HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Kentucky Horse Park: Commemorative Edition
Author: George T. Mitchell
Publisher: Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-40371-7
ISBN-10: 0-615-40371-7
Related website(s): http://www.kyhorsepark.com (book), http://www.khpfoundation.org (publisher)
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing and/or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing and/or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Recommended reading level: Suitable for everyone
Rating: ***** 5 stars
(5 stars=EXCELLENT; 4 stars=GOOD; 3 stars=FAIR; 2 stars=POOR; 1 star=VERY POOR; no stars=NOT RECOMMENDED)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
Disclosure: Many publishers, literary agents, and/or authors provide free copies of their books in exchange for an honest review without requiring a positive opinion. Any books donated to Home School Book Review for review purposes are in turn donated to a library. No other compensation has been received for the reviews posted on Home School Book Review.
For more information e-mail homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com
Mitchell, George T. Kentucky Horse Park: Commemorative Edition (published in 2010 by Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511). While at a family reunion at Georgetown, KY, earlier this month, we visited the Kentucky Horse Park, a working horse farm and educational theme park that opened in 1978 in nearby Lexington. .Originally part of Walnut Hall Farms, the land for the park was purchased by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1972. Open to the public, the park has a twice daily Horses of the World Show, showcasing both common and rare horses from around the globe. The horses are ridden in authentic costume. Each year the park is host to a number of special events and horse shows.
Additionally, the park contains the International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate, which has a permanent collection of horse history and memorabilia, along with a rotating historical collection focused on a particular theme. Beginning with the 1979 arrival of Forego, one of the leading handicap horses of the 1970s, the Kentucky Horse Park has been home to some of the world’s greatest competition horses, including John Henry, Horse of the Decade for the 1980s and the top money-winning Thoroughbred gelding in racing history.
A number of horse sculptures stand in the Kentucky Horse Park, including a Man o’ War statue on a pedestal near the entrance, over the horse’s grave, which was moved here from Faraway Farm during the establishment of the park in the 1970s. There is also a life-size statue of the 1973 U.S. Triple Crown winner Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard being led by groom Eddie Sweat, sculpted by Jim Reno. This Commemorative Edition book, which we purchased in the gift shop, tells all about the history and various features of the park and is liberally illustrated with luscious, full-colored photographs.
