By:Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY – October 5, 2011 – The Alltech National Horse Show’s debut at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, is just a few weeks away, and local rider Christina Kelly is quickly preparing for her own debut at the event. Kelly is based out of her family's Diamond Edge Farm in Nicholasville, KY, and will be competing in the $25,000 Junior Jumper Division, as well as the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, Chansonette and Deeridge Farm

Although Kelly represents Ireland, she has been competing in the United States for a number of years and has taken the circuit by storm in 2011. She has won numerous Junior Jumper Classics aboard her three talented mounts: Camirage, Creata Van Ten Biesen, and HH Narcos Du Marais, which have all earned a spot on the qualification list for this year's Alltech National Horse Show.

"This is my first year competing during the Alltech National Horse Show, and I love the Kentucky Horse Park so I think it's going to be a great event," commented Kelly. "There are a lot of European riders coming over for the other classes and I think it's going to be a great horse show, especially because it will be in the Alltech Arena. It's going to be focused on that main event and I think it will be amazing."

Kelly continued, "I love the Kentucky Horse Park. We stay there for five weeks during the summer and the horses never seem to get tired of it. They jump so much better on that footing and they have the grass field to ride in, I think they really like it and they perform better there."

The talented junior already has a leg up on the competition, having competed during the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix in the Alltech Arena earlier this year. "The Alltech Arena is awesome to ride in," explained Kelly. "Once you get used to being inside you have more control of your horse and it's great."

Kelly can only compete with two mounts during the event, and is currently planning to show Camirage and HH Narcos Du Marais. The Alltech National Horse Show will also be Kelly's last junior show. "It is kind of bittersweet," she noted. "Obviously you want to grow up and ride in bigger classes but I'd love to have another junior year."

During the Alltech National Horse Show, Kelly will also have the opportunity to watch her long-time trainer and Olympic veteran Margie Engle compete in Open Jumper division. "Margie has helped me so much this year and all the years that she has trained me," she commented. "Margie has been such a big help and I just want to thank her very much for everything."