Lexington, KY (September 1, 2016) The fourth annual Battle in the Saddle Celebrity Team Penning Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Covered Arena on Friday, September 30, 2016.

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is proud to present the 2016 Battle in the Saddle Celebrity Team Penning competition, presented by Merial. This exciting event pairs two amateur riders with a celebrity guest rider to compete to see who has the skills and bravery to pen a group of cattle in the quickest time. 

2016 Celebrities in the Saddle include (subject to change): 

Erika Abe - Anchor, Fox 56

Daniel Boone - American Pioneer

P.J. Cooksey - Award Winning Jockey

Pat Day - Award Winning Jockey

Officer Don Evans - 98.1 The Bull Morning Show Bobby Knight – Trainer/ Road to the Horse Competitor

Carson Kressley - TV Personality & Fashion Designer

Charlie LoPresti - Trainer of  Wise Dan

Chris McCarron - Award Winning Jockey

Sean Moody - WKYT Reporter

Jason Myers - WTVQ Chief Meteorologist

Rosie Napravnik - Award Winning Jockey

Andre Pater - Painter/Artist

DeAnn Stephens - 98.1 The Bull Morning Show

Otto Thorwarth - Jockey/Secretariat Movie Actor

The Battle in the Saddle will also include a “Horse Farm Challenge” – a friendly competition between those teams sponsored by area horse farms.  In addition to the prizes awarded to the top three overall winning teams during the competition, a special prize will be awarded to the Horse Farm team with the best time of the night.

Vendors and concessions will open at 5:00 p.m. – featuring a Kids’ Zone with face painting, pony rides and roping fun. The Battle in the Saddle team penning competition will begin at 7:30 p.m.  Following the competition, all are invited to stay for the free MWI Animal Health “Dancing in the Dirt” After Party featuring a live band, dancing and cash bar.

General admission to Battle in the Saddle is $10 per person, with children 12 & under admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket.   General Admission tickets may be ordered in advance or purchased at the door. 

Tickets are also available to a pre-competition cocktail party and dinner for $75 per person.  Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance.  To pre-order dinner tickets, call the Foundation office at 859-255-5727.  

All proceeds from the benefit event will support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing, expanding and improving the Kentucky Horse Park.  For more information about the event, visit www.khpfoundation.org.