Horsepower Experiences
Horses
Kentucky Horse Power presents an adventure path full of the thunder of hooves with fun for the entire family. We’ve cut the perfect trail for you to spend time around horses from the grandstands to the saddle! Buckle up for a trip across nine counties – this is the premier “Horse” experience for your Kentucky Horse Power plans. Here, you’ll see horseback riding at Land Between the Lakes, farm experiences and campgrounds for horse enthusiasts, world-class horseback racing and competitions, horseback trail riding, and much more.
Itinerary Quick Look:
Horseback Riding LBL | Amish Country | Wranglers Campground | Barrel Racing | Ellis Park | Tulip Fields | Double J Stables and Horseman’s Campground | Mammoth Cave National Park Horseback Riding | Central Kentucky Ag/Expo with Rodeos Barrel Racing | Horse Shows | Horseback Riding
Keep Reading to Learn More.
Related Locations
Anderson County
Lawrenceburg Tourism
502-598-3127
113 South Main Street Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
visitlawrenceburgky.com
Discover historic Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with bass fishing on Beaver Lake and the 150th Lawrenceburg Fair & Horse Show featuring horse events, demolition derby, carnival rides, live music, and more. Experience dirt track racing, motorcycle jumping, rodeos, classic car shows and more. No matter what revs your engine, you’ll find it in the Distilling Capital of the World, Lawrenceburg, KY.
Casey County
Liberty Tourism & Convention Commission
606-706-7777
518 Middleburg St. Liberty, KY 42539
explorelibertyky.com
Discover Liberty, KY’s vibrant horsepower culture at the Central Kentucky Ag Expo Center. Experience thrilling truck pulls, graceful horse shows, and lively rodeos. Then, explore the serene rural charm of South Fork, where Amish traditions and a slower pace of life await.
Christian County
Oak Grove Tourism CVB
270-439-5675
105 Walter Garrett Lane Oak Grove, KY 42240
visitoakgroveky.com
Head to Oak Grove, KY for your horsepower experience… Where you can enjoy live harness racing and year-round simulcast racing at the beautiful Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.
Crittenden County
City of Marion Tourism Commission
270-965-5015
P.O. Box 174 213 South Main St. Marion KY 42064
marionkentucky.org
Discover Kentucky’s Hidden Treasures-Visit Kentucky’s Largest Amish Community and the World-renowned collection of Minerals from around the world at the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum. A short scenic drive from Kentucky’s Western Waterland Lakes and Land Between The Lakes.
Edmonson County
Edmonson County Tourist & Convention Commission
270-597-2222
PO Box 628, 110 E Main Cross St, Brownsville, KY 42210
cavesandlakes.com
Double J Stables and Horseman’s Campground offers small group guided trail rides on the beautiful back country trails inside Mammoth Cave National Park. Reservations are required.
Moutardier Marina Nolin Lake is coming off a complete renovation and is already an anticipated hot spot for the upcoming lake season! What was once rustic is now pure lake luxury.
Fayette County
VisitLEX
859-233-7299
215 W Main St, Suite 75 Lexington, KY 40507
visitlex.com
For all things equine, look no further than Lexington—The Horse Capital of the World.
Franklin County
Frankfort – Franklin County Tourist & Convention Commission
502-875-8687
300 St. Clair St., Suite 102 Frankfort, KY 40601
visitfrankfort.com
Make sure to visit Frankfort, KY! Discover our horsepower at Lakeside Arena and watch horse shows that feature Hunter & Jumpers, Roping & Reining and more. There is more horsepower on the Kentucky River where boats cruise through our historic downtown and enjoy views of the city from the water. And don’t miss a stop at the State Capitol, our horsepower engine for all things Kentucky! Frankfort is worth a visit soon!
Hart County
Horse Cave/Hart County Tourism
270-218-0386
I-65 Mile Marker 60 Northbound and Southbound, PO Box 385, Horse Cave, KY 42749
kygetaway.com
Experience Kentucky’s horse culture at our animal parks, on a horseback ride along the edge of Mammoth Cave National Park, and at our Horse Cave mural photo op just above the cave in our historic downtown!
Henderson County
Henderson Tourist Commission
270-826-3128
101 North Water Street, Henderson, KY 42420
hendersonky.org
If an artsy riverside gem is what you seek, then set your sights on Henderson. Experience history at every turn. Embrace outdoor adventure. Move to the beat of your own drum at award-winning festivals. And kick it into high gear at historic Ellis Park!
Marshall County
Kentucky Lake CVB
270-527-3128
93 Carroll Rd. Benton, KY 42025
visitkylake.com
Experience Kentucky’s horsepower, Kentucky Lake style! We have speeding boats, Drive-In movie theaters, rodeos, and more! Horsepower feels different on the water, so start your engines and get planning today!
