I'm a huge dork so getting up early the day after closing day at Keeneland to see two Royal Ascot winners put in their final work before the Breeders' Cup was a huge thrill.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 75
Day 75 -
I'm a huge dork so getting up early the day after closing day at Keeneland to see two Royal Ascot winners put in their final work before the Breeders' Cup was a huge thrill.
I'm a huge dork so getting up early the day after closing day at Keeneland to see two Royal Ascot winners put in their final work before the Breeders' Cup was a huge thrill.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 73
Day 73 -
I know I shared a fall colors photo yesterday but this one was too good not to share. It made staying at work a little late worth it.
I know I shared a fall colors photo yesterday but this one was too good not to share. It made staying at work a little late worth it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 72
Day 72 -
It's fall time! At least according to half of the trees on the road.
It's fall time! At least according to half of the trees on the road.
Monday, October 20, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 71
Day 71 -
This is technically a photo from a few weeks ago but seeing it as my cell phone every morning is great at putting a smile on my face.
This is technically a photo from a few weeks ago but seeing it as my cell phone every morning is great at putting a smile on my face.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 70
Day 70 -
It's one of the prettiest days at the track that we've had this meet.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 69
Day 69 -
It was a really crappy day but thankfully my favorite pony Corky (The Cork Man) was at the track so I got to spend some time loving on him. Honestly, track ponies are the best.
It was a really crappy day but thankfully my favorite pony Corky (The Cork Man) was at the track so I got to spend some time loving on him. Honestly, track ponies are the best.
Friday, October 17, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 68
Day 68 -
I was probably a little too excited to see this guy on my windshield because I automatically thought of Jiminy Cricket. Sadly, he wasn't in the talking mood so I didn't get much advice.
I was probably a little too excited to see this guy on my windshield because I automatically thought of Jiminy Cricket. Sadly, he wasn't in the talking mood so I didn't get much advice.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 67
Day 67 -
This isn't a photo in the true sense of the word but it is my thought process on a daily basis so it made me laugh.
This isn't a photo in the true sense of the word but it is my thought process on a daily basis so it made me laugh.
Monday, October 13, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 66
Day 66 -
One of my friends brought a very awesome poster back from the Arc for me. I already have a nice place in mind for it!
One of my friends brought a very awesome poster back from the Arc for me. I already have a nice place in mind for it!
Sunday, October 12, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 65
Day 65 -
I walked around the backside today and saw this guy enjoying some grass after working all morning on the track. Track ponies are awesome!
I walked around the backside today and saw this guy enjoying some grass after working all morning on the track. Track ponies are awesome!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 64
Day 64-
I was invited to join a few friends in the clubhouse for a day at the races and ended up in the winner's circle after their horse won. I've never been on that side of the sport before so it was awesome to experience!
I was invited to join a few friends in the clubhouse for a day at the races and ended up in the winner's circle after their horse won. I've never been on that side of the sport before so it was awesome to experience!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Cigar's Last Gift
This week may have been the saddest I've ever experienced on a wide spread scale in racing.
The unconquerable, invincible, and unbeatable Cigar's reign came to an end on a fittingly stormy night when the stallion suffered complications from a surgery and passed away. While I never had a chance to see Cigar race, I did have multiple chances to get to know "Cigar, the horse" at the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the years so it was a painful loss in a year that seems to have one disappointment after another.
But after spending a day mourning the horse with the rest of the industry, I saw a few positive sides that Cigar would have loved.
Cigar was one of the biggest hams that any human would have the chance of meeting. If he was human, he would have been the overdramatic actor who loved being in the tabloids because it meant he got extra attention and man, he got that attention on Wednesday. But even more impressive than the shows of affection that came flowing in was how Cigar brought everyone together.
All throughout the day, there were emails, tweets, Facebook statuses, and even conversations about what Cigar meant to people with no one having anything bad to say about the horse. If you know horse racing, you know that finding something that no one argues about is a very rare thing, but it was a super nice way to remember the horse that affected nearly everyone in U.S. racing.
Cigar's final "gift" to me was to remind me how lucky I am to be in this sport.
