LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2012) – In an effort to help reduce the number of unwanted and inconvenient horses being bred in Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Park is hosting its second Free Gelding Clinic on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

This free clinic is being provided by the Kentucky Horse Park in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses fund and the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition.

“The threats facing Kentucky’s horses can be overcome when horse owners take their responsibilities seriously and provide good stewardship, and when other good people make up their minds to get involved,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “This clinic is a great example of how horse owners can do the right thing for their animals in spite of a challenging economy, with the help of individuals and organizations that are willing to come alongside them with resources and expertise.”

Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council, said, “In this difficult economic climate, horse owners realize that breeding horses may be a losing financial proposition unless the sire and dam are of top notch bloodlines.  The gelding of these horses may create useful riding horses, and eliminate the production of unwanted foals. We are glad to support the Kentucky Horse Park in this much needed service.”

Applications are currently being accepted for the Free Gelding Clinic. The clinic is open to any horse whose owner who is financially unable to afford the surgery.  Castrations will be performed by a veterinarian or a veterinary student under close supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Stallions must be halter broke, in good health, with two descended testicles and be at least four months of age, with current Coggins and health certificate. A $20 registration processing fee will be charged to help offset some of the expenses.

Nicholson concluded, “Sir Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.’ Horses provide a living for tens of thousands of Kentuckians, so we want to repay some of that debt by giving something back that will improve their lives. These surgeries will help them become more trainable and lower the number of unwanted horses being born.”

Please contact Sheila Forbes at the Kentucky Horse Park, Sheila.Forbes@ky.gov or 859-233-4305 for an application and additional information or go to www.KyHorsePark.com (http://kyhorsepark.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4673:free-gelding-surgeries&Itemid=421).

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that hosted more than one million visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2010.  The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses.

Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
Cindy.Rullman@ky.gov

Lexington, KY – The dates and location of the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North have been designated.

The competition will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park from July 18-22, 2012 – the week before the Olympic Games commence in London.

Adequan has returned as the title sponsor of this competition, and makes the dreams of young equestrians (ages 14-21) a reality. It is through the support of Adequan that this event has been able to grow – it now boasts nine FEI Championships.

Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Reining each offer a championship for Juniors and one for Young Riders. Endurance, which was added in 2011 as a championship, offers an FEI championship for Young Riders.

In 2011 both Vaulting and Para-Equestrian produced exhibition performances at the championship – both were very well received by the other athletes and spectators.

“We look forward to another excellent year of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said John Long, CEO of the USEF. “This is the showcase for our youth athletes in these five disciplines and it is a fantastic opportunity for them to compete in a championship of this caliber.”

Other supporters of the only FEI Championship held annually in North America include: Gotham North, SmartPak, Equine Canada, Platinum Performance, Ariat, Howard and Martha Simpson, the United States Dressage Federation, the United States Eventing Association, the United States Hunter Jumper Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, Griffin Gate Marriott, Sallee Horse Vans, Hodges Badge Company, Phelps Media Group and the Alltech National Horse Show, the Mexican Equestrian Federation, Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC, Hagyard Equine Medical, WISE Equestrian, Equifit, Dever, Inc., Best of Flowers, and Hertz.

A huge number of people and farms made the first 75-mile Endurance ride possible: Barton Brothers Farm, Ben Koostra, Black Fences/After Hours Farm, Billie Steffie, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Chad Needham, Dunroven Stud (Steve and Martha Brown), Emmett Ross, Fayette and Scott County Police, Gaylord Highlander, Glenn Thompson, Kentuckiana Farms, Oscar and Eloise Penn, Secretariat Center, Spy Coast Farm, UK-Ag Department (Dr. Nancy Cox), Ulrike McGovern, Equine Monitors (Donna Shifflette) and Distance Depot.

And thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event a success.

Please visit www.youngriders.org for more information.

Mark the Calendar for the 2012 Event, to get involved, please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org or 859.225.2052.

National Horse Show Association President Mason Phelps, Jr. and Dr. Pearse Lyons, President and Founder of Alltech. PHOTO CREDIT: ©Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY – December 14, 2011 – Following an amazingly successful debut this year, the second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is set for October 31 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous approval from the horse show community. The Show was a great success with the thousands of attendees, in addition to nearly half a million viewers who watched the events unfold online.

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans, competed this year, and according to Mason Phelps, Jr., the President of the National Horse Show Association, next year’s show will build on the excitement of the 2011 debut. “We couldn’t have been happier with our first year effort in Kentucky. But, that being said, we are already working on a bigger and better event for next year,” he said. “We expect bigger prize money; we’ve already added an extra competition day and the American Saddlebreds will return to the Alltech National Horse Show next year. So we are very excited about what lies ahead.”

The show’s debut this year will go down in the record books as one of the most successful in the history of equestrian events in the United States.

“The Alltech Arena is an ideal location for the National Horse Show; it is perfect for all the horsemen and horses, and it really captured the feel of Madison Square Garden,” noted legendary horseman George Morris after attending this year’s show. “The Alltech National Horse Show has brought back class, something that has been lacking in horse shows today.”

Next year’s show, scheduled for October 31 through November 4th, will build on the success generated during this inaugural run.

“It’s been fantastic. It’s been amazing. It’s been wonderful,” agreed Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons. “This inaugural event was a good beginning, but it was only the beginning. This show will continue to grow and next time around the city of Lexington will embrace this show more and we, in fact, will go all out to create a super experience for all who attend.”

“We hope that everyone will mark their calendars for next year,” added Phelps. “With what we learned during our first year, I can promise you that the Alltech National Horse Show in 2012 will prove to be an amazing event.”

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Katie Robinson and Rock Steady won the Amateur Owner 36 & Over Working Hunter Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

East Aurora, NY – November 14, 2011 – Katie Robinson of Deeridge Farm capped off an excellent 2011 show season at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, held at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, KY, from November 2-6, 2011. After claiming the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship at the 2011 Capital Challenge Horse Show, Robinson continued her winning ways aboard Rock Steady to win the division’s championship prize at the Alltech National Horse Show.

Robinson, of Bronxsville, NY, was very consistent with Rock Steady, winning the handy class and the under saddle class. Their wonderful effort earned them the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship title.

“This is a great way to finish up the year,” said Robinson. “I love the ring, and I think Rock Steady did, too. It was big, the footing was great, the jumps were really pretty, and it was so much fun to be showing of there. My plan going into the handy was to be as prompt with the turns and as lively as possible. I’ve ridden him for just about a year, we had a great Florida, and we really clicked from the beginning. He’s my type, he just keeps galloping and he’s really fun.”

The Alltech National Horse Show marked the end of the 2011 show season for Robinson, but she will continue to compete with her family’s Deeridge Farm in 2012 during the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

LEXINGTON, KY (November 14, 2011) – The Kentucky Horse Park kicks off its winter season with new hours of operation and a new blockbuster exhibition.

From now until March 14, the park will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 9am to 5pm.

The highlight of the winter season will be “The Horse” exhibition through Apr 6 in the International Museum of the Horse, in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History.  “The Horse” graphically portrays the horse’s impact on trade, transportation, labor, warfare, culture, and sports.  It showcases spectacular fossils, models, dioramas, and cultural objects from around the world, including many from the American Museum of Natural History’s world famous collections. “The New York Times” called this exhibition “charming and illuminating” and “an uplifting example of how horses enrich our lives.”  The “New York Post” said, “You absolutely must see it.”

This winter some of the park’s resident horses will take a few months off for some much-deserved “R&R” in the fields, while others will continue to work in the Breeds Barn.  Each horse’s breed information and biography will be posted outside of its stall, to allow visitors the opportunity to learn detailed information about the breeds in a self-guided tour.  There will also be a daily training demonstration when weather permits so visitors can see a few horses in action.

In addition, the celebrity horses in the Hall of Champions are available to meet and greet, and the American Saddlebred Museum and the Gift Shop are open throughout the winter season.  Several indoor horse shows and polo matches will take place as well.

Returning for the 18th season, the “Southern Lights” annual holiday light festival will be open Nov 18 – Dec 31, beginning with the “Southern Lights Stroll” on Nov 17.

The “Southern Lights Stroll” has become a popular, local tradition and a great way for individuals and families to get a preview of this year’s “Southern Lights.”  Participants are welcome to walk, run, stroll or roll their way through 3 miles of light displays on Nov 17, and are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to God’s Pantry Food Bank or a local animal shelter.

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation presents “Southern Lights” annually in support of the Kentucky Horse Park.  Not only is this event a successful fundraiser, but it has also become a beloved family holiday tradition for people from throughout the Bluegrass and beyond.

From 5:30 until 10:00 p.m. each night, visitors driving through a winter landscape of lighted and often animated figures are awed by the dazzling display of more than a million lights.

Inside the park more fun awaits with a petting zoo, pony rides, camel rides, model trains, holiday and craft vendors, refreshments and the Mini-Train Express.  The lights are on each night through Dec 31, and the indoor attractions will be open each night with the exception of Nov 24 and Dec 24 to 31.  With a visit to Santa and dinner in the Bit & Bridle Restaurant, a family’s holiday outing will be complete.

Tuesday, Dec 7 will be Military Night at Southern Lights.  All active and retired military and their families will be admitted free of charge by showing military I.D. at the gate.

There will also be a Gift Shop Open House Dec 2-3, with storewide discounts and refreshments.

Admission from now through Mar 14 is $10/adults, children ages 7-12/$5, and children 6 and under are admitted free of charge.  Admission includes “The Horse” and the International Museum of the Horse, the American Saddlebred Museum and Gift Shop, and all of the live equine presentations. There is a separate fee for admission to “Southern Lights,” $15 per car.

For more information on “The Horse” call 859-259-4232 or click on http://kyhorsepark.com/news-and-media/education-museum-news/upcoming-exhibits/the-horse-acclaimed-exhibition-comes-to-the-kentucky-horse-park-prestigious-american-museum-of-natural-history-sends-its-blockbuster-exhibition-to-the-international-museum-of-the-horse.

For information on “Southern Lights” call 859-255-5727 or click on http://khpfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=198.

For information on the “Southern Lights Stroll” call 859-259-4200 or click on http://khpfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=204.

For information on the Kentucky Horse Park, call 859-259-4200 or go to www.KyHorsePark.com.

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that hosted more than one million visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2010.  The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations.   Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses.

Cindy Rullman
859-259-4209
Cindy.Rullman@ky.gov

Kent Farrington. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – November 11, 2011 – The final competitive ride has been ridden, all of beautiful trophies and ribbons have been awarded, the hundreds of vendors have packed up and moved on, and the thousands of equestrians that called Lexington, Kentucky home for one exciting week in November are competing elsewhere, but the excitement of the debut of the Alltech National Horse Show is something that will long be remembered. When all is said and done, the show’s debut will go down in the record books as one of the most successful in the history of equestrian events in the United States.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, closed with great excitement, receiving unanimous approval from the horse show community. The Show was a great success with the thousands of attendees, in addition to nearly half a million viewers who watched the events unfold online.

Each ticket sold contributed to a large donation given to each of the nine charities highlighted at this year’s show.

The Alltech National Horse Show found a new home in Kentucky and found a new sponsor in Alltech. With more than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans, they converged in Lexington, Kentucky over the five days.

The reviews were universally positive and upbeat, including the comments of $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix champion Richard Spooner, who journeyed all the way from California for this year’s show. “I loved the National Horse Show; I was lucky enough to do it one year at Madison Square Garden in New York. They have done a fabulous job to bring that excitement here to Lexington. There is a lot of prize money, the facility here is phenomenal and the management is excellent. The prize money is a big factor. Whenever you are planning a trip, you have to think of the risk-reward, and there’s a lot of reward coming here,” he smiled.

“They really did a fabulous job with this year’s Alltech National Horse Show; it was really on par with any indoor horse show in Europe or anywhere in the world. There’s a great atmosphere here,” said former FEI Secretary General, Michael Stone, now President of Equestrian Sports Productions in Wellington, Florida.

“This move to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Alltech National Horse Show is what I have been begging for; it is finally in a place that is horse friendly and somewhere where everyone can enjoy it. We are loving it! They have really gone overboard for hospitality and have bent over backwards to make this a special show,” said Don Stewart, Jr., who, along with Joey Brumbaugh, trained this year’s ASPCA Maclay National Champion, Sarah Milliren.

Double Olympic Gold medalist McLain Ward agreed with Stewart’s assessment, saying, “What an incredible venue this is. There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm from sponsors, athletes, and people involved in the support of this event. That’s very exciting to see. The show is offering incredible prize money.”

Legendary United States Chef d’Equipe, George Morris, who has attended the world’s greatest indoor horse shows over the course of his stellar career, noted, “The Alltech Arena is an ideal location for the National Horse Show, it is perfect for all the horsemen and horses, and it really captured the feel of Madison Square Garden. The Alltech National Horse Show has brought back class, something that has been lacking in horse shows today.”

