What the heck is a tolt?  It’s defined by experts as “a very smooth four-beat gait while reaching speeds similar to fast trotting” and much less jolting to the rider.  The tolt is unique to Icelandic Horses who with plush toy looks and Viking spirit, the Icelandic Horse will strut their cuddly stuff for the public beginning at 8 am in the Indoor Arena at the park both days.  Saturday evening will also feature a stallion showcase.

About the time of year when most of us want to burrow-in for the winter, these dependable little Icelandic Horses start feeling their oats and get ready to go to work.  They are bred to carry adults at a fast pace over long distances, along the stunning, temperate coastlines and frigid mountains of Iceland.
The hardy Icelandic Horses first arrived on the shores of Iceland in the 9th century with Viking settlers from Norway and the British Isles.  For the past 1,000 years, importing horses to Iceland has been forbidden by law, so the Icelandic breed has remained pure since that time. Currently there are approximately 70,000 Icelandic Horses outside of Iceland, and about 60-80 of those will be competing in the Kentucky Icelandic Horse Show, in a variety of classes which are set to show off their natural abilities.

According to the United States Iceland Horse Congress (USIHC), the breed is “renowned for being hardy, athletic, independent, spirited, friendly, adaptable and sure-footed, with five natural gaits.”  The Icelandic averages 13-14 hands tall and is distinctive for its thick and often double-sided mane and long tail, and remarkable for its wide range of colors. 

For more information on the Kentucky Icelandic Horse Show, Nov 17-18, contact Gudmar Petursson at (502) 243-9996 or email spuni@centrum.is.  For more information on the Icelandic breed, go to www.icelandics.org.

Park Hours and Rates: From November 1-March 14, the park is open Tuesday through Saturday.  Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children 7-12.  From March 15-October 31, the park is open seven days a week.  Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for children 7-12.  Children six and under are always admitted free of charge.  Admission includes the Icelandic Horse Show and the American Saddlebred Museum.

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 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2005.  The park is located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington.  The place to get close to horses, the park is open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.

CINDY RULLMAN
Marketing and Public Relations Dept.
859-259-4209
crullman@kyhorsepark.com
4089 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY  40511, 859-259-4209 ext 209, fax 859-233-9924

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK
Do you know that the Kentucky Horse Park will be the site of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010?
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