ASPCA Attends Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY

This November, the ASPCA is celebrating 145 years of equine protection at the Alltech National Horse Show, America’s oldest indoor horse show, in Lexington, Kentucky. Starting November 3, we will host educational presentations with top equine welfare experts, meet and greet events, a cocktail reception, and a parade of rescued mustangs and adoptable, rescued Thoroughbreds. In addition, the last day of the show, November 6, has been designated “ASPCA Day,” which will conclude with the presentation of the prestigious Maclay National Championship Award.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Alex Brown, horse racing expert, equine advocate and author of Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy, and receive a signed copy of the book. In addition, ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors and world class riders Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal will be on hand to talk with attendees about how to be a voice for horses. The ASPCA’s newest equine ambassador Paige Johnson will be inaugurated during a cocktail reception and celebration on November 4.

The festivities will conclude with the presentation of the ASPCA Maclay National Championship Award. The Maclay competition was initiated in 1933 by Alfred B. Maclay, an ASPCA board member, accomplished horseman and president of the National Horse Show whose goal was to reward excellence and compassionate horsemanship in riders under the age of 18.

For more information on the National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs2011.org.

Schedule of ASPCA Events at the 128th Alltech National Horse Show

Thursday, November 3:

• 9:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (Alltech Arena)
  The ASPCA booth will be open, and ASPCA animal-themed merchandise will be available for a donation.

Friday, November 4:

• 9:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (Alltech Arena)
  The ASPCA booth will be open.
• 11:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (ASPCA Booth)
  Book signing and meet and greet with renowned equine welfare advocate and horse racing expert Alex Brown, author of Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy.
• 2:30-3:00 P.M. (Paddock area)
  Presentation of Equine Emergency Rescue and the ASPCA: 145 Years of Compassion. Join Michelle Melaragno of the HEART Horse Ambulance, and ASPCA representatives Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli for an interactive demonstration of the HEART ambulance, which utilizes equipment invented by the ASPCA in 1866 and can be a lifeline for horses.
• 5:00-7:00 P.M. (Educational Area in the Alltech Arena)
  ASPCA Angels for Horses 145th Anniversary Reception: Celebrate 145 years of equine protection with the ASPCA, Equine Welfare Ambassadors Brianne Goutal and Georgina Bloomberg, and officials from the National Horse Show and the Kentucky Horse Park. Ms. Bloomberg and Ms. Goutal will assist in the drawing of the Maclay finalists’ “order of go” for competition, as well as support officials in the inauguration of the ASPCA’s newest Equine Welfare Ambassador, Paige Johnson. Refreshments and a champagne toast will be provided. To attend, please RSVP to Tawyna Mosgrove via email at EquineEvents@aspca.org.

Saturday, November 5:

• 9:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (Alltech Arena)
  The ASPCA booth will be open.
• 3:00-3:30 P.M. (Paddock Area)
  Learn how to fight cruelty and help horses by talking to the experts: the ASPCA’s Nancy Perry, Jacque Schultz, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Equine Fund, Tanya Stalion, executive director of Kentucky Equine Humane, and Kathy Hopkins, director of equine operations for the Kentucky Horse Park. They will discuss their life-saving work, issues that affect the lives of horses, their efforts to strengthen animal-protection laws and the best ways to help horses who need a second chance.
• 6:30-7:00 P.M. (Paddock Area)
  Meet and greet with Ms. Bloomberg, Ms. Goutal and new ASPCA Equine Ambassador Paige Johnson. Learn how to get involved with the ASPCA and be a part of ending cruelty to animals. The ASPCA’s Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli also will be on hand to answer questions.
• 7:30-8:00 P.M. (Paddock Area)
  Presentation of Equine Emergency Rescue and the ASPCA: 145 Years of Compassion. Join Michelle Melaragno of the HEART Horse Ambulance, and ASPCA representatives Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli, for an interactive demonstration of the ambulance.

Sunday, November 6 (ASPCA Day):

• 9:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (Alltech Arena)
  The ASPCA booth will be open.
• 1:00 P.M. (Opening ceremonies at the Alltech Competition Arena)
  ASPCA Day Parade of Rescued Horses: Officials from the ASPCA, the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Equine Humane Center will present rescued mustangs and adoptable Thoroughbred horses in the Alltech Arena. Ms. Bloomberg will join in the festivities, as well as 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Champion Hayley Barnhill, who will ride a rescued Thoroughbred horse from Kentucky Equine Humane.
• 5:00 P.M. (Alltech Arena, Awards Ceremony Area)
  Presentation of the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Championship Award with ASPCA representatives Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli.