11.20.12

Happy 40th Anniversary to the KHC

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council at 10:21 pm by Thomas

Kentucky Horse Council, Inc. Press Release

Kentucky Horse Council Celebrates 40th Anniversary at Annual Meeting Past Presidents of KHC: Judy Robin, Bill Hilliard, and Anita Magan Lexington, KY, November 18, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) celebrated its 40th Anniversary as an organization at their Annual Meeting held at Shaker Village in Mercer County. Past Presidents of KHC who attended the meeting included Mr. Bill Hilliard, President from 1995-1996, Ms. Judy Robin, President in 2000 and Ms. Anita Magan Oh, President in 2003. The event was attended by over 65 members, which followed a morning trail ride on the Shaker Village property.  The day was a sunny crisp fall day, providing the perfect environment for both the trail ride and the visit to Shaker Village for the 40th anniversary. Anna Zinkhon, KHC Board President, commented on the event, “The Kentucky Horse Council has been a steadfast supporter of our Kentucky horse industry for 40 years, and we could not have been as strong as we are now without the dedication of all past presidents and board members.  We owe them a debt of gratitude for all of their contributions since 1972.” The day’s events, in addition to the trail ride, featured Dr. Mats Troeddson, Director of the Gluck Equine Research Center, discussing current equine research activities and the need for communications between researchers, veterinarians and horsemen; Ginny Grulke, Executive Director, reviewing the 2012 KHC activities and a horse industry update, and elections of new board members for 2013.  All enjoyed a 40th Anniversary cake. KHC is now accepting memberships for 2013.  For a summary of 2012 activities and membership forms, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits.  The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

Contact: Ginny Grulke Executive Director Phone: (859) 367-0509  director@kentuckyhorse.org Kentucky Horse Council 1500 Bull Lea Rd, Suite 214C Lexington, KY 40511 Fax: (866) 618-3837 www.kentuckyhorse.org

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10.01.12

The Passing of Jonathan Wentz 1990-2012

Posted in 2010 Games, Disciplines, Para-Dressage at 8:18 pm by Thomas

I am always confounded when an individual passes in the horse world that I did not know personally but at least knew of through their successes. I first want to send my thoughts and prayers to his family, I wish I had had the chance to know your son personally but I have no doubt the horse world was a better place because of his participation. I think I can safely say that Jonathan Wentz was a horse person first, Equestrian second and a person with a disability some where further down a list with many other things coming before it. I think it is also fair to say that Jonathan was able to accomplish a number of his dreams, namely competing in the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the 2012 London Summer Para-Olympics all by the age of 21.  So Thank You Jonathan for just being yourself and proving that any so called disability does not define who we are as human beings.

For a more in depth article on Jonathan check out the photos and article by Lindsay Yosay McCall on the United States Para-Equestrian Associations website.

Thomas Demond

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09.30.12

WEG 2010 Reflections – 2014 Countdown and beyond.

Posted in 2010 Games, 2014 Games at 8:50 pm by Thomas

It’s amazing to think that it has been 2 years already since the World Equestrian Games were here in Lexington and that leaves now less then 2 years until the start of the Altech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy France.

I am going through all my old blog postings from the Games and reflecting on how much fun it was.  At this point 2 years ago I was into my forth day of volunteering, and of course was having a Great time already.  I can say 2 years on that my involvement with the 2010 Games was a Great experience that I will always remember.  I also continue to believe and see the positive impacts the 2010 Games had on Lexington and Central Kentucky.

Now onto Normandy, which if my count serves me correct is now only 692 days away.  Opening day of the Normandy Games is August 24th and they will close on the 7th of September.

I probably need to get on the ball and start looking at what the weather is like in that part of France at that time of the year.     I would assume that the close proximity to the English Channel moderates the climate.  Actually there is a lot I need to start researching for the 2014 Games now that we are within the 2 year window and everyone will start making their plans to go.

Beyond the 2014 Games, there are still many questions about the 2018 Games and the future of the World Equestrian Games beyond that point.  There are a lot of unknowns, many of which revolve around the economic outcomes of Europe over the next Decade, but I will not get into that today.

Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO

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08.16.12

Kentucky Horse Council Travels to France & Ireland as Part of Alltech Delegation

Posted in 2014 Games, Alltech, Kentucky Horse Council at 10:04 pm by EPR

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08.15.12

Governor recognizes KHP as world-class; 115 of this year’s Olympic riders competed there

Posted in Government, Governor Beshear, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park at 7:08 am by EPR

The Horse Park is also a significant economic contributor to the Commonwealth, with an estimated economic impact of approximately $180 million each year.

Rolex Kentucky (photo by www.PixBySteve.com.)

“The Kentucky Horse Park is the only place in our state—and one of the few places in the world—where visitors can see world-class equestrian competitions on a regular basis,” said Beshear. “We are not only the Horse Capital of the World, but Kentucky is also one of the premier homes for high-level equestrian sports. I encourage Kentuckians and visitors to attend one of the many top-rated shows held at the Kentucky Horse Park and witness elite competition firsthand.”

More than 115 athletes who participated in equestrian events in the 2012 Olympics have competed at the Kentucky Horse Park. Seventeen of those athletes earned a medal in the London Olympics.

Athletes frequently travel from Australia, France, Great Britain and many other countries to the Lexington facility to contend for top honors in equestrian sports such as dressage, jumping and eventing.

The Horse Park also hosted the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which marked the first time the elite competition was held outside of Europe. That event placed Kentucky in the international spotlight and generated more than $200 million in economic impact, and also built on the park’s international reputation as a signature event site. The new facilities added to the Horse Park for WEG continue to attract competitors and tourists to Kentucky from across the country and around the world.

“We appreciate the continued support from the governor and first lady. We are exceedingly proud of our facility and the competitions that bring in visitors and athletes from around the globe,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “The Kentucky Horse Park is clearly one of the leading equestrian competition facilities not just in North America, but anywhere in the world. We expect the tremendous growth of the sport horse industry in Kentucky will accelerate in the years ahead.”

The Kentucky Horse Park is a 1,200 acre competition facility and tourist attraction recognized as the epicenter of equestrian life, sports and business. Most notably, the park annually hosts the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. The event is ranked at four stars, which is the highest level in international competition.

The Horse Park hosts a number of other award-winning shows as well. The Alltech National Horse Show won the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame’s Show of the year. They were also named the top U.S. show by the North American Riders Group. North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and the two weeks of Kentucky Spring Hunter Jumper were named among the top 25 events in North America.

This year, the facility will host 21 grand prix jumper classes as well as seven national or international hunter derbies, with more than $1 million offered in prize money.

The Park will host three upper-level dressage events in 2013, including the U.S. Dressage Finals.

For more information on the Kentucky Horse Park and its world-class events, please visit kyhorsepark.com.

From Ky. Horse Park

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Gov. Beshear Pledges Support for Recreational Trails Program

Posted in Adventure Tourism, Government, Governor Beshear, Kentucky at 6:28 am by EPR

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07.21.12

South Africa Horse Safari: Traveling There.

Posted in South Africa, Travel at 4:20 pm by Thomas

The thought of International travel can be a little intimidating at first, but in this day and age it shouldn’t be the reason that you do not travel abroad. The first order of business is to have a U.S. Passport which will cost you $135 and is good for 10 years for individuals over 16 years of age.  You will want to give yourself about 3 months lead time before your trip to get your Passport back though it is possible to get it expedited for an additional fee.  South Africa like many countries has a diplomatic agreement with the United States that allows citizens to travel there without a Visa.

As with any International Travel you will want to keep up on any potential security and health concerns.  The United States Department of State provides a great service through their website with all the relevant information for traveling abroad, here is the specific link for South Africa.  We do highly recommend that you enroll in the SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) which will provide you with updates as well as providing a way for friends and family to get in touch with you in an emergency.

