. The KyEHC is a model shelter for equines from across the state. No horse in need of shelter is ever turned away, regardless of breed or mix of breed. The number of horses they have taken in has swelled recently, including the pregnant mares, so they contacted the Kentucky Horse Park for assistance.
“We are ever mindful of the responsibilities that march in tandem with the privileges of being the Horse Capital of the World,” stated John Nicholson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “So we had to make an important decision. The easy choice would have been to make excuses not to get involved, or to look the other way and hope that someone else would help these mares. The more difficult choice would entail taking on several new, high-maintenance horses, thus significantly increasing the work load for our already-overworked staff.” He continued, “We made the right decision.”
Kathy Hopkins, Equine Director for the Kentucky Horse Park, visited KyEHC with several staff members to make arrangements to take some of the pregnant mares. “While we were there, we saw a number of horses of other breeds that we thought we could help,” stated Hopkins. “So we formed a partnership that will allow some of their horses to come to the park each year for foster care, to receive rehabilitation and training, which will also ease the overcrowded situation at their shelter a bit.”
Lori Neagle, Executive Director of KyEHC observed, “Horses that have training are much more adoptable. This partnership will allow the horses to be more useful, and therefore, find homes easier, allowing KyEHC to place more horses into adoptive homes. Not only will these horses be easier to adopt, but when properly trained, horses continue to be more marketable throughout their lifetime, reducing their risk of ending up in a crisis situation. This helps the horse long term as well as KyEHC by not having the horse return to us later in life.”
Care for the horses will be provided by park staff and by students enrolled in the park’s new four-month Professional Horseman’s Course which starts in January.
In the Professional Horseman’s Course , students will have the rare opportunity to study and work with up to 40 breeds of horses at the park and gain hands-on knowledge and experience regarding handling, feeding, grooming, foal-watching, rehabilitation of injured horses, and training techniques utilized in today’s equine industry. The goal of the program is to provide information and skills necessary for the graduates to enter many facets of the horse business.
Through the partnership with KyEHC, students will have the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of horses who, due to no fault of their own, have found themselves in need of new homes. The students will also assist in the subsequent adoption process.
Nicholson concluded, “This might be a perfect example of ‘what goes around comes around’. As we step up to the plate to help these horses, the horses will, in turn, help our students to become more qualified and conscientious caretakers, who will accordingly discover ways to make their own valuable contributions to the horse industry.”
For more information on the new partnership or the Kentucky Horse Park’s Professional Horseman’s Course, contact Laurie Brown at 859-259-4290 or lbrown@kyhorsepark.com, or Ellen Hamilton at 859-321-6982 or ehamilton@kyhorsepark.com. For information on the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, go to www.KyEHC.org or contact Lori Neagle at 859-881-5849 or LNeagle@KyEHC.org. |
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09.26.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 7:35 pm by Thomas
The new Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park was dedicated on July 15th of this year but I just finally got a chance on Friday after the one year countdown Celebration to check it out.
The Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show was going on this week so the ring was setup for that. One of the neat things about the new arena is that when you walk in you are on the upper level already, so access to seating and that is pretty easy. Everything for the most part is on that same level, vendors, food and restrooms.
There were no horses showing at the time I was there so I didn’t take a seat but I did stop at a few points that overlooked the ring and the view was good and the overall atmosphere to me felt very good. As the year goes on I am planning on finding people who have shown there to get their take on what it is like to show in there. The major work left to be done is the surronding grounds but that should progress quickly once the park is done with shows next month.
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09.03.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 9:31 pm by Thomas
Wanted to post this because I just got word today and knew some people would be headed to the Horse Park for the schooling day on Sunday. I had been hearing that things were getting a little hectic at the Park so not too surprised they needed to cancel it.
Everyone have an enjoyable and safe Labor Day holiday, the weather is supposed to be great for riding this weekend and I know I certainly plan on getting some riding in.
