Among her duties as Director of Equine Operations at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park, Kathy Hopkins counts such diverse activities as the planning, organization, management and care of all equine areas and horses at the Park, including the Hall of Champions, the Draft and Carriage Divisions, the Breeds and Farrier Area, and the Education Department which encompasses the community education programs, youth riding, and the Mustang Troop. And as if that were not enough to keep her busy, Kathy also teaches three classes for the North American Racing Academy while working with her husband and son to run Southern Trace Farm–a Fayette County operation dedicated to breeding Thoroughbred sport horses.

Kathy’s more than 40 years experience in the equine industry includes stints as Director of the Kentucky Equine Institute, a program sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Managers and designed to produce graduates ready to enter the equine profession as well-qualified racing and farm managers, trainers, farriers, jockeys, and sales and marketing representatives.

She has also served as an Instructor in the Thoroughbred Track and Exercise Rider Training Program of the Kentucky Equine Education Program (KEEP), a post-secondary program training students for employment in the racing industry through an intensive curriculum including the anatomy and physiology of the horse and breaking, training, and riding technique.

Mount Pleasant, SC:

I think it’s amazing how much you do for the Kentucky Horse Park! I visited about three weeks ago, and I remember seeing John Henry with an IV. I know he was a little tired from his walks, is he better now?

Hopkins:

Thank you for asking. John is feeling much better. The weather in Lexington has been extremely hot and humid, many of the horses have had problems keeping properly hydrated and their body temperature regulated.

Under the advice of our veterinary staff, we supplemented John with fluids and installed a large misting fan to assist in keeping him cool. The precautions and procedures we have in place for John Henry are the same as those you would need for any elderly humans.

Exercise is important to his emotional and physical well being, however, even his walks must be curtailed during the extreme heat.

Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham UK:

Cigar is one of my all time favourite racehorses. I was wondering how he is and if he is still terrorizing John Henry and the older horses? What would his normal day comprise, and does he still have a huge fan club? From the photos I have seen, he looks to be a very happy horse.

Hopkins:

Cigar is indeed a very healthy and happy horse. Cigar maintains a schedule very much like the other stallions on most Central Kentucky farms. He is out in the paddock during the evening and is supervised by our night watch staff. He is brought up in the morning and groomed, and remains in the stall during the day except for the morning and afternoon presentations.

As the winner of almost $10 million, Cigar still has many fans. He is a beautiful horse and with his great conformation and animated disposition he is definitely a crowd pleaser.

New York, NY:

I’m thinking of starting a second career, full time in the horse business. I have experience foaling and I’ve spent a couple seasons doing general work around a breeding farm and for a trainer at the track, sort of as a hobby. I have a background working in business for the last 20 years and I’m interested in starting a career full time in the horse business. I realize I must be versatile and want to hit as many areas as possible, as I’m ultimately interested in starting my own bloodstock business. I see you’ve been an instructor in many of the areas of my interest. My biggest question is: I’d like to learn to exercise ride–when I was younger, I rode a little, but not much. Is it realistic to think that someone approaching 40 (in good shape) could take on such a task?

Hopkins:

Exercise riding is physically and mentally demanding, you need fast reflexes and agility to properly do the job. Your other areas of interest would be more feasibly attained and without the inherent risk of injury that accompanies the life of an exercise rider