event news
Kentucky Summer Horse Shows Features $20,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby

July 24, 2008

Lexington, KY - July 24, 2008 - With just one week left, the Kentucky Horse Park is preparing for the start of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. The show begins with the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, held July 30 - August 2, 2008. The Kentucky Summer Classic will follow, beginning on Wednesday, August 6, and concluding on Sunday, August 10, 2008.

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows will be hosting some of the top hunter riders and horses from around the country. The show offers over 20 hunter divisions ranging from Regular Working Hunters to Small Pony Hunters. Horses and riders will compete for championship and reserve championship tricolors during the next two weeks.

The highlight event of the hunters will be the $20,000 ASG Software Solutions USHJA International Hunter Derby. The Derby will be held during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show on Sunday, August 3, at 1:00 p.m., in the Walnut Arena. This event showcases the top hunters as they compete over four-foot fences. Reminiscent of the hunt field, the jumps will include coops, aikens, gates, and natural obstacles such as banks. This is the first time this exciting new class will be featured at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows.

Bobby Murphy, Assistant Manager for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, will be designing the hunter courses during the Kentucky Summer Classic. He is excited to incorporate these new jump styles into his designs. "I'm going to make a push to do some of the style jumps that you see in the hunter derby in the Regular Working Hunters, the First Year Green Working Hunters, and the Junior Hunters," explained Murphy. "I think the hunter derbies have established the change, and I think it will be accepted as a cultural norm in the hunter industry."

The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows offers excitement for every level of hunter. The beautiful Kentucky Horse Park offers a beautiful and spacious setting for the Kentucky Summer Horse Show and the Kentucky Summer Classic. The Kentucky Horse Park is also the home of the United States Equestrian Federation, and the park will be hosting the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

For more information on the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, please go to www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

2008 KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOWS FAST FACTS

Events:
Kentucky Summer Horse Show - July 30 - August 3, 2008
Kentucky Summer Classic - August 6 -10, 2008

What:
Two of the nation's premier equestrian competitions, featuring two grand prix competitions, one of which is AGA sanctioned. A World Championship Hunter Rider recognized hunter competition. The Kentucky Summer Horse Shows offer two Hagyard Lexington Classics, which are part of the summer-long $215,000 Hagyard Challenge Series. The competitions 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 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games(TM). Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW - JULY 30 - AUGUST 3, 2008
A World Championship Hunter Rider Event
$20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
The $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix

KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC - AUGUST 6 - 10, 2008
The $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic
The $40,000 RV Sales of Broward Kentucky Classic Grand Prix
A Member Event of the AGA Grand Prix Series

Hours:
8am - 5pm daily

Admission:
Admission is free to the public. The Kentucky Horse Park charges a $3.00 daily fee for parking.

VIP Seating:
Tables of six are available each week in the ringside spectator pavilion for both shows at a price of $1,000 per week. This will entitle table holders and their guests to exclusive seating in the pavilion, which provides daily continental breakfasts and complimentary lunches. Additionally, table holders receive a VIP parking pass and access to wireless internet service. Tables may be reserved by contacting Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com.

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 - Telephone: (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show - Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling - Email Tom Blankenship at Tomb@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Prize List Advertising - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Vendors - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
VIP Tables - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Ring Dimensions/Specs:
All outdoor competition arenas and schooling areas consist of a limesand base and mortar sand cushion. The Indoor Arena consists of sand and loam. The dimensions of the competition areas are as follows:

Stonelea: 135' x 285', Claiborne: 140' x 270'
Murphy: 140' x 290', Indoor: 145' x 285'
Walnut: 300' x 370'

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

Hotels:
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 - 859-231-0255 - 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: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com