“I think the Kentucky Horse Park is a great venue, a beautiful arena, I think that they could host a World Cup here one day,” agreed Kent Farrington, who won the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Open Jumper Speed Stake aboard Up Chiqui. “The Alltech National Horse is putting a huge effort into making it a success. I love that all of the classes have big money; it makes everyone try. With the huge money, you’re going to bring more top riders bringing their best horses and they’re going to go out there and try to win.”

Trainer Jack Towell, whose daughter Elizabeth Boyd captured the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunter Championship, said, “The show is beautiful, it’s the best place you can do it and they have made it look so nice. All the press, front page of the newspaper two days in a row, the excitement is back. I’m really excited to be champion here, but more than anything, the excitement is back for the show. It’s the way it should be; everything is perfect!”

“For me this is a really special place, I love the Kentucky Horse Park, and it’s a lot of fun to be here,” noted junior rider Lillie Keenan, winner of the $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship. “I also don’t worry about the footing because it is great. They’ve really gone all out to make it special. I think that the Alltech National Horse Show definitely has found a home.”

“I think this a natural place for our National Horse Show; it is such a lovely facility,” said top jumper rider Todd Minikus, who claimed the top prize in the $50,000 Sasco Creek Farm Welcome Stake, the first jumper class of this year’s show. “I was lucky enough to be coming to the Horse Park way back in the ‘80s and it’s quite lovely to see how the park has progressed, and certainly this is something that adds to the beauty and the overall theme, and probably bodes well for a fantastic future for the Alltech National Horse Show.”

Five-time Olympian for Great Britain, Nick Skelton, who attended the National during the glory days in New York City, also had high praise for this year’s show. “I think it is very nice here, you have a lot more room than you had in New York and the other venues. I hope that after this year it will take off a little bit more. There was a good crowd here tonight and I think that it will only get better with time.”

Next year’s show, scheduled for October 31 through November 5th, will build on the success generated during this inaugural run. Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was absolutely delighted and plans to sign a long term commitment for continued sponsorship in the days ahead. “It’s been fantastic. It’s been amazing. It’s been wonderful. And when you consider that this was the first year for the event,” Lyons stated, “that adds an entire new dimension to it. People have said to me, ‘We didn’t expect this; we didn’t expect the fantastic welcome we received; we didn’t expect the glamour,’ so there’s been that level of disbelief. Well, next year, there will be so much more. This inaugural event was a good beginning, but it was only the beginning. This show will continue to grow and next time around the city of Lexington will embrace this show more and we, in fact, will go all out to create a super experience for all who attend.”

“We certainly will be back next year and it will be bigger and better,” concluded Mason Phelps, Jr., President of the National Horse Show Association. “I am getting together with the people at Alltech to brainstorm what we’re going to do to give exhibitors more prize money, more classes, and more days in the schedule. We are going to look at more options for next year. I promise you that we are bringing back all of the parts of the National Horse Show that we saw at Madison Square Garden years ago, they’re all coming back little by little: the saddle horses, the coaches, and of course the best jumping, and if the FEI looks at us favorably, hopefully a Nation’s Cup!”

The 2012 Alltech National Horse will be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park on October 31 through November 5, 2012.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Jessica Springsteen and Cincinnati La Silla, 3rd $250,000 ANHS GP. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Lexington, Kentucky – November 20, 2011 – Part of the sizzle of a breathtaking Saturday night of world-class show jumping at this year’s Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, was the awarding of the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title.

The 2011 title was awarded to one of the nation’s fastest rising stars, Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, New Jersey.

The Alltech National Horse Show concluded on Sunday, November 6, after a highly successful five day inaugural run at the Alltech Arena at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Jolicoeur’s award was presented on Saturday night, following the victory gallop for the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix. Richard Spooner of California, riding Cristallo, raced to the primetime win.

Springsteen’s third place performance, with her highly competitive and classy mare, Cincinnati Le Silla, was one of the best of her young career and put the capper on a tremendous week of competition.

“My mare was fantastic. This was a very exciting night for me,” said Springsteen following her top finish on Saturday night. “To be on the same podium with these two great, veteran riders is a real honor. I couldn’t be happier.” Springsteen was speaking of Spooner, the winner, and Great Britain’s Nick Skelton, who finished second on Carlo 273.

“I sponsored the Leading Lady Rider award in memory of my friend, Dale Lawler. I know that Dale would be as excited as I am that that award would go to one of the fastest rising stars in our sport, Jessica Springsteen. She proved on Saturday night that she can compete with anyone, on any level,” said Martha Jolicoeur.

“I am so happy that we got involved with this year’s debut of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington,” Jolicoeur concluded. “I’ve talked to so many horsemen and women over the past few days and their reviews of the show have been tremendous. Everyone loved it!”

“We were honored to offer this exciting award to our top women competitors. It certainly couldn’t have been won by a more electrifying young rider,” said National Horse Show Association President, Mason Phelps, Jr. “We are very grateful to Martha Jolicoeur for this important sponsorship.”

Working with Illustrated Properties, an established independent real estate brokerage firm, Jolicoeur is the ‘go-to’ broker in the Village of Wellington, Florida. Recognized as the leader in preferred properties in the Palm Beaches since 1975, Illustrated Properties generates over 1.2 billion dollars in sales annually. In addition to being an exclusive affiliate of “Christie’s Great Estates,” the premier luxury real estate network.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th edition, will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2012.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Lexington, KY – November 8, 2011 – Open Jumper action at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, wrapped up on Saturday night with a fast-paced jump-off during the Alltech National Horse Show $250,000 Grand Prix CSI-W. Richard Spooner and Cristallo set the pace with tidy inside turns and a clear effort, beating Great Britain’s Nick Skelton aboard Carlo 273 by just three-tenths of a second. Jessica Springsteen and Cincinatti Le Silla rounded out the three as the fastest four-fault combination during the short course.

Spooner and Cristallo, owned by Show Jumping Syndicates of Agua Dulce, CA, were the first to master the technical course and qualify for the speed phase. The “Master of Faster” did not disappoint when he returned to the ring with his veteran mount. He made a very nice inside turn to the first wide oxer, and followed it with another very tight turn to the wall before galloping home over the double combination and final oxer. Although it almost seemed that the turn to the wall would be too much, Cristallo leapt over it without a rub and the pair broke the beam at 37.970 seconds with all the rails intact. The pair set a pace that no other horse and rider combinations would be able to catch, and eventually led the night’s victory gallop.

Skelton was the last to challenge the short course with Carlo 273, and the speedy duo produced the only other fault-free round. They also managed to catch all the inside turns, and although they had a fast gallop through the end of the course, a slow start proved costly when they tripped the timers at 38.33 to place second.

