·  Lexington  ·

This year marks the 30th anniversary that the Kentucky Horse Park began operations and welcomed its first visitors to the equine facility.  It was the first in the US and as such was uncharted territory for a new venture to attract persons to KY.  The Kentucky Horse Park has become a tremendous attraction for not only Kentucky and the entire Midwest - but for the world as well.  The horse park is booked through the end of 2010.  And is turns down the opportunity to host approximately 25 equestrian events a year.

In preparation for hosting the 2010 World Equestrian Games, there is currently an ongoing $63 expansion project which includes a $49 million 6000 person indoor arena, and a $24 million outdoor facility that will accommodate 8000-10000 persons.

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The Paris Kentucky farm, Stonerside Stables, has recently been purchased by a company called Darley, which is owned by Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed.  The Paris horse farm was owned by the National Football League’s Houston Texans owner, Bob McNair.  Stonerside Stables has approximately 2000 acres and included in the purchase are approximately 80 horses that are currently in training at the farm, as well as 170 broodmares, yearlings and weanlings.

This is the next step of the Dubai ruler to acquire more of an interest in the horse and horse farm industry in Kentucky.  He acquired control of the Fasig-Tipton auction company in April of 2008.  The spokesman for the Sheikh has stated that there are no plans to make adustments to the horse farm operation and

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The winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Big Brown, will be residing at a local Kentucky horse farm located in Midway KY called 3 Chimneys Farm.  That is certainly to draw some horse enthusiasts and spectators alike that want to get a closer look at the champion.

Three Chimneys Farm is no stranger to crowds though.  This Midway Kentucky veteran currently gets anywhere from 20 to 25 thousand visitors each year from various persons.  Tours to visit the horse farm are available several days each week - but by appointment only.  Tip:  Make reservations early.  Three Chimneys Farms can often be completely full for its tours for months.  If you would like to make reservations for a tour, you can call (859)-873-7053.

To give some background on the horse farm:  3

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The KY Horse Park will be hosting Family Fun Fest Friday June 5 through Sunday June 8. Lots of activities for everyone which include door prize drawings, hands on learning experiences with horses, free trolley rides (for children 12 & under), a coloring contest, painting and decorating horseshoes, and more.

Be sure to come out and check out some of the fun at the Kentucky Horse Park. (Besides, it would be a good time to at least see some of the ongoing construction that is readying for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.)

The cost is $15 per adult, and its free for children 12 and under. For more information, call (859)-233-4303.

According to the April 17, 2008 edition of Versailles KY newspaper, The Woodford Sun, a Woodford County Kentucky farm commonly known as Sunny Slope Farm sold April 8 for $3.1 million.  Aiken Road Acquisition LLC bought the 168 acre farm that is located at 2870 Aiken Road from the Shipp Family who has owned the farm for 6 generations.  A little historical background on the farm, reveals that all the way back in the 1780s, Richard and Elizabeth Shipp acquired the place that was then known as The Old Fort Place.

Throughout its 200 year history, this Woodford County KY farm has been utilized for everything from growing of hemp, horse farms breeding, raising of cattle, tobacco farming, and even as a dairy farm.

Hopefully the new owners will cherish this

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Just an update for those that have been following the proposed Kentucky Horse Park hotel:  According to the Finance and Administration Cabinet in Kentucky, no bonds have been sold for the proposed equestrian hotel.  And if the bonds aren’t sold by April 15, 2008, there will be insufficient time to get the hotel finished in time for the World Equestrian Games in 2010 to be held at the KY horse park.  [Park officials do not want construction going on at the facility while the 2010 WEG is going on.]

The person selling the bonds is Ryan Barrow, who is with the company Ross, Sinclaire.  He has stated that the current economy has made it somewhat more difficult to get the bonds sold to fund the hotel project.

And beyond just the financing aspect of the hotel

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[Editor's note: I continue to receive feedback from persons visiting this Louisville & Lexington Kentucky Horse Farms For Sale website that they would like more information and stories regarding the Kentucky Horse Park, the World Equestrian Games in 2010, etc. - so I am continuing to write more articles regarding those topics.

If you have a topic of particular interest regarding horses, Kentucky horse farms for sale, or anything pertaining to the equestrian communities in KY - just let me know, and I will try to address your requests in upcoming stories of interest. Thanks!]

The Lexington KY newspaper, the Lexington Herald-Leader published a story on February 21 2008 regarding more details for the proposed KY Horse Park Hotel. The topic of the feature

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The Courier-Journal newspaper reported a story regarding the Kentucky General Assembly, and the proposed Kentucky Horse Park Bond Plan calling for $118 million.

This plan essentially calls for private real estate developers to construct a luxury hotel located at the KY Horse Park, and while the government would not be required to pay for any of the debt, it is ultimately responsible because it owns the real estate on which the proposed development would reside.

The plan was approved by the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee on Tuesday February 19, 2008.

The estimates provided for the planned hotel are $88 million for the actual facility - with the remaining costs to be covered for debt service and interest carry for the project.

One of

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The Lexington Herald-Leader broke a story about the KY Horse Park recently has plans for a large museum expansion to begin in April 2008.  This is the first substantial addition to the facility since it debuted in 1978.  The plan calls for increasing the size of the building by 8000 sq.ft. which would be an increase to the total square footage of the museum of approximately 30%.

This addition is being funded by the Arabian horse enthusiast organizations, which are specifically the Purebred Arabian Horse Trust & the American Arabian Horse Community.

In addition to the funding for the expansion, the displays within the newly constructed areas will include many pieces from those 2 organizations collections in order to better showcase the items.  It also

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The Lexington KY Herald Leader newspaper, announced that the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) has now opened up a registration list for all persons that may wish to volunteer to assist with hosting the WEG at the KY Horse Park in Lexington.  To sign up, click here.

The WEG is seeking volunteers for all aspects and events. They are needing a whopping 8-10,000 volunteers - just for the days during the event while it is being held! They also need several thousand more for setting up and breaking down the event.

Many organizations are jumping on board to help. The Lexington Bluegrass Association of REALTORS have volunteered their entire board of 2300 REALTORS.

Those persons signing up now, should be able to request what aspect of the WEG that

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