To celebrate the horse industry as it prepares to welcome the world to the Bluegrass state for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Kentucky Equine Youth Festival will host live demonstrations of the eight games events from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19, at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival will be a great opportunity for the youth across the state to experience elite riders first-hand. Invitations were sent to all middle and high schools in Kentucky. Individuals, horse clubs and groups are also invited.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for schools to bring their students and spend a day learning about Kentucky's flagship industry - the horse," said Fernanda Camargo, University of Kentucky assistant professor and head of Kentucky's 4-H Horse Program. "Currently, we have 1,500 students registered."

The events to be showcased are combined driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, jumping, para equestrian, reining and vaulting. Along with demonstrations, attendees will have access to interactive activities and presentations, as well as educational booths from organizations representing all facets of the equine industry. Educational booth possibilities include equine dental work, equine ambulance information, forging shoes, horse tack and horse physicals.

The Kentucky Equine Youth Festival admission is $50 for schools, $24 for youth groups, and $5 for individuals. Schools and youth groups both require advanced registration. The event will be in the new indoor horse arena.

Sponsors for the event include the University of Kentucky Equine Initiative, University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, Kentucky 4-H Horse Program, Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky Department of Education, United States Equestrian Federation, United States Pony Clubs and the Kentucky Horse Council. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For more information on this event, contact Kristen Harvey at (859)257-7501 or kjanicki@email.uky.edu. Schools interested in attending should contact Pat Trotter at (502) 564-2116 or pat.trotter@education.ky.gov. For more information about the event, please visit www.ca.uky.edu/Ky2010EquineYouthFestival.