Keep your eyes open around town for William Shatner this August. The 93-year-old actor and equestrian makes competing in Louisville's World's Championship Horse Show a priority and for good reason.

Last summer we spoke with Shatner before he was inducted into the American Road Horse & Pony Association Hall of Fame at Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

"In our sport, we are inside Freedom Hall, which means we're going 40 miles per hour around a basketball court with sometimes as many as 10 horses in front or behind you, all seemingly ready to cave your skull in with their hooves," Shatner previously told the Courier Journal. "So there is an element of danger, actually, there is a large element of danger."

Shanter routinely competes in Kentucky's top equestrian events. He has won his class multiple times at the most prestigious show, The World's Championship Horse Show, which has been held for 121 years in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

Other famous names you may recognize who compete or attend the World's Championship Horse Show include Carson Kressley ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,") and Patrick Duffy from the television series "Dallas" has been seen in the stands at Freedom Hall watching as his son competed at the show. Louisville-based film director Castille Landon is also a competitor. Landon recently directed "Summer Camp" starring Hollywood heavy hitters Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, and Eugene Levy.

Celebrities aside, the World's Championship Horse Show is a big deal for Louisville.

"It's a very big deal, and I don't know that people realize the magnitude of what is taking place inside Freedom Hall during the Kentucky State Fair," said Scarlett Mattson, WCHS manager. "Competitors travel to Louisville from as far as Europe and South Africa and all across the United States to show against the very best in the world."

Only 30 years younger than the Kentucky Derby, which celebrates its 151st running in 2025, The World's Championship Horse Show has been held for 121 years and is considered the most prestigious Saddlebred show in the world. It's also the world’s richest horse show and includes more than 2,000 horses competing for more than $1.5 million in awards.

Similar to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky's other famous equestrian event, the World's Championship Horse Show has unique traditions and fashion, celebrity attendees and participants, sterling silver trophies, pageantry, and the finest horses in the world.

Just steps from the Kentucky State Fair's rollercoasters, funnel cake booths, and rabbit exhibits, the World's Championship Horse Show is held Aug. 17-24 inside the air-conditioned Freedom Hall (a big plus during hot weather) and morning sessions are free with the price of admission to the State Fair.

Here's what to know about the 2024 World's Championship Horse Show:

When and where is the 2024 World's Championship Horse Show?

The World's Championship Horse Show runs from Saturday, Aug. 17 to Saturday, Aug. 24 inside Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, in Louisville, Kentucky.

What is the difference between a thoroughbred and a saddlebred?

Kentucky is the American Saddlebred Capital of the World, so it makes sense that the most prestigious competition for the breed takes place during the Kentucky State Fair.

"Saddlebreds are different from thoroughbreds and other horses mainly because they are very animated, showy and flashy," Mattson said previously. "These horses are worth half a million dollars, some of them more. They can be difficult to ride, but they can also be gentle in the fact that they will take care of you."

Are there different divisions of competition at the World's Championship Horse Show?

Each year world champion Saddlebreds are crowned in different divisions including Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, Saddlebred Pleasure, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney/Harness Ponies, Roadster, In-Hand, and American Saddlebred. Mattson said the term gaited refers to how a horse moves or travels.

New in 2024, the Kentucky State Fair Board will add two new classes and make changes to 16 other classes with winners receiving World's Champion titles.

In some divisions, the rider sits in a saddle on the horse's back. In other divisions, the rider drives a cart. Each division includes several classes for amateurs, ladies, amateur ladies, and junior exhibitors, as well as younger horses and ponies.

Why is the surface of the competition ring green?

Part of the prestige of the World's Championship Horse Show is getting to say you competed on the green shavings.

"Everyone wants to compete on the green shavings in Freedom Hall," Mattson said. "Dying the shavings green got started in the 1980s when Feeder's Supply was asked to do something special for the World's Championship Horse Show, and they figured out a way to color the shavings green."

Just like the Kentucky Derby, winners receive blankets made of flowers

The Kentucky Derby is nicknamed "The Run For The Roses" because the winning thoroughbred receives a blanket of red roses. Winners of the World's Championship Horse Show are also awarded blankets made of flowers.

"Every Grand Champion winner of each division receives a flower blanket," Mattson said. "For the Gaited World's Grand Champion, it's a blanket of red roses; other divisions receive yellow or white roses."

Silver trophies are also awarded along with substantial prize money going to the Grand Champions in individual classes.

How to get tickets to the World's Championship Horse Show

All morning sessions are free with the price of admission to the Kentucky State Fair. In the evening, a ticket is required for admission. Tickets start at $8 and do not include the cost of Kentucky State Fair admission.

To purchase tickets, view competition schedules, and learn more about the show, visit wchorseshow.com.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to know about World's Championships Horse Show at Kentucky fair