Lexington, KY - As an official kickoff to the National Horse Show's 128th edition, and the first to be held in Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Park and National Horse Show (NHS) officials joined Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear and honorary show chairpersons Deirdre and Pearse Lyons to display some of the NHS's storied trophies.
The National Horse Show, which will run from November 2-6 at the Kentucky Horse Park this year, is the oldest indoor horse show in the United States, with trophies dating back to before the show began in 1883. These silver pieces are estimated to be worth $1 million. They were transported by the Kentucky National Guard from New York City to Lexington, where they were temporarily stored in the vault at L.V. Harkness.
Horse Park director John Nicholson termed the arrival of the trophies "a signal day in the Horse Park's history" and "the latest reflection that the Kentucky Horse Park has without question become the leading equestrian facility in the world."
Nicholson estimated the local economic impact of equestrian events held at the Horse Park to be $44.2 million this year.
"We said that if the commonwealth would invest in the Horse Park, we would bring national equestrian events here, and we have," said Nicholson. "This year alone we have 14 national equestrian events, none of which would have come if we didn't have the facilities here."
The $44.2 million represents spending associated with those 14 national events held at the Horse Park this year. Revenue from the NHS will be additional.
Nicholson reminded the crowd that landing the NHS "didn't happen overnight."
"We had long meetings," he said, "asking ourselves, 'What would it take to bring the National Horse Show here?'"
Then, Nicholson said, "We made a pilgrimage to Catnip Hill Pike," alluding to the Nicholasville-based headquarters of Alltech, which signed on as the show's title sponsor.
With the addition of NHS, "We've assured that we'll be the Horse Capital of the World for generations to come," Nicholson said.
Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear said that she attended all 16 days of the World Equestrian Games held at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010.
"I saw the people of Kentucky embrace all kinds of equine competition, and they clearly wanted more," she said. "Beginning Wednesday, we have a new (WEG) legacy event."
Beshear reminded her audience that "Thoroughbreds make up only one-third of the horses in Kentucky. "Quarter Horses, Morgans, Warmbloods, Arabians - a wide array of breeds and disciplines make up our horse industry."
A horse owner and competitive rider, Beshear said she attended the NHS at Madison Square Garden many years ago and was caught up in the excitement.
"This pinnacle of equestrian competition - I never dreamed it would be here at the Kentucky Horse Park, a place that has a special place in my heart," said Beshear.
A black tie dinner to benefit the Kentucky Equine Humane Center will be held on Wednesday evening, November 2, preceding the five-day show.
Tickets for the National Horse Show are available at www.nhs.org. Except for the Alltech Grand Prix and some other special events, ticket prices are $10 per session.