First running of ladies’ sidesaddle races is May 22 at the High Hope Steeplechase

The 48th running of High Hope Steeplechase will be May 22 at the Kentucky Horse Park. In addition to the traditional National Steeplechase Association race card, the day will feature the inaugural running of a new series of ladies’ sidesaddle races. Sponsored by Keene Ridge Farm, the sidesaddle activities will begin at noon with a parade of ladies riding aside, sporting their appointment wear and period costumes. Later in the day, a ladies’ sidesaddle flat race and ladies’ sidesaddle race over fences will take place. The races will each be one mile around the steeplechase track.

The over-fences race at High Hope Steeplechase will be the final race of the 2016 U.S. Ladies Sidesaddle Racing Series. The first race will be the Mrs. Miles B. Valentine Memorial Sidesaddle Race held at the Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Point to Point in Unionville, Penn., on Sunday, followed by the Mrs. George C. Everhart Memorial Invitational Sidesaddle Race at Loudoun Hunt on April 17 in Leesburg, Va. An overall championship will be awarded at the end of the three race series to honor the season’s high-point ladies’ sidesaddle rider.

Gates will open at 11 a .m. and admission is $25 per carload. Additional information can be found online at Highhopesteeplechase.com.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "First running of ladies’ sidesaddle races is May 22 at the High Hope Steeplechase."