Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron to Showcase Thoroughbred Industry in Opening Ceremonies

Lexington, Ky.—American Thoroughbred racing Hall of Fame jockey and founder of the North American Racing Academy, Chris McCarron, will participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Sept. 25.

Along with a group of his NARA students, McCarron will be representing Thoroughbred racing in the Opening Ceremonies.

"It is a tremendous honor for us to be selected as representing the Thoroughbred industry," McCarron said, "because it is a huge part of Kentucky’s agricultural landscape."

McCarron has been a part of the Thoroughbred industry most of his life. The now 55-year-old started his first job when he was 16, hot walking horses. After graduating high school, McCarron continued working with horses at Suffolk Downs and rode in his first race when he was 18 years old.

During his 28 year professional career, McCarron won many prestigious races including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, all twice. McCarron also had nine Breeders’ Cup victories and was the first jockey in history to reach the $200 million earnings mark.

Once McCarron retired, he put his energies toward creating the North American Racing Academy. Located in Lexington, the NARA is the only fully accredited training program for jockeys and horseman in the United States. McCarron established the school to prepare students for life on and off the track.

"It has turned out very well," McCarron said about the Academy. "It is satisfying and gratifying. The students have won over 370 races in the last year and a half."

Although he is used to performing in front of such large audiences, McCarron said there will still be a huge amount of adrenalin going through his body before the Ceremonies. McCarron said he expects his students will also be excited about participating in the Ceremonies.

"Having Chris and his group of aspiring students involved in the Opening Ceremonies is tremendous," said Everett McCorvey, executive producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. "The Thoroughbred breed, in addition to other breeds in the Ceremonies, is part of the Kentucky landscape that we know audience members will enjoy seeing."

Chris McCarron is one of many equine entertainers involved in the Ceremonies for the 2010 Games. Over 200 horses are slated for the Opening Ceremonies alone. In addition to the equine component, the "human" component includes orchestra, choir, dancers, headline musicians, movement corps of hundreds of adults and children, as well as local and international celebrities and dignitaries.

For more information contact: Amy Walker at awalker@feigames2010.org

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