LEXINGTON, KY (September 29, 2011) The Kentucky Horse Park will welcome four rare Marwari horses on permanent loan from Francesca Kelly, who imports this breed from India.  Three of the horses arrived Tuesday, September 27.

The horses came from Kelly's farm on Chappaquiddick Island off the coast of Massachusetts.  Francesca Kelly is a writer who is dedicated to preserving the breed and has increased the number of these horses outside their native India.  She is moving her herd to England and is allowing the park to keep three mares and a yearling. 

The Kentucky Horse Park is the only known location in North America where Marwari can be seen by the public.

John Nicholson, executive director of the park, stated, "We are delighted and honored that Francesca Kelly has chosen the Kentucky Horse Park as the keeper of the last, precious band of these rare equines on this continent. They will be treasured by our staff and enjoyed by the literally millions of park visitors who will see them in the upcoming years."  He continued, "We applaud the efforts of people like Ms. Kelly who dedicate their lives to preserving rare and endangered breeds."

The Marwari horse was used hundreds of years ago as warhorses known for their extreme endurance.  The Marwari are considered very brave and athletic horses. They are attentive and pick things up quickly through their senses. Visitors at the park during last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games watched "tent pegging" demonstrations using some of Ms. Kelly's Marwari.

The most noted fact about this breed is their extremely distinct ears.  The ears curve inward and sometimes touch or overlap when in front position.  The ears are the main characteristic that the registry uses to judge this breed.           

The breed is available in all colors but the albino is held in highest regard.  The albino Marwari is often used for religious purposes and ceremonies in its native home of India.  They often become very attached to their handler and can become protective of them.

The three Marwari mares are on view to the public during park hours.  The fourth, a yearling colt, will arrive later this fall.

Photos by James Shambhu. 

Laura is a 3-year-old Suffolk Punch, who just arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on August 11, 2011, from her home in Alabama. She will be on staff in the park's Draft Horse Barn, representing her breed, the Suffolk, which originated in England.

The Suffolk Punch is small for a draft horse, usually only 16.1 hands, and always chestnut.

They are known as the Rolls Royce of the draft horse breeds.

This is the first time Laura has been away from her farm, so she is still a little unsure about her new home in Kentucky. Watch a video.

From the moment the 7/8 Arabian pinto colt, TS Black Tie Affair, was born in 1990, it was clear he would be something special. "Tie" as he is called, is by Tardar out of EVG Lady Di.

Tie’s phenomenal career has included winning 22 Pinto World and Reserve World Championships, two Pinto All-Around Pleasure High Point titles, multiple halter, dressage, English and Western pleasure titles, competitive trail championships including 2000 Pinto Trail Horse of the Year, the Pinto Horse Association’s Open Supreme Championship and, in 2010, the Arabian Horse Association Ambassador Award.

Tie will be appearing at the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend, July 15-17, 2011 for BreyerFest.  He also has his own Breyer model horse.  Watch a video that we shot today, July 15, at the park, then come out and meet him in person!

Mighty, magnificent and an outstanding athlete, Andalusian stallion Kripton-Seni II embodies all the stellar characteristics of his breed and then some!

Since he was imported from Spain in 2004 by Californians Joe and Nancy Latta, Kripton- Seni II has won 12 national championships and eight national reserve championships. He has also won 14 regional championships and four regional reserve championships. In 2009, he was a United States Equestrian Federation Horse of Honor and was one of five USEF finalists for Horse of the Year. In 2008, the show committee of the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association named him Horse of the Year. Those honors reflect the versatility of this 16.3-hand bay.

Kripton has been victorious in Halter, Hunt Seat Pleasure, Western Pleasure and in Dressage Suitability and Hack with the Latta family members as well as their trainer Sandy Shields. Kripton also performs out of the show ring.He’s participated in California’s Fiesta of the Spanish Horse and has joined the marchers in the Tournament of the Roses parade where he carried Shields with grace and aplomb.

Meet Krypton this weekend at BreyerFest, July 15-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park!

This weekend, July 15-17, you can meet Sato, a Thoroughbred who is an extremely rare palomino pinto sabino.

This 16-hand stallion is registered with The Jockey Club and the American Paint Horse Association.

He has the flashy coloration of a Paint and the sleek, elegant conformation of a Thoroughbred, making him one show-stopping piece of equine eye candy. Sato will be appearing courtesy of BreyerFest so come out and see him!

Watch a video of him, shot at the Kentucky Horse Park on July 14, 2011: