A purse of $25,000 is on offer for the first HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship (IAHR) race that will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, on 17 May
11 May 2015, Kentucky Horse Park ~ The race for Purebred Arabians, non-winners of four races will take part on the day of the High Hope Steeplechase race meet held annually at the Kentucky Horse Park. The KHP is home to the Rolex Three Day Event (USA’s only 4 star Three Day Event) and has hosted the World Equestrian Game in 2010. The day will feature steeplechase and flat races, including, for the first time, one leg of the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship.
This unique flat race featuring only Arabian race horses guided by apprentice jockeys will be run under the rules of the National Steeplechase Association (NSA). NSA officials will supervise the horses (pre and post race testing), rider weigh-in, start, and will handle any race inquiries. All riders will have a mandatory course walk and meeting with a NSA steward prior to the races.
Unlike the usual American flat tracks which run on sand/dirt, the HHS course (and all US steeplechase race meets) is in the style of English point-to-point tracks. This race will be One Mile, left-handed over uneven ground and is a good test of horse and rider.
Because of the course design, this will be a flag start.The start will be held approximately 150 yards prior to the start/finish line officials’ tower so that all horses and rider may have a good start.
Jockeys and horse information forthcoming shortly.
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