"I'm excited for the Alltech National Horse Show this year," said Maggie Jayne. "It is a great arena, and I feel like they are really going to make it special. The location is also perfect considering that it gives everyone a fair chance to make it out there. Its central location is ideal. The great thing about the Alltech Arena is the climate control, that factor is huge!," she said. "Sometimes you don't realize how that can make everything that much better."
California-based trainer, Archie Cox, will be coaching his students as they compete during the ASPCA Maclay National Finals. "I have three or four students in the Maclay Finals, and we are all looking forward to the upcoming event," Cox described. "It is pretty exciting to get to show there, especially since I have never shown in Kentucky personally, so I'm anxious to compete at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time."
Although Cox has never shown in Kentucky prior to the upcoming National Horse Show, many of the top professional hunter riders have competed at the Kentucky Horse Park for the spring and summer series and have an idea of what it truly offers. "I am excited and glad that the show has found a home in Kentucky," expressed Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farms. "It is a place where we all love going and showing, and I think it is going to be great."
Havens Schatt is feeling a similar amount of anticipation for the Alltech National Horse Show. "I think Mason Phelps and all of the committee are trying to do a really good job of putting on something special and I'm really hoping that it will find a new home," noted Schatt. "The Kentucky Horse Park is one of the premier facilities in the country; I think it is the perfect place to call home."
Since Schatt is only a ten-minute drive from the Kentucky Horse Park, she has taken every opportunity to introduce her horses to the Alltech Arena. "My horses are all feeling very good. We have had the opportunity to have two warm-up shows in the Alltech Arena, and they seem really happy and comfortable there," explained Schatt. "The ring rides really nicely, so I'm looking forward to it. "
Competing also at the Alltech National Horse Show are prominent riders such as Louise Serio, Scott Stewart, John French and Holly Orlando. With such a competitive line-up, the hunter divisions will be both thrilling and filled with anticipation.
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2 - 6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
This year's show, designated CSI4*-W, will feature a complete schedule of 'AA'-rated hunter divisions, including the Pony Lane Farm High Performance Hunter section. Also on the agenda, a big money Open Jumper division highlighted by the Sasco Creek Farm $50,000 Welcome Speed Class, the $75,000 Double H Farms Thursday's Jump-Off class, the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Faults Converted Speed class on Friday and of course, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, an FEI World Cup qualifying event. $100,000 will be up for grabs for the Junior and Amateur Jumper divisions, including the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Chansonette and Deeridge Farm. The final Sunday is highlighted by the signature event of the National Horse Show, the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals, presented by C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery.
Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association's primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.
For more information on the National Horse Show Association of America, Limited, please visit www.nhs.org.