Kentucky 2010: The Great Cigar!

Here's the king, Cigar! He is alive and well and voguing at the Kentucky Horse Park! He won multiple Eclipse Horse of the Year Awards and was number 1 in lifetime earnings until Curlin surpassed him (with the larger modern day purses) in 2008. And now his amazing record of 16 straight victories is tied by the lovely lady, Zenyatta. I almost cried when I see this big boy! Among the relatives Violet shares with him are Turn-To, Princequillo, Count Fleet and War Admiral. Hailee even shares in a little of Cigar through her almost blind Kentucky-Derby-winning relative, Bubbling Over! Rock on herd!

Kentucky 2010: Crossing to Go Home!

More photos and video from the amazing cross-country component of Rolex 2010!

Kentucky 2010: Severson and Tipperary Roll!

And here they break from the box!

Kentucky 2010: Kim Severson Getting Ready

Here's a photo of Kim Severson and her mount, Tipperary Liadhnan, warming up for the cross-country. They ended up second going into the jumping event, but did not end up winning. He was an amazing athletic powerful animal to see, let me tell you! He's an Irish Draught Sport Horse!

Kentucky 2010: Captain Curran of Ireland at Start

Here is a photo and video from the start of the cross-country event. Here you see Captain Geoffrey Curran of Ireland on his mountThe Jump Jet getting ready to leave for a hard fast run. And what's amazing is the horse was just standing as quiet and calm as you please. He was just waiting for his permission to rock. it. out. He is an Irish Draught Sport Horse born in 1998!

Kentucky 2010: Athletes Taking Care of Business

Here is another video and some photos from the rest and ice station. I like this photo because you can see how well-behaved this world class athlete is and you can see his little nasal patch to help him get enough air for his Olympian efforts!

Kentucky 2010: Cooling Off after Cross Country

Okay, I like this photo and the video because it shows the station where the equine athletes retreat after their cross-country run. They are hosed and iced and checked and loved. The riders stand by talking with staff about the ride. And there's that gorgeaus black horse who looks like Jimmy. He was hilarious. He stood calmly and like he knew he was an earthbound angel, something divine. And then every once in awhile, he'd lift his back leg just to let people know they were bothering him or not doing some task right. I wish I had one of those buckets -- they are Cosequin buckets for a joint supplement and they were literally everywhere at Rolex!

Kentucky 2010: Racing to the Finish Line

I like this photo because you can see this athlete checking her watch to make sure they are making good time. The video shows a horse finishing the cross-country in great calm happy style!

Kentucky 2010: Moving Big Cross-Country

In these photos and video, you see some of the amazing talent and power and strength at the cross-country event during the Rolex. These horses mean business and trust their riders completely!

Kentucky 2010: Remington and Boyd Martin at Rolex

So, my usual wonderful Spring break was taken in Kentucky again this year. I stayed in the bed and breakfast at Gayla Driving Center and enjoyed driving lessons from Sterling Graburn and attended Rolex. In these photos, I had just arrived at Rolex for the cross country after my morning driving lesson. And here you see Remington with Boyd Martin aboard working hard. Boyd Martin rode four horses at Rolex this year and was trying to go for a Grand Slam. He was really an elegant quiet amazing rider to watch!

Full Celebration! Mornings in Kentucky

Okay, I can truly say that it was an amazing transformative experience to spend the nights and wake up in the mornings at Gayla. At night, I would have all the windows open to the Kentucky breeze, and I could hear the horses snuffling and nickering and talking to each other. Happy tired sleepy horses. And then in the morning, I would wake up, step out onto my patio, and see gorgeaus horses all happy with their lives! Amazing. One morning, I had a cup of coffee and a yummy chocolate mousse as a little breakfast with this fabulous Dutch Warmblood.