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 .

Kentucky Horse Shows

Photo Credit: The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will feature the nation’s best hunter and jumper riders competing for top prizes at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo By: Lindsay McCall/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

KENTUCKY HORSE SHOW LLC’s 2011 HORSE SHOW SERIES FAST FACTS

Events: 2011 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What: The Kentucky Horse Show LLC’s 2011 series includes two weeks of top competition during the month of May. These premier hunter/jumper competitions feature a USEF 5* Jumper Rating and a “AA” Hunter rating. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series with seven grand prix competitions that culminate with a Leading Rider Bonus.

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

When: KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 11-15, 2011 $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 18-22, 2011 $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington WCHR recognized hunter competition

Sponsors: A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Audi of Lexington, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, and Dietrich Insurance.

Hours: 8am – 5pm daily

Parking: Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $5.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

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 Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605 Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at [email protected] or call (859) 608-3709 Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at [email protected] or call (859) 608-3709 Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs: The Stonelea Ring, Murphy Ring, Walnut Ring, Stonelea/Murphy Schooling Ring, the Alltech Arena and the Rolex Stadium have Otto Sport footing consisting of fine sand and synthetic fiber on pvc mats. The Claiborne, Annex, and Covered Arena (old) 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′, Covered Arena (old): 145’x 285′ Rolex Stadium: 360′ x 384′, Alltech Arena: 132′ x 265′

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

Hotels: CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL) 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 FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT – 859 -977-5870 – 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 CANDLEWOOD SUITES -877-660-8543 – Approximately 6 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 HOLIDAY INN GEORGETOWN – 502-570-0220 – Approximately 6 miles

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS: Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or email Christy Combs at [email protected]. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and checkout is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to come earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles will be towed that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time.

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