Now that you have your Passport in hand and you have checked out any last minute concerns its time to buy your ticket.  There are a number of airlines that fly to South Africa as well as a number of routes you can take.  We have flown both Delta and South African and prefer South African both in cost and service.  The cost per person is going to run between $1400 and $3000 given a number of factors, primarily date of travel and how far in advance you purchase your tickets.  Given the exchange rate between the South African RAND and  the U.S. Dollar of between 6.5 and 8 to 1 currently, a trip to South Africa is quite affordable as a once in a lifetime adventure.

I will admit that I am quite bias on South Africa. I have said it before and I will say it again, there is a feeling I get when I am there and the experience has changed me for the better and always draws me back.

Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO

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07.09.12

Then there were 3, 2018 WEG down another host bid!

Posted in 2018 Games at 8:25 pm by Thomas

It became official today, though the writing had been on the wall for some time, Wellington, Florida has announced their intention to drop a bid to be host city for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.  We are disappointed but it is hard to be surprised by this outcome considering the political in fighting that had been on public display for the last couple of months.  Actually our primary disappointment is the with how this was handled and some feelings that Wellington should not of even submitted a bid in the first place because the dynamics that caused this failure were in place prior to the bid being submitted.

I realize my group and maybe more importantly myself will draw some fire for publicly making that statement.  I am not trying to indite the good intentions of certain individuals in Wellington, but it would seem there was a sense the other side would raise up to prevent this bid from being successful.  I have a pretty good sense of why that is, but that is totally unimportant to me, what is important, where the 2018 Games finally land and the impact that has on Kentucky pursuing either the 2022 or 2026 Games.

Currently the favorite to win the bid is Vienna, Austria for the simple fact, its Vienna.  With Wellington out though Bromont, Canada picks up some support with those wanting the Games in North America.  However Vienna effectively received the same boost when Budapest, Hungary withdrew their bid a few weeks ago.  Rabat, Morocco is the other city via for the Games, but it seems hard to in-vision them beating out Vienna.

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06.25.12

Hot Summer Updates 2012

Posted in 2018 Games, Weather at 8:53 pm by Thomas

We hope everyone is staying cool and safe, seems we maybe paying for our mild Winter with a hot-dry Summer.  Thankfully hay production was well advanced in Kentucky by our Spring weather so hay supplies should hold up.  The hope now for our pastures will rest in a tropical system coming up through Texas to provide a significant rain event through the Central U.S.

On another hot topic, the Hungarian Federation has withdrawn the Budapest bid for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games stating their support for neighboring Vienna Austria’s bid.  This leaves four(4) competing sites, Rabat (MAR); Bromont (CAN); Vienna (AUT) and Wellington (USA).  We will start our countdown for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games after the Olympics.

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05.15.12

Help the Kentucky Horse Park win a new Toyota Tundra to care for our horses!

Posted in Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation at 6:00 pm by EPR

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is a Finalist for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program.   And with your help, we can win a new Toyota Tundra full size pickup truck for the Kentucky Horse Park! VOTE SUNDAY, MAY 20! at www.100carsforgood.com Please forward this email to all of your friends and encourage them to vote for the Kentucky Horse Park at www.100carsforgood.com on Sunday, May 20!Voting for the Kentucky Horse Park is only open from 10 am to midnight EDT on Sunday, May 20! Why do we need a truck?  To care for our horses and maintain the park’s grounds!  For more information, watch this fun video:

идея за подарък

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05.13.12

South Africa Horse Safari: Preview

Posted in South Africa, Travel at 7:13 pm by Thomas

I have just returned from my second two-week trip of the year to the Waterberg region of South Africa. This was part of an extended family visit as my Father/Mother In-law manage a dual operation Cattle Ranch & Game Preserve 16km North of the town of Vaalwater in the Limpopo Province South Africa. This area is situated about 3 hours North West of Johannesburg in the Waterberg Mountain Range.

The Waterberg:

“The Waterberg…so named by the early trekkers for its bounteous supply of clear water.  Eugene Marais, the noted author and father of African ecology, observed that the passage of wagons was impeded by the enormous amount of water to be found throughout the region.  The name is apt, for in times of good rain, one will find a continual seepage and flow of water from within these mountain ranges.