The day after it was announced that he had died, I headed to Old Friends to get photos and quotes for a story. While I'm always amazed that I'm doing what I'm doing when I'm petting on a big horse, visiting the horses at Old Friends and getting to know Cigar at the Kentucky Horse Park through the years was a reminder how lucky racing fans are to have this much access to the horses.
I realize that in some situations I am "privileged" due to access I get because I'm not just a member of the public anymore but nearly anyone can go "behind the scenes" and visit a variety of retired Thoroughbreds. Want to see top stallions who are still active in the shed? Call a farm and schedule a tour. Want to see retired horses? Visit Old Friends, the Horse Park, ect. I can't think of any other sport who lets fans have that much access to their retirees.
Heck, even when the horses are "at home" in their stalls, humans can visit with them. How many human athletes, retired or otherwise, can you say that about?
As I played with 2002 Belmont Stakes winner Sarava while the awesome Gulch watched on, I had to laugh. Any other week, I would have been in awe that I got to be this close to a winner of such a big race. But thanks to Cigar, I wasn't only reminded of how lucky I am to be able to do what I'm doing, but also reminded of how lucky all race fans are to be able to get up close and personal with many big horses out there.
Knowing how Cigar acted when he wanted attention, it's fitting that he was the one who reminded me just how lucky all fans are to be able to have the access we have to these amazing athletes, both before and after they are retired.
The unconquerable, invincible, and unbeatable Cigar's reign came to an end on a fittingly stormy night when the stallion suffered complications from a surgery and passed away. While I never had a chance to see Cigar race, I did have multiple chances to get to know "Cigar, the horse" at the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the years so it was a painful loss in a year that seems to have one disappointment after another.
But after spending a day mourning the horse with the rest of the industry, I saw a few positive sides that Cigar would have loved.
Cigar was one of the biggest hams that any human would have the chance of meeting. If he was human, he would have been the overdramatic actor who loved being in the tabloids because it meant he got extra attention and man, he got that attention on Wednesday. But even more impressive than the shows of affection that came flowing in was how Cigar brought everyone together.
All throughout the day, there were emails, tweets, Facebook statuses, and even conversations about what Cigar meant to people with no one having anything bad to say about the horse. If you know horse racing, you know that finding something that no one argues about is a very rare thing, but it was a super nice way to remember the horse that affected nearly everyone in U.S. racing.
Cigar's final "gift" to me was to remind me how lucky I am to be in this sport.
The day after it was announced that he had died, I headed to Old Friends to get photos and quotes for a story. While I'm always amazed that I'm doing what I'm doing when I'm petting on a big horse, visiting the horses at Old Friends and getting to know Cigar at the Kentucky Horse Park through the years was a reminder how lucky racing fans are to have this much access to the horses.
I realize that in some situations I am "privileged" due to access I get because I'm not just a member of the public anymore but nearly anyone can go "behind the scenes" and visit a variety of retired Thoroughbreds. Want to see top stallions who are still active in the shed? Call a farm and schedule a tour. Want to see retired horses? Visit Old Friends, the Horse Park, ect. I can't think of any other sport who lets fans have that much access to their retirees.
Heck, even when the horses are "at home" in their stalls, humans can visit with them. How many human athletes, retired or otherwise, can you say that about?
As I played with 2002 Belmont Stakes winner Sarava while the awesome Gulch watched on, I had to laugh. Any other week, I would have been in awe that I got to be this close to a winner of such a big race. But thanks to Cigar, I wasn't only reminded of how lucky I am to be able to do what I'm doing, but also reminded of how lucky all race fans are to be able to get up close and personal with many big horses out there.
Knowing how Cigar acted when he wanted attention, it's fitting that he was the one who reminded me just how lucky all fans are to be able to have the access we have to these amazing athletes, both before and after they are retired.
100 Happy Days - Day 63
Day 63 (Oct. 10) -
The great thing about technology is that I can hook my computer up to my TV and have racing on the big screen while I'm cleaning the house.