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07.21.09
Posted in 2010 Games, Disciplines, Kentucky Horse Park, Reining, World Games 2010 Foundation at 9:17 pm by Thomas
World Games 2010 Foundation Testing All Operations
LEXINGTON, KY- The first test event in preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games kicked off with spirited competition and rave reviews for the Kentucky Horse Park’s new indoor arena that opened with the Kentucky Cup Reining competition.
Team USA’s Aaron Ralston made history as the first athlete to compete in the arena.
“After my ride, it really started to sink in. It is so special to be a part of something as big as these preparations for the 2010 Games,” he said. “To be on this team with these athletes-it’s all bigger than just me.”
The competition ran smoothly and the facility preparation received high scores from the teams.
Team USA chef d’equipe Jeff Petska commended the Games’ organizing committee and event management for their outstanding job in putting on the event. “The organizing committee did a fantastic job,” he said. “It’s a great arena and the footing was very, very good. We are very excited for the opportunity to come back here for the 2010 Games.”
Petska also thanked sponsors such as Alltech, Ariat, John Deere, Rolex, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, the American Farriers Association, UK Healthcare, Fortune Realty and Pieratts, for their commitment to reining.
Just as organizers are testing their preparations at Kentucky Cup events, participating countries are testing their best against teams they may see in 2010.
“We certainly have our work cut out for us to beat Team USA and others-such as Germany and Italy who are not here today,” said Team Canada Chef d’Equipe Wendy Dyer. “We will plan as best we can to field the best horses and riders.”
Team Mexico Chef d’Equipe Alberto Hawa noted, “I am very pleased to be here and it is an honor to be part of this first event. I think the arena is very good, and everyone’s teams were very good. We are trying to be better every time and we are learning from the big guys. We are excited to see what will happen between now and next year.”
As reining grows in popularity, organizers and teams know that fans around the world will be looking toward the Kentucky Horse Park and the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with great anticipation.
Kentucky Cup Reining will conclude Thursday evening with the individual finals at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event are free to the public. Evening parking at the Kentucky Horse Park is $5.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.
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Posted in 2010 Games, Disciplines, Kentucky Horse Park, Reining at 4:12 pm by Thomas
Kentucky Cup Reining Initiates Kentucky Horse Park’s New Indoor Arena
LEXINGTON, KY-With a great sense of anticipation, Team USA’s Aaron Ralston made history as he entered the ring as the first athlete ever to compete in the Kentucky Horse Park’s new indoor arena in Kentucky Cup Reining, the first test event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
“I really didn’t realize it was happening until afterwards, and then it opened my eyes and it really started to sink in. To be involved in something so big and special as these test events for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and to be on the team with these athletes is so special. It’s all bigger than just me. It’s a great honor and it’s very humbling,” said Ralston, 32, of Silt, CO, winner of team Gold and individual Bronze Medals at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Kentucky Cup Reining, a CRI4* competition officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featured teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The U.S. finished first with a team score of 659.50, followed by Canada with 641.00 and Mexico with 631.50. The Individual Final will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
For the test event, Team USA fielded a seasoned team featuring four WEG Gold Medalists. They were led to the win by Shawn Flarida, 40, of Springfield, OH, double Gold Medalist in reining’s WEG debut in 2002. Flarida received a score of 370.00 from the five-judge panel for his ride on Smart Spook, an 8-year-old, AQHA Sorrel stallion owned by Rosanne Sternberg of Aubrey, TX.
Also turning in stellar performances for the winning U.S. team were Ralston, who scored 354.00 on Double My Whiskey, a 6-year-old, Quarter Horse stallion owned by Waggoner Estate of Vernon, TX; his 2006 WEG Gold Medal teammate Dell Hendricks of Tioga, TX, who scored 367.00 on Starbucks Sidekick, a 9-year-old, Quarter Horse, stallion owned by Adair Reiners, LLC; and Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, TX, winner of team Gold and individual Silver Medals at the 2002 WEG, who scored 362.50 on Darlins Not Painted, a 7-year-old, American Paint Horse mare owned by Randy Paul of Scottsdale, AZ.
