Lexington KY – May 6, 2011 – The exciting hunter/jumper action hosted during the
Kentucky Spring Horse Shows is just around the corner, and riders are gearing up their mounts to compete during the exceptional ‘AA’-rated event. Next week, the show will kick off with the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 11-15, 2011. The Kentucky Spring Classic will follow from May 18-22, 2011. These premier events feature the top horses and riders as they compete for winning titles at the exceptional Kentucky Horse Park facilities, host of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will highlight hunter activity with the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will be held Saturday, May 14, in the Rolex Stadium. The show will also mark the start of the Hagyard Challenge Series, beginning with the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2*. The Hagyard Challenge Series consists of seven grand prix classes held during the 2011 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final Hagyard event the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus will be awarded to the year’s top rider for their effort throughout the year. The first week will wrap-up with the $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, on May 15 in the Rolex Stadium.
The second week of competition, the Kentucky Spring Classic, will be a World Championship Hunter Rider event. Riders will have the opportunity to compete for valuable points in a variety of hunter divisions featuring excellent prize money. The WCHR is an awards program started by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and now carried forward by USHJA. The awards are presented, on both a national and regional level, to Pony, Junior, Amateur, Professional, Adult and Children’s hunter riders who accumulate the most points at WCHR designated horse shows throughout the year.
During the Kentucky Spring Classic, the show jumping highlights will include the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI 2* on Thursday, May 19, and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, CSI 2* sponsored by Audi of Lexington on Saturday, May 21.
While competing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, exhibitors and their families can also explore downtown Lexington, which features fine dining and shopping. The beautiful Lexington area offers numerous hotel accommodations near the horse show facilities and the main downtown area.
For more information about Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, in 2011, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.
