International Museum of the Horse Adjacent to the Visitor Center is the 60,000 s uare foot International Museum of the Horse (IMH), the world’s largest and most comprehensive museum dedicated to chronicling the evolution of horses through the ages. The museum offers an in-depth account of man’s relationship with these magnificent animals. One of IMH’s Brewster Co. carriages was recently featured at the 2017 Keeneland Concours d’ legance. The Basket Governess, one of three Brewster carriages in the Museum’s collection, was completed in 1906 in New York. This two-wheeled vehicle retains its original wicker basket around the seats of which it coins its name. This and other historic carriages can be seen at IMH in the carriage exhibit. If you haven’t visited the International Museum of the Horse lately you should stop in for a visit! The newly updated Legacy of the Horse exhibit features life-like models of the earliest descendants of the horse, as well as a re-created archeological dig site which provides new information on the domestication of the horse.
Photo courtesy of the K entucky Department of T ravel and T ourism
Horses and Shows While the park’s array of presentations and demonstrations will cease operation from Nov. 1-April 1, guests can still view members of its 100-horse herd in the Big Barn, Breeds Barn and Hall of Champions. The last mentioned barn is home to such stars as Kentucky Derby winners Funny Cide and Go For Gin. Guests can also venture to the park’s world-class competition grounds and take in one of the many horse shows and equine events going on throughout the year (dates and times vary).
Campground Located on the beautiful park property, the KHP campground offers 260 spacious sites with paved back-ins, fire rings and picnic tables. The campground also has primitive sites available for those
wishing for a more rustic stay. These areas are firstcome, first-served, and fill uickly on special weekends. While at the campground, guests are encouraged to take advantage of its tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts and participate in planned activities. The campground is additionally connected to the egacy Trail, a 12-mile paved walking and biking trail that extends to downtown Lexington.
Southern Lights Festival One of Lexington’s favorite holiday traditions, the annual Southern ights display offers visitors a driving tour of equestrian and Kentucky-themed holiday lights. After the driving tour, guests can come into the park to enjoy local crafts, a petting zoo and, of course, a visit with Santa. This event runs November 17th through December 31st.
For more information on these and other attractions, go to kyhorsepark.com. Kentucky Horse Park Magazine
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