The Kentucky Horse Park launches its 2015 tourism season Sunday, March 15. THE place to get close to horses, with breeds both large and small, rare and more well known, represented throughout the grounds, the park offers visitors a unique and family-friendly experience. The park is home to many special events and horse shows throughout the year, and is guaranteed to have something for everyone to enjoy.
For guests who are looking to indulge in the history of horse and man, the International Museum of the Horse is the place to learn about the bond between horse and man through time. Continuing this year is the special exhibit “Equine Treasures of the Bluegrass.” This exhibit chronicles the fascinating relationship between Kentuckians and their beloved horses.
Guests may also enjoy the “Showplace for Saddlebreds,” the American Saddlebred Museum and Gift Shop located at the park. The “Bits & Pieces of Saddlebred History: Recent Donations & Special Selections” exhibit opened at the museum this March and will run until January 2016. The exhibit features pieces from various Saddlebred memorabilia collectors. “Bits & Pieces” is a collection full of trophies, tack, and photographs chronicling the vast history of Saddlbred horses in Kentucky.
The park offers interactive exhibits and presentations for a hands-on experience. Activities at the Kids Barn and presentations at the Hall of Champions and the Breeds Barn, are perfect ways for guests to get close to horses. These daily equine presentations are both educational and entertaining, and with a horse-drawn trolley tour and opportunities for horseback riding and pony rides, guests may have their own equine adventure while visiting the park.
The Kentucky Horse Park hosts numerous horse shows throughout the year. Best known for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Kentucky Reining Cup held at the end of April, the park is the venue for many other shows and competitions throughout the year, including those for dressage, hunter jumper, reining and rodeo. The park also hosts dog shows, music festivals, fitness activities, sports championships and many community events.
For the summer tourism season, March 15-Nov. 1, the Kentucky Horse Park is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For a full listing of events and dates, and information on admission and parking prices, please visit www.KyHorsePark.com . Information about the International Museum of the Horse is available at www.imh.org . For information on the Kentucky Horse Park Campground, please visit www.parks.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and hosted more than 800,000 visitors and campers, as well as 18,400 competition horses in approximately 200 special events and horse shows in 2014. The park is home to the National Horse Center, which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is THE place to get close to horses. Information about the park’s programs and activities can be found online at www.KyHorsePark.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram.
