Welcome Home Alysheba!

On Halloween morning Henry and I saw on the news that the great racehorse Alysheba was going to be given to the state of Kentucky by Saudi King Abdullah and would be residing in the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park with other former great racehorses.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/47847/alysheba-arrives-at-kentucky-horse-park

There was a nice reception planned for him, so Henry put on his Halloween costume, which was very fitting for the event and headed out to the park.




There was quite a crowd and I could barely get a picture of him!




There was a good turn out and several media. We actually got interviewed because of Henry's jockey costume, but I was almost to the parking lot before I realized I forgot to ask who the journalist was with.


Alysheba's plaque, but I think the wreath was for the great John Henry who recently passed away.


While we were at the park we took part in a couple of events that, for as many times as we've been out there, have never gone too. Henry watching the parade of breeds.


As you can imagine, this really kept his attention.




Parade of Breeds.


Henry at John Henry's grave. He was desperate to get up on that horse, it is just about his size!




I take it that John Henry loved donuts, especially chocolate, because there were several left there. So sweet.

Mommy's Birthday at Keeneland

I've always been so glad my birthday is in October. It is a great month, especially in Lexington...changing leaves, Keeneland, UK football, orchards, etc. For my birthday this year my boys and I spent the afternoon watching the horses.


While we were getting ready to go I think Fisher had a question for Henry..."What the heck...


...are you doing with my ear?"


Seriously! What the heck?





Helping Daddy pick a horse.




Poor Fisher, he goes everywhere and does everything with us, but because I'm the one taking pictures and he is usually with with me in the Baby Bjorn or in the stroller, he doesn't get a lot of good photo ops. So for his sake, here is another picture proving that he was there.


Have I mentioned how hot it was that day? See the parasols? See the manly men sitting in the swanky boxes swallowing their pride to shield themselves from the early October blistering sun with the Keeneland provided lacy parasols? It must be one of those things that they've done since the beginning or something, because otherwise, it is just silly...it is called the Sport of Kings for goodness sake.





I can never remember why I took certain pictures of the horses after the race. I have grand plans to take a picture of my pick in the paddock, then during the race as he is hopefully winning and then one after he leaves the winners circle, and as Henry says, going back to the barn to eat some hay and take a nap. But in honesty, I don't know if I've ever actually succeeded in that plan. They're still pretty, no?

Our Pal Pablo

On 2 different days after we were at Keeneland we went by Aunt Whit's farm to visit her horse Pablo...

Until now Henry was only patted the nose of a horse at the Horse Park, which was a very big development...


On this day, not only did he get close to Pablo.


And pat his nose...





He actually...


got...


on...


Pablo!!


Or "Po" as he likes to call him.











On another trip Henry learned how to brush and feed Pablo...


And the proper way to carry his gear...



Picking and bringing flowers to Mommy and Aunt Whitney...










This horse stuff is hard work!