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Last month, guest Kathryn Jane told us interesting facts about the Kentucky Derby. This week I’d like to talk about the Kentucky Horse Park, a unique facility celebrating America’s horses.
Located in Lexington, the home of the Kentucky Derby, the Park is a tribute to the racing Thoroughbred. A huge statue of Man of War stands over his grave in a courtyard near the entrance. On the path leading up to the memorial are markers showing the stride length of a few of the most famous Thoroughbreds of all time. The distance that Secretariat covered in one leap vividly demonstrates why he is still the fastest horse ever. All throughout the park you will find statues and graves of many famous racers and other tributes to the state’s most important industry. In addition, at the Ha
ll of Champions you can see retired Thoroughbred, Standardbred and Quarter Horse racing champions exhibited daily.
The Park was designed as a living museum dedicated to all horses, not just Thoroughbreds. One of its most fascinating features is the International Museum of the Horse, the world’s largest museum chronicling the history of the horse and its importance to man. Associated with the Smithsonian, the IMH uses its 60,000 feet to educate the public about the horse’s unique contributions to human history. As you walk up a long, winding ramp you follow the development of the horse and its various roles throughout time. Also there are interactive exhibits about the Arabian horse, the Kentucky Thoroughbred, Draft horses, Horse Shows, the famous Buffalo Soldiers, and horse-drawn vehicles. In addition to the IMH, there are the American Saddlebred museum and the Wheeler museum, which details all aspects of the hunter/jumper world.
One of the most popular attractions is the Horses of the World. Over thirty different breeds live in the Park and are featured in daily shows or tours. Many unique horses with costumed riders are presented and after the shows visitors can meet and pet their favorites. In addition there are horse drawn tours and carriage rides, horseback riding and pony rides, and in the Spring mares and foals to visit.
If you are at all into horses and end up near Lexington, you should try to visit the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s a fascinating and totally unique experience that the whole family should enjoy—especially any horse crazy female members.
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Photo Kentucky Horse Park courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbglasson/3742826141 Photo Mar of War Memorial courtesy of http://www.fotopedia.com/items/kweaver2-JCMfVLC4B Photo Horse Drawn Tour courtesy of myoldkentucky.blogspot.com/2007/10/kentucky-h
Conversations with Horses and Others by Kate Wyland 
I would love to visit here.
It’s really quite something to see.
What a cool post, Kate. I’d love to visit this park and museum. We tend to go toward New England on vacations, but may need to deviate sometime to take this in. Thanks so much for sharing. I will, too. 🙂
You should try to detour. It’s definitely worth the effort.
I visited in winter so some things weren’t available. But it still was wonderful.
I wish it weren’t so far from Alaska.
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That would be a bit of a drive! Even farther than from CA.
I would love to visit this museum! Thanks for giving a virtual tour!
Hope you get to someday, It is fun.
Like! Like! and Like!
Glad you enjoyed it.
One of my sports’ heroes is Secretariat…Thanks for the tour!
He was a spectacular horse. Wish I could have seen him race in person.
The Horse Park is everything you describe and more. The surrounding horse farms also have visiting hours (some, not all) and are worth the effort–most farms are in and around Versailles now, but some real beauties are near Lexington. A drive down Old Frankfort Pike between Lexington and Frankfort shows Kentucky farmland as it used to be.
Minor correction: The Kentucky Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville. But Keeneland Raceway is well worth seeing. If possible, plan around a racing session and maybe even the horse sales in September. Keeneland is beautiful and park-like, even the paddock which is open to all when the jockeys mount up before the races. Tattersalls also runs sales in September, I believe still at the Big Red Mile (Harness Racing & maybe still the Grand National Horse Show-not sure about this, though). Lots of lovely horseflesh to see in and around Lexington. Makes a nice trip.
Thanks for all the additional information! And you’re right about the Derby. I always get the two L’s mixed up. 😦 I need to go back in the summer and catch the farms and all.