Hosting the World Equestrian Games brought so many wonderful people from around the world to our beautiful Lexington. 
Lisa Porter
We've had so much fun around here the last few weeks watching the competitions and getting to know fine equestrians from around the world. 
Lisa Porter
Lisa Porter
Saddle makers & tailors & more set up beautiful boutiques to showcase the best of the best in equestrian accoutrement.
Lisa Porter
So I decided to scoot away from the competitions to do a little shopping and catch up with friends.
Horse & Habit
The smell of saddle soap and leather is pure heaven to me!
Lisa Porter
But as I mentioned, I was also looking for some local folks who I knew had been working tirelessly for months creating a garden setting that was going to be very, very special.
Lisa Porter
Here they are. My dear friend, Carly Rae Carloftis Overbey and her Uncle Jon Carloftis. Carly is the accessory buyer for the J. Peterman Company and her Uncle Jon is a really famous gardener.
Lisa Porter
Jon was selected to design and install the Alltech Experience and Kentucky Experience gardens at the 2010 games. Each garden was just beautiful. He brought in over 450 containers turning the parking lot into an oasis in the Bluegrass!
Alltech
Jon told me that the Kentucky Experience Garden was "his baby." It was rustic and featured weathered bourbon barrels, a watermill and a garden house very similar to his own down in Rockcastle County.
Alltech
He joined forces with Longwood Antique Woods to make these large beautiful planter boxes.
Lisa Porter
Each planter is made from reclaimed wood from old Kentucky barns and fences and was filled with the prettiest espalier trees, plants and flowers all native to Kentucky.
Lisa Porter
Jon grew up in Kentucky, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where he acquired a love of nature. He started his career in New York City, where he became a pioneer in rooftop and small space gardening.
Lisa Porter
In 1993, he moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a place many equestrians are familiar with.
Lisa Porter
He & his family own the Rockcastle River Trading Company, a well-appointed home and garden store on the family’s property in Livingston, Kentucky.
Lisa Porter
His works have been featured in Country Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, and Metropolitan Home, among many others.
Lisa Porter
Congratulations Jon on a job well done! Once again you have made Kentucky proud to call you one of our own. Happy Fall Carly & we'll see you all at the open house in November.
Lisa Porter
And to see more of Jon's incredible work, enjoy his latest book, Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky & his America Reclaimed Garden Collection.
Or visit,
