The Top 25 Horse Shows Report, published annually by the North American Riders Group (NARG), has just been released. Congratulations to the Kentucky Horse Park for once again hosting three of the Top 25 shows at the park’s facilities, more than any other in North America.
The three shows held at the Kentucky Horse Park each year are the Alltech National Horse Show, the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows Championships.
"We are proud that the Kentucky Horse Park facilities lend to the success of the three horse shows selected on the NARG Top 25 list," said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "To be counted among the best facilities on the continent, hosting the best shows in North America, truly validates the hard work of the many people who have served in leadership and support positions at the park over the past 35 years of our development."
An advocacy group, the NARG represents the riders, owners and trainers in North America with goals of improving show jumping. The NARG counts top horsemen from the United States, Canada and Mexico in its membership.
The Alltech National Horse Show held its second year in Kentucky and garnered a fourth rating out of all horse shows in America. Known as the National Horse Show, it is America’s oldest indoor horse show that originally started in Madison Square Garden, New York City, in 1883. In 2011, the show moved to Kentucky.
According to the NARG report,
With all the ingredients of a fabulous equestrian event, a perfect score is within reach for The Alltech National Horse Show. First and foremost, the show has one of the sport's top sponsors in its title. It has the ability to host a tremendous indoor affair within its walls - from show jumping to shopping to fine dining and fabulous parties. The prize money offered is the best of any indoor show in North America. Excellent footing and top course design mixed with a solid turnout of international competitors resulted in great sport.
In 2012, Alltech awarded prize money in excess of $600,000. This year, the Alltech Nationals will be held October 29 through November 3.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, a series of hunter jumper shows held back to back for two weeks, earned an overall rank of eight on NARG’s report.
Per the NARG report,
The Kentucky Spring Shows continue to climb up in the ranks. Scoring just below 70 two years ago, improvements made last year earned a 74. Raising the bar in 2012 resulted in an 83 and the eighth spot. The effort to entertain as well as produce great sport did not go unnoticed. The evenings began with exhibitions and the course was beautifully designed with recognizable World Equestrian Games jumps and also new custom-built jumps for this event. Other noticeable improvements included a conveniently located food facility by the Rolex Stadium in-gate and improved FEI (International Equestrian Federation) stabling with a large grazing area.
In 2012 the show received the higher competition rating of CS13 because it became an Olympic Observation Event and, with that, it increased its importance and expenses.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show will be held May 8-12, 2013 and the Kentucky Spring Classic will be held May 15-19, 2013. Produced by the same management group, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will be held July 24-28, 2013 and the Kentucky Summer Classic will be held July 31-Aug. 4, 2013.
The Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) received an overall rank of 18 on the NARG report. It has been held at the park since 2009 and is the highest level competition for qualified young riders in North American to compete in FEI show jumping, reining, dressage and eventing.
The NARG report states, in part,
The Kentucky Horse Park sits on 1,200 acres, with multiple arenas, a world-class cross country course and fantastic footing. The best attribute of this championship event, and the main reason it earns a good score, is the world-class venue, specifically the Rolex Arena. The courses are challenging and the jumps beautiful. Aside from some hot summer weather, it is a magnificent setting.
The next Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships will be held July 17-21, 2013, and will utilize the Alltech Arena, Rolex Stadium, Covered Arena, Hunter Jumper Complex, Walnut Ring and other facilities.
The Top 25 Horse Shows of 2012 report is available at www.NARG.org.
Source: The KY Horse Park
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