2023-12-29 08:29:31
Kentucky Horse Country saddles up good times, with opportunities for experiencing horses right where they live, work, show and play.
Meet thoroughbred champs, American Saddlebreds — the “horse America made” — and other breeds on interactive tours and backcountry trails, in world-class museums and historic farms and barns and in picturesque settings — pastures framed by dry-laid rock walls, remote wildlands and racetracks backed by grandstands.
Surrounded by more than 400 horse farms and miles of storybook stone fencing, Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World and home to Kentucky Horse Park, which celebrates the Bluegrass State’s storied horse heritage. The 1,200-acre working equine theme park is the only such facility in the world.
See daily shows at the Hall of Champions, Breeds Barn and Big Barn. Learn about different horse breeds and their roles throughout history at the park’s International Museum of the Horse. Experience a horsey adventure firsthand with a guided trail ride or pony ride for the kids.
Hear the horses’ hooves pounding ‘round the track at Keeneland, Lexington’s internationally renowned racecourse and National Historic Landmark. Take in the beautiful scenery. Tailgate on “The Hill” with food trucks and bluegrass music. Rub elbows over a country breakfast with a who’s who of horse jockeys and trainers at the Track Kitchen.
A proliferation of horse farms and breeding and training facilities dedicated to the American Saddlebred has earned Shelbyville/Shelby County the official title of American Saddlebred Capital of the World. See these high-stepping equine athletes at the Shelbyville Horse Show, held annually in August.
The capital of edge-of-the-seat excitement? That would be Louisville’s Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby — “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Don your Insta-worthy statement hat. Sip a mint julep. Find your voice and sing along: “Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home.”
Learn about the life of a thoroughbred and the history of the Derby at the interactive Kentucky Derby Museum. (And save time to dig into a Kentucky Hot Brown at the Derby Café and Bourbon Bar.)
See daily life unfold at a working thoroughbred horse farm at Goshen’s legendary Hermitage Farm — known for raising winners of the Kentucky Derby, Breeder’s Cup and other stakes races. Choose among themed guided tours of the farm as well as guided or self-guided tours of the gardens. Linger over a seasonal farm-to-table dinner at Barn8, a converted historic horse stable, and sample small-batch selections from Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries.
How do racing thoroughbreds live their best lives once they’ve crossed the finish line of their careers?
Tour Georgetown’s Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm to meet and greet the retirees, feed them carrots and cookies and hear the stories of their glory days.
More touring experiences await in Paris, home of world-famous horse farms, including Claiborne Farm, final resting place of Secretariat; Runnymede Farm, one of the oldest horse farms in the state; and Hill ‘n Dale at Xalapa — film location for “Seabiscuit” where you can meet a dozen stallions.
Giddy up! Bring your own horse to Campbellsville and Quiet Woods Green River Stables for trail riding through miles marked by woods and wildlife at Green River Lake State Park. (Camping, too, with a western-style camper lounge featuring live music and karaoke entertainment.)
Take a driving tour of former coal country in the mountains of eastern Kentucky and experience the wonder of free-roaming herds of wild horses with the Appalachian Horse Project.
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What a difference a century and a half makes.
In its early years, attending the Kentucky Derby was like spending a leisurely day at the park — relaxing, picnicking and watching the races from horse-drawn carriages.
Today, the “Run for the Roses®” is a rockin’ party built on Kentucky traditions — mint juleps, “My Old Kentucky Home,” showy hats — an outing that has raced into the history books as the only sporting event in the country that has been around for 150 consecutive years.
It reflects the resilience, inspiration and influence of so many, whose combined stories have written the sports world’s most exhilarating two minutes.
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