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$215,000 Hagyard Challenge Series Boosts Competition at Kentucky Summer Horse Shows

June 19, 2008

Lexington, KY --- This summer, Kentucky Horse Shows LLC will once again host the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, held July 30-August 3 and August 6-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Both weeks of competition will feature a $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. These two events are part of the Hagyard Challenge Series, a series of seven major show jumping competitions held throughout the summer at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

The series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, offers $215,000 in prize money. Each event counts toward the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus, awarded to the rider earning the most money throughout the Hagyard Challenge. The final grand prix in the series, the $50,000 World Cup qualifying grand prix, is scheduled for the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show on Friday, September 26. The $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be presented at the conclusion of this grand prix.

The first event of the series was the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix CSI 3*, held in May at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Danielle Torano and Marlo captured the victory, while Margie Engle and Hidden Creek’s Pamina L took home the win the following week at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Both of these riders are now in the running for the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus.

Bobby Murphy, assistant manager of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, is thrilled about the series and the rider bonus. “We’ve developed a great relationship with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The series is for the progression of the sport,” Murphy explained. “All of the sponsorship dollars go toward the prize money, and it really rewards our riders. It brings a better group of exhibitors to the series and makes the series more exciting. We have raised the rider bonus up to $50,000, and we hope to increase that each year.”

In addition to the involvement of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Griffin Gate Marriot Resort & Spa; Turf Town Properties, Inc.; Hagyard Pharmacy; Kathleen Sullivan, CIMA®; Fifth Third Bank; Dean, Dorton & Ford; Butler Animal Health Supply; Fort Dodge Animal Health; and Porsche of Lexington.

Along with the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the Kentucky Summer Horse Show will host the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix on Saturday, August 2, at 6:30 p.m. At the Kentucky Summer Classic, the $40,000 RV Sales of Broward Kentucky Classic Grand Prix, a member event of the AGA Grand Prix Series, will be held in the Walnut Arena at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 9.

A beautiful location for the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows, the Kentucky Horse Park offers superior show rings, excellent footing, and plenty of riding space. The park is currently undergoing many changes to prepare for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. This will be the first time the games have been hosted by the United States since their inception in 1990.

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

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