The great thing about technology is that I can hook my computer up to my TV and have racing on the big screen while I'm cleaning the house.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 62
Day 62 (Oct. 9) -
Visited Old Friends today and got to see the old man responsible for the line that started it all ... Gulch.
Visited Old Friends today and got to see the old man responsible for the line that started it all ... Gulch.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 60
Day 60 (Oct. 5) -
The big girl lost her race but at least the sunset was pretty.
The big girl lost her race but at least the sunset was pretty.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 59
Day 59 (Oct 4) -
Would I love a European Group 1 winner, based at Keeneland winning a race on Super Saturday ... No Nay Never. Just kidding, yes, I loved him winning on a day I was there.
Would I love a European Group 1 winner, based at Keeneland winning a race on Super Saturday ... No Nay Never. Just kidding, yes, I loved him winning on a day I was there.
Friday, October 3, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 58
Day 58 (Oct 3) -
There are very few racehorses that make me a fan right from the beginning but Close Hatches is one of those fillies. I have been following her since her debuted wowed me in January of 2013 and was lucky enough during Keeneland's Fall Stars weekend to spend time with the big girl as she prepared for the Spinster.
There are very few racehorses that make me a fan right from the beginning but Close Hatches is one of those fillies. I have been following her since her debuted wowed me in January of 2013 and was lucky enough during Keeneland's Fall Stars weekend to spend time with the big girl as she prepared for the Spinster.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 56
Day 56 (Sept 30) -
I always love watching turf works but it is even better when you have a few Royal Ascot runners out there. The bay is Hootenanny, who won at Royal Ascot, and the dark gray is Sunset Glow, who was second at Royal Ascot and who is at this time probably the top 2yo filly in America.
I always love watching turf works but it is even better when you have a few Royal Ascot runners out there. The bay is Hootenanny, who won at Royal Ascot, and the dark gray is Sunset Glow, who was second at Royal Ascot and who is at this time probably the top 2yo filly in America.
Friday, September 26, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 55
Day 55 (Sept 26) -
My Dick Francis collection is growing. One day I'll own all of them!
My Dick Francis collection is growing. One day I'll own all of them!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 53
Day 53 (September 24)
After taking care of two hurt horses over the past week, it was nice to have a night to relax and not worry about anything.
After taking care of two hurt horses over the past week, it was nice to have a night to relax and not worry about anything.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 52
Day 52 (September 23)
Sometimes it is nice to take a drive down one of my favorite roads just to clear my head.
Sometimes it is nice to take a drive down one of my favorite roads just to clear my head.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 50
Day 50 (September 20) -
It is hard to believe I am already 50 days through this. Today I spent my final day at the September Sale doing a paid gig for someone. It is always sad to realize that the sale has come and (nearly) gone.
It is hard to believe I am already 50 days through this. Today I spent my final day at the September Sale doing a paid gig for someone. It is always sad to realize that the sale has come and (nearly) gone.
Friday, September 19, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 49
Day 49 (September 19)-
After being sick all week (hence the lack of photos), I went to the farm today. Since we only have a few horses for the October sale, it was a "clean everything" day so I disinfected most of the buckets in the barn (except for the group of stalls that still had horses in them), cleaned grain tubs, ect. It was a little sad to realize that yearling sale season is coming to an end but was nice to feel like I was doing something important, even when we didn't have many yearlings to work with.
When I left at the end of the day, I snapped this photo of one of the farm's foals. He (or she) is a colorful little guy.
After being sick all week (hence the lack of photos), I went to the farm today. Since we only have a few horses for the October sale, it was a "clean everything" day so I disinfected most of the buckets in the barn (except for the group of stalls that still had horses in them), cleaned grain tubs, ect. It was a little sad to realize that yearling sale season is coming to an end but was nice to feel like I was doing something important, even when we didn't have many yearlings to work with.
When I left at the end of the day, I snapped this photo of one of the farm's foals. He (or she) is a colorful little guy.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 48
Day 48 (Sept 13):
Sometimes a horse teaches you more than you'd ever learn and '13 Tsuu Tina was that guy for me. He was usually the first horse I brought in on Friday mornings, the one I prepped for the walker, took swimming, groomed, ect. I wasn't feeling very well by the time it was his turn but was determined to watch my "little man" go through the ring. He did awesome there and I can't wait to see what he does on the track!
