Joining Ariat as sponsors of the inaugural event are the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), SmartPak and Markel Insurance.
The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup will include a CRI5*, the sport’s highest level, as well as the first-ever World Championship Freestyle. The CRI5* will offer $50,000US in prize money and will be the only Five Star Reining event in the western hemisphere in 2011.
The World Championship Freestyle, expected to draw the sport’s most elite competitors, will mark the first time that the title of “World Champion” will be awarded in Freestyle Reining, a consistent crowd favorite. The event’s $25,000US prize money will also mark the largest purse for a Reining Freestyle anywhere in the world.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to have Ariat as the title sponsor and the Official Apparel and Footwear of the Kentucky Reining Cup," said Lisa Ball, president of EEI. "This goes well with their position as Official Apparel and Footwear Sponsor of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Ariat's products are recognized for their quality, style and durability in both the English and Western communities, making their sponsorship of both events a perfect fit!"
Ariat is the world’s leading performance equestrian brand and is America's number one English and Western performance footwear brand. Ariat was the Official Apparel and Footwear Sponsor of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the title sponsor of the Games’ volunteer program and creator of a special limited edition line of WEG apparel that sold out in the first few days of the 16-day event.
Shortly after last fall’s Games, EEI and Ariat agreed on a new sponsorship with Ariat becoming the "Official Apparel and Footwear Sponsor" of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. As part of that sponsorship, Ariat has developed a line of Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event merchandise featuring a collector's edition event jacket in navy and “Rolex” green. They have also developed specially designed polo shirts for the event’s volunteers.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Kentucky Reining Cup,” said Susan Alcala, Vice President, Partnership Marketing at Ariat. “Reining is an exciting discipline that has drawn large support across the world, and we are happy to do our part in bringing it back to Kentucky where it was so well received during last year’s World Equestrian Games."
The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup competition will be managed by HorsePower, Inc., Reining’s leading event production firm. Based in Denver, Colorado, HorsePower, Inc. is led by veteran FEI Reining show manager, Brad Ettleman, who also served as director for the 2010 FEI Reining World Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
"We would like to welcome all our new sponsors to the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup," said Ettleman. "Their sponsorships show dedication to helping promote the sport of Reining, and for that we are extremely grateful."
Tickets for the Friday evening CRI5* that begins at 6:00 PM are only $10, while tickets for the World Championship Freestyle, Saturday at 5:30 PM, are only $20 in advance. Tickets may be purchased online at www.KentuckyReining.com.
For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.
Further information on the 2011 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, is available at www.KentuckyReining.com. Tickets may also be ordered by calling 859-254-8123 call 859-254-8123 or email [email protected].
Follow the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup online at:
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