While pleased with his team’s performance, Team USA chef d’equipe Jeff Petska pointed out that the team selected for next year’s Games will face a formidable challenge. “Getting ready for a World Equestrian Games is a very involved process and the teams get better every year. It is a sport that began and grew here, but now that advantage is dwindling as the sport is becoming more international. We’re talking to riders and looking for horses because everyone wants to field the best athletes they can. As the sport grows the level of athleticism required for both horses and riders continues to get higher and higher.”
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Further information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, including full results of Kentucky Cup Reining, is available on line at www.alltechfeigames.com.
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Posted in 2010 Games, Disciplines, Kentucky Horse Park, Reining at 10:18 am by Thomas
KENTUCKY CUP REINING STARTS TODAY
LEXINGTON, KY-The first test event of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games begins today as Kentucky Cup Reining slides in the new indoor arena of the Kentucky Horse Park. Kentucky Cup Reining will be the first competition held in the park’s new arena.
Kentucky Cup Reining is a CRI4* competition, officially sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), featuring teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Nations’ Cup team competition will be held July 21 at 10:00 a.m., and the Individual Final will be held Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
“We are thrilled to bring such a spirited rivalry to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first test event,” said Brad Ettleman, reining discipline manager for the World Games 2010 Foundation. “As the fastest growing equestrian sport, reining is a discipline I am confident spectators will enjoy as they get this sneak peak of 2010 competition.”
The Kentucky Cup Reining competition is also an opportunity for organizers of the 2010 Games to test planning and preparations well in advance of next year’s world championships.
“The test events will give us a detailed account of our preparations in many operational areas,” said Foundation CEO Jamie Link. “These opportunities are critical to ensure that we are prepared to successfully host an event of this magnitude and importance in 2010.”
Many 2010 Games sponsors are assisting with Kentucky Cup Reining, including Alltech, John Deere, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, the American Farriers Association, UK Healthcare, Fortune Realty and Pieratts.
About Reining
Reining was added to the FEI as a discipline in 2000 and was featured for the first time in 2002 at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Huge crowds for the Reining competitions at the 2006 Games in Aachen, Germany launched the discipline and its athletes into fame, with sold-out performances and loud, fanatical crowds.
As the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Kentucky, the sport of Reining is sure to enjoy a sort of “homecoming” in the US, as the only western discipline recognized by the FEI. Plans are well under way to feature Reining in new and exciting ways in 2010, including a newly approved schedule format – allowing for more public sessions of the discipline.
About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com
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07.15.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 10:36 pm by Thomas
$45 Million Facility Secures Park as the World’s Leading Equestrian Venue
LEXINGTON, KY (July 15, 2009) Today, the Kentucky Horse Park secured it’s position as the world’s leading equestrian venue with the opening of a $45-million, state-of-the-art Indoor Arena.
“If one were to chronicle the highlights of the past decade at the Kentucky Horse Park, a decade already distinguished by significant accomplishments, the opening of our new Indoor Arena stands as the crowning achievement,” noted John Nicholson, Executive Director of the park.
“Today the Kentucky Horse Park, together with Governor and Mrs. Steven Beshear, the General Assembly, civic leaders and citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky celebrate not only the opening of this impressive structure, but also the successful partnership that produced it, and the legacy of benefits that will flow from it for decades to come.”
The arena was designed by GBBN Architects (offices in Lexington and Louisville), and built by DW Wilburn, a Lexington company. It was designed specifically for the park, after consultations with the leaders of numerous equestrian disciplines, so that it would be the most versatile and user-friendly facility possible. While designed for equestrian competition, the arena will also be used frequently for other types.
