As a Kentucky Horse Park Volunteer you’ll help inspire wonder and create awareness about equestrian life and its history. And have a great time doing it!

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are regularly needed to assist park staff on a daily basis and are vitally important when the park plays host to world-class events like the World Equestrian Games, Rolex- Kentucky Three-Day-Event, special presentations, and major museum exhibitions.

The duties vary from helping in the offices, interacting with the public, to mucking out stalls in the barn. It all depends on what you prefer. There is something for everyone here!

2010 Kentucky Horse Park Volunteer Registration Form (PDF)

Who can Volunteer?

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. No horse experience needed
• Volunteers must sign a waiver prior to volunteering
• Volunteers are subject to a basic back ground check

Dress Code

• All volunteers will be required to wear polo shirt and khakis pants/skirts, or appropriate business attire
• Special volunteer shirts are available at orientation and training sessions

There are two main areas that volunteers may work:

• General Horse Park Volunteers (including working with the Horses)
• International Museum of the Horse 2010 International Exhibition A Gift from The Desert

Click here for more information and an application form!

GENERAL HORSE PARK VOLUNTEERS

Horse enthusiasts required…if you love horses and want to work hands on or just be around them, this is the place for you!

We encourage a commitment of at least one four hour shift either once a week or once every two weeks. And every effort will be made to place you in the area you would like to be in.

All new volunteers must meet with the Volunteer Coordinator prior to actually volunteering in order to go over Kentucky Horse Park volunteer policies and procedures.

Accident insurance (will be required and provided by the Kentucky Horse Park)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Visitor Information Host
In order to provide the best visitor experience we can for guests from across the US and around the world or simply I our backyard, we often need volunteers who can advise and direct guests on how best to enjoy their time at the park. They could be asked to answer the phone and generally help.This is a good area if you enjoy interacting with people.

Tour Guide
With thousands or adult and school group visitors coming to the park every year, we need volunteers who can give interpretive tours of the museum and park grounds, and play host to various VIP and media groups.This is a good area if you would like to increase your knowledge of the equine world and would enjoy sharing this information with others.

Breeds Barn
Volunteers in this area will help with the general stable duties, (washing, grooming and tack in preparation for the show).There is a possibility of riding in the shows (pending approval of the director of Equine Operations) Each day the morning show showcases the disciplines in the World Equestrian Games while the afternoon show brings about the history and diversity of various breeds of horses. In addition, in the summer months, this area will be responsible for the “Mare and Foal Show” and “Pony Tails”. Both are interactive, educational activities for the KHP visitors. Previous experience with mares and foals and teaching experience is requested to work in these two specialized areas. It is a fast paced stable, but fun. It is rather like being in the theater, what ever happens behind the scenes the show must go on!This is a good area to improve your equine skills.

Horse Drawn Tours
This is where our gentle giants reside. Volunteers help with the general stable duties, preparing the horses for work by washing, grooming and harnessing them for visitor tours, shows and the various parades. They may be big and there is a lot to groom but they are worth it, and it is a delight to see them well turned out drawing their carriage load of visitors around the park. You can also help with the narration of the tours.This is a good area to improve or learn about harnessing and driving.

Hall of Champions
Our famous horses live here, ones that have retired from the racetrack or the show ring. Each day they relive a little of their forming glory by being presented in hand to the public. Volunteers are needed to help them look their best, including: daily stable shores, grooming, bathing, tack cleaning, etc. but lots of tender loving care as well!This is a good area to learn more about the care of our more retired four footed friends.

Blacksmith/ Farrier Shop
Volunteers assist the farrier in the day to day running of the shop, whether it is at the forge or around and about the park. Experience horse handlers are needed hold the horse while shoeing or answer the various questions from the visitors.Some experience is preferred for this position.

Education Department
We have many education programs running throughout the year for both adults and children. Volunteers may sign up to assist with the variety of programs.Having previous horse experience and or classroom teaching skills is a real asset in this area.

Museum Assistant
Assistants will work directly with Museum staff and other volunteers on a variety of projects requiring different levels of knowledge and expertise. Assistants will need to be available to work with staff during regular business hours, 9:00 5:00 Monday through Friday. Examples are; Archive-Library -Cleaning -Research Conservation and Exhibitions. This is a good position for interns and college students.

