News

High school seniors or individuals enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, trade school, or university are encouraged to apply for the 2022 Keith Bartz Impact Scholarship Award. This $1,500 scholarship is given annually to the individual who demonstrates a commitment to the American Saddlebred and to excellence in their community. Full submission guidelines can be found at asbmuseum.org/scholarship. Please submit any questions to [email protected]. Application deadline: Wednesday, December 1.

American Saddlebred Museum is pleased to announce it has been selected to receive a FY2021 Inspire! Grants for Small Museums award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Museum Executive Director Jennifer Foster says, “We are thrilled to be awarded this grant. Federal grants are very competitive and we are pleased to be one of 60 institutions from across the nation to be selected. This project will increase user access to our collection and create greater knowledge of the history of the breed.”

This grant project will provide funding to hire a librarian to catalog and organize the Museum’s collection of over 2,600 books, magazines, and videos related to the American Saddlebred. Project activities include a library inventory, and cataloging the collection using an online database that is available to the public. This project will help preserve the collection and make it available to the public, equine scholars, and individuals researching equine or family histories. This aligns with the Museum’s strategic plan to increase ease of access and create greater awareness of the American Saddlebred.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. They advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. The IMLS vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit imls.gov and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The American Saddlebred Museum is pleased to announce the 2021 Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show Fundraiser! The 2021 event is the Saddlebred Country Summer Soirée and guests can expect an event that is better than ever.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 25 at 10:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C. This country summer themed party will be filled with live music, dancing, and a selection of games to benefit the Museum such as Saddlebred Bull Riding, Down Home Bourbon and Wine Pull, Heads or Tails, and the Summer Soirée Raffle. Plus there will be an amazing Live Auction.

Table sponsorships are available at a variety of levels and include reserved seating and other benefits. Individual tickets are also available. Tickets and tables are available online or by calling the Museum at (859) 259-2746.

Follow the museum at facebook.com/asbmuseum for event updates and a full listing of live auction items.

The Equine Art, Antique and Rare Book Auction takes place on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 11:00 am at the American Saddlebred Museum, located at 4083 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Kentucky on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park. A preview will be on display at the American Saddlebred Museum Wednesday, July 14 – Friday, July 16, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 17, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. This year, the museum is pleased to offer online bidding via HiBid. Check the Museum’s website for more information.

Executive Director Jennifer Foster says of the event, “We are pleased to be holding the Art Auction this July. The great variety of items available from paintings to vintage advertising is outstanding. This sale has something for every horse lover.” The focus of the auction is particularly Saddlebred items, but coaching, Thoroughbred, Hackney and Morgan artwork are included. The auction draws and specializes in works by George Ford Morris, and includes examples of his work in pastel, oil, charcoal as well as lithographs.

In addition to Morris, other artists represented include Carlos Arriola, Peter Barrett, Edwin Bogucki, Gladys Brown Edwards, Helen Hayse, Dawn Klein, Max F. Klepper, Hooshang Khorasani, Edward Penfield and many others.

The 2021 auction catalog is available online at asbmuseum.org/auctions-year/2021. Email [email protected] with questions.