A Horseman’s Bluegrass Paradise ,

By Bridget McArdle McKinney

WHETHER YOUR HORSE SPORT IS JUMPING, DRESSAGE, CROSS COUNTRY, REINING, RACING, BUYING, OR BREEDING LEXINGTON IS WHERE IT’S AT. THE HOME OF THE , RACE COURSE, THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE, THE CENTER, NEE ROLEX 3-DAY EVENT, AND THAT FAMOUS KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS. WE TRAVELED TO LEXINGTON TO SEE FOR OURSELVES WHAT THE “HORSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” HAD TO OFFER.

14 15 Immediately upon entering the which attracts almost a million precincts of Lexington you feel that visitors a year. The Kentucky Horse you’ve arrived in the old South. Park hosts the International Museum Gracious colonial mansions, great of the Horse and the Man O’War old oak trees, rolling pastures of that Memorial, as well as the legendary “blue” green seen nowhere else. CI4* Rolex Kentucky 3-Day. And, of course, everywhere you look herds of sleek, well-groomed and 3. On any given day, you well-fed stallions, mares and foals, will find around 1,000 horses in resting, capering or more typically residence at The Thoroughbred making a meal of that nutritious Center where the champions of grass, particularly beautiful in the tomorrow are in training. An integral early spring when we visited. part of Kentucky’s world-famous Thoroughbred industry, this is where Waxing oratorical, and a bit future racing champions come to hyperbolic, about this unique grass learn how to behave like a race U.S. Senator from 1873 to 1891 horse. John J. Ingalls had this to say: “One grass differs from another grass in 4. Keeneland Race Course, glory. One is vulgar and the other minutes from downtown, is arguably patrician. There are grades in its the most beautiful race course in vegetative nobility. But the king of the world. Keeneland hosts live them all, the genuine blue blood, race meets in the spring and fall. In is bluegrass.” - R. Gerald Alvey, 2009, the Horseplayers Association “Kentucky Bluegrass Country” of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred What makes this grass special is racetracks in North America. the water. Deep beneath those Keeneland was ranked #1. pastures, the water that feeds the fields, horses, and people, having 5. Lexington is home to the been filtered through the region’s largest collection of Saddlebred unique underground limestone artifacts in the world including shelf, is rich in minerals and is said trophies, photographs, tack and to produce strong durable horses, artwork at the tall men, beautiful women and fine Museum. There is also a library bourbon. of over 2,400 volumes used Horse Capital of the World for bloodline and genealogical research. The American Saddlebred What qualifies Lexington as the is Kentucky’s oldest native breed. “Horse Capital of the World”, a 6. The National Horse Center is pretty boastful claim? Well, here are some convincing facts. There located in Lexington. It is a collection are more than 450 horse farms of more than 30 national, regional in Lexington nurturing champion and state equine associations, horses of all breeds in the region. commissions and organizations. The The number of horses in Kentucky Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, is estimated at 320,000 head, that The Pyramid Society, the American is, one horse for every 12 people Hackney Horse Association, the in Kentucky. Lexington ranks #1 in American Hanoverian Society, U.S. number of acres dedicated to the Pony Clubs, Inc., and many more. equine industry. The estimated The Equestrian economic impact of Kentucky’s Federation is also located in horse economy is $4 billion annually. Lexington. Moreover, according to the Lexington 7. Lexington is home to the Visitors’ Bureau : official registry of allT horoughbred 1. More money changes horses world wide. The American hands over the sale of horses in Stud Book kept by The Jockey Club. Lexington than any place in the 8. Lexington has produced world. Keeneland Sales is the world’s largest and most prestigious the most legendary race horses in Thoroughbred auction company. the world. One such horse, Man o’ War, has a memorial, just outside 2. Lexington is home to the the Visitors Center at the Kentucky 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park Horse Park (see sidebar).

16 17 9. The Rolex Kentucky Three Gypsy Vanner, or Western Kentucky Day Event is held in Lexington. It is Pleasure Pony under saddle all in one of the top 3 annual equestrian one place? With music, narration eventing competitions in the world. and interaction, humankind’s six thousand year partnership with 10. Lexington is home to the the horse is brought to life. From National Reining Championship, the rare Marwari to the iconic held at the Kentucky Horse American Quarter Horse, breed Park. Another great event that representatives perform in hand and demonstrates that Lexington’s not under saddle. only about . Keeneland Race Park Kentucky Horse Park Early next morning we hurried over to We were lucky to arrive in the run-up the incredible grounds of Keeneland to the 2017 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* to watch training and to take the tour. 3-Day event, with trailers, riders, A brisk spring morning found us on horses, staff all dashing about as we the rails watching advanced time wandered the grounds and barns, trials, youth training, group racing absolutely amazed at the magnitude exercises, pack technique, and the and coordination of this huge event. pros getting ready for the Kentucky The stars were there: Michael Jung, Derby, set to take place in less than who went on to earn an historic third 2 weeks. We have been to many a consecutive win with FischerRocana track and many a race; it’s always FST; Maxime Livio and Zara Tindall, the same routine. Assess, bet, and who were to come in in second watch for 2 minutes, then cheer or and third, respectively; and veteran cry. Watching this was like watching Phillip Dutton, who took home the a race that never stops and keeps Roger Haller Memorial Trophy in changing. What fun! fourth place. It is hard to describe the immensity of this beautiful The tour took us up to the elite endeavour. But we are sorry to see racecourse viewing areas and Rolex relinquish its sponsorship after exclusive restaurants, but then...to all these years. Moving on... the sale barn. No barn it was. It was an exclusive luxury arena. Think Hall of Champions Sotheby’s, Christie’s... The velvet We also visited the Hall of Champions covered seats were personalized! – not to be missed. It’s one thing to Only twice a year more than 4,000 be aware of the “greats” in the news of the world’s best prospects are or in a race or on TV, but it is another auctioned. We were told that you to meet them in the flesh. As they must watch out what you do there. say, “The excitement of the racetrack Adjusting your glasses might buy is brought to life by the elite group you a very expensive horse! Back of champion horses that reside behind the scenes there is actually at the Park’s Hall of Champions. a service that will provide trailers Here, Thoroughbred legends Da in case you are an accidental high Hoss, , and , bidder... as well as American Quarter Horse Bourbon Be A Bono, Standardbred Trotter Mr. Muscleman, and Standardbred Lexington is on the Bourbon Trail Pacers Staying Together, Western and is home to five historic bourbon Dreamer, and Won The West are distilleries. As I mentioned earlier shown in daily presentations.” this liquor is unique due to the water it is made with. Connoiseurs know Go for Gin was an absolute sweetie! their bourbon and their year and He loves his gums rubbed after a the casks the liquor came from! performance. He also likes to play in Bourbon’s a part of the Kentucky, water buckets, splashing the water Lexington, and horse country out with his nose. Gin is the oldest culture, all great spirits. living winner based in North America. For more information, Parade of Breeds please contact the very helpful: I was about done when we decided www.visitlex.com to stay on for the Parade of Breeds presentation. So glad we did! Have Photo Credit: Lexington Visitor’s you ever seen an Akhal-Teke in Bureau person? Or a Percheron, Fresian,

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