Hagyard Challenge Series Continues with Grand Prix Events at Kentucky Summer Horse Shows

Written by: Jenny Ross

Lexington, KY – July 8, 2009 – The third and fourth grand prix events of the Hagyard Challenge Series will be held at the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows during the weeks of July 22-26 and July 28-August 2. Each week of competition will host a $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix; these classes are two of seven grand prix that compose the Hagyard Challenge Series.

The Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long string of grand prix events that offers $215,000 in total prize money. The leading rider of the series will receive a $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus after the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix at the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show in September. All classes in the series offer the same points regardless of prize money paid.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute sponsors the Hagyard Challenge Series and is one of the leading equine health care providers in the country. Located directly across from the Kentucky Horse Park, the institute’s Hagyard Sport Horse Program is also the official veterinary care provider for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows.

“I think the Hagyard Challenge Series is going great,” said Dr. Andy Clark, CEO of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. “The discussions I’ve had with competitors are pretty encouraging. To have our series at the same venue, in the same ring, that the World Equestrian Games will be held in is really exciting for us. You can’t do that anywhere else. The facility is just remarkable, and the footing is completely unaffected by rain. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to sponsor a series like this. It’s our good fortune to be associated with this facility and prestigious group of horse shows.”

He added, “We are grateful that we’re still able offer the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. The community has been hit really hard by the economy, and I feel really appreciative of the sponsors who stepped up and said, ‘We believe in this. Let’s do it.’”

The $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus is made possible through the support of the Holiday Inn Georgetown Hotel; Dean, Dorton, & Ford; Fifth Third Bank; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Hagyard Pharmacy; Kathleen Sullivan, CIMAŽ; Turf Town Properties; Air 51 and Audi of Lexington.

Hagyard’s Sport Horse Program is led by Dr. Duncan Peters, an FEI-accredited veterinarian. As the official horse show veterinary service provider, the Sport Horse Program is thrilled to be involved with the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows. Dr. Peters commented, “Our relationship with the Kentucky Horse Shows as official veterinarians is ideal for us. Our institute’s location works out very well for everyone, and it allows us to interact with competitors at the events and provide veterinary support.”

“It’s exciting because we see competitors come to the Kentucky shows because of the Hagyard Challenge Series,” said Dr. Peters. “The sponsors have been tremendous. They have really reached out and enjoyed being a part of it, and the series has turned into a community event. There’s a lot of exposure for the sponsors and a lot of excitement among competitors.”

The Kentucky Summer Horse Show will host the third $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix on Thursday, July 23, and the Kentucky Summer Classic offers the fourth Hagyard Lexington Classic on Thursday, July 30, 2009.

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

To learn more about Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please go to www.hagyard.com.

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: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show - Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling - Email Tom Blankenship at tom@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Stable office – Before July 20: (317) 443-5853, After July 20: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Vendors - Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com