Paradise Found - The Kentucky Horse Park
By Aubrey Simpson
For horse lovers, the Kentucky Horse Park is the perfect vacation destination. Located on 12,000 acres outside Lexington, in the State’s lush, legendary “Bluegrass” country, the Horse Park pays tribute to humankind’s relationship with horses.
The adventure starts as soon as you enter the park, where a bronze statue of Man o’ War, one of the greatest race horses ever, welcomes visitors of all ages. It’s a monument symbolizing the courage, strength, and magnificence of all horses. Here you will find just about every breed of horse.
“We normally have over 50 breeds of horses on the grounds at all times, the number climbs during the spring and summer,” states Cindy Rullman, the Park’s Associate Director of Marketing. “People enjoy seeing the differences between the breeds, but the thing they love most is that they can come here and get close to the horses. They can touch some legendary horses in person.”
Parade of Breeds
A great place to start is the Breeds Barn where you will find an outstanding display of breeds. Twice daily the Parade of Breeds, a half-hour presentation, highlights the unique characteristics of selected breeds with costumed riders putting the horses through their paces. Racetrack lovers will definitely want to see the elites who reside in the Hall of Champions.
This summer the park has horses from the biggest to the littlest. The Horse Drawn Tour area is home for the “Gentle Giants,” the Draft Horses that pull the park’s tour trolleys. The teams include Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons, English Shires, Haflingers, Suffolks and Norwegian Fjords. Visit the Draft Horses in the morning as they are groomed in the Carriage Horse Barn. And, from July 11th to 13th the Miniature Horse Julep Cup Show will be the “biggest little” event. This mix of daily shows and special events happens everyday at the Horse Park.
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| One of the most popular and unique outings offered at the Kentucky Horse Park is the Unique Horse Farm Tours. You can tour the grounds of historic estates of the Bluegrass Region as well as shiny-new, multi-million dollar farms of international movers and shakers. Hear behind-the-scenes stories about the individuals and horses that make Lexington, Kentucky “The Horse Capital of the World.” Tour guide Shaun Washington, who says he was “practically raised” by Kentucky’s most famous couple, Preston and Anita Madden, gave us the scoop. “We normally see around three to four farms. WinStar is one of the favorites, I always tell people I don’t know how nice your house is, but I could live in the barn at WinStar. When Mrs. Preston is in town, I tell them about her Derby Parties and all the stars who attend, and sometimes we end the tour there and have a glass of champagne with Mrs. Preston.” Tours depart at 9:15 am, 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. daily from the Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Information Center. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance by calling (800) 678-8813 ext. 225 or on the day of your visit at the Visitor Information Center. Tickets are $25.00 per adult, $15.00 for ages 12 and under. This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 4. |
Kentucky Horse Park 9:15 a.m. - Meet the Draft Horses |
Summer Events
Special events of interest for July and August include several Polo Tournaments and numerous horse shows. “One of our popular events,” says Cindy Rullman, “is the Breyer Fest that runs from July 18th to the 20th. It’s the world’s largest gathering of model horse collectors. Besides the assortment of popular plastic model horses, we bring in a lot of live horse acts from around the country. It’s a good time to see more breeds and even more celebrity horses. Plus, we’re hosting the National Reining Championship from July 23rd to the 27th. The first two weekends of August we have hundreds of horses competing in our hunter-jumper shows. Basically, there’s something different every day from spring to fall.”
Everyday events include possible visits to the International Museum of the Horse, the largest of its kind in the world, with a viewing of the film “Thou Shalt Fly Without Wings.” Filmed at locations throughout the world, the film focuses on man’s relationship with the horse. There’s also a Farrier Shop, where a blacksmith exhibits his iron-pounding craft and a chance to watch the age-old art of horse shoeing. Plus, the park offers guided horseback trail and children’s pony rides.
Make plans now for The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Held at the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25th to October 10th, 2010, this is the first time the event will be held outside of Europe. It will also be the largest equine sporting event ever held in the United States. The World Equestrian Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports – show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, reining and para-equestrian. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime equine spectacular event all horse lovers will want to see.
Family Fun
The Horse Park has 260 camp sites with electrical and water hookups, paved pads, fire rings and picnic tables. Take advantage of the park’s planned recreational activities, catch a game of tennis or basketball on lighted courts, cool off in a junior Olympic-size swimming pool, or try your hand at pitching horseshoes, croquet, and square dancing. It’s fun for the whole family. For more about events and accommodations go to www.kyhorsepark.com or call (800) 678-8813.
Southern States has been a partner with the Kentucky Horse Park since it opened in 1978 and is proud to be the Park’s exclusive feed sponsor. All of the horses who live at the Kentucky Horse Park are fed Legends® and Triple Crown® feeds from the Southern States Store in Lexington, Kentucky.
