Kentucky Road Trip - Horse Lover's Heaven!

Dad was here the day Jessica & Jaycie got out of school to take them on their first official road trip! Dad & Ann (a.k.a. Papa & Memommy) took the girls on tours of horse farms in Kentucky, to see the Kentucky Derby Race Track, to visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, and to tour Mammoth Cave! They packed a lot of fun into this trip... and the girls had the greatest time! I think it is safe to assume Jessica & Jaycie would like to move to Kentucky... rolling hills and horses everywhere the eye can see is definitely Jessica's idea of heaven!! Thank you, Dad & Ann, for taking the girls on such a wonderful and memorable trip! Here are a few of their favorite pictures:

Below is "EscapedFromNewYork" - he was saved from the slaughter house. I was surprised & saddened to learn that some thoroughbreds are sold to slaughter houses in Canada and Japan after their racing days are over. There is a group called "Old Friends" that raises funds to rescue these horses and provide a safe haven for them - http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/ Needless to say, Jessica was very touched by their stories and wants to go back to visit!

Visiting some of the young thoroughbreds was a highlight for the girls. These horses have attitude... they want to win, and they want to be "top dog" or I guess I should say "top horse"... so you have to approach them carefully. The girls were taught by guides about how to approach the horses and what signals to look for to determine if they should! The thoroughbreds were VERY interested in the girls... peeking out of their stables for a closer look.

They were able to meet a few famous race horses, too... including Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner; and Cigar whose winnings were almost $10 million. They met the horse that played Sea Biscuit in the movie, visited Man o' War's tomb, and took their picture with the statue of Secretariat.

Cigar

In the owner's box at the Kentucky Derby race track!

They also loved visiting the miniature horses... they played with Silver Charm (who plays soccer!) and were in love instantly with the miniature horse foals... I think Jessica would have snuck one home in her luggage if she could have figured out how!

Papa & Memommy also took the girls horseback riding. This was Jaycie's first time being allowed to ride alone. They had the greatest time. Jaycie rode Chief and Jessica rode Midnight.