MEDIA INVITATION

Contact:  Tolley Graves, Executive Director
American Saddlebred Museum
859-259-2746, email ashmtg@mis.net

WHAT: Special Guest and Speaker at the opening of “Out of the Shadows: Bringing to Light Black Horsemen in Saddlebred History,” an historic art and artifact exhibition at the American Saddlebred Museum.  This first-of-its-kind exhibition will feature historic artwork (including several old oil paintings), historic photos of some 60 black horsemen, old film footage of black horsemen working or “gaiting” Saddlebreds, trophies & ribbons from as early as the late 1800s, a documentary video, memoirs, and other items which will be highlighted in this exhibition focusing on the many contributions made by African Americans to Kentucky’s oldest native breed of horse, the American Saddlebred. 

WHEN: Friday, February 16, 6:30pm           

WHERE: American Saddlebred Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park

WHY: Black trainers, owners and caretakers from the late 1800s through the 1970s in the Saddlebred industry were largely unnoticed, unrecognized and uncredited as they worked in the shadows of their white owners and peers. These horsemen are the stars of this show. Great opportunity to cover a local tie-in to Black History Month on a scale not normally seen in this area. 

HOW: Please call ahead to let the museum know you will be attending to cover the event, 859-259-2746.

-30-

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.  The park is an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet that hosted nearly 900,000 visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2006.  The park is home to the National Horse Center which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations.   Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses.   Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Home of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010
4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511 859-233-4303 www.kyhorsepark.com