Lexington, KY - Horse Capital of the World

BREEZE THE BLUEGRASS 4/12/12

Earlier this week, while helping out with the Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program, I met an interesting young woman, Fielden Willmott, who is opening a new hat shop in Lexington.  Ace Card Millinery will be in a new artist’s enclave, of sorts, in the building adjacent to the new West Sixth Brewery building, located at West 6th Street and Bellaire Avenue (6th & Jefferson) in Lexington.  Ace Card Millinery will be up and running for the Keeneland Fall Meet this October and the 2013 Derby season, but I just wanted to give her a little plug now.  You will be hearing more about her later this year. 

Until the West Sixth Brewery opened, finding horses in the downtown area of Lexington was an accidental experience.  The Lexington Mounted Police, located about a block away from this developing area at the end of West 6th Street, has been in its present location since the 1996, according to Lexington Police Sgt. Ellen Sam.  Between 1982 and 1996, the Mounted Patrol Unit operated out of the Kentucky Horse Park, but then in 1996 the Mounted Police division moved to West 6th Street because of its close proximity to the downtown area, which is the area generally patrolled by the mounted police.  Sam says they lost so much time each day transporting horses back and forth from the Horse Park to the downtown area.  The whole mounted patrol unit began in 1982 when Robert Maxwell, former owner of the Sallee Horse Vans company in Lexington, loaned his own personal horse to Police Officer George Taylor to ride in the 1982 Lexington Fourth of July Parade.  The horseback-riding police officer was so popular with the public that Maxwell continued to trailer his horse to and from his home to downtown Lexington each day for Officer Taylor to ride on his patrols. 

The Lexington Mounted Police Unit today consists of four officers and six horses.  They are not a ceremonial patrol, but are a street patrol and a division of the Special Operations Unit of the Lexington Police Department.  The Mounted Patrol does, however, conduct group tours, by appointment only.  

Check out the Mounted Patrol Unit here

Information on Sallee Horse Vans is here

In the meantime, until Ace Card Millinery opens, if a new Derby hat is on your list this year, Lexington offers a variety of ways to shop, either in person or online.  

The gift shop at Keeneland Race Course, features hats by Christine A. Moore Millinery.  Don’t miss the Christine Moore trunk show through Sunday, April 15.   

Check out the Keeneland Shop online

And check out the Keeneland Shop in person

Broadway Hats is located at 126 N. Broadway in downtown Lexington.  A new shipment of hats will be arriving Monday, April 16.  Business hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm.  Dee Teater, owner, said she will begin Saturday hours soon, so call her, 859-523-9642, for details.  She also sells and consigns riding gear.  

Check out Broadway Hats on Dee’s Facebook page

Dee is reworking her equestrian apparel page, but the basic information is here

Polly Singer Couture Hats and Veils is a local internet-based company that not only does fashionable hats, but also has a bridal line.  All hats are made by hand in her Lexington studio.  Be sure to check out her popular Fascinator and Saucer Hats.

Couture Hats and Veils information is here

Enjoy your time in the Bluegrass!

-Julie

Julie, I just saw this article - thank you so very much for the plug, that's very kind. I am hopping with orders right now and things are going beautifully! Please stop in sometime and say hello, you can reach me at my shop or at fielden@acecardmillinery.com. Thank you!
by: Fielden Willmott
Monday Aug 20, 2012

I enjoyed the weenekd tremendously and I really like your questions about how much is too much? I like the idea of asking ourselves, Does this horse want to do this? Will it EVER want to do this? They DO want to feel good about themselves. Let's not make them do what they do not think they will ever be good doing!Rooney
by: Francesca
Monday Jun 25, 2012