The American Quarter Horse is “The official Breed of the Kentucky Reining Cup.” For the third year in a row the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will be a sponsor of the Kentucky Reining Cup. This event is held in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on April 26-27, alongside the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
“Reining is a tremendous crowd favorite and has proven to be an extremely popular addition to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event weekend,” Said EEI President Darren Ripley. “The American Quarter Horse is synonymous with Reining and we are privileged to welcome back the American Quarter Horse Association as one of the premier sponsors of the Kentucky Reining Cup.”
Singer Lyle Lovett spins his horse in the CR13* at last year's event.
The Kentucky Reining Cup consists of two evenings of competitions. The first evening on Friday, April 26 is the CR13* with riders navigating their horses through a prescribed pattern of turns, sliding stops, and flying lead changes. All very exciting to watch.
On the second evening of competition on Saturday, April 27 is the very popular crowd pleaser the World Freestyle Championship. Riders and horses perform freestyles to choreographed music. This can be compared to Dressage Musical Freestyles, only faster, with those famous reining horse sliding stops, fast spins, roll backs, or to ice skating’s musical freestyles as both have those fast spins. This competition has electrified the spectators in the past two years.
“AQHA is thrilled to once again be a part of this event,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. “As a leading western performance event, Reining is a great showcase of the tremendous athleticism and versatility of the breed."
Advance tickets for the Kentucky Reining Cup are $12 per person for Fridays CR13* and $20 per person for Saturday’s World Freestyle Championship. Hospitality options include the opportunity to purchase the use of luxury suites in the Alltech Arena for both night of competition.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Kentucky Reining Cup you can go to their website here.
The American Quarter Horse Association is located in Amarillo, Texas and boasts the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization. For more on the American Quarter Horse or the AQHA you can go to their website here.
The Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.
Photos: Courtesy of Carly Dolan
