Margie Engle and Royce Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are just one week away, and riders are preparing their horses for the two main events: the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix and the $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington. The first event will take place on Sunday, May 11 in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park, and the next class will be held on Saturday, May 17.Each year, these grand prix events draw the best in the world, with Olympian Margie Engle taking the top prize during the 2013 $75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix aboard Royce, while Meagan Nusz of Texas and Dynamo won the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix.The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are always a destination for Engle, who commented, “It’s a big open area, and you’ve got plenty of room to ride here. Weather is always unpredictable, and no matter what the weather does the footing is always perfect. It’s nice to have permanent stabling, and there are always good courses. Kentucky is horse area!Local Kentucky riders such as Sharn Wordley and Derek Braun also make sure the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows are on the list. Sharing a fence line with the Kentucky Horse Park, Spy Coast Farm sends international rider Shane Sweetnam with a team of horses each year to compete with in the Rolex Stadium. The Grand Prix events will also feature international competitors Pablo Barrios of Venezuela, Richie Moloney of Ireland, Charlie Jayne and Todd Minikus.Highlight events also include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on May 8, which will kick-off the seven part Hagyard Challenge Series, continuing with the second event on Thursday, May 15. The Open Jumper competitors will also have an opportunity to showcase their mounts during the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic held each week.  Both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows will offer Children’s and Adult Jumper Classics sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation, as well as the $10,000 Junior and Amateur-Owner Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classics sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch & Audi of Lexington.While competing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, exhibitors and their families can also explore downtown Lexington, which features fine dining and shopping. The beautiful Lexington area offers numerous hotel accommodations near the horse show facilities and the main downtown area.For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com. To request a prize list please email prizelist@kentuckyhorseshows.com. KENTUCKY HORSE SHOWS 2014 HORSE SHOW SERIES FAST FACTSEvents: 2014 Kentucky Spring Horse ShowsWhat:The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.Where:Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™. Home to the United States Equestrian Federation.When:KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 7-11, 2014$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic$75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter DerbyKENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 14-18, 2014$25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic$75,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix sponsored by Audi of Lexington$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter DerbyWCHR recognized hunter competitionSponsors:A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Audi of Lexington, Johnson Horse Transportation, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program, Sleepy P Ranch and The Official Hotel – The Clarion .Hours:8am – 5pm dailyParking:Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.Directions:The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.