The Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program promotes the love of the horse and the love of literacy by connecting a horse-themed book, a child and a horse. The Kentucky Horse Park’s dedicated staff and volunteers have created a program for Kentucky’s school children with horse-themed books, live-equine productions, hands-on horse experiences, teacher’s curriculum and much more!

FIRST GRADE

Meghan McCarthy’s hard-copy book Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse is delivered to 900 students at their schools accompanied by a live horse. The day the books arrive, the students participate in hands-on Thoroughbred racing activities including wearing racing goggles and silks that enhance the story of Seabiscuit. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association created an activity workbook, and Meghan McCarthy’s website provides coloring pages and more fun activities.

The field trip to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Covered Arena was April 9th, 2013. The students, their teachers and chaperones attended a live reenactment of the famous 1938 match race WAR ADMIRAL vs SEABISCUIT (Pimlico Special)! The legendary race was brought to life with jockeys, horses, antique cars, period costumes, 1930’s music, Tom Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard. Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship performed for the incredible grand finale! Click here to watch a video of the show!

For more information about enrolling in the program please contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Volunteer & Outreach Manager,  at 859-259-4267.

FOURTH GRADE

Michael Morpurgo’s WAR HORSE books are shipped directly to the schools. Over 4,000 students will read the books with their teachers. The teachers have access to several websites which enhance the story of WAR HORSE and introduce a true story of a real war horse called Sgt. Reckless.

The field trip was April 16th, 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena for a live production of "The Book Report". Click here to view a video of the “The Book Report”. The live equine show is written, produced and performed by the Kentucky Horse Park staff. 

The performance is visually beautiful and emotionally captivating as two teachers read a book report written by a fourth-grade student. The story brings to life the special relationship between a boy and a horse. Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship performs for the incredible grand finale!

For more information about enrolling in the program please contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Volunteer & Outreach Manager at 859-259-4267.

This year all 4th grade classrooms who participated in the Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program were also invited to join the Carnegie Book Report Contest offered by the Carnegie Center for Literary & Learning. The submission deadline was Friday, March 1, 2012, and the award presentation took place during “The Book Report” performance. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The cost of the program is $10 per student. The cost includes a copy of the book and the live equine performance admission. Participating schools may apply for the Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program scholarship. Schools must commit to reading the book and attending the show to participate in the program.

Bus transportation is the responsibility of the schools.

The Kentucky Horse Park invites the schools to enjoy the Park after the live equine performance for $2 per person. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 859-259-4225 for more information.

SPONSOR INFORMATION 

Sponsors provide scholarships for students to receive their own book and attend the live re-enactment show at the Kentucky Horse Park. As a part of the sponsorship package, your company will receive recognition as a sponsor with logo on all printed materials throughout the program year, including press releases, event programs and media outlets. Sponsor packages also include opportunity to hang corporate banners during the shows and an invitation for a designated number of attendees to enjoy the VIP suite and the VIP section during the performances.

There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities for your company to consider.

Thank you to our 2013 Kentucky Horse Park Literacy Program Sponsors!

WAR ADMIRAL Sponsors:                                                                                

SGT. RECKLESS Sponsor:                  CAVALRY Sponsor:     

THE BISCUIT Sponsor:

We gratefully recognize the following for their support: Denali Stud, Inc., Dollar General Literacy Foundation, HRTV, HRTV.com, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Mill Ridge Farm, Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rouse, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rouse, Mr. and Mrs. Skip Johnson, Ms. Carol Codell, Nicoma Bloodstock, Target and The Elizabeth C. Davis Fund as directed by Maryann C. Davis and The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

 VOLUNTEER

At the schools, volunteers will interact with the children by helping with a variety of activity stations including the kids wearing racing goggles and silks, receiving their own copy of the book and meeting a live horse.

Volunteers also help at the first-grade show and the fourth-grade show by escorting schools to their designated seats, encouraging them to interact during the show and helping the schools navigate to their buses when the show is over.

For more information about volunteering please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Volunteer & Outreach Manager at 859-259-4267.