Young rider Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, had the fastest four-fault round after committing to the sharper turns with Cincinatti Le Silla. They had an error at the same oxer, but stopped the clock at 40.660 to garner the third place award. Springsteen was also the winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award presented by Martha Jolicoeur, while Skelton earned the Audi Leading Rider Award and a one-year lease of an Audi Q-7 for his efforts during the week.

This marked the first year that the Alltech National Horse Show has been held at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the first year that Alltech has joined forces with the prestigious event. “I love the National Horse Show, I was lucky enough to do it one year at the Garden, my last junior year, when I was doing the equitation,” commented Spooner. “I have a kind of fondness for it. There is a lot of prize money. I heard that the facility was phenomenal, the management was going to be excellent, and obviously the prize money is a big factor. Whenever you are planning a trip you have to think of the risk-reward, and there’s a lot of reward coming here and that makes the decision a heck of a lot easier.”

ASPCA Maclay National Championship

Sunday marked the final day of competition at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. The highlight event at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, KY, was the 2011 Maclay National Championship for the ASCPA Alfred B. Maclay Horsemanship Classes – Presented by Hadfield’s Saddlery. Riders worked all year to qualify for this event and after three phases of competition and a final test it was 17-year-old Sarah Milliren of Sapula, OK, leading the victory gallop and taking home the championship honors.

The riders who rode the first course smoothly, out-of-stride, and with style were the ones called back in the top 36 to test on the flat. Three groups of 12 were tested, and from there the judges called back the top 18 riders for a second round over fences. The top 18 returned with Michael Hughes called back on top and Milliren in second.

Michael Hughes of Ocala, FL had a difficult time with a lead change after the triple bar, which proved costly and eventually earned him sixth. Chase Boggio of Canton, GA, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, each produced smooth trips with a good hand gallop to move up in the ranking and place fourth and fifth, respectively.

The judges asked Milliren, Demi Stiegler of Landera Ranch, CA, and Elizabeth Benson of Whitehouse Station, NJ, to return to the ring for further testing, as just a point separated the top three. They were asked to switch mounts, with Milliren riding Stiegler’s Vigo, Stiegler riding Benson’s Calito 7, and Benson riding Milliren’s Terrapin Station. The three finalists then had to show over the course once more aboard the new mount without any warm-up or advice from their coaches.

Returning in reverse order, Benson led the way but had a slight bobble at the first vertical causing her to lose her stirrup. She regained her balance despite a previously broken wrist, but had a late change after the triple and eventually placed third.

Stiegler was next and kept a conservative pace at the beginning resulting in light rubs, and a slower hand gallop. The pair quickly became more in sync, and finished the round nicely to earn the reserve championship.

Milliren was the last to go and she quickly proved that she came to win. She picked up a nice pace from the beginning and was very smooth through all of the turns and options. The talented young rider showcased an exemplary hand gallop and her wonderful horsemanship garnered her the judges’ top call and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship title.

“It’s so exciting, I’m so happy,” beamed Milliren after leading the victory gallop. “I was surprisingly not nervous about the course; I was excited because I knew that it was a good course for the horse I was on. For the second round I had moved down, so I knew I had to give it my all. I was a little nervous with my horse at first because he was a little spooky, but he did great. After switching onto Demi’s horse, I think I used a little too much hand, he wasn’t very happy with me, but I really liked riding her horse and he was a lot of fun.”

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, and in 2010 Hayley Barnhill was named the winner.

Jumper Highlights Wednesday – Saturday

It was a thrilling night of competition Wednesday in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, made its debut at its new home. The top horses and riders from around the world showed up to compete during the Sasco Creek Farm International Open Jumpers $50,000 Welcome Stake, benefiting the Alltech Sustainable Haiti Project. Riders raced over the technical track set by Richard Jeffery, and with a blazing pace of 57.93 seconds the winning honors went to Todd Minikus riding Sweetheart, owned by Candy Tribble and the Windsor Show Stables of East Windsor, CT.

Wednesday night’s riders set the time to beat from the start, with each entry trying to catch the top honors. As only the second horse and rider combination of 44 to compete, Great Britain’s Nick Skelton and Unique, owned by Beverly Widdowson, set a masterful example with quick, neat turns. With each rail in place they tripped the timers at 60.65 seconds, but it would only be good enough for fourth. Kraut stepped in to better the time with Teirra, and with an excellent effort over each obstacle they broke the beam in 60.56 seconds, sneaking into the third place honors.

The duo’s time was quickly bested by 2011 Pan American Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward riding Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve. They picked up a quick pace from the start and managed to leave a stride out in the first line, allowing for a clear round in 58.02 seconds, eventually earning the red ribbon.

Todd Minikus was 13th in the order with Sweetheart, and they also managed to do five strides in the first line, and add an incredible sliced turn to the seventh obstacle. Without touching a rail they blazed across the finish line in 57.93 seconds, setting a pace that the 33 remaining horses would not be able to best, and leading the night’s victory gallop.

The exciting jumper action continued Thursday at the Alltech National Horse Show as the best Junior and Amateur-Owner riders gathered at the Alltech Arena to compete in the evening’s Welcome Stakes. Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W took the winning honors during the Chansonette Farm $10,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome, and Lillie Keenan earned the top call during the Sleepy P Ranch $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome.

It was Kaitlin Campbell of Brooksville, MD, and Rocky W who blazed around the course in only 53.110 seconds leaving all the rails in place. Their time pushed the pair to the top of the leaderboard and stayed intact for the remainder of the class.

Although Meagan Nusz and Banana D’ive Z, owned by TNT Equine Partners, LLC of The Woodlands, TX, raced against the clock in an attempt to master Campbell’s time, they claimed the second place award after stopping the timer at 54.146 seconds. Caitlin Hope of Barrington, IL, and Total Touch also posted a clear effort, but their time of 56.862 seconds secured the third place honors.

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan, owned by Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY, dominated the Sleepy P Ranch $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome Time First Round earlier in the evening. The duo set a speedy pace from the start, easily taking each jump and using Vanhattan’s long stride to their advantage. Although Keenan opted not to take a popular inside turn to save time, the pair stopped the clock at 53.047 seconds, proving untouchable.

Although last in the ring, Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV, owned by Walstib Stables LLC of Rumson, NJ, cleared the course in 53.276 seconds, garnering the second place award behind Keenan. Charlotte Jacobs and Karonda V. Schl’hof Ch, owned by North Star Ventures of East Aurora, NY, were the first to post a clear round in the class, and finished with a time of 54.611 seconds, but she bested herself aboard Promised Land, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables of East Windsor, CT, later in the class. Her speedy and consistent efforts eventually earned the junior rider the third and fourth place awards respectively.

