The Park Equine Kentucky Classique, held August 31 to September 2, 2018 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. is a staple on many eventers' calendars. Serving as the host of the Area VIII Championships, hundreds of horses converge in the Bluegrass to vie for top-placings and year-end honors. New this year will be the addition of the USEA Classic Series Beginner Novice and Novice Three-Day divisions.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer the classic options in both Beginner Novice and Novice divisions,” said organizer Mary Fike, owner of KY Events, which puts on the Park Equine Kentucky Classique. Fike is also President of the Mid-South Eventing and Dressage Association.
“We expect these additions to be popular and fill quickly as we have been hearing for years that our competitors are missing the roads and tracks and steeplechase phases of competition,” she said.
Entries for the Park Equine Kentucky Classique will open on July 17 and close on August 14; it is the Area VIII Championships for Preliminary, Intermediate, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice levels. Additional divisions will be offered for Advanced Intermediate, Intermediate, Preliminary, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice, as well as a Starter Test.
In 2019, the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time since their inception in 2004. Managed by Fike and Equestrian Events Inc., organizer of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, the national championship show will be hosted during the traditional Park Equine Kentucky Classique competition weekend. Kentucky Classique will resume scheduled competition in 2021, when the AEC changes venue.
About KY Events
KY Events is host of Spring Bay Horse Trials, Park Equine Kentucky Classique, and the Hagyard MidSouth Team Challenge. Managed by Mary Fike of Harrington Mill Farm in Shelbyville, KY Events prides itself on the safety, enjoyment, and level of competition it provides to each competitor. Click here to learn more.
My name is Tayah Fuller and I’m 14 years old. “On course” to me is a phrase that makes my heart pump fast and my excitement go wild. There is no better feeling than galloping through a field or flying over cross-country jumps with my heart thrumming along, especially when it is with my best friend. You see, I was born with a congenital heart murmur. While it has never really affected my athletic abilities, the one time that I notice it is when I am riding through a cross-country course with my horse.
Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.
Tack cleaning is one of those barn chores that might not be our favorite but is certainly necessary for keeping our equipment in top shape. Aside from caring for your tack so it lasts for years to come, regular tack maintenance is important for safety. The last thing you want is the potential for a stitch, zipper, or buckle breaking while you're out on course.
Following feedback from our membership to the rule change proposal for the USEF Rules For Eventing: Appendix 3 – Participation In Horse Trials, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors voted to modify the rule change proposal, but still to recommend the establishment of rider licenses and increase Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) to the regulating authority of the sport US Equestrian (USEF).