Alltech National Horse Show 2012 dates set,
returning to Horse Park – and expanding

Staff report

The re-energized National Horse Show will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2012 with an added day of competition – Oct. 31 – Nov. 4 – and will expand to include Saddlebred horses in addition to show jumpers.

The show’s organizers are anticipating an even “bigger and better” event with more prize money and more competitors. And that it will continue to grow to embrace more breeds.

The Alltech name brands the national show – and it will be held in the Alltech Arena. The coming show will be the 129th in its history.

The show received excellent reviews in its first year in Kentucky and was named the number one competition in America by the North American Riders Group.

John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, applauded the inclusion of saddlebred horses in the 2012 show – a fitting recognition of the fact that the breed was developed in Kentucky.

More than 560 horses and 350 riders from nine countries, including nine Olympic veterans, competed in the show last fall, and according to Mason Phelps Jr., the president of the National Horse Show Association. In addition, thousands attended and nearly half a million viewers watched the events online.

“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 are very excited about what lies ahead.”

“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.”

Alltech President and Founder Dr. Pearse Lyons who is credited with bringing the show to Lexington said. “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.”

The ASPCA Maclay National Championship, a junior rider completion and signature part of the National Horse Show, will be held on Nov. 4. Qualifying classes in regional competitions determine which riders will compete

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 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championship winner was Hayley Barnhill, and in 2011 Sarah Milliren was named the winner.

The following Regional competitions will be qualifiers for the National Championship. Please contact the appropriate regional horse show for a prize list.

2012 MACLAY REGIONAL CONTACTS

Region 1 – Grand Fall Classic , Sept. 23, Westbrook CT
Jane Dow-Burt, 860-399-6317

Region 2 – Old Salem Farm, Sept. 22, North Salem, NY
Lori Johnsen , 914-669-5610

Region 3 – Southeast Medal Finals, Sept. 23, Jacksonville, FL
Bob Bell, 847-768-5503

Region 4 – Kentucky National, Sept. 22, Lexington, KY
Suzanne Mayo, 615-790-2953

Region 5 – St. Louis National Charity, Sept. 15, Lake Saint Louis, MO
Tom Blankenship, 843-269-4737 or Lisa Mills, 314-308-1162

Region 6 – High Prairie Fall Classic, Sept. 15, Parker, CO
Charlotte Skinner, 818-563-3250

Region 7 – NorthWest Autumn Classic, Sept. 15, Monroe, WA
Dianne Johnson, 425-823-2802

Region 8 – The Oaks Fall Classic, Sept. 15, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stephaine Wheeler, 949-443-1841

Some information for this story provided by Phelps Media. Photo by Mark Boxley.