Kentucky Horse Park

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The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located off of KY 1973 (Iron Works Pike) and Interstate 75 in northern Fayette County in the United States. The equestrian facility is a 1,200 acre park dedicated to "man's relationship with the horse." Open to the public, the Park has a twice daily Parade of Breeds, showcasing both common and rare horses from across the globe. The horses are ridden in authentic costume. Each year the Park is host to a number of special events and horse shows.

The Kentucky Horse Park has been a retirement home for some of the world's greatest competition horses including thoroughbreds Cigar, voted Horse of the Decade for the 1990s, John Henry, the top money-winning thoroughbred gelding in racing history, champions Forego, Bold Forbes, and Da Hoss, the first of only two thoroughbreds to win Breeders' Cup races in non-consecutive years.

Besides thoroughbred horses, standardbred greats such as Western Dreamer, Cam Fella and Rambling Willie have made the Kentucky Horse Park their home, as well as 5-gaited Saddlebred gelding CH Gypsy Supreme.

1 International Museum of the Horse
2 National Horse Center
3 Major events
4 2010 World Equestrian Games
5 References

[edit] International Museum of the Horse

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[edit] National Horse Center

The Kentucky Horse Park also contains the National Horse Center, headquarters for several organizations including:

American Association of Equine Practitioners
American Farrier's Association
American Hackney Horse Society
American Hanoverian Society
American Saddlebred Horse Association
Carriage Association of America
Kentucky Horse Racing Authority
Equestrian Events, Inc.
United States Hunter Jumper Association
United States Dressage Federation
United States Equestrian Federation
United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

[edit] Major events

In addition to many competitions and educational events throughout the year, including the Rolex Three Day Event, and Pony Club Championships, the Kentucky Horse Park hosts many diverse events.

Name	Date	Description
Bluegrass Classic Dog Show	August 31 - 4	An American Kennel Classic sanctioned show.
Kentucky Fall Classic Saddlebred Show	October 4 - 7	This is an American Saddlebred, Hackney, and Roadster horse show. ^[1].
"Southern Lights Stroll"	Wednesday after Thanksgiving	This is a fundraiser for local food banks, where participants can walk (3 miles) or participate in a 5K run past displays used in "Southern Lights" ^[1].
"Southern Lights"	November 17 - December 31	Every year from one week after Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, the Kentucky Horse Park features a three-mile drive-through Christmas lights display ^[1].

[edit] 2010 World Equestrian Games

On December 6, 2005, it was announced the Lexington and Kentucky Horse Park will host the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The 2010 games will mark the first time the games have been held outside of Europe. The games are expected to bring 300,000 tourists to Lexington and over $100,000,000 to the Kentucky economy. In preparation for the games, a new indoor equestrian arena and a hotel will be built at the park's site.