Special features include 5,700 stadium seats and nine suites with 200 suite suite seats, a 135 x 300-foot event floor (equal to one football field or four basketball courts) with special equine surface, 20,000 square feet of exhibitor space, six concession areas, a warm-up barn, outdoor warm-up ring, high-tech sound system, 568 parking spaces, and bathrooms with 91 stalls.
Additionally, the fundraising arm of the park, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, is in the process of constructing a three-barn complex with 312 stalls adjacent to the arena, to provide stabling for the thousands of horses who will compete in the arena. These state-of-the-art barns, funded entirely by the private sector, will allow the Kentucky Horse Park to serve as a competition facility 365 days per year, making the park even more attractive to potential horse shows currently held in other states.
Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear, today’s special guest speaker, stated, “This arena is not just a contribution to the horse industry; it will have a positive effect across the commonwealth. Every citizen in each corner of the Kentucky can take pride in this arena because we will all reap the rewards in terms of additional business and increased awareness around the world.”
The First Lady, Jane Beshear, is an accomplished horsewoman whose involvement with the Kentucky Horse Park began in the late 1970s as a volunteer for Equestrian Events, Inc, the organizing body for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day event, and continued as a member of the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and then as a competitive rider. She observed, “Representatives from a wide variety of equestrian disciplines were integral in the design process to ensure that this facility would meet the needs of the horses and people who will be competing here. There isn’t another equine center in the world that offers the breadth of competition facilities that are now available at the Kentucky Horse Park.”
The arena is already booked with approximately 30 events. Among the events contracted to use the arena is the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. The first event to take place will be next week’s WEG Reining Test Event, July 20-23.
Nicholson concluded, “We are grateful to Kentucky’s General Assembly which has been so supportive of this and the other capital improvement projects here at the park. We applaud their foresight and vision in recognizing the long-term benefits that this arena will provide to Kentucky’s citizens. We are very proud to be in a position to draw business into this area to contribute to the prosperity of the commonwealth.”
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06.30.09
Posted in Equine Rescue/Adoption, Kentucky Horse Park, Volunteerism at 10:36 pm by Thomas
I haven’t had much time to volunteer this summer so I made sure to make the 2nd Annual John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair Saturday, June 27th. I volunteered last year for the 1st Annual so I plan on making this an annual event to volunteer for.
The horse’s were showcased this year at the Breed’s Barn which I find more quaint and hospitable to the Covered Arena. I was told there would be 25 horses showcased from a number of organizations but didn’t do a final count because I had heard a number of horses were adopted in the days prior to the event which is a good thing. The number of people attending seemed less then last year but the crowd still seemed enthusiastic about the event and I do believe this is one of those events that will grow over time and my guess would be by the time the 10th one rolls around this maybe a whole weekend event.
There also was a silent and live auction to raise money for the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses Campaign. I did some bidding in the silent auction and managed to win a pair of Polo lessons. I will have to write about the outcome of those lessons as I have never played Polo but I am very interested to give it a try.
Thomas
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05.02.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, The Egyptian Event at 9:01 pm by Thomas
News Release:
The Pyramid Society invites the local community to celebrate “40 years of Magic” at The Egyptian Event, the largest annual showcase of Egyptian Arabian horses in the world, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, from June 1st – 6th, 2009. All audiences are welcomed to attend with free admission.
As one of the most important events on the international Arabian horse event calendar, the very essence and foundation of the Arabian horse is displayed through over 60 classes of international competition, the enormously popular Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge Live Stallion Auction, exquisite shopping, daily educational seminars and numerous youth activities.
The wildly popular stallion presentation individually displays each striking Straight Egyptian stallion providing an excellent opportunity for audience members to get up close and personal with these beautiful, rare horses.
Complimentary seminars offered daily provide expert information surrounding breeding Egyptian Arabian horses and in-depth lessons on the history of these important horses. The 2009 Egyptian Event seminars feature international guest speakers and cover material on conformation, the tradition of naming Arabian horses, the legacy of the stallion, Morafic, and much more.