Museum Front Desk Host
Volunteers welcome guests, inform them about the different activities and programs available at the Park in addition to local or regional attractions. Hosts also monitor the Museum security cameras and notify Museum or Park staff in case of emergency. This is a good position if you like interacting with people and helping them enjoy their visit.

Data Entry/ Office Help
With so much going on around the park we need help in keeping Horse Park information up-to-date and provide general office help, in all the different offices. There is always a lot to do here!This is a good position if you have an eye for detail, are tidy minded, and have some computer skills.

Special Events
Volunteers are needed for various park-sponsored events during the year to help with a variety of functions. Ticket taking, registration, package stuffing, t-shirt sorting, golf-cart driving, traffic control to name but a few of the jobs that need to be done in preparation and during an event.No experience needed just a willing spirit and a happy smile.

Gift Shop
What is nearly as good as shopping for ones self? Helping other people shop! We are very proud of our gift shop at the Horse Park as it has some wonderful items that you just have to have. We also have a tack shop and special boutiques at the special events. Volunteers are needed to assist with bagging, merchandising, displaying, decorating and helping in the stock room. So if you have retail experience or just like shops, you will love this!

Southern Lights Host
Advice and direct visitors during our evening Christmas festivities, 3 miles of lights, Craft Fair, Petting Zoo, Father Christmas et al! November and December only.For those of you who love the holiday season.

Campground
Greet and register the campers, check sites, help in the shop and drive the golf cart shuttle from the camp site to the Park.

Mounted Police
Assist in traffic control and check barns for improper parking.

Click here for more information and an application form

GIFT FROM THE DESERT VOLUNTEERS(MUSEUM EXHIBITION)

We invite you to join the Kentucky Horse Park in presenting this exciting exhibition. You may select from a variety of volunteer positions which meet almost every personal interest and scheduling requirement. Volunteers are asked to contribute a minimum of two four hour shifts per month.

The Horse Park will benefit from your gift of time and energy and you will be enriched by your involvement in this stunning exhibition that explores the role of the horse in Near Eastern civilizations, while also illuminating the rich and varied cultures of the region.

Being part of this event promises to be rewarding and fun. Volunteers will receive many benefits and incentives, such as:

• Extensive training
• Invitations to special lectures and to a series of Near Eastern cultural programs featuring music, arts and crafts
• Discounts at the Horse Park Gift Shops
• First opportunity to see the Gift from the Desert exhibition on a Special Volunteer Day
• Accident insurance (will be required and provided by the Kentucky Horse Park)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

All positions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers are asked to contribute the equivalent of at least two shifts per month.

Shift times are 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. & 1:00 5:00 p.m.

Gift from the Desert is open seven days a week beginning May 29th and ending October 15th.

Some evening positions will be available.

Attendance at orientation (training) sessions is mandatory.

1. General Volunteers
   • Group Admissions Volunteers: Welcome guests and provide information and directions
   • Visitor center Volunteers: Provide information and answer questions about the park, the exhibition and central Kentucky.
   • Waiting Area Volunteers: Check tickets, give basic exhibition orientation and control flow of guests into exhibition in coordination with the Ticket Desk
   • Ticket Desk Volunteers: Collect tickets and control and monitor the flow of guests in and our of exhibition.
   • Security Desk Volunteers: collect and store cameras, large bags, and other items that cannot go into the exhibition.
   • Facilitators: Assist traffic control for guest flow in exhibition. Direct guests around exhibition.
2. Gift Shop Volunteers
   • Assist with sales and answer questions regarding merchandise.

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

3. Docent (Gallery Guides)
   • Give interpretive tours of the exhibit to school groups. Busy times will be August, September & October. Position should appeal to those who wish to increase their knowledge of the Eastern culture, history and enjoy sharing this information with others.
   • Support material will be sent to you. (Specialized training for this position is mandatory.)
4. Day Captains
   • Schedule and coordinate volunteers for assigned day of the week and help out where needed. Day Captains are asked to commit to work 8:45a.m. to 2:30p.m.. Position requires stamina and knowledge of all positions.

In all cases a clear explanation, guidance and support will be provided to enable you to carry out your tasks.

Click here for more information and an application form!