Georgia International Horse Park facts for kids
The Georgia International Horse Park (also known as The Horse Park) is a big park located in Conyers, Georgia, United States. It's about 30 miles (50 km) east of Atlanta.
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History of the Horse Park
In the late 1980s, the area around Conyers was growing fast. The local government needed to find new ways to handle wastewater. They found a large piece of land, about 1,139 acres (4.61 km2), that could be used for this.
However, plans changed when Atlanta was chosen to host the 1996 Summer Olympics on September 18, 1990. Instead of just a city park, the land was developed into the Georgia International Horse Park. An expert team worked with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) to design the park.
The site was officially approved by ACOG on October 21, 1991, and the Horse Park became a reality.
Did you know? Some outdoor scenes for the popular Netflix show Stranger Things were filmed right here at the park!
The 1996 Centennial Olympic Games
During the 1996 Summer Olympics, which happened from July 19 to August 4, over 600,000 people visited the park. They came to watch exciting events like horse riding, mountain biking, and parts of the modern pentathlon (which includes riding and running).
Some athletes who competed here later became very famous. Kateřina Neumannová raced in mountain biking at the 1996 Olympics. Ten years later, she won a gold medal in cross-country skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Michael R. Matz won a silver medal in team show jumping (horse riding) at the 1996 Olympics. After that, he became a successful horse trainer, winning major races like the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing events.
What Happened After the Olympics
After the 1996 Summer Olympics, the area around the Georgia International Horse Park grew a lot. New homes were built, and a large church moved nearby. The Horse Park itself became a place for many different events.
Today, it's a busy multi-use facility. It hosts all sorts of public events like:
- Horse shows
- Festivals and fairs
- Dog shows
- Trade shows
- Concerts
- Obstacle course races
- Mountain bike events
The park also has spaces for private events like weddings, parties, and receptions.
Concerts at the Park
The Horse Park has hosted many concerts over the years, usually using its main arena.
Famous Concerts
One of the first big concerts was by the Allman Brothers Band on July 4, 1997. They played many songs, and their show ended with a big fireworks display.
Atlanta's alternative rock radio station, 99X, also held two "Big Day Out" music festivals here. These events featured many popular bands like Foo Fighters, The Offspring, and Goo Goo Dolls.
The park has also hosted "Celebrate Freedom" concerts, which are large Christian music events. These concerts often include famous speakers and family-friendly activities.
Sporting Events
Besides horse events, the Georgia International Horse Park is a great place for outdoor sports. It has a system of trails perfect for:
- Mountain bike races
- Trail running races
- Obstacle course races
The park has hosted well-known races like Spartan Race and Rugged Maniac.
Georgia Perimeter College Plans
Georgia Perimeter College once planned to build a campus near the park. However, the plans didn't work out, and the college built its facility in a different county instead.
Images for kids
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The main stage at the Celebrate Freedom 2007 concert.
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A view of the park from the main stage during the event.
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The VeggieTales characters Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Larry the Cucumber in costume for their movie The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie.
Official Georgia International Horse Park (GIHP) Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgia-International-Horse-Park/108963519418