The Egyptian Event offers excitement for the whole family, plan to bring your children for a tour of Hagyard, Davidson & McGee Equine Hospital, visit the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park and enjoy a horse-drawn tour of the Park. For more information on youth activities, contact The Pyramid Society office.
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04.25.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 9:32 pm by Thomas
I had my first chance today to get a up close look at the new stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park while out for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and to say my first impression was wow would not do it justice. The new stadium makes you feel the Horse Park is starting to blossom into the kind of World Class facility we all knew it could be. I know a lot of peope in these economic times are questioning the money that is being spent on the Horse Park, but I can say the stadium gives you the feel that the money being spent is being well spent and of course the majority of that money is going to jobs right here in Central Kentucky. Tomorrow I am going to experience the stadium in action as I will be in attendance for the final day of the Rolex, Show Jumping, which will take place in the Stadium.
Thomas
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04.24.09
Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 10:06 pm by Thomas
The weather continues to be just wonderful for the Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event though it has started to get hot. The weather for tomorrow’s Cross Country is forecast to be mid 80’s and windy under a bright sun, so everyone wear your sun screen and we will see you there.
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02.23.09
Posted in Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 9:45 pm by Thomas
Lexington, KY – February 23, 2009- The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the HSBC FEI ClassicsTM Series and one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions, is set to return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 23-26.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features the world’s best horses and riders vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money and a chance at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The winning owner will be awarded $80,000 and the winning rider will receive a classic Rolex timepiece.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will run a CCI****, the 12th championship for the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Pinnacle Cup, signifying the zenith in Eventing competition in the United States. The event draws over 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts including a one-hour special on NBC in the United States.
“This year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event promises to be the biggest and most exciting ever,” said Jane Atkinson, Executive Vice President of Equestrian Events, Inc.(EEI), producer of the event. “With a brand new stadium and other improvements to the Kentucky Horse Park, spectators can expect an unprecedented experience. As anticipation continues to build for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the level of competition at Rolex should be at an all-time high!”
The only Four Star Event in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the premier competition for the top horses and riders in Eventing. Past winners include United States Olympic Medalists David and Karen O’Connor, Kim Severson, Phillip Dutton, New Zealand’s Blyth Tait and Nick Larkin, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain and Andrew Hoy and Clayton Fredericks of Australia.
The $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is awarded to any rider who wins theRolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession. In 2003, Pippa Funnell of Great Britain, became the first, and to date only, rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
In addition to the heart pounding equestrian action, one of the most popular attractions at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the Kentucky Three-Day Event Shop. The Shop offers all manner of clothing, accessories and gift items sporting the EEI logo with the competition title, “Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event,” curved around the top of the logo.
“We are looking forward to having everyone come out to enjoy the Kentucky Horse Park to watch one of the world’s most exciting events,” said Atkinson. “In addition to watching the world-class equestrian competition and strolling through the more than 150 shops and boutiques, equine enthusiasts can tour the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park, stroll the beautiful grounds and catch a glimpse of magnificent horses all around!”
For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org, complete the ticket order form and return via mail or fax (859-254-5116) to Equestrian Events, Inc., call (859) 254-8123 or order online.
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02.16.09
Posted in Announcement, Equestrian Events Inc, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event at 11:02 pm by Thomas
Lexington, KY-February 16, 2009 – As a result of construction projects at the Kentucky Horse Park, Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is announcing some major changes for the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the only annual Four Star Three-Day Event in the Americas. Scheduled for April 23-26, the event draws over 100,000 spectators and is seen by millions more on worldwide telecasts, including a one-hour special on NBC in the United States.
Honored with the 2008 Best of Lexington Award in the Special Events category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA), Equestrian Events continues to move forward and adapt to the changes at the Horse Park that will be fully completed by the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Even before it is the Test Event in 2010 for the Eventing World Championships, Rolex Kentucky 2009 will be the first time some of the Park changes come into play. Some of the changes in 2009:
The Stadium
The arena where the Dressage and Jumping Tests for Rolex Kentucky were previously held is being totally rebuilt to create a new Stadium. This new facility, in the same location as the previous arena, will be a whole new experience for spectators, as well as horses and riders, and is leading to some sweeping changes for 2009 and beyond.
