A Day at the Kentuck Horse Park (photo heavy)

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WarHorse
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A Day at the Kentuck Horse Park (photo heavy)

Postby WarHorse » Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:02 pm

Stride length comparison in feet:

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A special guest at the Parade of Breeds:

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The aisle of the Big Barn:

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Da Hoss:

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Funny Cide:

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Western Dreamer (pacer):

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Give that horse a Cigar!

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Funny and Cigar celebrated their birthdays today, complete with cake and the audience singing 'Happy Birthday.'

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At John Henry's shrine:

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I had nothing to leave but tears.


The new arena for the WEG:

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New stadium for the Rolex:

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How they balanced the jumper statue:

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The XC course seen from the top of the stadium:

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Turning 180 degrees - the head of the lake, I think:

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After the crowd left I went back to the Hall of Champions to chat with Kathy about old times. I'll never forget when Forego tried to trap me in his stall. Kathy said that was his modus operandi with new people.

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He was a huge old bastard and a good friend.


She let me feed carrots to Da Hoss and Funny Cide. Hoss and Kona Gold are so quiet they are turned out together. Funny is so wound up the audience isn't allow to clap for him.

This one is too weird:

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And this was so awesome:

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L to R: Da Hoss (grazing), Kona Gold (with star), Cigar. It was a great cap to the day.
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
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Prairie
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Postby Prairie » Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:10 pm

Thanks for sharing!! :D
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Postby freshman » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:03 pm

Wow, thanks for the photos. Are Da Hoss and Kona Gold out in the same paddock? I hope the horses are as relaxed and content as they look to be in the photos. It is good to see them out being normal horses.

Oh, and that Rolex sculpture, err, looks fragile...
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Postby WarHorse » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:59 pm

freshman wrote:Wow, thanks for the photos. Are Da Hoss and Kona Gold out in the same paddock? I hope the horses are as relaxed and content as they look to be in the photos. It is good to see them out being normal horses.

Oh, and that Rolex sculpture, err, looks fragile...


Hoss and Kona are in the same paddock. They are buddies now, though Kona needs someone to protect him while he eats. Hoss is a bit of a pig.

That gave me the time to pet on him (Hoss) and feed him carrots. They are in the paddock attached to Funny's stall, so I'm guessing Funny doesn't get much time out. He came to the window to let me give him a carrot and pet his nose.

When I first went to the park for school, I never dreamed I would get to spend time with John and Forego. So today was a very special day when I got to say goodbye to a couple of old friends and say hello to a bunch of new ones. I never dreamed I would get to love on Hoss and Funny. I didn't get to pet on Cigar but I did sing 'Happy Birthday' to him and got a bit of cake.

It was a remarkable day, though my feet were killing me. John's old stall is still empty as Alysheba has yet to be formally laid to rest. I suppose Kona or Hoss will get it.

Kathy remembered me so that added to the thrill of the day. So much has changed, and so much is about to change. It's a great time for the park, and I wish them great success.

My only sadness - other than John and Forego - is the closing of he school. It was a fantastic place to learn.

As for the statue - it looks terribly painful to me. LOL
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
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Postby toadie » Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:59 pm

I'll be there in 3 days! Since 1988 I've only missed 3yrs. going to Rolex. I was devastated to hear of Alysheba's passing though. I was only planning to take my camera for him, but you may have changed my mind :D
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Postby sstacy19 » Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:45 pm

Thanks for sharing! It has been many years since I visitied there...Cigar was out at the time trying to work on fertility again...one last time. John Henry didn't want to be bothered with a horse crazy college girl, although I was persistant at his stall. The park was closed to the public the days we were allowed in, so we didn't have to share with others, it was awesome.
I LOVED the pictured of the jumper.. I was laughing so hard I cried. Thanks again!
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Postby majxmom » Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:00 pm

Wow, I really enjoyed those, thanks. Especially the picture of John Henry's grave.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
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Postby WarHorse » Sun Apr 19, 2009 5:09 am

Toadie, I'll be looking for your pictures and report. The Rolex is always a good opportunity to burn up some pixels!

Stacy, I think John was like that most of the time, just staring out his back door. Crazy college girls or not, he didn't bother with people. Unless you had food...

Majxmom - I didn't know what to expect, but wasn't disappointed. I certainly didn't expect to be choked up.
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
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Postby majxmom » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:34 pm

WarHorse wrote:Majxmom - I didn't know what to expect, but wasn't disappointed. I certainly didn't expect to be choked up.


That was just about my reaction (except that I can always count on being choked up in those situations!). It's a very simple grave, not overly-designed, kind of workmanlike like he was, isn't it? I like it!

I bought one of the tiles around the Secretariat statue. If you have a chance to go over there, I would love to see a picture of the statue and how the tiles look. Thanks!
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
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Postby AscotStud » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:28 am

Anyone who needs guided tours around some farms let me know. |I only have a handful go in the morning right now and now that Keeneland is winding down my afternoons are open. It's too bad Curlins 1/2 sis has left the farm I'm training at (temporarily) although a full to him should be here any day (if not already). I'd be more than happy to give anyone an inside tour.

BTW that is one tough sheath!!!!
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Postby WarHorse » Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:18 am

majxmom wrote:I bought one of the tiles around the Secretariat statue. If you have a chance to go over there, I would love to see a picture of the statue and how the tiles look. Thanks!


This one?

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I didn't notice the tiles. :(
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
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Postby WarHorse » Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:26 am

AscotStud wrote:Anyone who needs guided tours around some farms let me know.


Cool - I'll never regret working at the farms, and may take you up on that someday. I'd like to get some video of where I used to work.


I put together a video clip starting with 'Rein Dance' and progressing through Cigar and Funny Cide's birthdays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTeXcFBREq8
And thou fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. - The Qur'an
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Postby AscotStud » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:27 am

Cool - I'll never regret working at the farms, and may take you up on that someday


I should probably clarify that the farm I'm at is basically closed to the public, but anyone wanting to tour around any of the open farms let me know
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Postby BlazingColours » Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:25 pm

Great picts, thanks for posting!!!
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Postby erins isle » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:33 am

Thank you WarHorse for posting, very interesting stuff.
The dressage horses are a joy to look at, Frisians.
Nice video too.
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