The Thoroughbred Horse Show Association will host its fifth annual show on Sunday May 8 at the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
The event offers a variety of jumping, dressage, and pleasure classes. The popular in-hand classes are once again on the schedule to give owners an opportunity to show off their Thoroughbreds while giving their horses a different type of training away from the track.
Fans of Grade 1 winner Brass Hat will have chance to see the 15-year-old gelding in action at the show. He will be ridden by 12-year-old Jett Bradley, daughter of Brass Hat’s track trainer William “Buff” Bradley and grand daughter of his owner-breeder Fred Bradley. Brass Hat won 10 of 40 starts and earned more than $2-million.
Entries close April 22. A complete prize list and entry forms can be obtained at www.tbredhorseshow.com
“We are grateful to all of our sponsors whose generosity has made this an annual and much anticipated event,” said THSA executive director Jan Roehl. “Thanks to their support, we can continue giving owners an affordable option for their Thoroughbreds under actual show conditions. The horses gain valuable experience and fans enjoy seeing horses from the track transitioning to a new career.”
This year’s show is sponsored in part by simulcast service provider AmWest Entertainment and Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), which promotes economic opportunities in the horse industry.
Other sponsors include Bad Girl Racing Stable and David and Sue Masson.
Sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Roehl at (859) 559-1409 or janroehl@gmail.com
“THSA provides a unique opportunity for our sport’s equine athletes and the people who treasure them, as well as for the agencies committed to the rescue, retraining and placement of these amazing Thoroughbreds,” said Nelson Clemmens, CEO of AmWest Entertainment, AmWager’s parent company. “Our commitment, both financially and personally, is made with an enthusiastic spirit from the entire AmWest and AmWager team.”
Roehl attributes the show’s increasing popularity to heightened awareness of racehorse retirement through organizations such as the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The TAA uses industry wide funding to award grants to approved retraining and rehoming organizations.
“The big push for Thoroughbred aftercare has made a huge impact on racehorses becoming sport horses,” Roehl said. “We are expecting a record number of entries this year.”