Prior to the start of construction, the Lake Grandstand-constructed from funds donated by Equestrian Events, Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and legions of supporters of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event-was carefully and painstakingly dismantled. Located on the south side of the arena with the Park’s picturesque lake behind it, each piece of the Lake Grandstand was numbered and coded and is being stored for re-assembly at a later date at one of the Park’s other outdoor arenas. The Lake Grandstand has 2,325 bench seats, 1,883 of them covered and 24 spaces for disabled seating.
New Permanent Grandstand
A new permanent grandstand structure, with 7,289 chair seats, 4,630 of which will be covered, plus 102 spaces for disabled seating, is being constructed on the north side of the stadium where the Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents and their temporary grandstand seating were located. The Park Grandstand also houses restrooms and concession areas underneath the second tier of seating. There will be three entrances to the grandstand. The entry level goes directly to the uppermost row of the first tier of seating and disabled seating is on that level. Stairs at the entry level go up to the first row of the second tier of seating.
Temporary Uncovered Grandstand Seating
Rolex Kentucky organizer Equestrian Events, Inc. is renting uncovered grandstands to provide a total of 15,000 seats in the new Stadium. These stands will be located on the south side of the arena by the Park’s lake and on the west side of the arena.
New Arena Surface
A new arena surface will greet horses and riders at Rolex Kentucky 2009, but the surface isn’t new to the Horse Park or to the horses and riders that competed in the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. The German company OTTO Sport-und Reitplatz GMBH is installing its state-of-the-art riding surface on the Stadium arena and the attached warm-up area and will have its inaugural use at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. However, the same surface was installed in 2008 in the Park’s Walnut Ring and used extensively last year, to wide acclaim, for Jumper classes at various A and AA-rated hunter/jumper shows at the Park.
Patron Club and Equestrian Club Tents Moved
Due to its size, the Park Grandstand utilizes all the ground from the edge of the original arena back to Nina Bonnie Boulevard, ground where the Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents and uncovered grandstand seating were previously located. The Patron Club and Equestrian Club tents are being relocated across Nina Bonnie Boulevard to the fence line surrounding the High Hope Steeplechase Course. The tents will overlook the infield of the course, where several major obstacles on the Rolex Kentucky Cross-Country course are located. Grandstand seating for Patron Club and Equestrian Club subscribers will be an additional charge, allowing these Event attendees to choose which grandstand seating they prefer and to sit with friends who are not subscribers to these two ticket options. Video screens will be located in each tent to provide almost larger-than-life viewing of each day’s competition.
East Side of Stadium
The East side of the Stadium, where temporary grandstands have previously been located, will now be used for the Patron Plus tent, a private hospitality tent, along with the grandstand for Riders, Owners, Grooms and Competitor Guests.
South Side of Stadium
The configuration of the lake side of the arena is changed, and two grandstands with increased seating will be located here along with the Doggery, the grandstand targeted especially for dogs and their human companions.
West Side of Stadium
The permanent Sponsor Hospitality Pavilion, previously located on the north side of the arena, has made way for the new Park Grandstand, requiring the creation of a new Sponsor Pavilion on the west side of the arena. The West Grandstand that was located near the lake remains in the same relative position, but increased in height by one row (36 rows) and in width by 6′.
Most visitors to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Website have already been introduced to the newest ticket purchasing option from Equestrian Events, Inc., online ticket sales. While the Ticket Order Form may still be downloaded and mailed or faxed to the EEI Office, and orders may still be placed via telephone, those who like the ease and speed of placing orders online now have that option.