Sometimes a horse teaches you more than you'd ever learn and '13 Tsuu Tina was that guy for me. He was usually the first horse I brought in on Friday mornings, the one I prepped for the walker, took swimming, groomed, ect. I wasn't feeling very well by the time it was his turn but was determined to watch my "little man" go through the ring. He did awesome there and I can't wait to see what he does on the track!
Friday, September 12, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 47
September 12
The barn is nearly empty at the farm since most of our yearlings went to the September sale but the fillies who are left seemed happy to see me coming to fetch them for a day in the barn.
The barn is nearly empty at the farm since most of our yearlings went to the September sale but the fillies who are left seemed happy to see me coming to fetch them for a day in the barn.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 46
September 10 (Day 46)
Keeneland September may be going on right now but I'm already thinking of the October Yearling Sale in England.
Keeneland September may be going on right now but I'm already thinking of the October Yearling Sale in England.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 44
September 7 (Day 44):
Day 2 of hanging out at Keeneland September. This little guy is Life At Ten's first foal.
Day 2 of hanging out at Keeneland September. This little guy is Life At Ten's first foal.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 42
September 3 (Day 42)
I always hope for two things when a horse who is turned loose sees me, 1) a nicker 2) for them to trot/canter up to me. It makes me feel like they actually want to come see me.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 40
September 1 (Day 40)
Having my snacks for the week prepped is always a happy moment, especially when they are so colorful!
Sunday, August 31, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 39
Day 39:
My "Texas Armadillo" I was given by my best friend made a reappearance when I found him hiding between the bed and the wall today. I couldn't turn up the chance to take a picture of him staring at the raining and let her know he wanted to be back in Texas where it is warmer.
My "Texas Armadillo" I was given by my best friend made a reappearance when I found him hiding between the bed and the wall today. I couldn't turn up the chance to take a picture of him staring at the raining and let her know he wanted to be back in Texas where it is warmer.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 38
Day 38
This is an old photo so I'm kind of cheating but the thing that made me happy yesterday was Optimizer running a close second to 2x Horse of the Year Wise Dan. I have followed Optimizer for years (since his Derby trail days) so to see him put in what was probably his best career run was definitely a highlight of the day!
This is an old photo so I'm kind of cheating but the thing that made me happy yesterday was Optimizer running a close second to 2x Horse of the Year Wise Dan. I have followed Optimizer for years (since his Derby trail days) so to see him put in what was probably his best career run was definitely a highlight of the day!
Friday, August 29, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 37
Day 37:
After a few weeks away from yearling prep, I returned and realized how much I missed it! By the end of the day I was exhausted since I was stupid during my time away and didn't work out but it was worth it. I caught a glimpse of the next generation of farm superstars on my way out and couldn't resist snapping a photo for today's post.
After a few weeks away from yearling prep, I returned and realized how much I missed it! By the end of the day I was exhausted since I was stupid during my time away and didn't work out but it was worth it. I caught a glimpse of the next generation of farm superstars on my way out and couldn't resist snapping a photo for today's post.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 36
Day 36:
After two weeks of not seeing them, I finally got a chance to catch up with the girls!
After two weeks of not seeing them, I finally got a chance to catch up with the girls!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 35
Day 35:
She enjoyed her packet of new toys a bit too much but it's nice to be home and spend some time with her.
She enjoyed her packet of new toys a bit too much but it's nice to be home and spend some time with her.
Monday, August 25, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 34
Day 34:
Just a few minutes before I left for the airport, I got to meet our newest calf ... born Sunday night. I love spending time with new babies.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 32
Day 32:
Escaped cows are annoying but it was nice to feel useful on the farm again!
Escaped cows are annoying but it was nice to feel useful on the farm again!
Friday, August 22, 2014
100 Happy Days - Day 31
Day 31:
A trip to the zoo yielded some awesome photos but this is definitely my favorite!
A trip to the zoo yielded some awesome photos but this is definitely my favorite!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
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