Kentucky Horse Country

Equestrian Experiences

Equestrian experiences abound in the Bluegrass State — the bright green grass perfect for grazing grows abundantly in our pastures. Go horseback riding through Daniel Boone National Forest or Mammoth Cave National Park. Tour a horse farm (more than 400 in the Lexington area alone!) and spend time with a titleholder-in-training or Kentucky Derby horses retired to stud. And don’t miss the high-stepping hoofbeats heard ‘round Shelbyville, the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, each August during the Shelbyville Horse Show.

 

From the legendary Kentucky Derby to the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Horse Park, it’s undeniable that Kentucky’s horse culture has the inside track. 
The first Saturday in May attracts more than 150,000 fans to Churchill Downs to witness the Kentucky Derby, “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but every day is Derby Day at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. Get hands-on with interactive exhibits, take in the 360-degree film and take a guided visit to the Churchill Downs track.

 

The renowned Louisville course isn’t the only place to hear and feel the thundering of hooves. Keeneland in Lexington is a National Historic Landmark; it’s hosted spring and fall thoroughbred races since the 1930s, and today spectators tailgate on “The Hill” with fare from food trucks while live bluegrass plays in the background.

 

Other horse racing courses are sprinkled around the state, and for something a little different check out harness racing at Red Mile Racetrack in Lexington. The second-oldest harness track in the world, the clay-course Red Mile attracts more than 18,000 fans to its season, July through the second week of October.

 

At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, celebrate local horse heritage every day. See American Saddlebreds to Old Kentucky Saddlers being trained and groomed in the Breeds Barn. Admire retired racehorses in the Hall of Champions. Take a trail ride on horseback or saddle up the kids for pony rides. Attend equestrian events, including show jumping, dressage and polo.

 

Even if you don’t come to Kentucky a horse lover, you’ll almost certainly leave as one.

Featured Attractions

Watch Kentucky Stories

Saddlebred Farms

The Saddlebred horse was first bred in America, and is known for its fancy footwork and gentle disposition. In this episode, we visit Wingswept Farm to see Saddlebred foals and learn about the process of egg harvesting and surrogate breeding that makes this breed so unique.

Commonwealth Polo Club

One of the Bluegrass region's newest polo clubs is operated by Jorge Vasquez and Juan Valerdi. A native of Chile, Vasquez has played polo all over the world including China, Egypt, England, Argentina, Dominican Republic and India, but he swears nothing can beat a Kentucky sunset. His passion for the sport is contagious and he strives to create new fans. Valerdi grew up playing polo and raising polo ponies in Argentina, a passion he can sum up in one sentence: “I love what I do.”

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