The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing, expanding, and improving the Kentucky Horse Park. Since its inception in 1985, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation has raised over $40 million, helping make the Kentucky Horse Park the leading equestrian facility of its kind in the world.
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation (“Foundation”) celebrates another successful season of supporting the Kentucky Horse Park (“Park”) and ensuring it for future generations. Accommodating new barns, inspiring equine education programs, and a renewed commitment to excellence in equestrian competition are just a few of the initiatives we wish to highlight.
Thank you for sharing our passion for the Park and for entrusting the Foundation with your donor dollars which will help make a positive impact. Not only a venue for honoring the horse, but also an institution with deep impact in the community, the Park remains one of our region’s greatest cultural gems.
This annual report celebrates all that we have been able to accomplish together at the Park, and we hope you will enjoy reading about your donor dollars at work.
I encourage you to take a moment to look to the future as there are a number of impactful projects on the horizon, and we need your help to see them to fruition. Let’s work together to build sustainability, inspire emerging equine professionals, and maintain the Park’s status as a global leader in equestrian competition.
As always, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the Foundation family that stands by the Park today and helps us plan for tomorrow. I truly believe that the Park’s best days are ahead of it, and I thank you for joining us on this ride.
Clay Green Chair
Through the support of donors, the Foundation provided more than $690,000 in direct support to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2024:
Roll Off Mack Truck
Kentucky Horse Park Facility Fees
International Museum of the Horse
Maintenance Equipment
International Museum of the Horse
Funny Cide Memorial Statue
Kentucky Horse Park Events Sponsorship
Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop
Hall of Champions Televisions
Kentucky Horse Park Mounted Police
Horse for Education Department
Bruce Davidson Statue Renovation
Hall of Champions Memorial Pedestals
Kentucky Horse Park Aerial Survey Update
Kentucky Horse Park Field Trip Fund
$224,771 $64,549
$50,000
$65,901 $70,000 $45,000
$40,000
$22,350
$35,640 $12,000 $10,000
$10,000
Horses that call the Kentucky Horse Park home
650
The number of youth from underserved communities who cared for a horse for the very first time through the Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop
200,764
Cumulative volunteer hours given to the Park through the KHP Volunteer Program
120,000 Vistors who attend Southern Lights annually
26,036
The number of children who have visited the Kentucky Horse Park through the KHP Field Trip Fund
28,000 Equestrians that competed in 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Park
The Foundation and the Park have committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship through the Galloping Green Campaign. A Solar Feasibility Study is underway around existing buildings and new barns at the Park. Building Green, one of the Five Pillars of Sustainability of the Galloping Green initiative is being applied to the new construction of an eco-friendly, fully sustainable warehouse located on site to house the extensive Southern Lights display inventory.
The Foundation supports the Park’s efforts to remain a global leader in equestrian competition at all levels of the sport. To this end, the Foundation will assume an organizing role in several highly regarded eventing competitions in 2025, ensuring their success and continued presence at the Park.
The Foundation continues to invest in future generations through the KHP Field Trip Fund, providing complimentary school fields trips; the Mustang Troop, offering a horse camp experience for underserved youth; and most recently, the Emerging Equestrian Professionals Program, an immersive teen mentorship program where aspiring equestrian professionals volunteer alongside Park staff members.
As the Park launches into 2025, it does so with extensive capital improvements. Funding support from the Commonwealth has allowed for renovation projects in the Visitor Information Center and the International Museum of the Horse. The Foundation will continue to support the Park’s efforts at completing these important projects, ensuring an outstanding visitor experience for its guests.
Program Event Revenue Contributions Unrestricted Contributions-Donor Designated
$1,093,123 $62,691 $1,007,767
FUNCTIONAL EXPENSE
TOTAL $2,163,581
The Man o’ War Society is dedicated to supporting day-to-day operations at the Park, and essential for bridging the gap between support provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, earned income, and the needs of the Park.
Lisa Ball
“I have been in love with the Kentucky Horse Park since its inception, when my father was involved in the formation of the Park. As someone whose family is involved in the Thoroughbred business, I appreciate how important the Park is for the development of our business in the state and as an ambassador to the world. As a person whose daughter and granddaughter compete in equestrian events, I value the role of the Park in providing a consistently high-level experience for these events, and nurturing the interests of young riders and horse enthusiasts. Through my involvement in Equestrian Events, Inc., I respect the value of the Park’s high-quality facilities and ability to support and showcase truly prestigious events that draw people from all over the world. I love that the Foundation is such a great steward of the money that it receives and keeps the Park in such good condition and at the very highest level of quality to showcase the horse and Kentucky.”
