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.
Spring and summer are on the horizon. As rider’s calendars begin to fill with horse trial, clinic, and schooling outing dates, organizing teams are busy with preparations to ensure smooth operations and a great experience for participants, horses, and spectators.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)/US Equestrian has announced the appointment of former USEF Eventing Development Coach Leslie Law to the position of Chef d’Equipe and High Performance Manager for the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, and Karyn Shuter, who will take on the newly developed role of U.S. Eventing High Performance Advisor. Both Law and Shuter will begin in their respective roles immediately.
Last year was a big one for USEA Young Event Horse program graduate Arden Augustus. He made a successful move-up to Modified with Sharon White in the tack, followed by a smooth transition to Preliminary, then went on to win two CCI2*-S divisions and ended the year with a CCI2*-L win.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!