Questions & Answers for the Arabian Horse Galleries

We have only recently had agreements with KHP approved and signed. Here is the background.

Over the years, more than a decade ago, the lack of exposure in the Westminster location was known to be a problem. Several sights were investigated by the Arabian Horse Trust and Arabian Horse Owners Foundation. The KHP was among the sights considered; however funding was not realistically available for construction and operation of a stand-alone building at any of the locations considered.

In late 2004 the Board of the Saddlebred Museum at the KHP determined that they would sell their building and construct a larger Saddlebred Museum in the KHP. When the Saddlebred Museum became available, purchase of the building was investigated. It was determined that adequate Funding for both Construction (remodeling) and Operation (ongoing) was not available within the Arabian Community and we did not want to repeat the Westminster mistakes of building and not being able to pay off the debt and meet operating expenses. The purchase of the Saddlebred Museum was not further pursued.

As a result of the unique history of the Arabian horse and the contribution of the breed to the evolution of horses around the world, the KHP's International Museum of the Horse determined that with adequate private funding they would provide for the telling of this story within the International Museum of the Horse. An agreement was reached between PAT and the KHP to provide the private funding required to tell this story. Content of the exhibits is controlled by the International Museum of the Horse with the only restriction being that the space constructed must be used for subject matter related to the Arabian Horse. The agreement with the KHP required a $500,000 contribution to the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation to support enhancements made to the Arabian Horse Galleries going forward. There is no further funding required for future operating expenses.

The Arabian Horse Galleries will be a two-level building attachment that visitors continue walking through as they exit the all-breed portion of the International Museum of the Horse. The will enter on the second level, then take an elevator to the first level before exiting the building.

One level will house "Art and Artifacts". The other will house "Interactive Exhibits" produced by a museum design firm. The final firm choice will be decided hopefully in January 2008. Current choices are truly world-class, and include J.K. Rouse & Associates of Cincinatti, OH, who produced the Ferrari Hall of Fame, the "A T-Rex Named Sue" exhibit, and the Singapore Science Center. They are known for producing visually stimulating experiential exhibits, and we believe this could be very impactful for the Arabian horse as a museum topic.

All Arabian organizations are supremely confident that Arabian horse art and artifacts will be beautifully displayed in the safest museum environments possible. The International Museum of the Horse is the most comprehensive horse museum in the world, and regularly works with the Smithsonian Institute, the British Museum, the Lourve and several other world-renown museums. In fact, they are an official Smithsonian Affililate Museum.

They've hosted other international blockbuster exhibits including the award-winning "Imperial China: Art of the Horse in Chinese History" and "All the Queen's Horses: A study of the Horse in British Royal History."

Responsibility for the construction of the building acceptable to the KHP is with the PAT.

Responsibility for the concept development for interior exhibits is a joint effort between the KHP Museum curators and the Arabian Galleries project principals. Final authority for content rests with KHP's International Museum of the Horse.

A sale contract is pending, but as with all real estate transactions this is subject to delays and cancellation, it is only when the money is in the bank that this is a "done" transaction.

The Westminster building has 10 acres of land and the net sale amount will be far less than the funding PAT is committing to the new KHP building and land.

Both MDPC and PAT agree that it is simply a matter of a unique window of opportunity that very likely would never be available to the Arabian horse again. The goal is to develop exposure for the Arabian horse and the KHP presents the best opportunity for this.

Additionally, the PAT feels a fiduciary responsibility to respect the intent of the donors that funded a large portion of the Westminster building to provide a vehicle for promoting our horse and preserving its heritage through the Arabian Horse Trust/ Arabian Horse Owners Foundation museum collections (amidst others). This opportunity at the Kentucky Horse Park is the best single answer for achieving these goals.

PAT funds are divided into two defined and restricted accounts. One account is for operating expenses and market development. The other account is restricted to use for preservation of the integrity of the Purebred Registration process, data, and the heritage of the Arabian horse.

Cash available at this point is approximately equal to the $3 million commitment to funding of the building at the KHP (this does not include the museum interior design, which will be the primary benefactor for fundraising). PAT will be essentially tapped out until the funds are actually received from the sale of the building to replace the reserves being committed.

This depends on the interior content decisions and will likely range from $3 million to $4 million. Amount will be dependant on final budget for museum development with the contracted museum design firm, Hilferty & Associates, which was hired in late April 2008.

Likely in second quarter of 2008.

To be determined based on advice of fundraising firm and Fundraising Committee (fundraising efforts funded by AHOF)

The entire museum is about the "horse" in general, and this space will recognize the unique contributions of the Arabian Horse. It is one of the most significant learning opportunities about our breed because it tells its story from the beginning and shares it with a broad audience of millions of horse enthusiasts each year.

The Mission statements of many Arabian organizations have chosen the phrase "Share the Passion" to express the goal of their outreach to the public concerning the Arabian horse.

This is the first time that the World Equestrian Games will be hosted outside Europe, bringing both world class competitors, horses and thousands of people from around to world to the Kentucky Horse Park. This will generate the greatest public exposure for the sport of Equestrian ever to occur on a single stage for North America.

For the purpose of insurance and other related reasons, ownership of the Arabian Hose Trust Collection will be transferred to the Kentucky Horse Park in accordance with an agreement that will provide right of first refusal to the Arabian Horse Trust/ PAT should the KHP no longer desire the item.

We will need all of the support we can get to make this something that the Arabian Community can be proud of on the world stage. Already this project has the financial support from the Arabian Horse Trust (AHT), the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation (AHOF) and the Purebred Arabian Horse Trust (PAT). Eight others have expressed vibrant support as well. Opportunities for participation will be part of the funding plan to be developed. This will include both Gallery naming and exhibits sponsorship along with other opportunities for participation and recognition.

Visit the online "Giving Center" and choose "Online Artifact Review Center." This will walk you through the process of submitting information on an artifact for museum consideration.

Visit this website, www.PurebredArabianTrust.com, for the most current updates, photos, news information, donation information, and "The Galleries" e-Newsletter.