It was an incredible night of competition at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, as 14 of 35 entries qualified for the jump-off during the $75,000 Double H Farm International Open Jumper class on Thursday. There was one quick round after another, but at the end of the night it was McLain Ward and Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farm of Oyster Bay, NY, who posted a double clear effort in 36.10 seconds and led the victory gallop. Pan American Individual and Team Gold Medalist Christine McCrea of East Windsor, CT, followed in second aboard Avenir with a fault-free effort in 37.72 seconds, while Lauren Hough and Quick Study, owned by Laura Mateo, were third after setting the pace at a clean 37.73 seconds.

With three fantastic efforts starting the short course, it became a game of catch-up for the riders that followed, but they were not able to master the plan. Hough and Quick Study were the first horse and rider combination to qualify for the jump-off. The duo managed to leave all the rails untouched and crossed the finish line at 37.73 seconds, setting a pace that eventually earned them third. McCrea and Avenir were next and they just barely edged Hough out of the lead, breaking the beam at 37.72 seconds and garnering the second place award.

Ward was hungry for a victory following a second place finish last night, and with his veteran partner Rothchild he quickly took over the lead. Using a tight inside turn after the double combination, and leaving out a stride across the middle, the successful combination quickly jumped to the top of the leaderboard. Each fence remained intact and they blazed across the finish line in 36.10 seconds, an unmatchable effort that scored the lion share of the final prize.

The jumper action continued Friday evening at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, and speed was the name of the game as riders competed in the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Open Jumper Speed Stake. The speedy veteran pair of Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui dominated the class with blazing time, beating second place finishers Nicholas Dello Joio and Notre Star De La Nutria by almost four seconds. Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Bon Ami rounded out the top three with a quick and clear effort.

Although he was fifth in the order, Farrington of Chicago, IL, and Up Chiqui, owned by Boone, Dobbs and Farrington, entered the ring ready to win during the speed competition. The duo has always been known for their quick rounds, and they lived up to the hype. They raced around the technical course with ease, never touching a rail. The pair broke the beam at an incredible 57.35 seconds, setting a pace that would not be caught and eventually leading the victory gallop.

Nicholas Dello Joio was next to tackle the track riding Notre Star De La Nutria, owned by Thelma Romero-Cloud of Wellington, FL. The pair made a good effort to better Farrington’s time, but after tripping the timers at 61.25 seconds with all the fences intact they garnered the second place prize.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash entered the ring just one round later and came very close to overtaking Dello Joio with Bon Ami, owned by Mrs. Liz McTaggart. The duo completed a clear round in 61.50 seconds, scoring the third place honors. Fellow British rider Nick Skelton had one of the night’s fastest rounds with Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson, but after they brought down the back rail of oxer four seconds was added to their time. They finished with a score of 62.03 seconds for the fourth place honors.

Earlier in the evening the Chansonette Farm $15,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Stake got underway. Last night’s reserve champions, Meagan Nusz of The Woodlands, TX, and Banana D’ive Z, took the championship honors during the Chansonette Farm $15,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Stake. The duo was one of eight to successfully go clear during the first round, and with a blazing fast time of 34.478 seconds, Nusz rode to the top of the leaderboard during the jump-off. Kaitlin Campbell of Brooksville, MD, and Rocky W took the second place honors for their time of 35.075 seconds.

Later in the day during the Sleepy P Ranch $15,000 Junior Jumper Stake, 12 of 23 entries posted clean efforts and moved into the enticing short course. Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, set the pace by posting a clear round as the first rider to challenge the short course with Karonda V. Schl’Hof CH, eventually earning the third place honors in a time of 35.873 seconds.

It was Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, and Vanhattan, for a second night, which emerged victorious in the High Junior Jumper class with their double-clear effort. The duo picked up a speedy pace from the beginning and made all the inside turns necessary during the jump-off to stop the clock at 35.106 seconds. Chase Boggio and his mount Hennessey used a long stride and naturally fast pace to their advantage as the duo secured the second place honors with their second clear effort of the evening, ending with a time of 35.742 seconds.

Saturday evening hosted an array of talented Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper riders as they vied for the top honors at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. The $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship put riders and horses to the test as the qualifying riders competed for the coveted winning honors. This was the first time in the history of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame series that such a large purse was offered. It was Lillie Keenan who rode Vanhattan to the top of the leaderboard for the third consecutive night and led the victory gallop.

Charlotte Jacobs and her mount Promised Land, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables of East Windsor, CT, began their turn around the short track with the plan to give her competitors something to chase. Her tight and neat turns cut time easily, ending with a time of 36.776 seconds, but an unfortunate rail over the Keeneland vertical proved detrimental, earning them the third place prize.

The first double-clear effort of the evening occurred when Robert Lee of Old Saybrook, CT, guided El Grecco over the short course and stopped the clock at 41.492 seconds, eventually garnering the second place honors.

Lillie Keenan and Vanhattan, owned by Chansonette Farm LLC of New York, NY, knew what had to be done in order to ride to the top honors. They took every inside turn available, shaving off the seconds and leaving all rails intact. The talented duo tripped the beam at 39.663 seconds, greeted by the applause of the spectators and fellow exhibitors.

Hunter Highlights: Wednesday – Saturday

It was a historic day in on Wednesday Lexington, KY, as the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition got underway at its new home in the Alltech Arena of the Kentucky Horse Park. The top horses and riders from around the world gathered to take part in this exciting event. The professional hunter divisions were the first to take place, and it proved to be Scott Stewart’s day as he won over half of the blue ribbons with his talented mounts.

The 14 Hands Winery Regular Conformation Hunters kicked off the first day of competition at the Alltech Arena. The winner of the first class over fences was Sambalino, ridden by Scott Stewart and owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY. Taking home the blue ribbon honors in the handy round was Elizabeth Boyd and Casallo, owned by Erin McGuire of Cornelius, NC.

The Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Green Conformation Hunters were next and it was Scott Stewart receiving the top call once again. He piloted Empire to the win in the first over fences class, and followed it with third place finish in the handy class. Stewart reversed order in the handy class, claiming the blue ribbon aboard Touchdown, after placing third during the first over fences class with the talented mount. Empire and Touchdown are both owned by Gochman.

