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.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce a request for expressions of interest to host the first standalone USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships in 2026 and 2027. With the success of the inaugural joint championships in 2024, the USEA is confident that the progression of these programs lends to a standalone event for these hardworking students in 5th through 12th grade and undergraduate college programs.
The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is easily one of the most influential weeks in the sport of eventing in the U.S. and this year it is headed to Seattle, Washington, Dec. 12-15. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown talks about all the details surrounding this year's Convention with USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Lou Leslie. From important discussions around safety and horsemanship to a charity poker tournament and more, there is so much going on in Seattle this year that you won't want to miss!
The following is an excerpt from 33 Strength and Fitness Workouts for Horses by equine training and conditioning expert Jec Aristotle Ballou. Strength routines and this workout are for horses and riders with a good existing level of fitness who are working toward increased strength and endurance.
Being the last rider in the final competition of the day can be an unenviable position. Molly Duda felt the pressure all day while gearing up for her ride on her own 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Disco Traveler (Donatelli x Cadence).