Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) would like to invite you to participate in the HORSES and HOPE Trail Ride with First Lady Jane Beshear on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Kentucky Horse Park at 11 AM.

The trail ride will benefit HORSES and HOPE, which is a partnership with the Kentucky First Lady and the Kentucky Cancer Program. HORSES and HOPE holds events across Kentucky to honor breast cancer survivors, to raise breast cancer awareness, and to provide breast cancer education and mammography screening to horse industry workers. Since its inception, HORSES and HOPE has taken education messages to more than 400,000 fans and 6,000 equine workers, and has screened more than 350 women in the industry for breast cancer.

ASHA is gathering a group of American Saddlebred riders together for the trail ride to show that ASHA supports the fight against breast cancer. This event is also a great way for American Saddlebred enthusiasts to meet each other and to promote our wonderful breed to the public. ASHA has reserved a limited number of spots on the trail ride for a Saddlebred group at the pre-registration price of $50. To participate as an American Saddlebred participant in the trail ride at the low pre-registration price of $50, please contact Michelle Krentz by phone at (859) 259-2724 or by email at [email protected].

ASHA is pleased to announce that each American Saddlebred participant will receive a special "American Saddlebreds Have Hope" t-shirt, a goodie bag, as well as a commemorative “HORSES and HOPE” pink bandana. Participants will also receive free Kentucky Horse Park admission and access to park attractions, live music, featuring Shades of Grass, an acoustic bluegrass band, and a barbeque dinner.

The $50 registration fee will go directly to HORSES and HOPE, but we are also seeking sponsors for the American Saddlebred group, to raise even more money for the great cause. For more information about HORSES and HOPE, please visit www.horsesandhope.org. Sponsors who commit to support the trail ride by Friday, September 9th will be recognized by having their name, organization name, or company name on the back of the t-shirts, as well as recognition through ASHA social media and American Saddlebred magazine. To become a sponsor, please contact Michelle Krentz.

First Lady Beshear will be awarding prizes for the most “pinked out” riders and “pinked out” horses at the trail ride, so we are encouraging riders to braid their horses in pink and wear as much pink as possible.

More information about the HORSES and HOPE trail ride can be found here.