Kentucky Horse Park Will Welcome the World
The eyes of the world will be on Kentucky for 16 days beginning September 25, 2010, as world-class equestrians converge on the Kentucky Horse Park to compete for the world championships in eight equestrian sports. The Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington is the first site outside of Europe to host the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
More than 50 countries will send teams to compete for gold in eight equestrian disciplines; dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining and vaulting. In addition to the equestrian competitions, visitors to the games will be able to take in the Alltech International Village, and general exhibits of the Kentucky Horse Park as well as:
The Kentucky Experience: interactive exhibits, entertainment and product sampling will highlight the unique cultural opportunities and natural beauty of Kentucky. In addition to the equestrian competitions, visitors to the games will be able to take in the Alltech International Village, and general exhibits of the Kentucky Horse Park as well as:
The Equine Village: A showcase of world-class equestrian demonstrations and organizations.
Get your tickets now for this historic event now. Tickets for the games range in price from $25 to $150 and are on sale now at all Ticketmaster location or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Stepping Out in Style
The true “blue bloods” of Kentucky have four legs not two. Kentucky is known world-wide for our horses and while most may automatically think of thoroughbreds, the American Saddlebred is the only breed of horse that originated in the Commonwealth. The Showplace for Saddlebreds at the Kentucky Horse Park spotlights the historical legacy of the breed and will open a new exhibit this year “This Is The American Saddlebred.”
American Saddlebred horses were in great demand due to their smooth gait when horseback riding was the main mode of transportation. Today, this breed is the elite of the show ring. These multi-million dollar athletes compete for the world championship title each August in Louisville. Other important show events include the Mercer County Fair, Harrodsburg (the oldest continuous horse show in America), the Lexington Junior League Show (the largest outdoor Saddlebred show) and the national award-winning Shelbyville Horse Show.
Shelby County lays claim to "The Saddlebred Capital of the World," because it is home to many of the country’s most outstanding American Saddlebred breeding and training facilities, many of which are open for prearranged tours. To schedule a tour contact the Shelby County Tourism Commission at (502) 633-6388
A Horse (Horses) of a Different Color
As Kentucky prepares to entertain visitors from all over the world at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, LexArts is leading the charge with an encore appearance one of its greatest hits -- Horse Mania. By the end of the summer, the city of Lexington will be overrun by a herd of horse statues.
In a tip of the hat to the international flavor of the Alltech World Equestrian Games, Horse Mania 2010 will include a horse from each of Lexington’s four Sister Cities – Deauville, France; County Kildare, Ireland; Shinhidaka, Japan; and Newmarket, England. The Sister Cities horses will be decorated by artists from each of these countries and then flown back to Lexington, via horse transport, to be put on display with the rest of the horses.
Horse Mania horses will hit the streets July 1 and Kentucky welcomes visitors to enjoy these horses as well as the many real ones found on beautiful horse farms.
Horse FACTS:
- The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country. It is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
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Shelby County is recognized as the Saddlebred Capital of Kentucky.
- All thoroughbred horses share the same birthday, January 1
- Man O' War won all of his 21 races except one, which he lost to a horse called "Upset."
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Churchill Downs’ famous twin spires were used as radio booths and observation points for the first radio broadcast of the Derby, by WHAS and WGN in 1925.