Straddling an area of some 15 000 square kilometers in the Northern Transvaal, it has largely gone unnoticed for the past eighty years.  Within its brooding mountain ranges it had a reputation for gun runners, tax evaders and hunters, to be followed by serious minded pioneer folk and their families, who set down deep roots within these hills and plateaus.

In spite of the name Waterberg, the region is also known to experience extreme droughts.  It is largely a sourveld area and farming is difficult.  During the past decade there have been great changes as a result of farmers finding it increasingly hard to eke out a decent living, which has seen the conversion from conventional farming to game ranching and conservation.

I predicted some hears ago that the Waterberg would yet emerge as the most important and significant conservation are in South Africa with the greatest potential for tourism, game ranching, hunting and environmental education.  The diversity of both plant and animal life is considerable.  Whilst recognizing that most of the big game species were eliminated by the turn of the century, conservation has seen the return of the elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, all the major species of antelope, and in time, the lion.

It has a beauty unmatched, from its soaring craggy heights on the southern escarpment with the Seven Sisters guarding the plains, to the north-eastern buttresses of spectacular rock formations, rising sheer out of the bushveld plains.  The central plateau provides a stunning feeling of emptiness and yet man has lived within these mountains for the past 2000 years – a fact we should be even mindful of.

Within its vastness there is only one town.  The area is completely devoid of pollution, industry and forestry, and is very low in human numbers.  The challenge is to create a conservation area of international importance to the benefit of both the environment and man.

Clive Walker – Lapalala Wilderness – 1 August 1995

In my next post I will talk about getting to South Africa from the States.

Kentucky Colonel
Thomas P. Demond
KyWEGO®

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04.25.12

Do you know of any horses that were injured or died as a result of the March 2012 tornadoes?

Posted in Equine Organizations, Kentucky Horse Council at 4:30 am by EPR

As you all know, the tornadoes that struck Kentucky and surrounding states in March of 2012 did a great deal of damage. The Kentucky Horse Council is collecting information on how many horses were injured or perished due to these tornadoes.

Please take a few moments to fill out our short survey if you personally knew of any horses that were injured or died as a result of the tornadoes. Please also help us by sharing this email with any other equine owners or equine organizations that would like to participate.

Here is the direct link to the survey:

http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/forms/42/Equine-Injury-Loss-Due-to-March-2012-Tornados/

Thank you for your help with this! We very much appreciate it!

Sincerely,

The Kentucky Horse Council

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, personal liability insurance, trail riding advocacy, horse show support, and an annual statewide equine industry directory. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
Contact
Dawn Miller
Office Manager
info@kentuckyhorse.org

Kentucky Horse Council
www.kentuckyhorse.org
info@kentuckyhorse.org
Phone: (859) 367-0509

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03.05.12

Contact Information for Disaster Relief Assistance

Posted in Disaster Relief at 11:20 pm by EPR

If  you are an individual looking for assistance due to last week’s tornadoes, please contact our office at (859) 367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org.

If you are a state or local agency who would like to help provide assistance to equines in your area,please click here for a printable pdf application form.  Fill out the form and send it back to our office, and we’ll be glad to help.ХудожникОткъде да купя икона

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KHC Offers Disaster Relief to Horse Owners Affected by Recent Tornadoes

Posted in Disaster Relief, Kentucky Horse Council at 11:16 pm by EPR

Lexington, KY, March 5, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is providing coordination for the U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund to support horse owners affected by this past week’s tornadoes. KHC has experience responding to equine crises through this fund and the Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund.

“In the past, we have supported many victims of flooding and disasters in other states, and now it is Kentucky which needs this support. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy. The U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund will help Kentucky horse owners with temporary feed and fencing as they work to recover from this disaster,” remarked Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council.

“We are also in touch with the Indiana Horse Council to determine the extent of the need there,” she continued.

The Kentucky Horse Council has been contacting officials in those areas most affected by the tornadoes, to assess the impact of the extensive tornado damage on horse owners.

