"FAVORITE" HORSE SHOW RUNS August 1 - August 4
The Shelbyville Horse Show, named "Best Horse Show in the Country" winning the prestigious National Honor Show awarded by members of the United Professional Horsemen's Association, opens Wednesday, August 1 and runs through Saturday, August 4. The show begins at 7 p.m. each night and is held at the Shelby County Fairgrounds on U.S. Highway 60 in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Admission is $5.00.
The show is composed of 57 classes for American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and is an important stepping-stone to the World's Championship Horse Show, held at the Kentucky State Fair in mid-August.
So why is a medium-sized show consistently named the "favorite" by horse owners in stiff competition with larger, more prestigious shows at Madison Square Gardens in New York, the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville and the American Royal in Kansas City?
"We like to think that it's because of the way the community comes together to support the show," says Shelbyville Horse Show founder and manager, R.H. Bennett. "At most shows, the majority of attendees are horse people: here most of the people in the audience are people for the community, here to catch the excitement and learn more about the beautiful and fascinating world of gaited horses."
"It has been a pleasure to watch community participation grow during the last decade. We have added a kick-off breakfast, a jazz concert and art show, a 5K run, and a golf match. In most places, organizers would be happy with one companion event; here, we've managed to create a festive, week-long package known as the Shelbyville Horse Show Jubilee."
"We've always valued the family style of the show," adds Shelby County Fair Board Member Don Baker. "Following the County Fair by three weeks, it firmly implants Shelby County in the minds and hearts of the thousands who attend."
General admission is $5.00 or $15.00 for a four-day pass. Children under age six get in free. Tickets to the double-deck Horsemen's Club tent are $45.00or $160.00 for all four nights and include buffet dinner and beverages. Boxes are $300.00 for the week and include six ringside seats. Although sold out for this year, there is a waiting list for the box seats.
More than 300 volunteers provide the backbone for the show, adding to its unique community character and ownership. It consistently attracts top quality horses and riders from throughout the nation. This year's show will feature more than 450 Saddlebred horses from all over the United States. All are registered with the American Saddlebred Horse Association, and many will go on to compete in the World Championship Horse Show in Louisville next month.
Trophies, ribbons and monetary prizes are given to winners in each class.
Know as the "Saddlebred Capital of the World," Shelby County has more than 35 Saddlebred horse farms and 2,000 American Saddlebred horses. Local Businesses and residents rally behind the annual show with the Shelbyville Horse Show Jubilee. This year the festivities include:
Kick Off Breakfast at Undulata Farms - Riding exhibition
Children's Art Show, Adult Amateur Art Show, Jazz Concert,
Juried Art Exhibit, Shelbyville Community Theatre: call 633-7182 for more information on Opening Reception, times and activities
Catch the Excitement with over 13,000 of your friends, associates, and political representatives including at least 3 past Governors: John Y. Brown, Martha Lane Collins, and Ned Breathitt also Senator Mitch McConnell. For information call the Horse Show Office at (502) 633-7123. For more information on Jubilee activities call the Shelby Development Corporation at (502) 633-5029.
