Alltech Arena

The Alltech arena was designed by GBBN Architects (offices in Lexington and Louisville), and built by DW Wilburn, a Lexington company. It was designed specifically for the park, after consultations with the leaders of numerous equestrian disciplines, so that it would be the most versatile and user-friendly facility possible. While designed for equestrian competition, the arena will also be used frequently for other types.

Special features include 5,700 stadium seats and nine suites with 200 suite suite seats, a 135 x 300-foot event floor (equal to one football field or four basketball courts) with special equine surface, 20,000 square feet of exhibitor space, six concession areas, a warm-up barn, outdoor warm-up ring, high-tech sound system, 568 parking spaces, and bathrooms with 91 stalls.

Additionally, the fundraising arm of the park, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, is in the process of constructing a three-barn complex with 312 stalls adjacent to the arena, to provide stabling for the thousands of horses who will compete in the arena. These state-of-the-art barns, funded entirely by the private sector, will allow the Kentucky Horse Park to serve as a competition facility 365 days per year, making the park even more attractive to potential horse shows currently held in other states.

Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear stated, “This arena is not just a contribution to the horse industry; it will have a positive effect across the commonwealth. Every citizen in each corner of Kentucky can take pride in this arena because we will all reap the rewards in terms of additional business and increased awareness around the world.”