The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival returns to the Kentucky Horse Parkâs Alltech Arena March 27 to showcase the horse to school children and equine youth groups. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Youth and horses - An educational festival
The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival returns to the Kentucky Horse Park's Alltech Arena on March 27, 2013, to showcase the horse to school children and equine youth groups.
During the event, which is being staged by the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program in conjunction with the University of Kentuckyâs Ag Equine Programs, students from across Kentucky, as well as neighboring states, will have the opportunity to see several breeds of horses perform live demonstrations of equestrian sport in a variety of disciplines, including jumping, stock horse versatility, vaulting, driving with a variety of breeds, Arabian Horse versatility and gaited breeds, including those native to Kentucky.
Other educational opportunities include up-close-and-personal sessions about vaulting, horse dentistry, therapy horses, size comparisons of different breeds and biomechanics of jockeys and racehorses.
With a theme of âCelebrating the Horse,â this yearâs festival builds upon the first one held in 2010, where nearly 6,000 school-aged children representing 102 schools or groups from across Kentucky packed the venue to watch world-renowned elite equestrian athletes demonstrate the disciplines of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
âThis yearâs Kentucky Equine Youth Festival promises to be an educational and rewarding experience. The UK College of Agriculture is happy to join with our partner organizations in celebrating two of Kentuckyâs signature assets, the horse and our youth,â said Jimmy Henning, associate dean for extension and director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. âWe are happy to be a part of this special day at the Kentucky Horse Park, as well as every day and across the state through our 4-H equine programs at our county extension offices.â
New this year is an art contest with the theme, âWhat Horses Mean to Kentucky.â Art entries submitted by children for the festival will be exhibited and winners will be revealed during the event.
The eventâs planning partners include the Equine Academy at Lexington Catholic High School, Equine Land Conservation Resource, Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Horse Park, United States Equestrian Federation and the United States Pony Clubs.
The eventâs major sponsors include the Bluegrass Palomino Horse Association, North American Equine Ranching Information Council, Race for Education, United States Equestrian Federation and the University of Louisvilleâs Equine Industry Program.
Youth interested in attending may still register
More information about the Kentucky Equine Youth Festival
Writer: Holly Wiemers, 859-257-2226
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians.