Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Feature Star-Studded Field of Jumper Riders
Equestrian News Release

Lexington, KY – April 31, 2006 - Headlined by two United States Olympic Gold Medalists, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows have drawn the cream of the American show jumping crop for 2006. 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Fargis and 2004 Athens Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden highlight the roster of jumper riders making their way to the Kentucky Horse Park for two weeks of competition that gets kicks off on May 10th. The Kentucky Spring Horse Show and the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, are scheduled for May 10-14 and May 17-21, 2006.

The shows, two of the nation’s finest and most popular spring equestrian competitions, feature a $30,000 and a $50,000 Grand Prix each week. Week two’s main event, the $50,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI 3*, is a member event of the $3 million dollar American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Series. The shows play host to the highly praised and innovative Legacy Cup of the American Hunter and Jumper Foundation. In addition, the first week is a World Championship Hunter Rider sanctioned event.

Joining Madden and Fargis on this year’s Kentucky Spring Horse Shows roster are the two winningest riders in the history of American show jumping, Margie Engle and Aaron Vale, with over 250 career grand prix wins between them. Engle has amassed an amazing 138 wins to go along with nine AGA Rider of the Year titles, while Vale has recorded an equally impressive 116 career wins, with eight of those at the Kentucky Horse Park. Vale has won a Kentucky Grand Prix event each of the past two seasons. Engle has registered five Kentucky victories. Engle comes to Kentucky as the highest placed American finisher in the 2006 World Cup Finals, just completed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Alison Firestone, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games alternate, will be on hand as well. Firestone is a three time winner during Kentucky Spring Horse Show competitions.

Todd Minikus, also a past United States Olympian, will be on hand for 2006. Minikus has recorded five Kentucky victories, the first coming in 1989.

Past winners of the Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix returning to Lexington this year include 2004 winner Pablo Barrios and Jimmy Torano, a winner in 2002.

Three key members of the victorious 2005 United States Samsung Super League team, Georgina Bloomberg, Schuyler Riley and Christine McCrea plan to make a stop in Lexington this year. Also on the star-studded roster is veteran Canadian rider Jill Henselwood, a winner of the 2005 Lexington Classic.

Robin Sweeley, the 2003 Commonwealth Grand Prix champion and Cara Raether, winner of the 2004 Lexington Classic complete the list of returning past champions.

Belgium’s Eric Flameng, Ireland’s Niall Grimes, plus American riders Paige Johnson, Peter Pletcher, Marilyn Little, Mary Lisa Leffler and Eliza Shuford round out the list of top notch riders, sure to make this year’s Kentucky Spring Horse Shows the most competitive ever.

A new summer-long series of major jumper competitions is slated to debut in Kentucky, with the first of the seven events scheduled for the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix will kick off this series on Thursday, May 11, 2006. The Hagyard Challenge Series, featuring $170,000 in prize money, will continue the following Thursday at the Kentucky Spring Classic. The Hagyard Challenge Series will run throughout the summer at the Horse Park. The final event, the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington, at the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show on September 22, 2006, is a U.S. East Coast League World Cup Qualifier.

Based at the famed Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, host of the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows offer equestrians a chance to compete at one of the finest facilities in the world. The shows utilize five different outdoor all-weather rings, plus a beautiful indoor facility. For show jumping, the Johnson Arena offers one of the most spectacular and picturesque settings in the country.

2006 KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOWS FAST FACTS

Events:

Kentucky Spring Horse Show – May 10-14, 2006

Kentucky Spring Classic – May 17-21, 2006

What:

Two of the nation’s premier equestrian competitions, featuring four CSI 3* rated grand prix competitions, one AGA sanctioned. A World Championship Hunter Rider recognized hunter competition. The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are the host event for 2006 Legacy Cup. Both shows are qualifying events for the Washington International 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 SPRING HORSE SHOW - MAY 10-14, 2006

A World Championship Hunter Rider Event

The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI-3*

The $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, CSI-3*

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC - MAY 17 -21, 2006

The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, CSI-3*

The $50,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, CSI-3*

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 parking fee.

VIP Seating:

Tables of eight are available each week in the ringside spectator pavilions for both shows at a price of $500 per week. This will entitle table holders and their guests to a table at both the Johnson and Walnut Rings and a complimentary luncheon preceding the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday, May 14, 2006, and the $50,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix on Sunday, May 21, 2006. Tables may be reserved by calling 859-233-0492 or in the Show Office.

Parking:

The Kentucky Horse Park charges a $3.00 daily parking fee. 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

Website: http://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’, Johnson: 300’ x 400’

Shopping:

Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring. Vendors may call 859-233-0492 for information and to reserve space.

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
859-233-0493 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Vale will be returning to the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows this year. Photo ©2005 by Anne Gittins Photography.