I know - you don't see any books in the picture. But there are plenty of horse souvenirs in Kentucky, including horse books. Gift shop in Louisville airport. October 2009/Photo by Rhonda Lane
Some of the sturdiest, easy-to-pack souvenirs are books. Unless you go overboard and buy too many, but I wouldn’t know anything about that.
When you go to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (or any other event in Kentucky), you’ll be able to find equestrian gifts galore at the Kentucky Horse Park, the venue for the 2010 WEG.
However, if you’d like to get around the area a bit, you’d probably like to know where to go. Especially to find unusual horse books.
Please keep in mind that things can change, especially within a year, which was the last time I was in Kentucky.
Also keep in mind that I’m mentioning these places because I’ve had good luck shopping there. In other words, no one is compensating me for mentioning their establishment here.
The Kentucky Horse Park gift shop
The horse park gift shop is a wonder to behold, and the same goes for its book section. You can find anything horse- or even Kentucky-related there. If you must shop for the non-horsey, the KHP gift shop also sells collectibles, tees and bourbon candies.
If you can only visit one shop for your equestrian souvenir needs and you’re at the horse park anyway, you won’t leave this gift shop empty-handed.
However, if you’re a notorious bookworm like I am, you might be interested in casting a wider net. Hidden treasures await, just a short drive away. Or, as is the case of our next bookseller, a short walk away.
American Saddlebred Museum gift shop
Take a short walk around the parking lot from the big iron gates to the saddlebred museum. It’s one of those small museums where you can take a Griswolds-at-The-Louvre tour or dive deep into the history of saddlebred culture. (I would have embedded the video from National Lampoon’s European Vacation, except YouTube wouldn’t let me.)
Even if you know nothing about saddlebreds but are a history buff, you’ll find a diverting hour or so there.
Anyway, the gift shop bookshelves have saddlebred-related books you won’t find anywhere else. Some books are from small presses and others are out-of-print.
Joseph-Beth Bookseller
Joseph-Beth Lexington is a destination in itself. For me, it’s almost another “must visit,” like the horse park. Once I go, I have trouble leaving.
The Kentucky section and horse books will keep you busy. Although there’s a large horse racing and handicapping section, Joseph-Beth’s horse books section isn’t just about racing thoroughbreds. Many breeds are represented in the selections. Be sure to browse the store because horse-related items can be found on the remainder tables and the end-caps — that is, the sales tables around the store and those displays at the end of a shelf unit, respectively.
And don’t forget to look through the periodical section for horse magazines. When you get hungry or thirsty, the cafe can handle lunch or dinner (the meal most Kentuckians refer to as “supper.”) The cafe is more like a creative casual restaurant. Yes, you can get coffee and pastries and, if I recall correctly, you might be able to have a glass of wine.
Joseph Beth’s is also in the same plaza as Whole Foods Market, which offers a carry-out buffet, along with some indoor dining room tables and some outdoor cafe tables.
Here’s the deal – I’ve been around the US, and I’ve shopped in a lot of bookstores. The Joseph-Beth in Lexington is one of the best.
Keeneland gift shop
A great spot for racing-related books is the gift shop at Keeneland, which is open year-round. The book section moves around the shop. Usually, it’s toward the back up the short flight stairs. Sometimes, the book shelves offer more than others.
If you’re not planning a trip to the races, you might enjoy a visit the gift shop during the less-crowded times. The Fall 2010 meet starts on the first weekend of the 2010 WEG, on Oct. 8.
The front office of Old Friends. Also the entrance to the gift shop/Photo by Rhonda Lane
Old Friends gift shop
Georgetown, KY
Out in Georgetown, between the horse park and downtown Lexington, is Old Friends, the retirement center for horses.
The building where you check in for tours includes a gift shop that mostly features merchandise relating to the farm’s present and past retirees. Check the resident roster in case one of your favorite horses is or has been there.
This is also a racing-centric book venue, but you’ll find books about other breeds here, too. Last year, I bought a children’s book about Friesians. You might find a unique surprise on the book shelves here. And the proceeds here go to help the retirees.
The Kentucky Derby Museum
Churchill Downs
Lousiville
On my last trip to Kentucky in 2009, the museum on the grounds of Churchill Downs was closed due to flood damage. And so was the gift shop.
That said, the Kentucky Derby Museum is open again. If you’re into racing at all, the Derby Museum is a must-see, as is a pilgrimage to Churchill Downs.
So, if you’re into the rich history accompanying the Derby or dreaming about throwing a Derby party of your own, you’ll find books that will feed those needs.
A note about buying horse books in Kentucky
Especially at Joseph-Beth’s, the saddlebred museum, Keeneland and Old Friends, I’ve found obscure books that were either self-published or published by small presses liable to be ignored by national chain stores.
Some of my favorite obscure Kentucky book finds have included
- the self-published memoirs of an equine vet
- a book about Woodford County horse farms
- a son’s memoirs of his father’s horse show experiences as an African-American saddlebred trainer in the mid-20th century
- the sources behind the names of race horses
Do you know of any great places to buy books – especially horse books – in Kentucky? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tags: 2010 World Equestrian Games, 2010WEG, Joseph Beth Bookseller, Keeneland, Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky travel, KYWEG, Old Friends
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