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2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Will Host Para Dressage And Para Jumping Demonstrations

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (LRK3DE) will host demonstrations in Para Dressage and Para Jumping when it returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 28-May 1, 2022.

Organized by Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ features one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world as well as the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts more than 80,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences and a wide array of demonstrations.

This year's demonstrations will include Para Dressage, the only equestrian sport in the Paralympic Games, and the emerging sport of Para Jumping. Working with EEI in organizing the demonstrations are Para Dressage rider Rebecca Hart, who has competed in four consecutive Paralympic Games, and Wren Blae Zimmerman, a blind Jumping rider who competes in USEF-recognized competitions and has the ultimate goal of helping Jumping become a Paralympic sport.

“We are incredibly excited to host demonstrations in both Para Dressage and Para Jumping,” said Mike Cooper, president of the board of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI). “What Rebecca Hart and Wren Blae Zimmerman do as riders is incredibly impressive and an inspiration to anyone faced with physical or other challenges. We are thrilled to join with them in presenting demonstrations of their sports at our event!

Each demonstration will feature 2-3 riders and demonstrations in both disciplines will be held on Friday and Saturday in both the Walnut Arena and Rolex Stadium. Both will also be featured as part of Sunday's Opening Ceremonies. Hart, as a Paralympic veteran, will also appear as part of “Champions Live!” a discussion panel held annually at LRK3DE that features U.S. equestrian champions from each Olympic/Paralympic discipline.

“I'm both thrilled and incredibly appreciative to EEI for the opportunity to introduce Para Jumping to the United States at an event as prestigious and well-attended as the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event,” said Zimmerman. “I hope to contribute to the growth and accessibility of horse sport by empowering change within the equestrian community. The short-term goal is for Para Jumping to become an officially recognized discipline which will ultimately help establish greatly needed resources, pathways, and competition opportunities for riders with disabilities to participate in the jumping disciplines.”

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The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horse and rider pairs compete in three phases of the competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping – for $375,000 in prize money. Two distinct Eventing competitions are held, a CCI5*-L and a CCI4*-S. LRK3DE is the longest-running Five Star event in the Americas and as the United States' premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian for the U.S. athletes.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Named Official Charity Of 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses, has been chosen as the Official Charity of the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE).

Organized by Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), the event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 28-May 1. Known as the “Best Weekend All Year,” the event hosts the prestigious Five Star three-day event, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, plus a spectacular show jumping Grand Prix, the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.

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“We are deeply honored to be selected as the official charity of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event,” said Dell Hancock, chairman of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “EEI's commitment to helping non-profit organizations should be commended, especially given the financial challenges of the past year. Their generosity will help improve the lives of all horses, from three-day eventers to horses in your backyard.”

Since 1983, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has provided more than $27.5 million to fund 366 projects at 44 universities in North America and overseas. Through the years, research funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and its predecessor (the Grayson Foundation) has uncovered solutions to critical problems affecting horse health as well as clues to numerous other solutions of equine health issues. For more information, visit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc.

“Over the years, EEI has maintained a strong commitment to supporting charities that serve the local community and support the equine industry,” said EEI president Mike Cooper. “This year, after so many individuals and organizations stood by us during the challenges presented by COVID-19, we are redoubling our commitment to giving back and we are thrilled to partner with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation as our official charity.”

As the official charity, Grayson-Jockey Club Research will receive a portion of the proceeds from a special farm-to-table fundraising charity dinner on Thursday, April 28, in the Big Barn at the Kentucky Horse Park. Ticket and other information is available at https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/fundraisingdinner/.

The LRK3DE is a thrilling multi-day competition featuring Olympic-level riders and horses in what can best be described as an equestrian triathlon. Horses and riders compete for $400,000 in prize money in three phases of competition – Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping. LRK3DE is one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world and is the first and longest-running Five Star in the Americas. As the United States' premier event, it also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian.

As part of the action-packed weekend, the third annual $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute will take place on Saturday afternoon, April 30, after the cross-country portion of the LRK3DE. Stadium seat tickets for the Grand Prix are just $10 and are available here. There will also be a $36,500 Welcome Speed Cup Ranking Class on Friday in Rolex Stadium, after the day's LRK3DE dressage competition. No stadium seat ticket is required for Friday's Ranking Class. Further information is available at Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix.

