Kentucky Horse Park

The Kentucky Horse Park (Web Page) is a working horse farm and an educational theme park located in a rural area of Lexington, Kentucky in the United States. Dedicated to man's relationship with the horse, the Park opened in 1978 and each year since has hosted a large number of special events and horse shows and attracts almost a million visitors annually.

Related Topics:
Lexington, Kentucky - United States - 1978

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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 only thoroughbred to win two Breeders' Cup races in non-consecutive years.

Related Topics:
Thoroughbred - Cigar - John Henry - Forego - Bold Forbes - Da Hoss - Breeders' Cup

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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.

Related Topics:
Standardbred - Western Dreamer - Cam Fella - Rambling Willie - Saddlebred

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The Kentucky Horse Park also has the International Museum of the Horse--the largest of its kind in the world--and the American Saddlebred Museum. It also holds the National Horse Center, which comprises of the headquarters of several organizations including:

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

The Horse 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.

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In addition, the Horse Park hosts many competitions and educational events throughout the year, including the Rolex Three Day Event, the Pony Club Championships, steeplechases, polo matches, and other horse shows for a variety of breeds and disciplines.

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Every year from one week after Thanksgiving to New Years Day, the Kentucky Horse Park features a drive-through Christmas lights display called "Southern Lights". The night before official opening (the Wednesday after Thanksgiving) they host a fundraiser for local food banks called "Southern Lights Stroll and 5K" where participants can walk or run past the displays rather than driving.

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