McCreary County
McCreary County Tourist Commission
606-376-3008
14 Geary Ave. P.O. Box 62 Whitley City, KY 42653
mccrearytourism.com
Welcome to McCreary County, where horsepower reigns supreme, and adventure awaits at every turn.
Oldham County
Oldham County Tourism
502-222-0056
6826 W. State Highway 22, Crestwood KY 40014
touroldham.com
Experience the essence of Kentucky Horsepower by visiting the Farm Tour Capital of Kentucky – Oldham County! Witness the life of a Kentucky horse, from newborn colt to retirement, and relish a farm-to-table dinner in Kentucky’s only barn restaurant located on our historic racehorse farm.
Simpson County
Simpson County Tourism Commission
270-586-3040
201 South Main St, Franklin, KY 42134
visitfranklinky.com
Hear the thunder of the hoobeats during live races, play the fast-paced gaming machines and feel the power of the hot rods and classsic cars with a visit to Franklin, Kentucky.
Trigg County
Cadiz/Trigg County Tourism
270-522-3892
5748 Hopkinsville Rd, Cadiz, KY 42211
gocadiz.com
Wether it is on the water of beautiful Lake Barkley, horseback riding with Rogers Riding Club or the annual tractor pull held July 4th at the Trigg County Complex, Cadiz and Trigg County has something for everyone of all ages.
horses
Itinerary Details
When you think of Kentucky there’s one thing that crosses everyone’s mind… horses. The epitome of horsepower lives in Kentucky. We have a great itinerary and suggestions for anyone looking to discover what Kentucky’s horsepower is really all about.
DAY 1: Ready, Set, RODEO!
Kentucky features several opportunities to immerse yourself in the local community through our small town, grassroots rodeos, horse shows, barrel racing competitions.
- Stop by Marshall County in June for Lonestar Rodeo’s stop in Benton, Kentucky. This is a 2 night show complete with calf roping, barrel racing, bronco and Bhrama Bull riding, and more! It’s fun for the whole family!
- Take a guided trail ride in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation area in Trigg County.
- Watch cowgirls compete in barrel racing and maybe even try your own luck at Oak Grove’s Gaming Hotel in Christian County!
- Last option on the western area is to visit Ellis Park in Henderson between the months of July or August for live thoroughbred horse racing! This family friendly track is a great way to experience horse racing in a smaller setting!
Be sure to check out accommodation options at any of these experiences including lake house rentals, hotels, and camping!
Day 2: Tails and Trails in Central Kentucky!
- You’ll find guided trail riding opportunities in the Mammoth Cave National Park area in both Edmonson county and Hart county.
- Spend the afternoon riding the trails, exploring the cave system, and maybe even petting a kangaroo! Yes, you read that right!
- Mammoth Cave National Park is a park on two levels – 52,830 acres of reclaimed hardwood forest and winding waterways, and below it, the longest known cave system in the world, surveyed at 420 miles to date! So while you might start with horses, you’ll stay for the exploration!
- If you’re looking for another fun experience take a quick drive over to Liberty in Casey County to the Central Kentucky Ag-Expo Center for rodeos, roping, barrel racing, and more!
Day 3: Immerse yourself into the heart of horse country.
The northern central part of Kentucky includes Lexington and all the surrounding suburbs and smaller communities.
- They don’t call Lexington the “Horse Capital of the World” for nothing! Between horse farms, the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland, and other horse activities, every age of equine lover is sure to find something to enjoy in Fayette County!
- The Kentucky Horse Park showcases the legends of the Kentucky Derby and will host shows and events all throughout the year! You could easily spend 3 days in Lexington alone learning about the horse industry there.
- Make sure to venture out and also visit Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Stables in Scott County or take a guided ride at Whispering Woods Riding Stable!
- Oldham County is sure to not disappoint at their beautiful horse farms and training arenas such as Highpointe Farm training Center, and retired racehorse sanctuary Chestnut Hall!
- These horse farms are rich with stories and heritage as they care for bloodlines and traditions from one generation to the next.
- In Franklin County, you will not only find our Capitol and state government which provides ample tourist opportunities, you’ll also find a unique equine experience in a ranch style horse show! Not to mention this is home to Buffalo Trace Distillery, where tours are sure to fuel your tastebuds!
- If you find yourself winding down a country road, be sure to wander towards Anderson County for the Lawrenceburg Fair and Horse Show!
Our horses may work hard here in Kentucky, but we appreciate the power they bring to our Commonwealth and we care for them long after the work day is done. Accommodations will be plentiful throughout this trip, full of short term private rentals, hotels, bed & breakfast options, and more. Take our suggestions and use them as a map to direct your trip to Kentucky’s Horse Country!