Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tonk the Percheron takes on a Grizzly

I just saw this video and had to post.  Tonk (a great big tank of a draft) took on a Grizzly bear and won.  Amazing courage by horse and rider, IMO. David Letterman is a bit annoying at first but it's well worth the watch, this video.  And I thought Ping was brave when he didn't flinch at a flock of turkeys... 



See you later...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Horses And Hope: First Lady Jane Beshear shares details for Third Kentucky Oaks “Pink Out” Day



FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2011) – As spring approaches, First Lady Jane Beshear today shared details about the 137th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs and encourages visitors to go “pink” for the third consecutive year. As part of the Horses and Hope program created by Mrs. Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program, race-goers are asked to wear pink articles of clothing to raise breast cancer awareness on Friday, May 6, 2011. 

“I am delighted that Churchill Downs is coordinating with Horses and Hope for a third year to host Pink Out festivities at the Kentucky Oaks,” said Mrs. Beshear. “This day that celebrates the outstanding fillies of the racing world is the perfect opportunity for us to raise awareness among men and women about breast cancer.  Last year, more than 116,000 people attended the Oaks, and we hope this year to have more colorfully attired folks than ever to help us go pink.”

Partnering with Horses and Hope for this special event is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For each person who attends the races on May 6, Churchill Downs officials will donate $1 to the Komen foundation. In addition, Churchill Downs will donate $1 to Horses and Hope for each of the Oaks’ signature “Pink Lily” drinks sold throughout the day.

Included in the day’s events will be a Survivor’s Parade around the track in front of more than 100,000 race fans. An online nomination and voting process at KentuckyOaks.com will allow guests to nominate and vote for inspirational breast cancer survivors. The 137 individuals with the most votes will receive two free reserved seats to the Kentucky Oaks and complimentary lunch at Churchill Downs. 

The event will be nationally televised on NBC Sports Group’s VERSUS channel from 5-6 p.m.

There will also be a Chambord® Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest, which will award a well-dressed winner with a VIP trip for two to Fall Fashion Week in New York City. The contest will be held on the “pink carpet” inside the Aristides Garden, and famed New York designer Betsey Johnson will serve as one of the judges. 

Horses and Hope works with the state’s equine industry to provide breast cancer education, screening and treatment referral. The organization also hosts special events in collaboration with equestrian organizations to honor breast cancer survivors and to share information.

According to the Kentucky Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the Commonwealth. The American Cancer Society estimated that 3,200 Kentuckians would be diagnosed with the disease in 2010.

Since the program was founded in 2008, Horses and Hope has hosted Breast Cancer Race Days at major racetracks across the state, including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Ellis Park and Turfway Park. Horses and Hope has educated more than 283,000 race track and horseshow fans and more than 6,000 equine employees. The program has screened more than 350 workers and detected breast cancer in two individuals, both of whom have received treatment.

For more information about Horses and Hope, visit http://www.horsesandhope.org. To find out more about the Kentucky Oaks, visit http://www.KentuckyOaks.com.
See you later...

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Year of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale: Alltech Receives First Beer Order from China

(My husband's favorite beer -- the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel brand -- makes it's own headlines.  Dave thinks this is the greatest thing since the invention of the beer brewing.  In his estimation, what's not to like? Bourbon?  Beer?  Kentucky? Nope, all three rise to the top of he personal barrel - the thing that sits on top of his neck, between his ears.  Dave's obsession with this beer was created by none other than the owner of Alltech, Dr. Pierce Lyons.  During our first tour of the Alltech Nicholasville facilities, Dr. Lyons poured us a beer in his personal Alltech Irish Pub.  Dave was duly impressed by the flavor and substance of the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.  Later at an Alltech Press Dinner, my resident beer junkie was fortuitously seated next the the Alltech Master Brewer.  


They talked beer, specifically the Bourbon Barrel Ale. My husband was treated to a personal guided tour of the brewing facilities [a tall KBBA in hand] by the brew master and has never been the same.  When you say Bourbon Barrel Ale to Dave, his eyes glaze over and a small smile emerges on his face. Most likely he is mentally drifting back to that lovely April evening when his obsession (or addiction) was born as he mentally checks his personal inventory in the beer fridge.

One of the most hospitable places  of the World Equestrian Games was the tent Alltech set up for we press types to use as a chill out zone [I think they actually called it that -- The Chill Out Zone].  The Alltech Chill Out Zone had one great thing going for it, [in Dave's estimation at least] that made it the absolute pinnacle of  WEG experiences -- the Kentucky Ale beer tap and those little plastic glasses in which to pour a bunch.  Kentucky Ale produced a WEG experience for Dave that was so much more enjoyable -- on a personal level. For him, watching horses' work at their given occupation and a beer are a natural affinity -- especially when the beer is free.  While the jury  is still out for me about my WEG favorite [not really, I loved it all] , Dave's pretty adamant in his opinion.  The beer wins hands down...)

[Lexington, KY] – Alltech’s Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale has traversed an ocean, finding favor among one of the world’s fastest growing economies – China.  Beijing will soon be making a toast with Alltech’s Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, much in part to its recent status as the Official Beer of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  

Following a launch event Sunday evening with the Beijing Horse Association, Alltech received its first Chinese order for 40 cases of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. The order, placed by Qingdao Bao Hu Village Horse Club, will be used primarily as VIP gifts in celebration of the Chinese New Year. With more than 200 members, it is the largest horse club in the Shandong province despite being only two years old.


