Champion trotter ‘Mr. Muscleman’ in the Hall of Champions at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
We capped off our visit to Kentucky with a day at the Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington.
Funny Cide (foaled April 20, 2000) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was an immensely popular horse and remains a fan favorite in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFunny Cide (foaled April 20, 2000) is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was an immensely popular horse and remains a fan favorite in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
I don’t know much about horses, but I still found it to be an interesting place. One of the things that quickly becomes apparent is that horses need lots of care. Especially horses that are shown or raced at a high level. And even just casual ownership is not something for a part timer. You either need lots of time, lots of money to pay someone else, or most likely both.
Display of trophies from Calumet Farms in the International Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyInternational Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
The park puts on a number of shows during the day. We attended two “Parade of Breeds” shows, where they showcase specific breeds of horses, tell about their heritage and how they were utilized over the years. There is a barn with draft horses – they are huge! – and a Hall of Champions where they house former race winners, including Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. And don’t forget about the International Museum of the Horse!
The Knabstrupper or Knabstrup is a Danish breed of warmblood horse. It is principally a riding horse, but is also used as a harness horse and as a circus animal. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky‘Mackenzie,’ a Clydesdale/Dales Pony cross, part of the police horse force at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese, is a breed of horse developed in Austria and northern Italy (namely Hafling in South Tyrol region) during the late 19th century. Haflinger horses are relatively small, are always chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, have distinctive gaits described as energetic but smooth, and are well-muscled yet elegant. The breed traces its ancestry to the Middle Ages; several theories for its origin exist. Haflingers, developed for use in mountainous terrain, are known for their hardiness. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Akhal-Teke is a Turkmen horse breed. They have a reputation for speed and endurance, intelligence, and a distinctive metallic sheen. The shiny coat of the breed led to their nickname, “Golden Horses.” Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Brabant is a draft horse with 25 to 99% European Belgian bloodlines. It presents with a variety of appearances but is typically shorter in stature, short coupled and thick boned, with a good head and kind eye. Their calm, willing disposition makes them suitable for a wide range of work and they are most commonly found performing farm work, logging and pulling wagons. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Saddlebred is a horse breed from the United States. This breed is referred to as the “Horse America Made”. Descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution, the American Saddlebred includes the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan and Thoroughbred among its ancestors. Developed into its modern type in Kentucky, it was once known as the “Kentucky Saddler” and used extensively as an officer’s mount in the American Civil War. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Fjord Horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of western Norway. It is an agile breed of light draught horse build. One of the world’s oldest breeds, it has been used for hundreds of years as a farm horse in Norway, and in modern times is popular for its generally good temperament. It is used both as a harness horse and under saddle. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Shire is a British breed of draught horse. It is usually black, bay, or grey. It is a tall breed, and Shires have at various times held world records both for the largest horse and for the tallest horse. The Shire has a great capacity for weight-pulling; it was used for farm work, to tow barges at a time when the canal system was the principal means of goods transport, and as a cart-horse for road transport. One traditional use was for pulling brewer’s drays for delivery of beer, and some are still used in this way; others are used for forestry, for riding and for commercial promotion. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFinale of the Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Friesian (also Frizian) is a horse breed originating in Friesland, in the Netherlands. Although the conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draught horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. It is believed that during the Middle Ages, ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horses throughout continental Europe. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe American Paint Horse is a breed of horse that combines both the conformational characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern of white and dark coat colors. Developed from a base of spotted horses with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines, the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) breed registry is now one of the largest in North America. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed for horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered “hot-blooded” horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Carolina Marsh Tacky or Marsh Tacky is a rare breed of horse, native to South Carolina. It is a member of the Colonial Spanish group of horse breeds, which also include the Florida Cracker Horse and the Banker horse of North Carolina. It is a small horse, well adapted for use in the lowland swamps of its native South Carolina. The Marsh Tacky developed from Spanish horses brought to the South Carolina coast by Spanish explorers, settlers and traders as early as the 16th century. The horses were used by the colonists during the American Revolution, and by South Carolinians for farm work, herding cattle and hunting throughout the breed’s history. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Sugarbush Draft is a relatively new breed of healthy and colorful draft horses that developed in the United States in the early latter half of the 19th century. Known for their strikingly spectacular coat and gentle disposition, these horses are still very popular in show events. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyThe Andalusian, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (pura raza española) is a horse breed from the Iberian Peninsula, where its ancestors have lived for thousands of years. Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyFinale of the Parade of Breeds at the Breeds Barn at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky
Like I said, there is a lot to know about horses. And the more you know about horses the more you would probably enjoy a place like the Kentucky Horse Park.
Due to leaving the park during rush hour traffic, we ended up taking the “scenic route” back through the countryside, passing some of the huge horse farms you don’t see from the highway. THAT’S where the real money keeps their horses! 😉
It was a nice day – plenty of sunshine, reasonable temperatures and more time with friends. Oh, and lots of horses too! 🙂
Again, in case you missed it, more photos from our Kentucky trip are here.
6 thoughts on “What Else Is Kentucky Known For? Horses Of Course!”
We did a tour of Claiborne Farms where Secretariat was buried and a few other famous thoroughbreds. It was an enjoyable visit as I’m not in any way a horse person but I do enjoy the history.
About 12 years ago we visited Three Chimneys Farm which at the time was where Smarty Jones was stabled (might still be). I knew who Smarty Jones was because I think the Derby he won had recently occurred.
I have a neighbor that has horses. You need both time and money and lots of each.
Even more pricey than cameras or cars. Years ago I had a guy tell me to never own anything that flies, floats or (feeds.) I’ve always taken that advice.
Blows me away at the number of breeds. Something I noticed right away was the expressions of the riders, all seem to be excited and enjoying the horses. I’ve enjoyed the vast differences on each rider as much as the difference of the horses. Not sure you planned that but it worked for me.
I don’t know a lot about horse exhibitions, but I learned from a photographer who specialized in Dressage that the leg position of the horse was important. In competitions the facial expression of the rider is also important. In this case, I obviously took a lot of pictures in ‘burst mode’ so I was able to be choosy about not only the leg position of the horses but also the expressions of the riders. I have to say that I was really impressed by the joy on the faces of the riders, and it did appear to be genuine!
We did a tour of Claiborne Farms where Secretariat was buried and a few other famous thoroughbreds. It was an enjoyable visit as I’m not in any way a horse person but I do enjoy the history.
About 12 years ago we visited Three Chimneys Farm which at the time was where Smarty Jones was stabled (might still be). I knew who Smarty Jones was because I think the Derby he won had recently occurred.
I have a neighbor that has horses. You need both time and money and lots of each.
Even more pricey than cameras or cars. Years ago I had a guy tell me to never own anything that flies, floats or (feeds.) I’ve always taken that advice.
Blows me away at the number of breeds. Something I noticed right away was the expressions of the riders, all seem to be excited and enjoying the horses. I’ve enjoyed the vast differences on each rider as much as the difference of the horses. Not sure you planned that but it worked for me.
I don’t know a lot about horse exhibitions, but I learned from a photographer who specialized in Dressage that the leg position of the horse was important. In competitions the facial expression of the rider is also important. In this case, I obviously took a lot of pictures in ‘burst mode’ so I was able to be choosy about not only the leg position of the horses but also the expressions of the riders. I have to say that I was really impressed by the joy on the faces of the riders, and it did appear to be genuine!