Kentucky Horse Park, Protected equestrian area in Lexington, Kentucky.
Kentucky Horse Park is a protected equestrian area in Lexington, Kentucky, covering 1,200 acres with riding arenas, training facilities, and open paddocks for numerous horse breeds. Three separate museums on the grounds complement the outdoor facilities and present exhibitions on the history and development of equestrian sports.
The facility opened in 1978 as the first public site in North America dedicated entirely to horses and their relationship with humans. The grounds gradually developed into an international venue for major equestrian competitions.
The park draws its name from Kentucky, a state long associated with horse breeding and racing traditions. Visitors today walk through barns and watch horses of different breeds grazing or being trained, while handlers carry out their daily routines.
The park offers 260 camping sites with electrical hookups for guests who want to stay near the equestrian facilities. Pathways are wide enough for wheelchairs and strollers, with most buildings and outdoor areas accessible without steps.
In 2010, the facility hosted the FEI World Equestrian Games, gathering 800 athletes and 900 horses from 60 countries for competitions across disciplines. Some of the horses that competed in international events now live permanently on the grounds as ambassadors for their breeds.
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