Commenting on Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Mr. Yu Rui Zong, president of Qingdao Bao Hu Village Horse Club said, “The taste is so good and unique. It is a real beer for the horse person.”

The Chinese equine industry is growing rapidly with more than 400 horse clubs currently registered in the country. Building on its global recognition as the title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Alltech chose to introduce its Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale first to China’s equestrian community.

“In terms of total national beer consumption, China ranks highest in the world, and the Chinese people have traditionally had a unique relationship with the horse,” said Roland Matyasi, East Asia marketing manager for Alltech. “It is natural then for Alltech to introduce itself to the Chinese equine community through this distinctive Kentucky brew, which we hope to make available in all major Chinese riding clubs. Once the Official Beer of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, we now want to see Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale as the beer of the Chinese horse community.”

“Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is a great beer, perfect to the Chinese taste,” said Mr. Yao Ge, vice-chairman of Beijing Turf & Equestrian Association. “With over 5,000 racing horses just in the Beijing area, the market will be very exciting for LIFEFORCE as well. I am sure that Alltech will be successful in China.”

With LIFEFORCE, its all natural daily equine supplement currently being registered in China, Alltech is hopeful that Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale will pave the way for additional products to be introduced to the Chinese equine community.

“I am absolutely confident that China will welcome Alltech’s more than 30 years of experience in equine health and nutrition, which ensure the highest quality natural products with full traceability,” said Matyasi.

LIFEFORCE is expected to become available to the Chinese market this year.
See you later...

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Horse Whisperer Frank Bell's White Horse Ranch Clinic


I have to say that Frank Bell's Gentle Solutions take on Natural Horsemanship is, in my opinion, one of the best Natural Horsemanship approaches.  The name Gentle Solutions says it all. When I started my filly Teddie, I used Frank's Gentle Solutions methods.  When she finally went into training, Teddie was pretty fearless and confident.  We didn't have many blow-ups.  I thank Frank for this.

Frank is one of the original Horse Whisperers.    His work with mustangs is simply amazing. Every year in Arizona, Frank holds a grand week long Gentle Solutions clinic. It's a great opportunity to work up close and personal with this amazing teacher!

Horse Whisperers/Gentling Specialists
FRANK BELL AND JIM REA 
Will Be Holding a Gentle Solutions Horsemanship Clinic in
Tucson, Arizona
At White Stallion Ranch
Sunday March 6- 13 2011
                                                                                       
YOU WILL  DISCOVER THE HORSE YOU NEVER KNEW!
 FRANK BELL has taken the mystery out of Natural Horsemanship. What others have made complicated and expensive, Frank has simplified and made affordable. His logical sequence of exercises quickly empowers the handler. From there, the accomplishments are endless as every single avenue of horsemanship is suddenly open to explore confidently.

Hands down, FRANK BELL has created the most straightforward set of exercises that immediately places a solid foundation under every horse and rider. Heightened safety equals heightened confidence for you and your horse. . . You wouldn't want to fly with a pilot who didn't do a check-list, why wouldn't you want a checklist for your horse?         

For more information visit Frank's website or watch the video clip below.





See you later...

Friday, January 14, 2011

Eventing: Kentucky Horse Park Announces Schedule for 2011 Schooling Days

Phillip Dutton and Connaught Rolex 2010 (You can tell I really like this image can't you)
If you've ever dreamed of riding the beautiful cross-country courses of The Kentucky Horse Park, here is your chance. No hassle, no competition worries, just a great day in the bluegrass with your horse.  The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation announced the dates for the 2011 schooling days.

They are: 

Sunday, May 15
Wednesday, June 1
Sunday, June 29
Saturday, August 13
Saturday, September 10

The hours for weekday sessions are 12:00 - 4:00 pm and 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Weekend sessions run 8:00 am - 12:00 and 12:00 - 4:00. The cost is $35 per horse per session. Please check the Kentucky Horse Park website for information concerning parking and trailer passes, as well as for any up-dates on schooling.

KHP Phone (859) 233-4303
KHP Toll Free (800) 678-8813
email:  info@kyhorsepark.com
website:  http://kyhorsepark.com

So get out there and ride!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Announces Fall Horses and Hope Events


FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2010) – In recognition of Gov. Steve Beshear’s declaration of October 2010 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, First Lady Jane Beshear today expressed the importance of regular screenings and early detection. She also announced upcoming Horses and Hope events.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Jane Beshear's Horses and Hope Days at the Races





Horsewoman, Eventer and Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear has joined with the Kentucky Cancer Program and friends within the horse industry to create a program dedicated to improving the well-being of industry employees. Horses and Hope works to raise funds to provide breast cancer screenings, awareness, education and treatment referral to the uninsured and under-insured workers that make up the backbone of the thoroughbred industry.


In an effort to increase awareness, the organization is hosting Horses and Hope Race Days at thoroughbred racetracks throughout the state of Kentucky.  A portion of the ticket sales to the Horses and Hope events will go towards screenings for horse industry workers on the backside of each track. The following race days are as follows: Friday, September 25, 2009 – Turfway Park in Florence, Thursday, October 29, 2009 – at Lexington's Keeneland racecourse, and Sunday, November 15, 2009 – at the home of the Kentucky Derby -- Churchill Downs.

Please join Kentucky's First Lady in a fun day at the races while benefiting a worthy cause!