128 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Jan Westmark-Allan
There is definitely something special about the
National Horse Show. With more than a century of
history behind it, the mere mention of the show’s
name conjures up images of elegant horses and
riders, a packed house of dapperly dressed men and
women and the splendor of Madison Square Garden.
While the National Horse Show is no longer held
at the Garden, the splendor is still there. Now called
the Alltech National Horse Show, the show returns to
Kentucky again this year, October 29th – November
3rd, at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.
I have fond memories of the National Horse Show.
My daughter, Abby, competed in the National Horse
Show twice when it was held in Wellington at the
Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. She
showed in the children’s jumpers on her horses Don
Juan and Keebler. While it was exciting taking home
a ribbon with a medallion in the middle of it and the
words National Horse Show on it, the best part was
reveling in the history of such a prestigious show.
That, and buying all new blankets for her horses!
Abby was showing with Alan Korotkin and Castlewood
Farm and when we arrived at the Castlewood stalls
on the show grounds we tucked our horses in and
made them comfy. We also hung their sheets and
blankets on their stall doors as we were having
unseasonably cool weather.
Before we could leave the barn to take in the grandeur of the
National Horse Show, one of the Castlewood grooms stopped
by to check on our horses. He took one look at our un-matching
sheets and blankets, and that was when we realized that a
prestigious horse show deserved prestigious accessories – even
for the horses.
We didn’t want our horses to be mocked by the other horses
The National Horse Show
e
The Bottom Line
in the barn for their lack of finery, so we scurried over to vendor
row and bought them new Baker Blankets. And, of course, Abby
didn’t want to be ridiculed by her horses for not being decked out
to the nines, so she ended up with a new helmet and breeches.
By the end of the weekend, the ribbon Abby won was not only
precious because it was won at the National Horse Show, but it
was precious because it became a “thousand dollar” ribbon.
I still cherish our memories of that show, and I was excited to
learn that many people will get to “make memories” at the Alltech
National Horse Show this year with the all-new “Barn Night in
the Bluegrass.” On Friday, November 1st, barns throughout the
Lexington region will get a chance to mingle at the Alltech Arena
for an evening dedicated to youth who show true “barn spirit.”
Open to young riders, equestrian groups and kids who are simply
crazy for horses, Barn Night in the Bluegrass is a chance for youth
to make banners, dress in fanatical horse gear and wear their
barn’s logo in a spirit competition to be held throughout the night.
Spirit prizes awarded to Barn Night participants will include year-
long subscriptions to
Sidelines
Magazine, official merchandise from
the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, a
year’s supply of LIFEFORCE Elite™ natural digestive supplement
and a Lyons Farm™ barn grill-out party sponsored by Alltech.
A super-spirited Barn Night kid will win a trip for four to attend
the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy,
France.
Sidelines
is thrilled to be part of the Alltech National Horse
Show and I can’t wait for all the Barn Night participants to “Catch
the Sidelines Spirit”, while also catching the spirit of a horse show
steeped in tradition – the National Horse Show. It’s going to be
a great night, and if you plan on attending and don’t know how
to dress in fanatical horse gear, I suggest wrapping yourself in a
Baker Blanket.
Abby Westmark and Keebler competing at the National Horse Show in 2006
when it was held in Wellington, Florida. Now held at the Alltech Arena at the
Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, the 2013 Alltech National Horse
Show is October 29th – November 3rd this year.
Photo by Anne Gittens Photography
A young fan shows off her spirit at the Alltech National Horse
Show. Young riders, equestrian groups and horse crazy kids in
the Lexington area will get a chance to show off their spirit at
“Barn Night in the Bluegrass” on November 1st at the show.
Photo courtesy of the Alltech National Horse Show
