By Kim & Allen MacMillan, MacMillan Photography & Media Services
The 2012 edition of the historic National Horse Show marked its second year of residence in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Sponsored again this year by Alltech (whose international headquarters is in the Lexington suburb Nicholasville, KY), the show was first held in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 2011 Alltech National Horse Show was named the top U.S. show by the North American Riders Group.
The show has been housed in three different generations of Madison Square Garden locations in New York City over the years on and off until 2007. The show moved to The Meadowlands, NY, from 1989 through 1995, then back to the Garden in 1996. In 2002 the show migrated south to Wellington, FL, and finally back north again to the Garden and then to Syracuse, NY, (as part of the Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in 2008) before going to Kentucky. In 2011, the National moved to the Bluegrass State for some Southern hospitality to add to the rich New York traditions.
Highlights of the 2012 competition were: top-notch hunter and jumper competition for amateurs, juniors and professionals; a return of the Puissance Open Jumper (a high jump competition sponsored this year by Alltech) and Saddlebred (three and five gaited, roadsters and fine harness) classes after a several-year hiatus for both; the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix competition on Saturday night, and the National ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship hunter equitation finals presented by Hatfield’s Saddlery.
This year the planners headed by Show President Mason Phelps and his committee, with the help of Alltech staff, named themes for each day’s activities to get the public involved. The second day of the show, Wednesday, fell on Halloween, so, of course, there was trick or treating and costumes. Thursday marked “Military Day” when those in the armed forces were given complimentary tickets to the evening session and the public could try their hand in the Army Activity area and meet local military heroes. Day four of the show was “Fit Friday” with complimentary health screenings. Saturday was “Family Fun Day” with a five kilometer fun run/walk, face painting, balloon twisters and cartoon characters. Throughout the week area school children were treated to a day at the show where they had a chance to watch the competition and to play and learn in the “HorsePlay” area located just off the main concourse in the Alltech Arena.
The concourse of the arena housed upscale shopping and a number of dining options, as well as the Taylor Harris Club, a place for farms, families and businesses to relax and refresh at reserved tables overlooking the arena. The show entrants and their staff were also greeted by the lavishly decorated North Star Rider’s Lounge near the show office and Groom’s Kitchen near the stables.
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Winners of the $5,000 Amateur Owner 3’3” Handy Hunter were Nancy Hooker and Richard Prant’s Castlewalk. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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– Winners of the $5,000 Amateur Owner 3’3” Handy Hunter were Nancy Hooker and Richard Prant’s Castlewalk. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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A young military academy officer stands at attention as part of the evening festivities on “Military Day” at the Alltech National Horse Show.
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A color guard from Forest Hill Military Academy presented the national and state flags for the singing of the anthems on Thursday night to celebrate “Military Day” at the National. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Winners of the Thursday afternoon $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome Class were Abigale McArdle riding David McArdle’s Cosma 20. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Winners of the Thursday afternoon $10,000 Junior Jumper Welcome Class were Abigale McArdle riding David McArdle’s Cosma 20. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Kelsey Thatcher took the Amateur Owner Jumper Welcome Class on Thursday with Pony Lane Farm’s Dulf Van Den Bisschop. Photo by Dee Kochensparger
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Lauren Hough and her long-time partner Quick Study owned by Laura Mateo took the Thursday night $75,000 Double H Farm International Open Jumper class. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Lauren Hough and her long-time partner Quick Study owned by Laura Mateo took the Thursday night $75,000 Double H Farm International Open Jumper class. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Sunset over the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday night Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Friday morning brought a number of under saddle classes like this one – the Amateur Owner Hunters 18-35. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Groom catching up on his social media Photo by Sarah Miller
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School children learn how to wrap a horse’s leg in the “HorsePlay” educational area in the Alltech Arena. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Kids on swings in the “HorsePlay” area during the show Photo by Sarah Miller
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A grand prix for children provided fun and a way to burn off some steam for the kids attending the National Photo by Sarah Miller
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The black-draped Taylor Harris Club, sponsored by Taylor Harris Insurance, was the place to relax and enjoy refreshments while watching the show for those who reserved tables for their family, farm or business. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Southern gentlemen and women in period costume strolled the arena concourse greeting show visitors. Photo by Dee Kochensparger
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Wesley Newlands (left) and her mother brought two horses to compete in Kentucky from Weslands Farm, Toronto, Ontario.
