McCrea, who was perfect through five rounds of world-class jumping in Mexico, picked up two Gold medals in her first ever appearance at the Pan American Games. Her two clear rounds on Thursday in the Nations Cup were a key factor as the United States Show Jumping squad scored Gold, and in so doing, secured one of the final coveted spots at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
In addition to McCrea, the big money Open Jumper division at the Alltech National Horse Show features nine Olympic veterans, including McLain Ward, who was also a member of the United States Gold Medal team in Guadalajara.
Kent Farrington, also a Gold medalist in Mexico, is scheduled for an appearance in Lexington as well.
The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2 - 6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
This year's debut event in Kentucky, designated a CSI-W 4*, will feature a big money Open Jumper division with over $370,000 in prize money, including the main event, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, an FEI World Cup qualifier, on Saturday night. All in all, over $600,000 in prize money is up for grabs in November. "That brings this show on par or better than any show in North America, or any indoor show anywhere in the world," noted show manager Hugh Kincannon.
American Olympians, in addition to Ward, include Laura Kraut, Lauren Hough, Margie Engle and Todd Minikus.
Engle and Ward are currently ranked one-two on the list of all time grand prix wins in North America.
Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa, the Individual Gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, leads the international list that also includes Nick Skelton, a six-time Olympic veteran for his home country of Great Britain.
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.
Tickets for the Alltech National Horse Show, ranging from only $10 to $30, are now available for purchase, online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult (limit 2 child tickets for every paid adult).
Additionally, fifty percent of the net proceeds from the General Admission gate receipts will be donated to the various charities that are featured each day at the Alltech National Horse Show. Those charities will be announced in the days ahead.
Doors for each session open 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. All seats are General Admission and parking is free.
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.