Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, has chosen Central Kentucky Riding for Hope as the official charity of the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

"We are honored and grateful to be named the Official Charity of the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event," said Pat Kline, Executive Director of CKRH. "Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a 35-year-old nonprofit dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of individuals with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse. Partnering with this world-class event will bring awareness to the horse-human bond that enables participants to focus on their abilities. CKRH is proud to share theHealing Power of the Horse with the thousands of horse enthusiasts attending this year's Rolex Kentucky."

Known as the "Best Weekend All Year," the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event returns to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, April 27-30, 2017. "Rolex Kentucky" is one of only six Four Star Three-Day Events in the world and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.

Each year, several fundraising efforts take place over the course of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with proceeds benefiting the official charity. This year those fundraisers are:

A Farm-to-Table dinner held in the famous Big Barn at the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday, April 27. Local celebrity chefs Jeremy Ashby and Janey Thompson will present a special menu featuring locally sourced Kentucky ingredients. This ticketed event includes a cocktail hour featuring Tito's Handmade Vodka and a selection of passed hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are available now; more information at www.rk3de.org/farm-table
The 3rd annual RK-5K Twilight Run across the Horse Park Grounds on Friday, April 28. Registration is open now at https://www.runsignup.com/Race/KY/Lexington/rk5k
A Bag Check Station, manned by Central Kentucky Riding for Hope volunteers, will be available on the RK3DE grounds each day of the competition, with donations going to CKRH.

"A big part of our mission here at Equestrian Events is to donate to charitiesboth local and national, equine and human," said Stewart Perry, president of the EEI Board of Directors. "And thanks to our Rolex Kentucky fans and partners we are able to contribute each year not only to our official charity, but to a list of deserving organizations."

EEI closed out 2016 by donating nearly $75,000 to 16 charities that support local equine organizations and serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky - a $13,000 increase over the previous year's contributions.

The 2016 recipients included:

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the official charity of the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. This Lexington, Kentucky based non-profit accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 56 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from TAA.

For the 17th year, Kentucky Children's Hospital received a donation from EEI. The Kentucky Children's Hospital has partnered with Children's Miracle Network to help bring the finest pediatric health care to children in the community and beyond.

Kentucky State Police Foundation supports the agency and its employees through partnerships with the community and the private sector to promote the interests of the Kentucky State Police in service to the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Foundation is committed to the continued operation and success of Trooper Island Camp and assisting KSP with its mission to serve and protect.

New Vocations is a non-profit organization founded in 1992, offering retired racehorses a safe-haven, rehabilitation, and continued education through placement in experienced, caring homes. New Vocations provides a safety net for these horses matching them with qualified individuals and following up on their rehabilitation and vocational training to ensure a successful transition. More than 6,000 retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have been placed in qualified homes through New Vocations' efforts since its inception.

The United States Pony Clubs Inc. started in 1954 to teach riding and the proper care of horses. They help to develop character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.

Midway University is a private, non-profit, liberal arts college that was founded in 1847 by Dr. Lewis L. Pinkerton, as the first school in the United States to serve orphaned and disadvantaged women. The school has evolved through the years and is now known for its excellence throughout Kentucky and beyond in four pillar program areas - Business, Equine Studies, Nursing, and Teacher Education. The main campus day program still operates as Kentucky's only women's college and provides a unique learning and living opportunity for women seeking their associate or bachelor degrees.

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope was founded in 1981 as a riding program for individuals with physical disabilities. Over the years, CKRH has grown into a multi-faceted program that is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse. Equine assisted activities and therapies provide independence, achievement and community to the individuals that they serve.

The University of Kentucky Equestrian Team is a nationally-competitive team affiliated with the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The UK Equestrian Team welcomes all levels of riders and all levels have the opportunity to compete in IHSA shows.

The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR)builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and preservation of those lands. ELCR provides easy access to the information, resources and tools that help horse people take action. ELCR organizes the immense amounts of information about keeping land open for horses, provides it in plain language, and offers direct technical assistance to help people make a difference in their communities. Since 2007, ELCR has assisted in the protection of more than 200,000 acres of land and more than 1,200 miles of trails.

Baby Health Services, Inc. provides free, quality healthcare to children from birth through age 17 who do not have medical insurance.

Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for cats, dogs, horses and wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has invested more than $103 million toward 2,500+ studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and preventions to benefit animals worldwide.

The American Diabetes Association is a leader in the fight against the deadly coconsequences of diabetes and funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes, provide services, information.

Glean KY was founded in 2010 by three individuals to help gather and redistribute excess fruits and vegetables to nourish Kentucky's hungry. Recognizing both an opportunity with excess food and a large number of people needing food, Glean KY explores creative and effective ways to connect the two.

Safe Haven Equine Ministries -��Safe Haven Equine Ministries is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit serving young men and women ages 12-18 with emotional and behavioral struggles, through the use of therapeutic horsemanship and outdoor activities.

KY Equine Humane Center provides a tranquil safe haven and shelter for horses in need while working to seek adoptive homes and provide second chances for Kentucky's equines, regardless of breed. The KY Equine Humane Center works to help educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership.

Junior Achievement of The Bluegrass, Inc. - Junior Achievement (JA) is a non-profit organization and the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. The program partners with volunteers from the community to teach elementary studentsabout their roles as individuals, workers and consumers, and to prepare middle and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face.

Charities are selected through an application process that opens in July each year.

Equestrian Events, Inc. is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is one of the world's most prestigious equestrian competitions and features the world's best horses and riders vying for their share of $400,000 in prize money as well as a shot at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to any rider who wins the Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Four Star Events in succession.

For more information on the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, please visit the Rolex Kentucky website at www.RK3DE.org.