Going where no one dares is part of William Shatner's DNA

The world recognizes William Shatner as a veteran actor known best for his role as Captain Kirk in the iconic television show "Star Trek", but Thursday at the Kentucky State Fair, it was a very different role for which he was honored.

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 120 years during the Kentucky State Fair.

Thanks to his accomplishments inside the ring and his support of the sport, the 92 year old was inducted into the American Road Horse & Pony Association Hall of Fame during a special ceremony between the competition's events Thursday inside Freedom Hall.

"I have been at this a long time and it's taken a long time to get to the point," Shatner said. "I am very happy."

Although he didn't ride Thursday, Shatner successfully competed in the Roadster to Bike class earlier in the week. If you don't know that that is, hang onto the reigns, this is a wild ride.

Roadster to Bike is like the Nascar of the horse show

Shatner sits on a tiny two-wheel cart attached to a Standardbred horse, which can reach speeds up to 40 mph. That's similar to a thoroughbred in the Kentucky Derby.

"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 told the Courier Journal. "So there is an element of danger, actually, there is a large element of danger."

To be successful at this discipline takes an enormous amount of skill, which Shatner says can only be acquired over years in the competition ring.

"It helps to develop a more observing mind rather than being hysterical and thinking 'I am going to die. I am going to die," he joked. "So it takes a lot of experience, and by that time, you are inducted into the Hall of Fame."

How does Shatner describe the perfect ride?

"It's an incredible moment when you are going at speed, and you are in control, and you win; its tears, it's such an esoteric feeling to win," Shatner said."This has an element of danger the others (classes) don't."

At 92 years old, does Shatner consider himself a daredevil?

Shanter is the oldest person to travel into space on a historic voyage aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard. He's also driven race cars at 200 miles per hour, so the Roadster to Bike competition seems to fall in line with his need for speed and adventure.

"I have been an actor all my life so I am used to stunt people getting hurt so I don't have to," he told the Courier Journal."I have the mental cast that I can't get hurt. If something is going to hurt me, it's going to be the stuntman's job, even though there is no stuntman here. I have lived a graced life."

A life he seems driven to live to the fullest.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Going to where few dare to go is part of William Shatner's DNA