$50,000 Hagyard Challenge Series Returns to 2017 Kentucky Horse Shows

Lexington, Ky. – April 20, 2017 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will be getting underway in May at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and one of the highlight events will be the kick-off of the 2017 Hagyard Challenge series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The Hagyard Challenge series consists of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2017 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, a cash prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the rider accumulating the most points throughout the series.
The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 10-14, will feature the lead-off event on Thursday evening with the $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*. The top riders from across the nation will gather to compete over a challenging course and vie for the winning title and valuable points toward the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 17-21, will host the second $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* on Thursday, May 18.
Pablo Barrios, winner of last year’s Hagyard Challenge Series
Throughout the summer, four more Hagyard Lexington Classic grand prix events will be held during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, the Kentucky Summer Classic, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. The series concludes with the $65,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky National Horse Show. Following that exciting competition, the winner of the $50,000 Leading Rider Bonus will be announced and presented with the cash prize by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
“All of us at Hagyard Equine look forward to this year’s Hagyard Challenge Series and another exciting season of Grand Prix show jumping at the Kentucky Horse Park here in Lexington,” said Stuart Brown, DVM, of Hagyard. “Each year we have been proud to sponsor this series of equestrian competition and to be joined through the generous support of our sponsors of the Leading Rider Bonus in offering this unique feature of summer series of competition. We wish all those participating in this year’s Hagyard Challenge Series the best of luck and we look forward to joining others for these exciting classes at the Kentucky Horse Park as we follow the riders and their horses throughout the competition.”
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Founded in 1876, the institute offers a staff with qualifications unparalleled by any single non-university veterinary group in the equine industry. Hagyard veterinarians have dedicated themselves to the health and well-being of the horse.
The facility at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute offers 13 digital radiology systems, 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, an on-site laboratory, an on-site pharmacy, full medical and surgical services, 24-hour emergency services and hyperbaric medicine. The practice has performed veterinary medicine for more than 140 years and is currently composed of over 50 experienced veterinarians, with 13 board certifications in specialty areas of medicine, surgery and theriogenology. For more information on the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, please visit www.hagyard.com.
Several generous sponsors have helped make this exciting series event happen. These gracious supporters include title sponsor MWI Animal Health and presenting sponsor Zoetis as well as Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, Audi of Lexington, Pike & Preston, Sallee Horse Vans, Central Kentucky Ag Credit and Hagyard Pharmacy.
2017 KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOWS SERIES FAST FACTS

Events: 2017 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series

What: The 2017 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Shows series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge series and the USHJA National Hunter Derby series.

Where: The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ and home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:

KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 10-14, 2017 
$35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$130,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$25,000 Hollow Creek Under 25 Grand Prix
$40,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows USHJA National Hunter Derby

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 17-21, 2017 
$35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3*
$25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix
$40,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix
5,000 World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows USHJA National Hunter Derby

Parking: Horse show exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main horse park entrance for $15. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.
Information:  
Before show – Phone: 859-233-0492; Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Phone: 859-281-7979; Fax: 859-231-6097

Stabling: Call Pat Duncan 503-510-8797
Stable office: 
Before show – Phone: 503-510-8797
During Show – Phone: 859-255-0605

Vendors: Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call 859-608-3709
Shopping: Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels: Clarion Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn North)
Approximately four miles away from the horse show, discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of two double bed, two queen bed, king rooms or suites and exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet. Home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

Campground reservations: Reservations may not be made through the horse show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground Store at 800-370-6416 or 859-259-4157, or email Ryan McGaughey at ryan.mcgaughey@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2 p.m. and checkout is noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground Store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2 p.m. or stay later than noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by checkout time will be towed.