Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Focus on Future and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™
RELEASE: May 1, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Jenny Ross
The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, will be held this year during the weeks of May 7-11 and May 14-18, 2008. The shows attract the nation's very best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year the park is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to play host to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG).
In addition to the incredible prize money and action-packed grand prix excitement at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, exhibitors will experience history in the making as the park starts to undergo changes in anticipation of this immense international competition. Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, who produces approximately 10 weeks of hunter/jumper horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park, is involved with the improvements of the venue and works closely with the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows hope to attract new spectators and increase exhibitors' interest in the 2010 WEG. Along with making history at the Kentucky Horse Park, the improvements of the show grounds will drastically influence the quality of future shows managed by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC.
The Kentucky Horse Park opened in 1978 and is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Spanning 1,224 acres in the heart of Kentucky's horse country, the park relies heavily on the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing, expanding and improving the Kentucky Horse Park. They contributed nearly $18-million worth of improvements to the park since its inception in 1985. In addition to housing horses and providing such attractions as the Parade of Breeds, Hall of Champions and the International Museum of the Horse, the Kentucky Horse Park is home to over 33 equestrian organizations headquartered in the park's National Horse Center.
The Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky Horse Park Foundation are currently organizing for the WEG, which will be held at the park from September 25-October 10, 2010. Over 600,000 people are anticipated to attend, and the event will host over 800 riders and 900 horses, representing more than 60 different nations.
Alston M. Kerr, who is chairman of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Board, commented, "The Kentucky Horse Park is truly a magical place; a place where dreams are made and goals are reached. We have a magnificent public and private partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky, its fabulous contributors, the private sector, and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. These relationships have allowed the Kentucky Horse Park to expand for the future and improve the park for tomorrow."
Significant improvements are in store for the park. A new indoor arena will be constructed for the games, which will include a 22,000 square foot exhibition hall, allowing for three different events to be held simultaneously. The arena will have 6,000 to 7,000 fixed seats for equine events, and the layout will include seating for 10,000 on the ring's surface for concerts and community events. Additionally, the arena will be 210,000 square feet in size, with its oval shape measuring 355' by 155.'
Special features for the arena will include custom lighting required for high-definition television broadcasts, a multi-use ring surface appropriate for any discipline, a separate tunnel for livestock management during rodeos, and nine luxury spectator suites. Other advancements include an enclosed and climate-controlled warm-up area, rigging points in the ceiling for special light bars and sound systems used during concerts, two layout options for non-equine events, top-notch restroom and concession facilities, and seating for 200-250 guests at the event level.
Four new barns will be constructed and attached to the indoor arena with a covered walkway, and 400 stalls will be available. These barns and walkways will be heated with a forced air ventilation