Lexington, KY – June 26, 2025 - The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation was created in 1985 with the mission of enhancing the Kentucky Horse Park. The KHP Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, is comprised of a diverse board of directors that ranges in occupation from equestrians to local businessmen. The KHP Foundation, through fund raising efforts, has contributed over $18 million to the Kentucky Horse Park.
Through financial gifts from competitors, Man O’ War Society Members, and horse enthusiasts, the KHP Foundation has contributed significantly to the improvement of the Kentucky Horse Park’s equine show facilities. With the building of a new all-weather show facility, the Kentucky Horse Park is now capable of hosting major national and international events. Just recently the money that supporters contributed to the KHP Foundation helped the Kentucky Horse Park achieve its dream of hosting top international competitions when their bid for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, now named Alltech FEI Games™ Kentucky 2010, was accepted.
In addition to these efforts, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation also presents a major non-equine fundraising event called “Southern Lights – Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights”, which was named a Southeastern Tourist Society Top 20 Event bringing over 100,000 visitors to the park during the Christmas season.
All of the KHP Foundation’s efforts require visionary leadership. Alston Kerr is the new Chairman of the Board for the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. It is Kerr’s job to re-identify what steps the KHP Foundation needs to take to make the Alltech FEI Games™ a success. She travels to many of the top horse show facilities in the world and studies their recipe for success.
Kerr views the Alltech FEI Games™ as a starting point for the Kentucky Horse Park. The event will be the launching pad for the updated facility. “The effort to get the World Equestrian Games at the park was largely in part of our goal to improve the park for the future. The KHP Foundation wants to make the Kentucky Horse Park the premier equestrian facility in the United States,” Kerr said.
“I love to walk around the Kentucky Horse Park at dusk, when it is quiet. I am continually amazed at how special and unique the property is. The Kentucky Horse Park is truly a magical place,” Kerr reflects.
In addition to Kerr’s leadership, Frances Dulaney has worked as the KHP Foundation’s Executive Director since September of 2005. Dulaney was the vice president for the Campaign for the Fund for the Arts, in Louisville, Kentucky for 17 years. She also spent three years raising money for a National Public Radio Station in Louisville. Dulaney brings her solid foundation of fundraising and horsemanship skills to the organization. Dulaney has a hunter background and worked for Nina Bonnie (founding chairman of the KHP Foundation) when she was 16 years old.
Dulaney came to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation with a focus of re-organizing the existing fundraising efforts. “We have been really fortunate to get gifts from large donors that have sustained the Kentucky Horse Park for years,” Dulaney stated. “Now we need to broaden the base of support to include the visitors and competitors who use the park.” Regardless of the amount they give, Dulaney wants to raise the consciousness and understanding about what the KHP Foundation does to enhance their experience at the park and how their contributions directly affect that experience. “The support of the competitors is crucial to the success of creating and maintaining a world-class facility,” Dulaney explained.
Although many improvements have been made, the Kentucky Horse Park is far from ready for the Alltech FEI Games™ Kentucky 2010. “We are in the process of building a new indoor arena,” Kerr said. “New and renovated stables are needed to house the large number of international horses coming in 2010,” Kerr described. “With these additions, the park will be able to run competitions year-round.”
With the Alltech FEI Games™ Kentucky 2010 around the corner, the KHP Foundation is seeking assistance from the community and competitors. There are a number of ways to be involved as a donor or a volunteer.
The KHP Foundation provides the volunteer force for the Kentucky Horse Park. Volunteers range in age from teens to seniors. The estimated time required to volunteer is approximately four hours a week. The skills needed to be a volunteer require interaction with the public, and equine knowledge is a bonus. All necessary volunteer training will be given at the park. To volunteer, please call the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation office at 859-255-5727.
The Kentucky Horse Park is a dynamic facility with a full schedule of events and is always in need of improvements that the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation can provide with your help.
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