Lexington, KY - Horse Capital of the World

BREEZE THE BLUEGRASS

Equine activities come in all shapes and sizes these days in the Bluegrass.  From a festival of synthetic horses, an Olympic-caliber show for junior riders and a benefit polo match, all are on tap now for our summer enjoyment. 

July 20-22, take in Breyerfest at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.  This festival, which began in 1989, honors the collectable model Breyer horse, which was first created in 1950.  I’m not ashamed to report that I have about 10 or so Breyers sitting on various bookshelves around my house.  Lots of time was spent, when I was a kid, making blankets and halters for them. The highlights of this festival include a huge trade fair, where vintage and new horses can be bought and sold, as well as instructional classes on customizing or repairing your model horse.  This Breyerfest is the year of the “British Invasion” featuring horse breeds from the United Kingdom.  Several special equine guests will be visiting Breyerfest.  Mariah’s Boon is a pinto Gypsy Drum Horse and Taskin is a buckskin Gypsy Vanner.  You can see these horses in person and also purchase the models created in their image.

Check out Breyerfest here

Learn more about the Drum Horse here

Learn more about the Gypsy Vanner here

This year, Breyer has created a model horse to benefit a local thoroughbred racehorse retirement and rescue farm.  Old Friends was created after it was learned that Ferdinand, a horse that had won the 1986 Kentucky Derby and was named the 1987 Horse of the Year, had been sent to a slaughterhouse in Japan.  Old Friends, located at 1841 Paynes Depot Road in Georgetown, KY, houses over 25 famous racers and offers daily tours.  Old Friend’s connection with this year’s Breyerfest is the creation of an Old Friend resident, “Bull Inthe Heather.”  “Bully,” as he is called, is a son of Ferdinand, and came to Old Friends in 2006.  A portion of the sale of this model horse will go to Old Friends to help them do their rescue work.  

Call Old Friends, 502-863-1775, to order your Bull Inthe Heather Breyer horse.

Learn more about Old Friends and Bull In the Heather here

Underway this week is the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC), also at the Kentucky Horse Park.  The NAJYRC is a World Equestrian Games competition for riders ages 14-21 and is conducted under Federation Equestre Internationale guidelines.  It is the only FEI championship annually held in the North America.  You’ll have a chance to watch the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing, and show jumping, along with two FEI disciplines of reining and endurance.  Two non-championship events, vaulting and para-equestrian classes, are offered as well.

Check out the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships here

Another exciting and world-class event not to miss while in the Bluegrass is the Bluegrass International Cup polo match.  Enjoy tailgating, dinner, polo and live music Friday evening, July 20, beginning at 4:30pm at, you guessed it, the Kentucky Horse Park.  The John Henry Polo field, located at the back of the Park will be the location of this polo match.  Tickets start at around $33 per person for tailgating and go up from there.  This 6th Annual benefit helps the Markey Cancer Foundation and The Fayette Alliance.

Check out the Bluegrass International Cup here

Learn more about the Markey Cancer Foundation here

Learn more about The Fayette Alliance here

If you have a chance to be at the Kentucky Horse Park this Saturday, July 21, don’t miss a book signing by Patrick Smithwick.  He’ll be signing his new book, Flying Change:  A year of racing and family and steeplechasing from 11am to 1pm in the Horse Park gift shop, located in the Visitor Information Center where you purchase your Park admission tickets.  

Learn more about Patrick Smithwick here

Learn more about the Kentucky Horse Park here

Enjoy your time in the Bluegrass!

-Julie