The Champions’ Circle Society recognizes those individuals who have included the Foundation in their estate plans or have contributed to the Foundation through a life-income gift.
Michael & Karen Fein
Long-time Kentucky Horse Park volunteers Michael and Karen Fein became members of the Champions’ Circle Society when they let us know of their intentions to make a planned gift through a bequest in their will. “We recognize that planned gifts are important to the future of the park, and that’s why we wanted to do it. And that’s why we wish everybody that is close to the park will step up to the plate. We want them to remember to think of the park when they do their long-term planning.”
There are a number of special projects that require the support of our donors. Barn construction and renovation, outreach programs, green initiatives, educational efforts, and equine departments are just a few of the special projects in need of support.
“Our love of horses and the Horse Park began over 20 years ago. From many weekends at Eventing competitions with our daughter, to owning and competing 4* and 5* level horses with professional riders Alexandra Knowles and Buck Davidson, we recognize the importance of keeping the beautiful Horse Park in top condition so we can continue to support horses and riders from the beginning amateur to the top professionals.”
There are a number of other ways to support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.
• The Nina Bonnie Endowment provides a permanent revenue stream so that Park facilities are maintained continuously, and its venues, attractions and programs are secured for future generations to enjoy.
• Gifts of appreciated stock support the Foundation, qualify for a deduction for the full value of the stock, and bypass any capital gains tax on the appreciation.
• Many employers provide the opportunity for workplace giving and a charitable match. We encourage donors to speak with their employers about the possibility of doubling their contribution.
“Although my family now resides in Franklin, TN, my wife, Amy-Beth, and I are from Kentucky and have a deep love for the state. Many of our favorite memories as a family have involved horses. When our daughters were growing up and beginning to ride, the entire family fell in love with spending our days outside and around our horses. Supporting the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation was an easy decision. It gives us a way to combine our passion for horses with our love of the Bluegrass state. Supporting the Kentucky Horse Park also gives us the opportunity to ensure that others can enjoy the grounds, the events, and, hopefully, many families can make lastly memories, just like we did. Early on, we took advantage of my company’s matching gift program. It was easy to set up and was a way to essentially double the impact we can make.”
How can you get more involved in the work we do?
The Kentucky Horse Park to see your donation at work.
JOIN Man o’ War Society of Annual Giving and The Champions’ Circle Society.
On social media: @kentucky_horse_park_foundation @khpfoundation
VOLUNTEER
Through the Kentucky Horse Park Volunteer Program.
ATTEND
Park and Foundation events held throughout the year.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Clay Green, Chair
Andrew Jacobs, Vice Chair
Nicole Pieratt, Secretary
Orson Oliver, Treasurer
Directors
W. True Baker, DVM, DACVS
Ann Bakhaus
James C. Baughman, Jr.
Jane Beshear
Demetria N. Blair
Derek Braun
Stuart E. Brown II, DVM
Elizabeth Caldwell
LuLu Lenihan Davis
Barclay de Wet
Catharine Peterson Dryden
Tawana Edwards
Jennie Garlington
Hutton Goodman
Bill Hilliard
Meg Jewett
Becky Jordan
Bill Justice
Teri Kessler
Deborah H. Long
Lisa Lourie
Deirdre Lyons
Jennifer S. Madden
Zeff Maloney
James M. Miller
Judy Miller
Janie Musselman
Maegan F. Nicholson
Mary Jane Nuckols
Katherine O’Brien
Eloise Penn
Tom Riddle, DVM
Elizabeth Robbins
Walt Robertson, Jr.
Walt Robertson, Sr.
Amy Dix Rock
David B. Rudder
Justin Sautter
Martha Slaughter
Deborah Spike-Pierce, DVM, MBA
Richard Sturgill
Jenny W. Sutton
Donna Ward
Jane Winegardner
Marian Zeitlin
Advisory Council
Nina Bonnie
Alex Boone
Caroline Boone
Luther Deaton, Jr.
Greg Goodman
Linda Green
Mary Guinness
Dell Hancock
Misdee Wrigley Miller
Greg Simon
Howard Simpson Staff
Kathy Meyer, Executive Director
Sidney Barnett, Volunteer & Outreach Programs Director
Elizabeth Bartlett, Director of Development
Briana Moreno, Executive Project Management Analyst
Chris Nentwick, Database & Southern Lights Manager
Debbie Saliling, Deputy Executive Director
Jenna Young, Marketing & Events Coordinator
