Living in Horse Country – The Scenery and the Art

Horse Country - Lexington, Kentucky
Horse Country – Lexington, Kentucky

We have lived in Central Kentucky for just over 20 years.  The Lexington area is known as the Horse Capital of the World, and for good reason, the area is noted for its limestone enriched fertile soil, its excellent pastureland and the perfect place for bluegrass to grow.  The area is known for its scenic beauty and  manicured landscapes.  Sometimes one needs only go into their own backyard to enjoy the ride..  Following are a few “Horse Photos” that I have taken around Central Kentucky, some scenic, but mainly horse art that I come across.

HORSE FARMS AND HORSES OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY

Horse Racing at Keeneland
Horse Racing at Keeneland in Lexington, one of the premier tracks in the U.S.

With hundreds of horse farms in the area supporting it, Thoroughbred Racing is a huge industry in Central Kentucky.  But there are many other events that occur here as well, especially with the world famous Kentucky Horse Park.

Show Jumping at Kentucky Horse Park
Show Jumping at Kentucky Horse Park
Polocross at the Kentucky horse Park
Polocross at the Kentucky horse Park

Along with the horse activities are the expansive horse farms with their signature black plank fences and their massive horse barns.

Typical scene in Horse Country
Typical scene in Horse Country
Winter scene in horse country
Winter scene in horse country
Fall in Horse Country
Fall in Horse Country
Large Horse barn on Yarnelton Rd. near Lexington
Large Horse barn on Yarnelton Rd. near Lexington
Grazing horse on a farm south of Lexington
Grazing horse on a farm south of Lexington
A road near Lexington KY with the shadows of the famed plank fences
A road near Lexington KY with the shadows of the famed plank fences
Thoroughbreds frolicking in the snow in Woodford County, KY
Thoroughbreds frolicking in the snow in Woodford County, KY
A playful horse gives me the eye
A playful horse gives me the eye

HORSE ART IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY

Part of a mural in Lexington, Kentucky
Part of a mural in Lexington, Kentucky

With so much involved around horses in Central Kentucky, it is no wonder that there is an abundance of horse art to be found in the area.  There are numerous paintings and murals and dozens of horse statues dotting the region.  Here is just a smattering of what I have come across in my travels around Lexington and the surrounding area.

Angry Horse statue in Hamburg shopping area in Lexington.
Angry Horse statue in Hamburg shopping area in Lexington.
Girl with a foal, also in Hamburg shopping area
Girl with a foal, also in Hamburg shopping area
Horse and rider outside of Rebecca Ruth Candy Shop in Frankfort, Kentucky
Horse and jockey outside of Rebecca Ruth Candy Shop in Frankfort, Kentucky
Foal Statue on a Gate Post on Cleveland Road near Lexington, KY
Foal Statue on a Gate Post on Cleveland Road near Lexington, KY
Scrap Metal Horse at Woodford Reserve near Versailles, Kentucky
Scrap Metal Horse at Woodford Reserve near Versailles, Kentucky
Horse Statue at an upscale apartment complex in Lexington, Kentucky
Horse Statue at an upscale apartment complex in Lexington, Kentucky
This is a large horse mural on a water tower off of I-75 north of Lexington
This is a large horse mural on a water tower off of I-75 north of Lexington
A giant horse made out of wire that stands in front of the courthouse in Lexington
A giant horse made out of wire that stands in front of the courthouse in Lexington
Another view of the horse through a fountain with the courthouse in the background
Another view of the horse through a fountain with the courthouse in the background
A Chinese Horse statue in front of a bank in downtown Lexington
A Chinese Horse statue in front of a bank in downtown Lexington
Show Jumpers at shopping center in Lexington
Show Jumpers at shopping center in Lexington
Another set of jumpers in the same shopping center
Another set of jumpers in the same shopping center
Part of a mural on a wall on a building in downtown Lexington
Part of a mural on a wall on a building in downtown Lexington
A mural on a water tower in Versailles, Kentucky
A mural on a water tower in Versailles, Kentucky
A rustic horse head on a building in downtown Lexington
A rustic horse head on a building in downtown Lexington
Horse and Rider in downtown Lexington
John Hunt Morgan statue in downtown Lexington
John B. Castleman Statue in Cherokee Triangle in Louisville
John B. Castleman Statue in Cherokee Triangle in Louisville

As a side note on the above two photos of Morgan and Castleman.  These are both on the National Register of Historic Places and are the only two Civil War Monuments in Kentucky with equestrians.

