Alltech National Horse Show opening day
features early competitions, ceremony

The Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park was prepped and ready for early morning first-day competitions for the Alltech National Horse Show, held here for the first time in its 128-year history. The show runs through Sunday.

The oldest indoor horse show in the world, which had a long history at Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show will bring national and international competitors and visitors to Lexington. It has been called the “World Series” of horse shows. At stake are both prestige and big prize money.

Simon Brooks-Ward, managing director of HPower Group, has been brought to the show planning team by Alltech to “add some theatricality” to the show. He said the Alltech National Horse Show “is of historic significance, not just to the American equestrian world, but to the international equestrian community at large – it is an event that should be nurtured, acknowledging its history and foundations but moving forward to respond to the demands of the 21st century through leadership and innovation.”

Brooks-Ward is charged with helping make the National Horse Show what it once was in the heady days of the early 1900′s, and to demonstrate its huge history in the years that followed its establishment.

Creating moments of theatre is just a day at the office for the 47-year-old Briton whose home and business are based in the grounds of Windsor Castle in England. He has made a name as a skillful organizer of national celebratory events filled with pomp and ceremony, including the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebrations in 2000, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, and the marking of the 60th anniversary of the end WWII in 2005. Next week he launches his latest production – a 90-minute show entitled “Around the World in 60 Years” – which will take place in the private grounds at Windsor Castle next May in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

As the storied show moves to its new home, it is looking toward to a bright new future, and as Brooks-Ward says “with Alltech’s help, this great event is on its way back – so watch out!”

Today’s schedule includes hunter division classes during the day and the Open Jumpers Welcome Stake and opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Wednesday’s charities, which receive 50% of ticket proceeds, are Shriners Hospitals of America and the Alltech Sustainable Haiti Project.

Thursday is Shopping Day and Military Family Day with special discounts at select retailers during the show. There are hunter division competitions during the day and the Amateur and International Open Jumpers at 7 p.m. Designated charities are the Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop and the Amateur and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.

Daytime event tickets are just $10. Evening tickets are $20 ($30 for the Grand Prix on Saturday night). A ticket stub gets $5 admission to all other Kentucky Horse Park attractions. Children are free and parking is free.