Meet the Equine Travel Planner Curating Getaways to the 'Horse Capital of the World'

"The horse in question is 17-year-old Oliver, a black-and-white cross between the American Paint and Shire breeds. When he isn't walking the beat as a member of the Kentucky Horse Park's Mounted Police Unit, Oliver curates custom trips to the Athens of the West. Whether you're heading to Lexington on a girls trip, looking for a romantic weekend that won't break the bank, or hitting the bourbon trail, Oliver can help set your schedule."

"The "equine intelligence system" works by presenting Oliver with a collection of snacks, with each type of treat assigned to an aspect of the trip and every piece assigned a specific recommendation. He selects a horse treat for accommodations, a carrot for experiences, an apple for restaurants, and a peppermint for drinks. You can watch Oliver go to work in a behind-the-scenes video shared on VisitLex's website and social media accounts:"

"Don't worry-Oliver doesn't spend all his time tied to his desk. "He enjoys peppermints, neck scratches, and marching in parades," according to his bio. You can ask him all your Lexington-related questions in person at the Kentucky Horse Park, a 1,200-acre equestrian center that includes museums, competition venues, and even a theme park. Since 1978, the world-renowned institution has celebrated the role horses play in Kentucky culture and mankind's relationship to the magnificent animals."

Lexington markets a horse-curated travel planner using Oliver, a 17-year-old American Paint-Shire cross and member of the Kentucky Horse Park's Mounted Police Unit. Visitors pick itineraries by watching Oliver select treats mapped to recommendations: a horse treat for accommodations, a carrot for experiences, an apple for restaurants, and a peppermint for drinks. A behind-the-scenes video demonstrates the process and VisitLex offers a live Ask Oliver planning tool that generates stallion-selected itineraries from user inputs. The Kentucky Horse Park is a 1,200-acre equestrian center with museums, competition venues, and attractions that celebrate horses' role in Kentucky culture since 1978.

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