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Great Britain’s Tim Gredley and Unex Valente topped the seven foot wall and the field in the $50,000 Alltech National Horse Show Puissance on Friday night. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Winners of the Saddlebred ES Roaster Cup class were Emerson and Raymond Shively. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Lynn Williams and Mary Gaylord McClean were competitors in the Friday night Five Gaited Saddlebred Championship Stake Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Alltech National Horse Show President Mason Phelps and Dr. Pearse Lyons from Alltech joined University of Kentucky opera student in the opening ceremonies for the Thursday evening session of the National Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Dr. Pearse Lyons, President and CEO of Alltech addresses the media reception held during the National about their sponsorship of the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games to be held in Normandy, France. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Trainer Alan Korotkin of Castlewood Farms, Wellington, FL, discusses a junior jumper round with rider Liza Finsness who is mounted on Ormsby Hill. Photo by Sarah Miller
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A spectator at the show looking through what appears to be rose-colored binoculars and is actually the reflection of the show lights in the lenses. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Karen Healey of Somas, CA, coaches her student Kilian McGrath on Salerno as they prepare for the Junior Jumper round on Friday. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Trainers Abby Blankenship (black jacket) of Treesdale Farm, Carmel, IN, and Laura Kraut, Middleburg, VA, (back to camera in white vest) conference with Junior Jumper rider Kalvin Dobbs, Carmel, IN, on Friday afternoon. Photo by Sarah Miller
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Dr. Betsee Parker’s Inclusive piloted by Victoria Colvin was the Grand Champion Junior Hunter and Champion 2nd Year Green Hunter at the 2012 National Photo by Dee Kochensparger
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Hasbrouck Donovan and Stephanie Keen’s Lyle topped the Small Junior Hunter Division. Photo by Dee Kochensparger
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Inclusive and Victoria Colvin receiving the Grand Champion Junior Hunter Award Photo by Dee Kochensparger
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Saturday night’s festivities included a retirement ceremony for Kent Farrington’s successful Grand Prix jumper partner Up Chiqui Photo by Kim MacMillan
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McLain Ward and his Olympic partner Antares F bested a field of 34 in the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix on Saturday night. Ward and Antares made amazing roll-back turns to post an unbeatable time in the jump-off. The week before the show was filled with sorrow for Ward when his father Barney passed away. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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A tie for the show’s Leading Lady Rider went to Christine McCrae (left) and Lauren Hough Photo by Allen MacMillan
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The Alltech National Horse Show’s Leading Lady Rider Award comes with the lease of a new Audi from Audi of Lexington – two riders tied for the honor: Lauren Hough, driving, and Christine McCrae, passenger. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Parent company of SSG Gloves, Fargo Trading, was a bronze level sponsor of the show. SSG representatives Staff Sergeant Simon Stafford of Great Britain and his financé Jennifer Ward at the Saturday night National Horse Show party Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Kiki Umla (left) was awarded the Welles Family Trophy in recognition for service to the equestrian industry. She served on Hospitality Committee for the National this year and has been involved with the horse show scene for many years. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Marty Bauman (right) of Classic Communications, Foxboro, MA, at the Saturday night party His company provided media services and managed the press room at the 2011 and 2012 Alltech National Horse Shows, as well as the Hampton Classic for many years and the 2010 World Equestrian Games, to name a few events under his media management.
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-“Ducks in a row” – coaches lead their riders on the ASPCA Maclay Medal Course Walk on Sunday Photo by Allen MacMillan
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The ASPCA Maclay Medal competition judges for 2012, Hap Hansen, CA, (left) and George Morris, NJ, assisted by Sally Ike, KY. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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The National ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship hunter equitation finals presented by Hatfield’s Saddlery was won by Jacob Pope from Columbia, MD, riding his trainer Andre Dignelli’s Uno. Pope topped a field of 152 starters and survived a top-four riders’ horse swap to be the judges’ top pick in the Maclay. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Jacob Pope, winner of the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal finals, mounted on Uno accompanied by show officials and his parents Andy (front row middle in light blue shirt and dark vest holding trophy) and Barbara Pope (dark grey jacket) at the medal ceremony. Photo by Allen MacMillan
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ASPCA Maclay Medal Horsemanship winner Jacob Pope riding Uno with the ASPCA representative (front far left) and his trainers (front row next to ASPCA rep, L-R): Andre Dignelli, Patricia Griffith, Brady Mitchell, Laena Romond, and Dottie Barnwell
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ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship medal final judges Hap Hansen (left) and George Morris Photo by Allen MacMillan
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Top three riders from the 2012 National ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship hunter equitation finals (L-R): Catherine Tyree, Chicago, IL (third); Jacob Pope, Columbia, MD, (winner), and Lillie Keenan, New York, NY (second). Photo by Allen MacMillan