“We are relieved that over the weekend, horse organizations such as the Northern Kentucky Horse Network have already relayed important information among horse owners regarding temporary shelter and how to assist those victims who have horses. Buffalo Mounted Patrol has traveled to West Liberty, where the devastation was incredible, to patrol damaged areas until rescue efforts could be fully mobilized,” commented Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council.

When any state needs assistance due to a natural disaster, KHC notifies its members and the Kentucky horse community and begins the process of responding to the needs of the affected horses, typically by purchasing feed which the local response agencies then distributes to affected horses. For the tornadoes that hit this past weekend, it is Kentucky who needs the help.

Donations to the U.S. Disaster Relief Fund can be made at www.kentuckyhorse.org/disaster-relief/.

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02.07.12

KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL PLEDGES $25,000 TO THE KENTUCKY EQUINE SURVEY

Posted in Equine Organizations, Kentucky Horse Council at 10:57 pm by EPR

Lexington, KY, February 7, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) today announced that it has pledged $25,000 to the Kentucky Equine Survey.

In November 2011, the University of Kentucky announced the plans for the Kentucky Equine Survey, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council.   KHC was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Agriculture Development Funds for this survey, with a promise of another $100,000 in funds if the equine industry would match that $100,000 with an equal amount.

“This survey is of extreme importance to the future of our industry,” said Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council. “This will be the first comprehensive survey of Kentucky’s horses in 35 years. We need an accurate and detailed baseline to determine areas for industry growth.  Our pledge is a commitment to this effort. The KHC Board hopes other groups/businesses will respond to this challenge pledge.  All donations, no matter how large or small, are important steps toward this industry goal.”

Dr. Nancy Cox, Associate Dean in the UK College of Agriculture, said “On behalf of the Kentucky Equine Survey Team, led by UK Ag Equine Programs faculty, many thanks go to the Kentucky Horse Council for this generous expression of confidence in the importance of this survey to Kentucky and its horse owners. Our team considers this the only appropriate way to provide accurate information about the breadth and depth of equine economic activity in the Horse Capital of the World. KHC has shown how much a unified group of horse industry members can accomplish when they participate and invest in our equine community.”

“We appreciate the Kentucky Horse Council Board’s support and value the relationship UK and KHC have as we both work to benefit Kentucky’s horse industry”, added Dr. Ed Squires, University of Kentucky Equine Programs Director.

Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the KY Horse Council, explained the source of the pledge funds.  “The Council is able to make this significant pledge by using some “rainy day” funds that the Council has saved over the years. We plan to replace these funds over the next four years.”

The National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) has been contracted to collect the names of horse owners in the state; both UK and KHC encourage horse owners to submit their information, which NASS does not reveal to any person or agency.  The deadline for sending names to NASS is February 17, 2012. To read about the survey or submit a name, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org/KES-names/.

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Kentucky Horse Park Hosts Three of America’s Top Horse Shows

Posted in Kentucky Horse Park at 10:55 pm by EPR

Horse Shows Ranked in Top 25 of 2011 Report by North American Riders Group

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2012) – The North American Riders Group (NARG) has released its second annual report of the Top 25 Horse Shows, and three of those shows are held at the Kentucky Horse Park annually – the Alltech National Horse Show, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. The Kentucky Horse Park was the only facility in North America to host more than one Top 25 show on the list.

“For the Kentucky Horse Park to host one NARG Top 25 show is certainly a notable distinction,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “Hosting three Top 25 shows is an immeasurable honor. This recognition is an example of what the Kentucky Horse Park has worked so long to achieve, and proves that the park is among the best facilities in the world.”

The North American Riders Group, representing the riders and owners in North America, is composed of the top horsemen from the United States, Canada and Mexico and was formed with the goal of improving the sport of show jumping. In the report of the NARG Top 25 Horse Shows of 2011, the group stated, “The North American Riders Group remains steadfast in achieving an essential goal – improving our sport so that once again show jumping in North America will rank among the greatest in the world.”

