Spend a Day Surrounded by Horses in Lexington, Kentucky
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Both experienced horsemen and woman and novice enthusiasts enjoy and appreciate a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park.
Located in the heart of horse country, the Kentucky Horse Park covers over 1,200 acres. The Park opened in 1978 and is now the oldest operating park dedicated to horses in the United States. Although busiest in the spring and summer, the Kentucky Horse Park welcomes visits year round.
Attractions at the Kentucky Horse Park
Visitors to the Park enjoy a hands-on horse experience while learning about different breeds and riding disciplines. A visit to the park should start at the International Museum of the Horse. The museum includes exhibits detailing man’s relationship with horses from the very beginning. It also includes an extensive horse-drawn vehicle collection as well as examples of different saddles. The Museum also offers revolving exhibits that have included of western movie memorabilia, royal horse items, and art exhibits.
The Hall of Champions is another important stop on any tour of the park. The Hall of Champions houses racing and show greats such as the Thoroughbred Cigar, the Standardbred pacer Staying Together, and champion five-gaited American Saddlebred CH Gypsy Supreme. Former residents including Alysheba and John Henry are buried outside in the Memorial Walk of Champions.
Everyone will also enjoy a visit to the Parade of Breeds and Hall of Breeds. The Hall of Breeds houses nearly thirty difference breeds of horses from the popular American Quarter Horse to the exotic Marwari of India. Visitors can walk through the Hall of Breeds and see each breed up close. During the Parade of Breeds, presented twice daily during the summer and once per day during the winter, several horses get the chance to show off what they do best: jumping, spinning, cantering and pagentry. Any horseman who watched the Parade of Breeds is sure to learn something new.
Take a Ride Through the Park
For visits who want even more horse experience, the Park offers horseback rides, pony rides and carriage rides. Children ages two through twelve can experience the joy of horseback riding atop a pony in the pony paddocks while riders ages seven and up can take a leisurely stroll around the outskirts of the park atop one of the park’s trusty steeds. For those who prefer to sit back and relax while the horses do the work, the Park offers horse-drawn trolley rides past points of interest.
Attend World Class Equestrian Events
In addition to the many attractions throughout the Park, the Park plays host to a variety of world class equestrian events throughout the year. Visitors can watch elegant Arabians compete at the Egyptian event, Rocky Mountain horses strut their stuff at the International Rocky Mountain Horse Show and adorable miniature horses compete in halter, driving, obstacle classes and more at the Julep Miniature Horse Show. The Park also hosts numerous polo, dressage, jumping and breed competitions throughout the year as well as the prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event and the 2010 World Equestrian Games.
The Kentucky Horse Park offers something for everyone from the serious competitor to those who love and admire horses from afar. Visitors walk away with a greater understanding and appreciate for the many horses around the world.