The Effects of Economic Conditions on the Sport Horse Industry in Kentucky and Nationally

The horse industry in Kentucky is larger than thoroughbreds and racing. Competing sport horses is an increasingly popular form of riding and showing in the bluegrass and nationwide. Sport horse disciplines include dressage, eventing, and hunter-jumper horses. In Kentucky, sport horse enthusiasts are fortunate enough to be near the Kentucky Horse Park, a park known worldwide for its shows and courses. In 2010, the park hosted the World Equestrian Games, marking the first time that the World Equestrian Games had been held outside of Europe. Focusing mainly on the bluegrass and the nation as a whole, the effects of the 2008 recession, and the World Equestrian Games on the sport horse industry were studied extensively. This study seeks to show that the recession did have an impact on people involved in the sport horse market, including trainers, competitors, and owners, as well as later a boost to the local and national sport horse industry in the years following the World Equestrian Games