LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Working ranch horses are set to compete at the fourth annual Ranch Horse Classics event April 7 in the covered horse arena at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville.
Sponsored by the University of Louisville Department of Equine Business, the Ranch Horse Classics competition is designed to showcase the value of the working ranch horse. The event is free and open to the public.
Riders will compete in amateur and open divisions to determine the best ranch horse and rider. Competitors will be judged in five events designed to highlight the versatility and usefulness of a true working horse. Categories include ranch horse conformation, ranch horse pleasure, working ranch horse, working cow horse and a timed ranch roping event.
The first round of competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. The top five point winners in each division will advance to the 7 p.m. finals.
The top amateur and open champion will receive a custom Ranch Horse Classics trophy buckle. The reserve champions will receive custom-made leather bridles. Each of the 10 finalists will receive lariats and free horse feed. There are also cash prizes ranging from $12 to $150.
The deadline to enter a horse is March 31. Each competition is limited to 40 horses.
U of L students from the Equine Industry Program are producing the competition as a way to gain hands-on experience in event planning.
For more information, call U of L’s Department of Equine Business Monday-Friday at (502) 852-4861 or the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center’s event hotline at (502) 367-5005.