Kentucky Horse Park Attracts Major Shows to Kentucky with New Arena
RELEASE: May 1, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Cindy Rullman
Today the Kentucky Horse Park announced several major horse shows that have already signed contracts or are confirmed to host their events beginning in 2009 in the new indoor arena, which is currently under construction.
John Nicholson, Executive Director of the park, stated, “Kentucky’s investment in our new indoor arena is already paying off. For several years the managers of a number of prestigious shows have expressed an interest in holding their events at the Kentucky Horse Park, if there came a time when we had the facilities to accommodate them. Today I am very pleased to welcome some of those show managers who have signed contracts to hold their events in our new indoor arena, beginning in 2009.”
These new shows include:
—Arabian and Half-Arabian National Sport Horse Championships, September 2009 and 2011-2013
—The Tradition Futurity – The East Coast Championships, September 2009, 2011 and 2012
—Kentucky Breeders Classic Sale & Exposition, January 2010
—Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships, May 2010
—Indoor Hunter/Jumper Winter Series, November 2009-March 2010
On hand to make the announcement was Kentucky’s first lady, Jane Beshear, who is an accomplished horsewoman and has served on the board of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation for many years. Representatives from several of the horse shows were also in attendance.
Bill Pennington, the Sport Horse Nationals Show Commission Chairperson, said, “The Kentucky Horse Park possesses all the features of a facility that will allow Sport Horse Nationals to expand to include more events and more horses. The park is known throughout the world as a premiere horse facility, and we are excited to be a part of such a renowned reputation.”
Dave Duncan, show manager for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), said, “We are excited to be bringing the IHSA National Horse Show to Lexington, KY, in May of 2010. With the outstanding facilities available at the Horse Park along with such an outstanding city, we anxiously await 2010.”
Nicholson concluded, “It is a tremendous compliment to the Kentucky Horse Park and the Commonwealth of Kentucky that these show organizers have placed their confidence in us by committing their events to our new arena while it is yet unfinished. Our state will reap benefits from the investment in this arena for decades to come.”
Park Hours and Rates: From March 15 through October 31, the park is open seven days a week. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children 7-12. Children six and under are always admitted free of charge. Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse – In Association with the Smithsonian Institution - and the American Saddlebred Museum.