Lexington, KY – Sept. 27, 2016 – The CP National Horse Show announced today that they have booked two of the nation’s long-time superstars to host this year’s webcast. The 2016 CP National Horse Show begins onNovember 1 and continues thru November 6, 2016 at the famed Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
George Morris will be commentating on the ASPCA Maclay Finals, Anne Kursinski will bring all the action on the jumper classes, and John Kyle will provide the play by play on the Longines Jumper classes, including the $35,000 Welcome Speed Stake, the $35,000 Faults Converted and the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington Presented By CP.
With $810,000 in prize money offered, this year’s show has been designated a CSI-W 4* show by the FEI. The International Open Jumpers will compete for almost a half a million dollars in prize money, while the top rated hunter sections have a total purse of $195,000. Meanwhile, $130,000 in total is offered to the Amateur-Owner and U25 Jumper sections. In 2015, after a rigorous screening process, the CP National Horse Show was chosen as one of only seven events that comprised the East Coast division of the all-new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. That webcast will be handled and produced by Longines and the FEI and will be available on the FEI TV Network.
The legendary George Morris is the lead commentator for the ASPCA Maclay Finals presented by Chansonette Farm
After retiring as Chef d’Equipe of the United States Show Jumping Team, legendary horseman and coach George Morris has set his sights on developing the future of the sport by conducting clinics around the country. Focusing on helping riders develop correct form and function, Morris has often been referred to as the founding father of hunt seat equitation. Second to none, his teachings, technique and style are revered around the world. Over the course of his career, Morris has been highly successful as a rider, coach, clinician, author, and judge.
Anne Kursinski is a five time Olympian with two team Silver medals. In 1991, the U.S. Olympic Committee voted her Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year. She won individual and team Gold medals in the Caracus, Venezuela Pan-American Games. In 1988 and 1992 Anne was named AHSA Horsewoman of the Year and 1995 she was Equestrian of the Year.
Anne has won several of the biggest grand prix in the world and continues to ride and train to this day. Some of her major wins include the Grand Prix of Aachen, the American Invitational, the American Gold Cup, the Hampton Classic, the Grand Prix of Rome, and the Gran Premio Pulsar in Monterrey, Mexico. She has ridden on 47 U.S. Nations’ Cups teams, and she has competed in 10 World Cup Finals. Anne has been a member of three U.S. World Equestrian Games Teams. Anne was also a selector for the Rio Olympic Games.
Anne Kursinski and Roxana at the Samsung Super League in Rome, 2008
John Kyle is a professional sports commentator and voiceover artist, specializing in equestrian sport.
He was the equestrian commentator for the TV world-feed from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and an on-site commentator at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He has also been on the microphone at numerous other high-profile championships and events. His voice has been heard in the main rings at Hickstead and Dublin Horse Show, as well as in the Millennium Stadium.
John has been commentating as a hobby for nearly 20 years and full-time since 2011. He is based in London, but travels all over Britain and the world in the course of his work.
“The CP National Horse Show is very excited about our webcast production this year,” said Mason Phelps, Jr. the President of the National Horse Show Foundation. “We have two of the world’s great equestrians and one of the world’s most famous commentators. Both equestrians, George Morris and Anne Kursinski are superstars, both are great judges and teachers and both give amazing clinics all over the world. George and Annie should be the perfect matchup to bring you all of the excitement of this year’s show. John Kyle’s play by play with the jumpers is second to none.”
EqSportsNet, who’s webcast of last year’s CP National was met with rave reviews is back again for a full week of coverage. Their vision is to answer the call for comprehensive competition coverage. The EQSportsNet management team brings decades of experience in sports television and new media broadcasting coupled with extensive executive experience in the equestrian industry, expansive knowledge of the equestrian competition world, and longstanding relationships in the sport.
Easy to use, HD quality, real-time and “your-time” on-demand options – EQSportsNet possesses the horsepower to deliver equestrian sport to you like no one else. So, if you can’t make the trip to Lexington this year, you can at EQSports.Net.
For further information on the CP National Horse Show, click here.