Former Governor Steve Beshear, his wife Jane and grandson Nicholas
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park/James Shambhu
Perhaps best known as the home to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Kentucky Horse Park attracts thousands of people each year. On a day-to-day basis, the Kentucky Horse Park is an equine theme park featuring the International Museum of the Horse and special equestrian presentations in addition to hosting many popular horse events. The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is responsible for the funds that keep the park functioning.
Pony Club riders at the Kentucky Horse Park
Photo by John Crowell
Donors to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation help maintain and improve the world-renowned competition facilities at the park: building and renovating barns, purchasing footing, investing in the equipment used to care for courses and rings. Foundation supporters also help maintain and improve visitor experiences at the park: providing free field trips for Kentucky school children, sponsoring incredible exhibits in the International Museum of the Horse and helping care for the dozens of horses who live at the park and greet visitors each day.
View of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event from the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation’s tent.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park
Founded in 1985, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation has contributed more than $30 million to the Kentucky Horse Park since its inception. Former Governor and First Lady of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Steve and Jane Beshear, have been long-time advocates and personal supporters of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. Jane is an officer on the KHP Foundation Board of Directors.
Opportunities to support the foundation include the following:
Man O’ War Society —This annual campaign raises unrestricted funds to help meet the immediate needs of the Kentucky Horse Park. Membership benefits at various levels include exciting ways to experience the park, from an invitation to the Foundation’s Hospitality Tent at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to complimentary vehicle passes to the Southern Lights holiday festival.
Nina Bonnie Endowment — Gifts to this permanently endowed fund will help secure the continual maintenance of the park’s facilities, both now and long into the future.
Capital projects — Donors may choose to direct their gifts toward a specific capital project at the park or toward capital needs in general.
Champions’ Circle Society — This society honors those individuals who’ve notified the foundation of their intent to make a planned gift. Ranging from a simple bequest to a charitable gift annuity, planned gifts provide important benefits during the donor’s lifetime while supporting the park in perpetuity.
The foundation also hosts several programs and events throughout the year. These include:
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation’s tent at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park
Southern Lights — Held nightly at the park during the holiday season, this family-friendly event features a driving tour of holiday- and equine-themed light displays, a craft show, an exotic petting zoo, photos with Santa and more. This is the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser.
Cross-country schooling days — Scheduled periodically throughout spring and summer, cross-country schooling days provide riders of all abilities a unique opportunity to school their horses on the Kentucky Horse Park’s world-renowned cross country course while supporting the foundation.
Kentucky Horse Park Field Trip Program — Serving thousands of Kentucky school children each year, this program provides elementary students with a free visit to the Kentucky Horse Park for a special field trip.
Battle in the Saddle Celebrity Team Penning — This annual event pairs celebrities with amateur riders on teams competing against each other to pen a group of cattle in the shortest amount of time. Proceeds from the family-friendly and uproariously funny event benefit the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization with only one mission: to raise private philanthropic dollars to support the Kentucky Horse Park. Its goal is to offer the park’s visitors — both equestrian competitors and tourists — an equine experience that is unparalleled in the world.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.khpfoundation.org or call 859-255-5727.
Stonelea Ring was built with money raised by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Horse Park/James Shambhu
