Presented by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Hats Off Day on Saturday, July 31st celebrates the impact of the horse industry with a day of free admission to the Lexington-based Kentucky Horse Park. Now in its 18th year, Hats Off Day offers family-friendly activities which begin at 3:00 p.m. including horse and pony rides, interactive educational booths, and a Grand Prix show jumping competition. Free hats, provided by area horse farms and businesses will be distributed at the entrance, while supplies last!
Sponsored by Central Bank and other industry leaders, Hats Off Day is the only day of the year that admission to the Kentucky Horse Park is free, and serves as a fundraiser for the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. More than $1.11 million has been raised for worthy organizations in Kentucky since the inaugural event in 2003.
“The Kentucky Horse Park provides our state with a beautiful backdrop to learn about Kentucky's signature industry,” said Dr. Tom Riddle, founder of Hats Off Day and co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. “Hats Off Day allows families to get up-close-and-personal with these majestic animals.”
Hats Off Day is delighted to welcome the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) back as a sponsor. KEEP has been a leader in promoting the horse industry including spearheading the movement this year supporting the preservation of historical horse racing in Kentucky.
Stadium activities on Hats Off Day begin at 6:45 p.m. with a demonstration by Long Run Woodford Hounds and the celebration of the Kentucky Horse Park's Mustang Troop. Additionally, the Rood & Riddle Comeback Award will be presented. This annual award honors an outstanding horse that has experienced a medical condition, was treated by Rood & Riddle veterinarians, and then returned to greatness. Previous winners include Thoroughbred two-time Horse of the Year, Wise Dan; Kentucky Derby winner and two-time Horse of the Year, California Chrome; show jumper, Cyklon 1083; Lexington mounted police horse, Yoder; and Saddlebred World Champion, Tempt Me. The theme of this year's event is “The Beauty of the Show Hunter,” a fitting tribute to the 2021 Rood & Riddle Comeback Award winner, Celtic Fire, a highly successful show hunter.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the featured entertainment of the event is the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix show jumping competition, a 25-year-old tradition that draws internationally known horses and riders.
Hats Off Day is one of the many ways Rood & Riddle supports Kentucky's equine industry. Through veterinary service, educational opportunities and seminars and community support, Rood & Riddle impacts the entire state with initiatives that strengthen the equine industry.
For more information on Hats Off Day, including the event schedule, visit the event's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hatsoffday.
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