For Immediate Release Jenny Ross Koning for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

Media Contact: Mason Phelps Phelps Media Group, Inc. International phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386 [email protected]

Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Are Fast Approaching!

Lexington, KY – June 15, 2009 – The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are just around the corner. Held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show is scheduled for the week of July 22-26, with the Kentucky Summer Classic following the week of July 29-August 2, 2009. These two weeks of hunter/jumper competition are a main stop for exhibitors on the hunter/jumper circuit, attracting the very best horses and riders in the nation. The Kentucky Summer Classic is a World Championship Hunter Rider Event.

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows feature two $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classics, which are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series. The series is a summer-long competition that includes seven grand prix events. With $215,000 in total prize money, the series is a unique and exciting feature that is only offered at the Kentucky Horse Park. The leading rider of the entire series will win a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus at the conclusion of the final class, the Kentucky National Horse Show’s $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix.

The Hagyard Challenge Series is sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, one of the top equine veterinary institutes in the country. Supporters of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus include: Holiday Inn Georgetown Hotel, Dean, Dorton, & Ford, Fifth Third Bank, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hagyard Pharmacy, Kathleen Sullivan, CIMAR, Turf Town Properties, Air 51 and Audi of Lexington.

In addition to the Hagyard Lexington Classics, which will be held in the new main outdoor stadium, the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows host two $40,000 grand prix competitions. The $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix will be held at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show on Saturday, July 25. The following week, the $40,000 Kentucky Classic Grand Prix Sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington is scheduled for Saturday, August 1.

Jumper divisions at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are offered at all levels; they range from schooling classes to High Junior and Amateur-Owner Classics, which are member events of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series. Children’s and Adult Jumper Classics, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation, are also a highlight during the two weeks of competition. Hunter divisions range from the beginner level to top professional divisions.

To better serve exhibitors, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC has added exciting new divisions to the 2009 Kentucky Summer Horse Shows schedule. These include 3’3″ Pre-Green Hunters, 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunters, Baby Green Hunters, Intermediate Children’s Hunters, Intermediate Adult Hunters, Low Children’s Jumpers, and Low Adult Jumpers.

“We are excited to offer additional divisions this year at the summer shows,” said Hugh Kincannon, manager of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. “We hope these new classes will appeal to a broader base of competitors and improve everyone’s show experience as a whole.”

Kentucky Horse Shows LLC recently resurfaced the main hunter ring (Stonelea) and large hunter schooling ring with state-of-the-art footing. The new high-tech surfaces are designed by the German company OTTO Sport- und Reitplatz GmbH.

The prize list for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows is currently available online at www.kentuckyhorseshows.com. Please visit this site for more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows and the Hagyard Challenge Series.

2009 KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOWS FAST FACTS

Events: Kentucky Summer Horse Show – July 22-26, 2009 Kentucky Summer Classic – July 29-August 2, 2009

What: Two of the nation’s premier hunter/jumper competitions. Both weeks have a USEF 5* Jumper Rating and feature two grand prix competitions. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows offer two $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classics, which are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series. Competitions at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows are also qualifying events for the Washington International Horse Show Championships and the North American League finals.

Where: Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When: KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW – July 22-26, 2009 $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC – July 29-August 2, 2009 $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic $40,000 Kentucky Classic Grand Prix Sponsored by Air 51 and Audi of Lexington

Hours: 8am – 5pm daily

Parking: Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $5.00.

Directions: The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information: Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: [email protected] During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097 Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at [email protected] Stable office – Before July 20: (317) 443-5853, After July 20: (859) 255-0605 Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at [email protected] Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at [email protected] VIP Tables – Email Cindy Bozan at [email protected] Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs: The Stonelea Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, and the Main Outdoor Stadium have new footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fibre on pvc mats. The Murphy, Claiborne, Annex, and Indoor rings’ footing consists of a sand cushion on limestone base. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:

Stonelea: 140’x 280′, Murphy: 135’x 280′, Stonelea and Murphy Schooling: 110’x 400′ Walnut: 300’x 370′, Claiborne: 140’x 270′, Annex 130’x 250′, Indoor: 145’x 285′ Main Outdoor Stadium: 360′ x 384′

Shopping: Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels: HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles HOLIDAY INN NORTH – 859 – 233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles FOUR POINTS SHERATON – 859-259-1311 – Approximately 4 miles LA QUINTA – 859-231-7551 – Approximately 4 miles KNIGHTS INN – 859-231-0232 – Approximately 4 miles EMBASSY SUITES – 859-455-5000 – Approximately 4 miles MARRIOT GRIFFIN GATE – 859-231-5100 – Approximately 4 miles RESIDENCE INN – 859-231-6191 – Approximately 5 miles COURTYARD BY MARRIOT – 859-253-4646 – Approximately 5 miles RAMADA INN – 859-299-1261 – Approximately 6 miles RED ROOF INN – 859-293-2626 – Approximately 6 miles HAMPTON INN – 502-867-4888 – Approximately 6 miles SUPER EIGHT – 502-863-4888 – Approximately 6 miles MICROTEL INN & SUITES – 502-868-8000 – Approximately 6 miles

Management: Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC P. O. Box 11428 Lexington, KY 40575-1428 859-233-0492 (phone) 859-233-0495 (fax) email: [email protected] website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact: Phelps Media Group, Inc. 12230 Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 214 Wellington, FL 33414 561-753-3389 (phone) 561-753-3386 (fax) [email protected] www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Photo Caption: Kent Farrington, last year’s Hagyard Challenge Series’ Leading Rider, competed in the new outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. Photo C 2009 Rebecca Walton. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.