In this post, I will continue to share photos from my April 2023 trip to Kentucky. Click here to read my previous Kentucky posts. Today I will share photos I took at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
A large gate welcomes visitors to the park.
A large statue of Man O’ War can be seen in the distance, where he and several of his offspring are buried.
The statue of Man O’ War up close.
There are a number of other statues at the park, including this one of Secretariat.
Kentucky Horse Park is home to many different breeds of horses and many different disciplines. Here, a police horse and officer can be seen walking around the park.
The police horse up close.
In the Big Barn, you can see draft horses.
A draft horse is walked back to his stall in the Big Barn after having his feet worked on.
Visitors to the Horse Park can enjoy a horse drawn trolley ride around the grounds.
The Parade of Breeds gives visitors a chance to learn about different types of horses and the disciplines they’re used in. Here, Kentucky Horse Park’s 2023 Horse of the Year, “O.B.” Obereron de Fermes Boisvert, an American Sugarbush Harlequin Draft, is cantered around the arena.
Gilligan is an American mustang.
Jack is a miniature horse.
Daisy is a fell pony.
O.B. stands for pets after the show.
A steel sculpture of Secretariat, entitled “God’s Boy,” welcomes visitors to the International Museum of the Horse, located inside the park.
Inside the museum there are many dioramas depicting horses and their role in daily life throughout history.
A stagecoach and stagecoach model on display at the museum.
Huge tapestries depict horses in many different equine disciplines.
Before I went to Kentucky, I read the book Horse by Geraldine Brooks, which depicts the racehorse Lexington. When I found out Lexington’s skeleton was on display at the museum, I was excited to see it.
An artifact on display at the museum depicts a school bus like the one the Sackatoga Stable partners rode around in to see champion Funny Cide’s races.
At the Hall of Champions, I got to see Funny Cide again. The first time I saw the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was when he visited Old Friends at Cabin Creek where I volunteer. His visit was what first brought me to the farm, which has since become a huge part of my life, so I often tell people that Funny Cide changed my life. Sadly, Funny passed away last summer, so I feel all the more grateful that I got to see him one last time.
Multimillionaire standardbred pacer and two time Breeders’ Crown winner Won the West is another resident of the Hall of Champions.
1997 U.S. Pacing Triple Crown winner Western Dreamer is another resident. He turns 30 this year and has been at the Hall of Champions since 2001.
2001 Horse of the Year Point Given was another thoroughbred resident of the Hall of Champions, but sadly he too passed away last year.
Point Given looks at me from his stall.
Outside the Hall of Champions you can view sculptures dedicated to the former residents who have passed on, such as 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba.
Prior to Funny Cide’s passing, there was a program at the end of each day where folks could come and meet him and watch him get turned out.
Handler Jennie Leslie feeds Funny Cide treats as she tells his story.
Funny Cide grazes in the late afternoon sun.
One more shot of Point Given for good measure.
To see more of my equine photography, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and X. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
One thought on “Kentucky Trip Part VII: Visiting Kentucky Horse Park”
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Very interesting!