Kentucky Horse Park

   Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is devoted to the history of the horse from its evolutionary roots to its cultural significance to mankind. You might expect the focus to be on race horses but there is far more to the experience provided at the park. The International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian affiliate, has world-class exhibits that are extensive in scope and outstanding in quality. It is definitely worth whatever amount of time you can devote to exploring its resources. You may find, however, that the chance to interact with the horses consumes the bulk of your schedule. We saved the museum portion of our visit for when rain was in the forecast and that worked quite well. But you shouldn't think of the museum as just a place to get out of the weather. It is a truly impressive experience in its own right.

   In addition, be sure to include:

◾A chat with the mounted police about the training and contribution of horses to their work

◾The Hall of Champions where you can meet Derby winners and harness racing champions

◾The Breeds Barn where 24 representative breeds are stabled when not performing in the twice-daily Parade of Breeds shows

◾The Big Barn where the really, really big horses hang out

◾The KHP Rodeo, part of the International Pro Rodeo Association, held in November

◾Dressage, hunter/jumper, steeplechase, and carriage driving competitions when scheduled. (Google the KHP website.)

   KHP is a family-friendly experience because the staff gladly share their expertise and the horses are very calm and approachable. (We encountered the same little, yappy dog at several sites. The horses never flinched.) The price of admission includes re-entry the next day so you should not feel rushed. 

   

If you choose not to walk the 1,200-acre grounds, a horse trolley with narration is available.

Derby champion Funny Cide was putting on a few pounds in retirement so he was fitted with a mask to slow down the rate he can graze.  

The carriage driving competition features period carriages and costumes.

There are monuments to great Derby horses like Secretariat and Man O' War.

In the carriage competition, drivers must pass between closely-spaced cones without touching.

Even the big rigs must demonstrate their maneuverability.

Dressage is an elegant competition that requires horse and rider to demonstrate teamwork by performing a variety of clearly defined routines. Think of it as figure skating on turf.

A horse cemetery is adjacent to the Hall of Champions.

All of the horses are friendly and outgoing.

The Hall of Champions showcases retired Derby and harness racing winners.

The  twice-daily Parade of Breeds shows each feature six of the 24 breeds in rotation. Riders are costumed as appropriate for each breed's country of origin.

After each performance, the horses stick around to greet the guests and sign autographs. (Some of them don't write cursive very well.)

Jake the Clydesdale getting primped for show time. (The noise of the "hair dryer" did not bother him in the slightest.)

Now, ain't he pretty?

Horse monuments are not just for Derby winners. This is Sgt. Reckless, decorated for heroic performance in the Korean War.

Be sure to save some time for the Museum of the Horse. It's way better than you might think.