Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Increase Prize Money and Upgrade Challenging Competition
Equestrian News Release

Lexington, KY - March 25, 2008 - The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held at the scenic Kentucky Horse Park, have increased the prize money for this year's two-week event. Scheduled for the weeks of May 7-11 and May 14-18, 2008, the Kentucky Horse Shows upped the ante for the Sunday grand prix classes.

The $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI 3* and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI 3*, a member event of the AGA Grand Prix Series, have both raised their prize money up from $50,000. The Commonwealth Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, May 11, and the Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, May 18.

The $15,000 Bluegrass Derby and the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic also offer stellar prize money for show jumpers.

In addition to the grand prix events, the Hagyard Challenge Series, a series of seven major show jumping competitions, enhanced its Leading Rider Bonus from $30,000 to $50,000. The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI 3* classes are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. This year the series features $215,000 in prize money, a dramatic increase from last year's $170,000 series.

The Hagyard Challenge Series' $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be presented after the final event in the succession, the $50,000 World Cup qualifying grand prix, scheduled for the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show on Friday, September 26. The top competitor in the entire summer-long series will be the recipient of this award.

The hunter divisions include prize money as well, with the professional hunter classes, the junior and amateur-owner hunter classes, the pony hunter classes, and the division classics providing ample winnings for competitors. Along with the regular hunter divisions, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will play host to the 2008 Legacy Cup, which also awards purses with each ribbon.

The beautiful Kentucky Horse Park provides equestrians with comfortable stabling, numerous show rings and spacious riding areas. It is the future site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games and home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

Produced by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows' prize list is now available online at http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

2008 KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOWS FAST FACTS

Events:
Kentucky Spring Horse Show - May 7-11, 2008
Kentucky Spring Classic - May 14-18, 2008

What:
Two of the nation's premier equestrian competitions, featuring four CSI 3* rated grand prix competitions, one of which is AGA sanctioned. A World Championship Hunter Rider recognized hunter competition. The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are the host event for the 2008 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 7-11, 2008
A World Championship Hunter Rider Event
The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix, CSI 3*
The $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, CSI 3*

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC - MAY 14 -18, 2008
The $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix, CSI 3*
The $55,000 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 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 a table in the Mesker Pavilion, which provides daily continental breakfasts and complimentary lunches. Additionally, table holders receive a VIP parking pass, exclusive seating, 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: 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.

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: http://www.kentuckyhorseshows.com


Photo: Lauren Hough and Casadora, winners of last year's $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI 3* at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo (C) 2007 Jennifer Wood. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.