Friday, November 6, 2026

Thoroughbred Discovery at Keeneland, hosted by Amplify Horse Racing. Register on Eventbrite.

9:00 am  Management Committee Meeting- South Wing B 108-109

Coaches will receive an email containing a one-time QR code required for entry to Friday night's coaches' meeting.

6:00 PM — Silent Auction Opens & Apparel Pickup (Location: South Wing B, Room 102)

6:00 PM — Contest registration/packet pickup and Breakfast Ticket Sales (Look for marked tables)

6:30 PM — Mandatory Coaches’ Meeting (General session in B 101-102, followed by breakout meetings by contest)

• Horse Judging: South Wing C, Room 109

• Hippology: South Wing B, Room 105

• Horse Bowl: South Wing C, Room 112

• Individual Presentation: South Wing B, Room 104

• Team Presentation: South Wing B, Room 103

• Public Speaking: North Wing 202 (use the escalator, stairs, or elevator in North Wing Lobby A) 

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Judging Contest

7:45 am Check-in at Covered Arena

8:30 am Contest Begins - Covered Arena

1:00 pm Oral Reasons - South Wing C 106,107,110,111

1:00 pm Holding Room – South Wing C 109

5:00 pm* Review of Classes - South Wing C 109

                           *Approximate time – immediately following reasons

Hippology Contest

7:45 am Check-in - South Wing B 105

8:15 am Contest Begins - South Wing B 105,107,110

Communications Contests

8:00 am Individual Presentation - South Wing B104

8:00 am Team Presentation - South Wing B103

8:00 am Public Speaking - North Wing 202 (use the escalator, stairs, or elevator in North Wing Lobby A) 

Horse Bowl

7:30 am Check-in - South Wing C 112

8:00 am Contest Begins - South Wing C 108 & C 104

Lunch for All Contestants - South Wing B Hallway in front of B 108

T-Shirt Sales & Silent Auction - South Wing B 102

College Fair booths - South Wing B in front of 101-102 (Representatives present from 12-5)

Pin & Memorabilia Trading-  Head to South Wing B (outside 101-102) at 5:00 PM to trade state pins or other memorabilia with other delegates. Totally optional, totally fun! 

Sunday, November 8, 2026

8:00 am Doors Open/Ticketed Breakfast (All Attendees must have a breakfast ticket)

9:00 am Awards Ceremony Begins - South Wing B 101-104

Silent Auction Closes (cash or check)

Hotel Rooms

When searching for hotels in the Louisville area, make sure to look near the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center or the Louisville International Airport. The fairgrounds is situated less than a mile north of the airport on Phillips Lane (several hotels on this street). Crittenden Drive and Preston Highway are also in close proximity and have a few hotels.

The North American International Livestock Expo

NAILE is much more than an ordinary showcase of livestock. Throughout the show, visitors will enjoy the Giant Country Store with its nearly 150 commercial vendors selling everything from fine jewelry and food to western clothing and farm supplies. Global industry standards are annually established during the show as breeders merchandise bloodlines and genetics to local and international interests. Altogether, more than 140 shows, sales, breed meetings, entertainment events, and judging contests are held during the 14-day event.

The Giant Country Store is located in the North Wing.

Livestock events that will take place during our contest are the draft horse, dairy cattle, dairy goat, llama and alpaca shows.

Badges, Admission, and Parking Fees

Delegate & Primary Coach Entry Passes: Each contestant and one primary coach per team receive complimentary entry passes to KFEC at check-in Friday night. Coaches will receive an email containing a one-time QR code required for entry to Friday night's coaches' meeting. 

Spectators, parents, and extra coaches will have to pay an admission and parking fee at the Kentucky Exposition Center gates. Options:

• • Single Admission (one in/out):

    • Adults: $8.00

    • Children (5 & under): Free

    • Parking: $15.00 per vehicle

    • Bus/RV Parking: $20.00

  • Event passes (unlimited in and out and include parking):

    • Event Pass 1: $35.00 (valid 10/31-11/8/2026)

    • Full Event Pass: $60.00 (valid 10/31-11/19/2026)

Awards - Sunday

An awards breakfast will be held Sunday morning at 8:00, followed by the awards presentation at 9:00. Tickets to the breakfast are $20 and can be bought on Friday evening at the coaches' meeting and during the day on Saturday.  Contestants and their coach do not need to purchase a ticket, as this is included in their registration fee. 

Pictures of award winners will be taken during and after the awards program.

Places to Eat/Things to Do

The best website to find this type of information is www.gotolouisville.com. If you want to stay close, we recommend a visit to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum (located on Central Ave.). A great place to eat is the Cardinal Hall of Fame Cafe located on Crittenden Drive.

See Contest Contacts if you have questions.