“We are proud of our longstanding commitment to providing outstanding entertainment as well as world-class equestrian competition,” said Event Director, Jane Atkinson. “The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has always been produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. with a strong commitment to giving spectators an exciting and comfortable experience and we believe that these changes will go a long way in accomplishing that goal.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event features this country’s best horses and riders and international stars vying for their share of $250,000 in prize money and a chance at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. The winning owner is awarded $65,000 and the winning rider receives a Rolex timepiece. The classic Kentucky Julep Cup is presented by Equestrian Events, Inc. to the winning owner and winning rider as a reminder of their accomplishment.
For more information on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.rk3de.org. To receive the ticket brochure for the 2009 Event, send your name and address to Equestrian Events, Inc., P.O. Box 12110, Lexington, KY 40580-2110, (859) 254-8123 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm, M-F), (859) 254-5116 (fax), or rktickets@alltel.net.
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10.02.08
Posted in 2010 Games, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Horse Park, Media Day, United States Dressage Federation at 10:47 pm by Thomas
The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the 3rd Annual Kentucky Horse Park and National Horse Center Media Day. For anyone in the media this is a great learning experience on all that is the Kentucky Horse Park no matter if you are in Equine media or not and I highly recommend it. The day started out with a number of breed and discipline demonstrations in the covered arena.
Patricia (PJ) Cooksey discussed (from horseback) the many aspects of the Kentucky Racing Commission and the changes that have been implemented this year. She was well received and answered a number of good questions. Dr. Nathan Slovis gave an in-depth demonstration of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Equine Ambulance with audience participation.
It was then on to the Club Lounge for lunch with John Nicholson in which he presented his vision of unity throughout the horse industry that the Kentucky Horse Park is facilitating by currently being the headquarters of 33 Equine Organizations both big and small. He pointed out that for every employee the Horse Park employees the private organizations there employ 3. He also pointed out that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be viewed by some 500 Million people around the world and that for many of them this will be their first discovery of Kentucky.
John’s passion for the Kentucky Horse Park is always palpable and he summed up the role of the Kentucky Horse Park by saying he expects people to come to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 and fall in love with Kentucky and that some of those people will then move their business’ to Kentucky. There is no question that I agree with that sentiment and that these Games are the most significant thing to happen to Kentucky since the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
After lunch we received very nice Gift bags provided by the United States Dressage Foundation that had all kinds of cool stuff in them. We then loaded onto a motorcoach sponsored by Kentucky Horse Council for a tour of the park and the ongoing construction of the new park facilities. Currently the Horse Park is booked for 3 years into the futures and there is an event going on at the Horse Park every weekend but 2. Nina Bonnie Blvd, the main East-Main thoroughfair through the Horse Park is going to be widened and will be the main pedestrian thoroughfair for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010.
We saw the new indoor arena which is well underway and scheduled to be in use by June 2009 with shows allready booked for it next summer. The arena will have seating for 7,000 with 40,000 sq ft of exhibitor space and will host the Reining and Vaulting for the Games. We then moved on to the TRF-Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center which works to re-school racehorses and find them new homes. Susanna M. Thomas is the Director of the Center and is a wonderful great advocate for this wonderful endeavor. As she put it, “Every Horse has a Story”. Our next stop was the new facilitiy under construction for the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Pat Cline provided us with all the good work the CKRH does and that part of the reason for their great success was the 280 active volunteers they had last year. As always I will say, here is another great cause for those of you looking to volunteer.
To finish up the day we headed over to the Combined Driving Event that is going on at the Horse Park through the weekend. On our way we past the location for the new Outdoor Stadium which is starting to take shape and is on schedule to be completed next year. It will have permanent seating for 7,500 and be expandable to hold 27,500 for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
I want to give a special thanks to Lisa Jackson who was a gracious host and provided a number of us rides to different area’s of the park at the end of the day. I also want to thank the sponsors which allow the Kentucky Horse Park to put on this event for no charge to the Media, I for one am greatly appreciate for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing everyone out there again next year.
Thomas
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