Stewart continued his winning ways in the First Year Green Working Hunter class. He showed Dedication, owned by Fashion Farms of New York, NY, to the first place honors during both classes, to sweep the opening day. Hunt Tosh and Triton Z, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler of Keswick, VA, claimed the red ribbon during the first class, while Tammy Provost and Libretto, owned by Alliy Moyer of Carmel, IN, placed second during the handy class.

The McNeil-Oare Second Year Green Working Hunters were up in the Alltech Arena, and the first blue ribbon was presented to Haylie Jayne for her ride aboard Humor Me, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT. During the handy round, it was Holly Orlando and Sailor’s Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm of Unionville, PA. The duo also placed third during the first over fences class.

The Pony Lane Farm High Performance Working Hunters wrapped up the day’s hunter events. Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, SC, and Brunello led in the first class to earn the blue ribbon prize, but in a fitting fashion it was Stewart who ended the day in the winner’s circle. An excellent score in the handy round riding Garfield, owned by Alexandra Crown of New York, NY, earned him the top call to finish the day.

Thursday marked the second day of competition at the Alltech National Horse, 128th Edition, and it was the professional hunter divisions that took center stage this afternoon as they completed their under saddle and stake classes. Scott Stewart earned the highest honor of the day with his First Year Green Working Hunter mount, Dedication, owned by Fashion Farm of New York, NY. After scoring three blue ribbons, the duo took home the division’s tricolor and was eventually honored with the Grand Champion Hunter Award.

The First Year Green Working Hunters were the first to complete their stake class and wrapped up their second day of competition. Stewart and Dedication showed brilliantly over Richard Jeffery’s courses to earn three first place ribbons and a second place ribbon, which included a win in the stake class with a score of 88. They picked up the championship award, while Tammy Provost and Libretto, owned by Alliy Moyer of Carmel, IN, earned the reserve championship honors. With their impressive effort in all four classes, Stewart and Dedication returned to the ring at the end of the day to receive the prestigious Grand Champion Hunter title.

The Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler Green Conformation Hunters competed next and it was the beautiful Cold Harbor, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Wheeler of Keswick, VA, and ridden by Hunt Tosh, that claimed the championship prize. The pair won the model and under saddle phases, and also earned a second and third place ribbon over fences. After winning the stake class with a score of 86 and the handy class, the reserve championship tricolor was presented to Scott Stewart and Touchdown, owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY.

The blue ribbon prize and score of 88 during the McNeil-Oare Second Year Green Working Hunter Stake class Thursday went to Jennifer Alfano for her ride aboard Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan of Buffalo, NY, but it was second place finishers Holly Orlando and Sailors Valentine, owned by Westerly Farm of Unionville, PA, who claimed the division’s championship honors. The pair also won Wednesday’s handy class to earn the tricolor prize, while Haylie Jayne and Humor Me, owned by Pony Lane Farm of Bluffdale, UT, took home the reserve championship honors with a first, second, and third place ribbon.

The 14 Hands Winery Regular Conformation Hunters were next to compete in the Alltech Arena, and once again it was Scott Stewart that earned the championship honors. The talented rider piloted Becky Gochman’s mount to two first place ribbons and a third place ribbon to earn the championship rosette. Picking up the reserve championship prize was Elizabeth Boyd and Casallo, owned by Erin McGuire of Cornelius, NC, after the duo won Wednesday’s handy class and earned two third place ribbons.

Boyd took home her own championship prize at the end of the day in the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunters, riding her long-time partner Brunello, owned by Boyd and Janet Peterson of Camden, SC. They won the stake class with a score 88 as well as Wednesday’s first over fences classes for the tricolor award. The reserve championship honors went to Wednesday’s handy winner, Garfield, owned by Alexandra Crown of New York, NY, and ridden by Stewart.

The Amateur-Owner Hunters took center stage Friday in the Alltech Arena during the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. Laura Sexton and her talented mount Zoom captured the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters Championship with three blue ribbons over the last two days. The duo was also awarded the Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter title for their excellent efforts in the ring.

The Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunters were the first to compete, and during the final stake class Debbie Perkins of New Canaan, CT, showed Whispering to a score 83 to win the blue ribbon. Their win Friday and third place finish in Thursday’s over fences class garnered them the division’s reserve championship prize. Tracy Scheriff-Muser of Wellington, FL, and Macallan were the day’s big winners, taking home the Amateur-Owner 3’3″ Hunter Championship. They placed first in Thursday’s over fences class and also earned two second place ribbons and third place ribbons.

Next to complete their stake rounds were the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunters. Becky Gochman, of New York, NY, and Sambalino laid down a beautiful flowing trip, and the judges award their effort with a score 87, which would earn the top honors. Their win was coupled with a second place ribbon and third place ribbon for the division’s reserve championship honors. Katie Robinson of Bronxsville, NY, and Rock Steady proved to be the most consistent pair, winning the under saddle and handy class. Their top finishes were recognized with the tricolor for the Amateur-Owner 36 and Over Hunter Championship.

The final division of the day was the Amateur-Owner 18 and Under Hunters. Jamie Auletto of Blackwood, NJ, and Winnetoe picked up the reserve championship honors after earning three second place ribbons, but it was Laura Sexton of Greenwich, CT, and Zoom that dominated the competition. The talented pair earned three blue ribbons, winning the first over fences class, the handy class, and the under saddle class. Sexton and Zoom were honors with the division championship, and then returned to the ring to receive the Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter title.

Saturday the Junior Hunters showcased their talent during the stake classes this afternoon in the Alltech Arena during the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. Olivia Esse and her talented mount Illusion garnered the Small Junior 16-17 Championship award for their efforts throughout the division. The duo also was presented with the Junior Hunter Grand Champion award for their excellent placings over the last two days.

Illusion with Olivia Esse of Pasadena, CA, in the irons earned the top call for their score of 83.00 points in the Moyer Family $7,500 Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Stake Saturday afternoon. Coupled with their top honors Friday, they scored the division’s championship tricolor. Esse also earned the reserve championship honors aboard her younger and more recent mount, Clooney.

Vivian Yowan and Whatever, owned by Boggs Hill of Wellington, FL, rode to the top honors during the $7,500 Small Junior 15 and Under Hunter Stake with the score of 86.00 points. Friday, the duo earned the blue ribbon during the first over fences class as well as the fourth place award for their efforts in the under saddle. With their high scores, the talented horse and rider easily earned the division’s championship honors. Ailish Cunnife and Good Times, owned by Whipstick Farm of South Salem, NY, took the reserve championship tricolor after earning three second place ribbons.

Saturday’s Gochman Family Large Junior 15 and Under Champion was decided after a hack-off between Lillie Keenan and Victoria Colvin, two of the sport’s foremost Junior Hunter riders. It was Keenan of New York, NY, and C Coast Z who took the championship honors at the end of the judges’ decision, while Colvin and Touchdown, owned by Becky Gochman of New York, NY, scored the reserve championship prize.

