Kentucky Horse Park Doing Better Financially

FRANKFORT, Ky.  -- The Kentucky Horse Park is doing better financially and may not need support from state government in eight more years.

The park's executive director, John Nicholson, told lawmakers Thursday that current income is exceeding expectations. In a presentation to the Interim Committee on Appropriations and Revenue, Nicholson said the park is on track to operate without state support by 2020.

A faltering economy in 2008 hit the horse park hard, resulting in fewer visitors and fewer events. That forced the park to seek additional financial help from state government earlier this year.