(MAHWAH, NJ) - The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY April 26-29, 2018, is set to be the biggest edition yet. After 5 years as the presenting sponsor of the event, and a principal partner of US Equestrian for the past 8 years, Land Rover will assume the role of title sponsor. Tagged as the ‘Best Weekend all Year,’ the Land Rover brand will enhance the Kentucky Three-Day Event with new consumer activations for the entire family.
With the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon taking place in September, this year’s starting line-up is anticipated to be one of the most competitive yet as riders aim to make their mark ahead of team selection.
The renowned equestrian competition, won in 2017 by three-time Olympic gold medalist and current world no. 1, Michael Jung of Germany, will be sure to challenge those striving for their share of the significant $400,000 prize money.
As part of Land Rover’s partnership with the event, the triumphant rider of the inaugural Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will not only claim their share of the prize fund, but also will be presented with the keys to a 12-month lease of a Land Rover Discovery. The keys to the car will be awarded to the winning rider by Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing for Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC following the Show Jumping finale.
“We are very excited to be returning to the Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Land Rover’s long-standing affiliation with equestrian sport has been strengthened by taking on the new role as title sponsor, making for an even more exciting year ahead.” said Kim McCullough, Vice President, Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America.
Situated within the Sponsor Village will be the newly created ‘Start Off-Road’ Teen Driving Experience, aimed at introducing young adults ages 14 years old and up to the exhilaration of driving, while maintaining the importance of car control and safety behind the wheel1. Teenage drivers will drive either the Land Rover Discovery Sport or Range Rover Evoque on a multi-terrain course all under the watchful and highly trained eyes of a Land Rover Driving Instructor.
Not wanting to disappoint the younger members of the family, Land Rover will also run a ‘Junior Drive Experience’ for children aged four through eight years old in mini electric cars, modeled on the original Land Rover Series I vehicle, on a specially created course1.
Adult ticket holders are invited to test-drive the full-size Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, the midsize Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar on a purpose-built off-road course which is designed to highlight the vehicles’ deep breadth of capability, and refined luxury.
The Land Rover brand’s ‘Ultimate Stable Experience’ was created in 2017 to provide attendees insight into the six different Land Rover models, each which encompass their own defining characteristics, personality and positioning. Given the excitement around that first event the program returns in 2018 showcasing the brand’s compact Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV. It will be displayed alongside a range of top equestrian apparel and equipment. As part of the Stable Experience, visitors will have a chance to meet some of the competitors at rider autograph signings; there will even be a miniature pony for younger fans to pose with for photographs.
The seventh annual “Land Rover Tailgate Experience,” which invites participants to showcase their most inspired vision of a quintessential British designed tailgate, is back. The winner will receive an exclusive ticket package and tailgate spot for the 2019 Three-Day Event.
Lastly, for those attending with canine companions they are encouraged to head to the “Rover Lounge,” located next to the “Test Drive” area, where furry friends can find treats and fresh water during their visit.
As one of only six annual Four Star Three-Day Events in the world, over 80,000 spectators are predicted to make their way to the Kentucky Horse Park to catch the four days of supreme action. The event will be telecast on the NBC Network on Sunday May 6, 2018 between 2:00-3:00 pm EDT and will re-air on the Olympic Channel on Saturday, May 26, between 3:00 – 4:00 pm EDT. Go to the USEF Network for livestream details of the competition that will air daily.
To find out more information about the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and how to purchase tickets, please visit their website.
1All participants will be required to complete an introductory safety briefing prior to participation and participant’s parent or guardian must sign a waiver. “Start Off-Road Teen Driving Experience” participants must be 14 to 20 years of age, meet height restrictions and be accompanied on course by a parent or guardian. Participants in the "Junior Drive Experience” must be four to eight years old. Description of programs are subject to change. Open to ticket holders only.
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About Land Rover
Founded in 1948, Land Rover designs, engineers, and manufactures its vehicles in the United Kingdom. For almost 70 years the brand has built a reputation for providing its clientele with some of the most luxurious and capable vehicles in the world; whether driving through the heart of the city or traversing the countryside on- and off-road. Today's Land Rover line-up includes the Discovery and Discovery Sport; Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque. Land Rover is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs. For more information, visit the official Land Rover website at www.landroverusa.com.
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques.
We employ more than 43,000 people globally and support around 240,000 more through our dealerships, suppliers and local businesses. Manufacturing is centred in the UK, with additional plants in China, Brazil, Austria and Slovakia.
At Jaguar Land Rover, we are driven by a desire to deliver class-leading vehicles, which will provide experiences our customers will love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe. In 2017 Jaguar Land Rover sold 621,109 vehicles in 130 countries, with more than 80 per cent of our vehicles being sold abroad.
Our innovation is continuous: we will spend more than £4 billion in the coming year on new product creation and capital expenditure.
From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be electrified, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer ultra-clean petrol and diesel engines.
About The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event
The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is the nation’s premier Three-Day Event and one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI), the world's governing body of equestrian sports, has designated the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event as a ‘Four Star’ eventing competition, the highest designation, which is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and six annual events around the world. “Land Rover Kentucky” is the only Four Star event in the Western Hemisphere. Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, April 26-29, 2018. An exciting addition to the event this year is a $225,000 FEI CSI3* Invitational Show Jumping Grand Prix, to be held on Saturday following the completion of Cross-Country.