Meg O’Mara and Walk The Line, owned by O’Mara and Don Stewart of Ocala, FL, posted the highest stake score of the afternoon, executing a beautiful round during the Greentree South $7,500 Large Junior 16-17 Stake. Their top score combined with their second and third place ribbons from Friday earned them the championship honors. Perfectionist, owned by Richard Prant of Flemington, NJ, and ridden by Heather Hooker, took the reserve championship honors for their efforts throughout the division.

At the end of the show, Mason Phelps Jr., President of the National Horse Show, concluded, “All of the riders performed beautifully this week. I am glad to say that the Alltech National Horse Show has a new home and a new beginning, I am really pleased that we are here at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park.”

For more information on the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, please visit www.nhs.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Sarah Milliren of Sapula, OK, won the 2011 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Photo Credit: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – November 6, 2011 – Today marked the final day of competition at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition. The highlight event at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, KY, was the 2011 Maclay National Championship for the ASCPA Alfred B. Maclay Horsemanship Classes – Presented by Hadfield’s Saddlery. Riders worked all year to qualify for this event and after three phases of competition and a final test it was 17-year-old Sarah Milliren of Sapula, OK, leading the victory gallop and taking home the championship honors.

In the first round of competition, 198 riders were tested on a course designed by the judges, Cynthia Hankins and Kip Rosenthal in cooperation with course designer Richard Jeffery. The fences included bending lines with inside options, as well as a vertical-oxer or oxer-vertical double combination option followed by an oxer-oxer combination. The end of the course included a snaking line of obstacles with the ASPCA fence and a technical vertical-vertical fan bounce. While some riders had difficulties during the first round, the course was very inviting overall and gave each rider many opportunities to show off their horsemanship.

The riders who rode the course smoothly, out-of-stride, and with style were the ones called back in the top 36 to test on the flat. Three groups of 12 were tested, and from there the judges called back the top 18 riders for a second round over fences. The top 18 returned in the following order, with Michael Hughes called back on top and Milliren in second.

1 – Savannah Jenkins
2 – Genevieve Zock
3 – Julie Fowler
4 – Chloe Schmidt
5 – Emma Schauder
6 – Brittany Hurst
7 – Megan Bifano
8 – Catherine Tyree
9 – Conor Perrin
10 – Chase Boggio
11 – Schaefer Raposa
12 – Victoria Colvin
13 – Michael Murphy
14 – Charlotte Jacobs
15 – Demi Stiegler
16 – Elizabeth Benson
17 – Sarah Milliren
18 – Michael Hughes

The second round of today’s competition began with a snake line and continued with a trot bounce, followed by a hand gallop to a triple bar. Riders then had two direct diagonal lines with an inside turn, followed by a walk transition and then a vertical-oxer combination.  They finished with a smooth turn over the ASPCA jump towards the gate.

Michael Hughes of Ocala, FL had a difficult time with a lead change after the triple bar, which proved costly and eventually earned him sixth. Chase Boggio of Canton, GA, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, each produced smooth trips with a good hand gallop to move up in the ranking and place fourth and fifth, respectively.

The judges asked Milliren, Demi Stiegler of Landera Ranch, CA, and Elizabeth Benson of Whitehouse Station, NJ, to return to the ring for further testing, as just a point separated the top three. They were asked to switch mounts, with Milliren riding Stiegler’s Vigo, Stiegler riding Benson’s Calito 7, and Benson riding Milliren’s Terrapin Station. The three finalists then had to show over the course once more aboard the new mount without any warm-up or advice from their coaches.

Returning in reverse order, Benson led the way but had a slight bobble at the first vertical causing her to lose her stirrup. She regained her balance despite a previously broken wrist, but had a late change after the triple and eventually placed third. “The second round I thought was a really good course for Calito. I started with the first jump a little too weak, but still fine, then he was perfect through the Swedish, amazing through the trot jump, which is not my forte, but he covered it okay. I thought that the rest we did really well, and he made it really easy. When I switched onto Sarah’s horse, I hadn’t seen her go, so I wasn’t really sure how to ride him at first. I took the first jump a little too open and then was caught by surprise when he gave me a big jump.”

Stiegler was next and kept a conservative pace at the beginning resulting in light rubs, and a slower hand gallop. The pair quickly became more in sync, and finished the round nicely to earn the reserve championship.  “During the second round I thought my horse was really good for both of us,” she explained. “I think the first six I had gotten a little closer than I wanted, but the rest was really good. After switching on to Elizabeth’s horse, I just have to say that she does a great job riding him; he is not an easy horse.”

Milliren was the last to go and she quickly proved that she came to win. She picked up a nice pace from the beginning and was very smooth through all of the turns and options. The talented young rider showcased an exemplary hand gallop and her wonderful horsemanship garnered her the judges’ top call and the ASPCA Maclay National Championship title.

“It’s so exciting, I’m so happy,” beamed Milliren after leading the victory gallop. “I was surprisingly not nervous about the course; I was excited because I knew that it was a good course for the horse I was on. For the second round I had moved down, so I knew I had to give it my all. I was a little nervous with my horse at first because he was a little spooky, but he did great. After switching onto Demi’s horse, I think I used a little too much hand, he wasn’t very happy with me, but I really liked riding her horse and he was a lot of fun.”

“Sarah is a natural, easy, works really well under pressure; one day when I grow up I want to ride like her,” laughed trainer Joey Brumbaugh.

Milliren also trained with Don Stewart and Bibby Hill during the summer after meeting Stewart at a clinic, and they arranged for her to ride Terrapin Station this year. “Any horse that I put her on, she gets the job done,” he noted. “She came back and forth and I helped to polish her a bit and give her some depth in her riding, but she really is a natural. She can ride pretty much anything you put her on.”

“During the final test, Sarah looked like she had ridden that horse her entire life,” said judge Kip Rosenthal. “When she picked up the gallop to start the course she just went after it. She made it clear that either she was going to win this thing or blow it, but either way she was going to take a shot. After seeing her, it was over.”

Mason Phelps Jr., President of the National Horse Show, concluded, “All of these riders performed beautifully today. I am glad to say that the Alltech National Horse Show has a new home and a new beginning, I am really pleased that we are here at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park.”

The ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class has been held since 1933, and it is one of the most prestigious competitions for junior riders in the United States. Its winners are some of the biggest names in equestrian sport. Previous winners include: William Steinkraus in 1941, Frank Chapot (1948), George Morris (1952), Leslie Burr Howard (1972), Stacia Klein Madden in 1987, and Nicole Shahinian Simpson in 1992. The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Zazou Hoffman, of Santa Monica, CA, and in 2010 Hayley Barnhill was named the winner.

Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America’s oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association’s primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities. For more information at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, please visit www.nhs.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Richard Spooner and Cristallo won the Alltech National Horse Show $250,000 Grand Prix CSI-W. Photo By: Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – November 5, 2011 – The Open Jumper action at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, wrapped up tonight with a fast-paced jump-off during the Alltech National Horse Show $250,000 Grand Prix CSI-W. Richard Spooner and Cristallo set the pace with tidy inside turns and a clear effort, beating Great Britain’s Nick Skelton aboard Carlo 273 by just three-tenths of a second. Jessica Springsteen and Cincinatti Le Silla rounded out the three as the fastest four-fault combination during the short course.

Richard Jeffery set a large, technical track for tonight’s first round to challenge the horse and rider combinations. It included a triple bar, an oxer-oxer double combination, and a challenging vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination going towards the gate. Only five riders managed to complete the course with all fences in place and return for the short course. They began over an oxer-vertical double combination before making a very sharp inside turn to a second oxer. Riders then had a long gallop to a single vertical before making another sharp turn to the wall. Finally, they made a right turn to a vertical-oxer double combination before galloping home over the last wide oxer.

Spooner and Cristallo, owned by Show Jumping Syndicates of Agua Dulce, CA, were the first to master the technical course and qualify for the speed phase. The “Master of Faster” did not disappoint when he returned to the ring with his veteran mount. He made a very nice inside turn to the first wide oxer, and followed it with another very tight turn to the wall before galloping home over the double combination and final oxer. Although it almost seemed that the turn to the wall would be too much, Cristallo leapt over it without a rub and the pair broke the beam at 37.970 seconds with all the rails intact. The pair set a pace that no other horse and rider combinations would be able to catch, and eventually led the night’s victory gallop.

“I knew it was a tough field of riders behind me,” explained Spooner after his win. “When I go into jump-offs I don’t like regrets. I wasn’t going to try to leave a lot on the table. I went out and went as fast as I felt I could, and focused on leaving the jumps up. I took a big risk to the wall; I got a bit lucky there. I was concerned a bit that my wheels would fall off going to the last combination there. I am sure Nick was quite optimistic that would happen as well, too. Cristallo held it together though, and really came through for me.”

Skelton was the last to challenge the short course with Carlo 273, and the speedy duo produced the only other fault-free round. They also managed to catch all the inside turns, and although they had a fast gallop through the end of the course, a slow start proved costly when they tripped the timers at 38.33 to place second.

“I didn’t really get the distance I wanted to the first fence, so I ended up having six strides to the vertical,” said Skelton. “Then, when I turned, Carlo just sort of stopped dead. I stood still for a split second, so I knew I was well down then. I knew from the rustic to the end of the course I was pretty quick. I thought if I got five to the second I probably wouldn’t have beat him anyway, and I probably wouldn’t have gone as hard then as I did. I was very pleased with Carlo anyway; he jumped very nicely this week.”

Margie Engle and Indigo, owned by Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek, and Gladewinds of Wellington, FL, stepped into the Alltech Arena following Spooner. Their attempt at the first inside turn proved less successful as they lowered the height of the wide oxer. Engle then chose a more conservative pace and track for her mount, earning them a four-fault score in 46.71 seconds for the fifth place honors. The Netherland’s Harris Smolders and Exquis Oliver Q, owned by Axel Verlooy, were faster than Engle, but still conservative and also had a hard time after the first turn. The pair produced a four-fault effort in a time of 44.05 seconds for fourth. Young rider Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, had the fastest four-fault round after committing to the sharper turns with Cincinatti Le Silla. They had an error at the same oxer, but stopped the clock at 40.660 to garner the third place award. Springsteen was also the winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award presented by Martha Jolicoeur, while Skelton earned the Audi Leading Rider Award and a one-year lease of an Audi Q-7 for his efforts during the week.

The ASPCA Maclay National Championship will be held tomorrow, an event that Springsteen was victorious in during her junior years, and she was excited to have more success at the Alltech National Horse Show. “I definitely can compare the pressure. I think the pressures were just as high for me as a junior when I was competing in the Maclay and as they were tonight competing in the Grand Prix. Cincinatti Le Silla is amazing to ride; she’s very light. She is one of the most fun horses I have, you feel like you’re floating when you go around the ring.”

This marked the first year that the Alltech National Horse Show has been held at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the first year that Alltech has joined forces with the prestigious event. “I love the National Horse Show, I was lucky enough to do it one year at the Garden, my last junior year, when I was doing the equitation,” commented Spooner. “I have a kind of fondness for it. There is a lot of prize money. I heard that the facility was phenomenal, the management was going to be excellent, and obviously the prize money is a big factor. Whenever you are planning a trip you have to think of the risk-reward, and there’s a lot of reward coming here and that makes the decision a heck of a lot easier.”

Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons noted, “When our winner came and he had this big check, he said it was worth the journey. Well, for us I think it was also worth the journey to have you guys here. I have to say that I am always awed by the size and power of those animals. I salute you and I say to you that I hope all three of you and the rest of the riders and the rest of the people out there competing will be with us next year, you all come back and see us.”

“They really did a fabulous job with this year’s Alltech National Horse Show, it was really on par with any indoor horse show in Europe or anywhere in the world,” said Former FEI Secretary General, Michael Stone. United States Chef d’Equipe George Morris added, “The Alltech Arena is an ideal location for the National Horse Show, it is perfect for all the horsemen and horses, and it really captured the feel of Madison Square Garden.”

At the end of the night, Alltech National Horse Show President Mason Phelps, Jr. commented, “We will certainly be back next year and it will be bigger and better. I am getting together with the people at Alltech on Monday to brainstorm about what we’re going to do to give exhibitors more prize money, classes, and days in the schedule. We are going to look at more options for next year. I promise you that we are bringing back all of the parts of the National Horse Show that we saw at Madison Square Garden years ago, they’re all coming back little by little: the saddle horses, the coaches, and of course the best jumping, and if the FEI looks at us favorably, hopefully a Nation’s Cup!”

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will come to a close tomorrow with the Maclay National Championship for the ASCPA Maclay Horsemanship Classes – Presented by Hadfield’s Saddlery as the highlight event. Tonight’s events benefited the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, and tomorrow’s class will benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For more information at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, please visit www.nhs.org.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com