ASPCA Celebrates 145 Years of Equine Protection at Alltech National Horse Show

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it will celebrate its 145th anniversary of protecting horses at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky. from Thursday, November 3 to Sunday, November 6. Throughout the show, now in its 128th year, the ASPCA 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.

"The ASPCA was founded to prevent animal suffering, and equine protection has always been a primary concern for us. We are proud to uphold that tradition 145 years later," said Valerie Angeli, senior director of equine and special projects for the ASPCA. "There is no better way to celebrate our achievements over the years than to partner with the historic National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park, the only park in the world that is dedicated to man's relationship with, and love of, the horse. We are thrilled to have our Equine Welfare Ambassadors and the ASPCA Maclay riders helping us to honor these noble animals, and be the voice of those horses who are less fortunate."

"We are grateful to the Alltech National Horse Show and the Kentucky Horse Park for joining us in raising awareness of critical equine welfare issues, and the need to promote responsible and humane horsemanship," added Nancy Perry, senior vice president of government relations for the ASPCA. "We look forward to discussing how these top level equestrians can help us in making a difference in the lives of American horses. There have been many accomplishments in ending the cruel treatment of equines, but there is still much work to be done."

The ASPCA will host a variety of special events at its booth in the Alltech Arena. 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 new equine ambassador Paige Johnson will be inaugurated during a cocktail reception and celebration on November 4.

Representatives from the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Equine Humane Center also will join the ASPCA to parade their rescued horses in the competition arena on November 6, and 18-year-old Hayley Barnhill, the 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Champion, will ride one of the adoptable former racehorses into the ring.

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.

Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show and draws many of the world's top horses and champion riders. For more information on the National Horse Show, please visit www.nhs2011.org.

For a full list of ASPCA events at the Alltech National Horse show, please see the schedule below.

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

Thursday, November 3:

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Alltech Arena) - ASPCA Booth will be open, and ASPCA animal-themed merchandise will be available for a donation. ASPCA literature will also be available and an Advocacy Center open where attendees can take action to help animals in need.

Friday, November 4:

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Alltech Arena) - ASPCA Booth will be open.
• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ASPCA Booth) - Book signing, meet & greet with renowned equine welfare advocate and horse racing expert Alex Brown, author of Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy.
• 2:30 to 3 p.m. (Paddock area) - Presentation of Equine Emergency Rescue and the ASPCA: 145 Years of Compassion; attendees may learn about the ASPCA's rich history of saving the lives of horses during emergencies. 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 at shows.
• 5 to 7 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. RSVP to Tawyna Mosgrove via email at [email protected].

Saturday, November 5:

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Alltech Arena) - ASPCA Booth will be open.
• 3 to 3:30 p.m. (Paddock Area) - Learn how to fight cruelty and help horses by talking to the experts - the ASPCA's Nancy Perry, along with 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 to 7 p.m. (Paddock Area) - Meet & 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 to 8 p.m. (Paddock Area) - Presentation of Equine Emergency Rescue and the ASPCA: 145 Years of Compassion; attendees may learn about the ASPCA's rich history of saving the lives of horses during emergencies. Join Michelle Melaragno of the HEART Horse Ambulance, and ASPCA representatives Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli, for an interactive demonstration of the ambulance, a lifeline for horses at shows.

Sunday, November 6 - ASPCA Day:

• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Alltech Arena) - ASPCA Booth will be open.
• 1 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 in search of a home from Kentucky Equine Humane.
• 5 p.m. (Alltech Arena - Awards Ceremony Area) - Presentation of the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Championship Awards with ASPCA representatives Nancy Perry and Valerie Angeli.

Angels for Horses: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is open every day at the International Museum of the Horse on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. This amazing exhibit chronicles the ASPCA's 145-year history of advocacy for horses in America, showcasing original artifacts and historic documents from the ASPCA's archives. For more information: http://www.imh.org