Tickets for the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian and the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are now on sale! Single-Day and Multi-Day tickets are available. All grounds admission tickets to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to the competition in Rolex Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission and traditionally the best seats sell out, so everyone is encouraged to place orders as early as possible. Grounds admission is free for children 12 years and under with adult ticket purchases.

For a unique world-class Kentucky experience, exclusive Ringside Hospitality Packages are also available, including Patron Plus, Patron Club, and Kentucky Club (Saturday only). Tickets can be ordered online at https://kentuckythreedayevent.com/tickets/ or over the phone (859-254-8123). Further information on the Land Rover Kentucky is available here.

Kentucky Three-Day Event Cancelled For 2021

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE) will not hold its famed Five Star three-day event this year, previously scheduled for April 22-25. The Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and other events are being explored to be held over that weekend but without spectators.

“We have been working with US Equestrian, the Kentucky Horse Park, and state and local government on several different scenarios for April,” said Mike Cooper, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) which produces the world-class event. “With so many uncertainties still remaining regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is premature for US Equestrian to remove its restrictions on spectators. Given the importance of the health and well-being of our spectators and competitors, we feel the only option at this time is to cancel the Five Star Event and hopefully proceed with other events that our fans can enjoy via livestream and other outlets.”

Among the other competitions being considered is a new CCI-4*-S which will likely feature many of the same horses and riders that would have been competing in the Five Star, plus the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix which normally takes place on Saturday afternoon.

“While disappointing that all our fans can't join us again this April,” added Lee Carter, EEI executive director, “we are excited that some of those same fans can now compete in new levels we will be offering during the 'Best Weekend All Year!' April 21-25 … Save the Date! Plans are being developed and will be communicated as approved.”

Spectators, patrons, vendors and sponsors who paid for the 2020 event and chose to roll their money over for 2021 will have the option of full refunds or rolling their money over again for 2022. Ticket holders can expect an email regarding their options. Sponsors may choose to be part of whatever events are held in 2021 with new agreements that fit this year's situation.

“We want to thank everyone who has been so patient throughout this difficult process,” Carter added. “We remain committed to all our supporters across the country and around the world and we look forward to putting on a great event this spring and welcoming everyone back for our full-scale Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Five Star, with the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix, in 2022!”

Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” LRK3DE is one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; Adelaide in Australia and the new Five Star event in Maryland. As the United States' premier three-day event, LRK3DE serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship Presented by MARS Equestrian™ for U.S. athletes. The event was scheduled to return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 22-25.

The post Kentucky Three-Day Event Cancelled For 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fate Of Famous Kentucky Three-Day Event Uncertain

Like the vast majority of equestrian events last year, the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (LRK3DE) was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The first five-star event in North America, and one of only seven in the world, the LRK3DE has now had to postpone tickets sales for the 2021 event as the state of world health in April is still uncertain. A second cancellation of the event could lead to the end of the event and of Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), which puts on the event.

EEI was hopeful that they could make up for some of last year's financial shortfall by hosting the 2020 American Eventing Championships (AECs) at the Kentucky Horse Park in August, but that show was also cancelled. This leaves the organization in a precarious financial position.

Though ticketholders for the 2020 LRK3DE could roll over their tickets to the 2021 event—to the tune of $900,000—a 2021 cancelation would require EEI to refund their money. EEI has received government payroll protection, an emergency disaster loan and has maxed out its line of credit, says Lee Carter, executive director of EEI. Carter says the organization is prepared to submit an application for the next round of payroll protection as soon as applications can be received.

Though the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials, held in Britain, is slated to run behind closed doors just 10 days after the LRK3DE, running without fans isn't an option for the Kentucky Three-Day. The vast majority of the event's income comes from the over 800,000 visitors who attend the event each year. The event also has a major impact on tourism in Lexington, Georgetown and surrounding cities.

EEI has produced a plan for how they intend to keep spectators and competitors safe, including limiting seating for both the dressage and show jumping phases; cross-country by its nature is socially distanced, but plans are in place for areas of the course that are notoriously crowded. The organization is awaiting a decision from both the state of Kentucky and from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as to if they can host the 2021 event. USEF currently has rules in place that don't permit spectators at any USEF-sanctioned competitions.