News/Press Release

SANTA YNEZ, CA-For the first time since the Arabian Horse Trust collection was closed in 2001, the art and artifacts that comprise the rich history of the Arabian horse will have a home and be open to the public at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. This collection will be joined at the Kentucky Horse Park by the equally significant collection of the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation and others. The Arabian Horse Galleries are being built as a two-level permanent addition to the Kentucky Horse Park's (KHP) International Museum of the Horse, opening June 2009.

"We are indeed grateful to the Arabian horse community for this extraordinary and historic undertaking," said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. "The Kentucky Horse Park is privileged and honored to be the vehicle through which the magnificent story of the Arabian horse can be shared with the world."

The Galleries will boast nearly 8,000 square feet providing a permanent home for both "Art and Artifacts" and "Interactive Exhibits." The exhibits will tell the story of the evolution of the Arabian horse from the earliest times through the present day. The storyline and concept development will include the efforts of KHP museum staff, knowledgeable individuals from the Arabian community, and a world-renowned museum design firm. The Galleries are considered one of the most significant PERMANENT additions ever made to the International Museum of the Horse, an affiliate museum of the Smithsonian Institute. As an added attraction, during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, a special exhibit, "A Gift from the Desert," will be featuring the Arabian horse at the Kentucky Horse Park. Already drawing nearly 1 million visitors each year, the KHP is estimating an increase to 1.6 million visitors by 2014.

The Arabian horse organizations already supporting the effort to "Share the Passion" include the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation (AHOF), the Arabian Horse Trust (AHT), the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), Arabian Breeders Association (ABA), Arabian Professional & Amateur Horsemen's Association and the Purebred Arabian Trust (PAT).

The Purebred Arabian Trust conceived, developed and funded this project over the past several years. "Joining with the Kentucky Horse Park's International Museum of the Horse has provided us with the unique opportunity to share our passion for the Arabian horse," says Howard Pike, a long time supporter of creating meaningful educational opportunities for the public to know the Arabian horse.

In recognition of the major contributions made years ago to the Arabian Horse Center in Westminster, Colorado, the trustees of the Purebred Arabian Trust have committed to provide a transition of the Denver building value, with substantial additional funds contributed by the PAT to fully fund construction of the Arabian Horse Galleries.

The Trustees of the Arabian Horse Trust have provided the funds required to transition the collections of both the Arabian Horse Trust and the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation to their new home. A capital campaign to fund exhibit planning and construction for the interior of the Galleries will begin in April 2008.

"We are thrilled by the generous support shown by the Arabian horse community in funding this new addition to our museum," said Bill Cooke, director of the International Museum of the Horse. "This project represents the most significant event in the 30 year history of the International Museum of the Horse."

A community-wide awareness campaign entitled "Share the Passion" will highlight the Galleries' progress. The most up-to-date information can be found online at www.PurebredArabianTrust.com, including E-Newsletters, and a 7-minute video, photo updates and more.

Exclusive editorial opportunities on the Arabian Horse Galleries are available.

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The Purebred Arabian Trust exists for the purpose of aiding, promoting, and fostering the preservation and use of purebred Arabian horses and the Arabian breed and to engage in undertakings incidental to or designed to further promote these objectives.