The Alltech National Horse Show (ANHS), which debuted at the Kentucky Horse Park in October 2011, achieved the highest ranking for any American horse show, and achieved an overall rating of third among all horse shows in North America on the NARG list. This was the show’s 128th edition, having started in Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1883, and it is known as America’s oldest indoor horse show.

According to the NARG report, “Once one of the nation’s most esteemed and celebrated indoor events, The National Horse Show is making a comeback. With the support of Alltech, as well as other sponsors, this year the renowned event relocated to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. It appears the show will remain at this home of the 2010 (Alltech FEI) World Equestrian Games (WEG) indefinitely, with great efforts to return it to its bygone excellence.”

“We are thrilled that the Alltech National Horse Show has received such a prestigious ranking from the North American Riders Group,” Nicholson said. “To be recognized by a body whose primary purpose is furthering excellence in show jumping and equestrian sport is a measure of achievement for the National Horse Show team that has worked tirelessly for many years already to restore the show to its glory. The Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena is the perfect new home for this great show and we look forward to the next 100-plus years of its history.”

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries attended in 2011 and the show’s debut this past season will go down in the record books as one of the most successful in the history of equestrian events in the United States. The second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2012, in the Alltech Arena.

Earning an overall ranking of 13 on the NARG report, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows is a series of hunter jumper shows held back-to-back for two weeks in May. The Kentucky Spring Horse Show and the Kentucky Spring Classic have been held at the park for 20 years, and utilize the park’s Rolex Stadium, Covered Arena, Hunter Jumper Complex and other facilities.

According to the NARG report, “With the space and amenities to host some of the world’s best outdoor and indoor events, including the World Equestrian Games, the Rolex Three-Day Event, the National Horse Show, USHJA Hunter Derby Finals, North American Young Rider Championships and more, the Kentucky Horse Park is hands down one of the top venues in North America.” The report continues, “Currently with an A+ facility and the ranking classes it offers, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows remains firmly in the NARG Top 25.”

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will be held May 9-13, 2012 and the Kentucky Spring Classic will be held May 16-20, 2012. Produced by the same management group, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will be held July 25-29, 2012 and the Kentucky Summer Classic will be held Aug. 1-5, 2012.

With an overall ranking of 14 on the NARG report, the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) is a new event the park was able to attract and accommodate because of its new facilities. Held at the park since 2009, NAJYRC is the highest level competition for qualified young riders in North America to compete in the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Reining in a challenging Nations Cup format.

According to the NARG report, “For many, simply landing in Lexington, KY is an experience in itself.  Acres of bluegrass and beautiful barns span the roads to the Kentucky Horse Park. As we’ve noted the KHP is a fantastic place to host a championship competition, with 1,200 acres, multiple arenas and fantastic footing. Aside from some very hot and humid summer weather, it is a magnificent setting and a treasured time for those who have worked hard to earn a chance to compete at NAJYRC.”

The next Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships will be held July 18-22, 2012, and will utilize the Alltech Arena, Rolex Stadium, Covered Arena, Hunter Jumper Complex, Walnut Ring and other facilities.

The North American Riders Group developed the Top 25 ranking system to establish a clear measure of excellence among North America’s horse shows so as to evaluate them fairly so that they could be considered world class.  According to the report, “Clearly it is mandatory that a select group of our North American horse shows be considered world class, not only for the benefit of our riders and our continent but also to draw riders from around the world to this side of the ocean to compete.”

“With thousands of multi-day horse shows in the US, Canada and Mexico each year, we only expect 25 events from those three countries to offer the proper mix of ingredients for the top level of our sport.”  The report continues, “Whether the location is a large grass field transformed into a glorious grand prix or a multi-million dollar facility, each event should have fabulous footing, courses, ceremony, stabling, hospitality, healthy food, convenient accommodations, strong marketing and be managed by a knowledgeable, friendly staff.  NARG divides these key ingredients into eight distinct categories and scores several aspects within each one.”

A copy of the full Top 25 Horse Shows of 2011 report is available at www.NARG.org.

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