For the first time in Kentucky Horse Park history, reining will take a dizzying spin to center stage, as the park plays host to the inaugural Adequan®/ United States Equestrian Federation Open Reining Championship, the USEF National Youth Reining Championship, presented by Markel Insurance and Hagyard-Davidson-McGee, and the final qualifying competition in preparation for the 2005 FEI (International Equestrian Federation) World Reining Masters Series Finals—all in the same week, August 23-28.

Cowboys and city folk alike will be equally dazzled by this once in a lifetime three-fold competition, all taking place under the management of Fiesta in the Park, a new concept in equine competition that will feature reining and hunter/jumper events side by side at the scenic Kentucky Horse Park.

Through the team support of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), fans will have an opportunity to watch a series of show-stopping competition patterns like flying lead changes, 360-degree spins and breathtaking flying stops—all showcased by some of the nation’s top money-earning athletes.

Todd Crawford and Matt Dillon Dun It, the duo who brought home the win from last year’s FEI World Reining Masters Series Open category, also plan to make a show at the Horse Park in an attempt to add their first national title to their already prestigious line-up of trophies. To get the job done though, they’ll have to beat out second-ranked Tim McQuay, another big name
in the national reining spotlight.

Only the top two U.S. horse and rider combinations from the final qualifier on Sunday, August 28, will be able to go on to compete at the 2005 $100,000 FEI World Reining Masters Series in Italy, September 24, a competition that sets out to define the best individual reining athlete in the world each year.

For more information on the Fiesta in the Park, contact Christopher Potter, or Show Secretary Gay Lenz by phone at (580) 759-2572 or via e-mail at [email protected]. You can also visit these websites: www.fiestainthepark.com, www.usef.org, www.nrha.com or www.aqha.org. Fiesta in the Park is included with Kentucky Horse Park admission. Admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 7-12. Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.

For media information or requests about the 2005 FEI World Reining Masters Series in Italy, contact Simona Diale via e-mail at [email protected], or visit www.euroreining.com or www.worldreiningmaster.com.

~~~