A total of 36 riders competed in Saturday’s prime-time Alltech Grand Prix, which awarded a $62,500 first prize. Dinan’s faultless jump off round was faster than her international competitors Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium and Ljubov Kochetova of Russia. McLain Ward, the returning 2012 Alltech Grand Prix champion who is also Dinan’s trainer, clocked the fastest time in the jump off round, but knocked down a rail crossing the final jump.
“I knew this was a moment for me to take a shot, and I had nothing to lose,” said Dinan. “It all happened very quickly, but to be here as the winner is a great feeling. It’s great to have a highlight like this to finish off the year.”
The stands of Alltech Arena were filled with more than 3,000 spectators for Saturday night’s $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix, the top trophy awarded at the Alltech National Horse Show and an FEI World Cup qualifying event. Saturday night was also a fundraiser for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, with half of the door ticket sales benefiting the foundation.
“Tonight, there was great level of excitement in the Alltech Arena,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “There was passion, there was fun and there was engagement. If we can continue to make our community aware that these equestrian superstars are coming in, we can continue to make the Alltech National Horse Show a great success.”
Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet complete a faultless run in the jump off round of the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix.
Additional high-resolution photos from the Alltech National Horse Show are available online at www.alltech.com/press.
About the Alltech National Horse Show:
An American equestrian tradition, the Alltech National Horse Show, Oct. 29-Nov. 3, has reached its stride in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Reserved for the year’s top talent on the North American show circuit, the Alltech National Horse Show opens the ring to a variety of equestrian classes and disciplines, with events including the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix, the $50,000 LIFEFORCE Elite™ Puissance and the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Final for youth competitors. For more information, visitwww.alltechnationalhorseshow.com.
About Alltech:
Founded in 1980 by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech improves the health and performance of animals, plants and people through natural nutrition and scientific innovation. With more than 3000 employees in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia. For further information, visit www.alltech.com. For media assets, visit www.alltech.com/press.
Alltech is the proud title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. For more information about these prestigious global championships, visitwww.alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com.