THOROUGHBRED PARK – LEXINGTON

Thoroughbred Park in Downtown Lexington
Thoroughbred Park in Downtown Lexington

Perhaps the shining monument of horse art in Lexington (and Central Kentucky) is Thoroughbred Park. This 2.5 acre park, with its fountains and benches and walking paths offers a splendid retreat.  It also provides a unique history of the thoroughbred. The park contains 42 plaques honoring historic figures in the thoroughbred industry, and has 13 life-sized horse sculptures, including the seven horses storming down a track towards the finish line of a race.  All of the horse art in this park was done by Lexington artist Gwen Reardon. Following are a few scenes from the park.

Horse and rider racing down the track. Perhaps my favorite photo of all from Thoroughbred Park
Horse and jockey racing down the track. Perhaps my favorite photo of all from Thoroughbred Park
Top view of the horses racing
Top view of the horses racing
Jockey pushing his horse at Thoroughbred Park
Jockey pushing his horse at Thoroughbred Park
Frolicking Foals in Thoroughbred Park
Frolicking Foals in Thoroughbred Park
Grazing mare on a hill in Thoroughbred Park
Grazing mare on a hill in Thoroughbred Park
Monument of a 1800s race horse and sire named "Lexington" at Thoroughbred Park
Monument of a 1800s race horse and sire named “Lexington” at Thoroughbred Park
New foal promises the future of the industry
New foal promises the future of the industry
A final view - front view of the horses...you can almost hear and feel them
A final view – front view of the horses…you can almost hear and feel them

ARTSY HORSES – HORSE MANIA 2010 AND MORE

Lady's Godiva's Horse - created by Jean Isaacs Bramlette and Audwin Price
Lady’s Godiva’s Horse – created by Jean Isaacs Bramlette and Audwin Price

In July 2010, LexArts, a community organization dedicated to the promotion of art in Lexington, created a fund raising project called Horse Mania 2010, which featured 82  painted fiberglass horses that dotted the streets of Lexington. Since that time, many of these were purchased and added to private collections in Kentucky and elsewhere, but some are still visible on the streets of the city. The complete set can be seen HERE and all are clickable to see the whole story behind each one.  Following are a few that I have captured over the past three years.

Madame Ivory by Kelly Rice Welker
Madame Ivory by Kelly Rice Welker
Running Around in Circles by Blake Eames
Running Around in Circles by Blake Eames
Color Bars by Martha Chute and Jamie Pyles
Color Bars by Martha Chute and Jamie Pyles
Fionghan by Megan Gilvin
Fionghan by Megan Gilvin
Cloisonneigh by Priscilla Roberts Fallon & Family
Cloisonneigh by Priscilla Roberts Fallon & Family
It's Rocking Lexington by Lloyd Hughes
It’s Rocking Lexington by Lloyd Hughes
Lexington Landmarks by Jennifer Conrad-Barber
Lexington Landmarks by Jennifer Conrad-Barber
This one is in Chevy Chase, but can't find the name
This one is in Chevy Chase, but can’t find the name
This colorful Zebra is in Hamburg Shopping area, but is not on the list
This colorful Zebra is in Hamburg Shopping area, but is not on the list
This horse was in downtown Lexington during Horse Mania, but is not on the list either
This horse was in downtown Lexington during Horse Mania, but is not on the list either
Then there is the unusual Toaster Horse at Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville
Then there is the unusual Toaster Horse at Lynn’s Paradise Cafe in Louisville

Obviously, there is much more art to be found.  The Kentucky Horse Park has a dozen or more outdoor sculptures, photos of which can be seen here.  There are also more to be found in surrounding towns such as Paris, Versailles, Cynthiana, Richmond, Danville and more.  Its a great place to visit and an even better place to live!!