Kentucky...

Here in the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass horse country the miracle and delight of foaling season has taken place, as it has here since the 1790's.  Foaling season begins in January and usually goes through May.  Everything is all about the horse here.  And everything abides by the rhythms of the seasons...of the horses.  Almost anywhere in this region outside of Lexington, there are endless farms and pastures with grazing mares, their foals, and stallions in their paddocks.  Nothing is hurried for one cannot help but to be immersed in the equine rhythms.  During the summer months mares and foals can be seen quietly sleeping beneath the shade of trees.  The tranquility in itself is such a treasure, for this, is our separate peace.  This...is our Kentucky horse country.😃

Many have heard of Mammoth Cave, the second largest cave system in the world.  Kentucky is sitting on a massive amount of limestone, rich in nutrients found in our grass and water.  And yes, we do have BLUEgrass.  You see, the limestone nutrients contribute to this effect.  Those nutrients are also why we are known as the Horse Capital Of The World too.🐎💥🐎

Kentucky became a state in 1792.  Daniel Boone's grave is not far from where I live.  But during the years before we became a state, wherever people bet their horse could run faster than another's horse here and throughout New England, they soon discovered it was the horses from this region in Kentucky winning all the races.  People didn't know why back then, and attributed this region in Kentucky as having something very magical in its' grass and water.💥🐎 

Actually, there IS magic in our grass and water, because the "magic" was later confirmed to be the rich, high concentration of those nutrients in our grass, mostly calcium, which naturally builds strong bones.  But horse racing lovers in the 1790's and after didn't care.  All they knew is there was something magical having an astounding effect on horses here.💥🐎  Soon horse enthusiasts flocked to this region establishing farms.  
And the rest is our proud history.😍

Colonel Matt Winn who owned what eventually became our iconic Churchill Downs in Louisville, began the Kentucky Derby.  The first Derby was in 1875, and is the oldest sporting event in the United States.  It has been running ever since, on each first Saturday in May, except for two.  One time it was delayed until June as WWII ended.

The second time is now.  Due to the virus, the Kentucky Derby had to be either cancelled altogether, or moved, and a date was decided.  The Derby this year will be held on 5 September 2020.  Our two beloved sister races making up the historical Triple Crown races, The Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland, and The Belmont, in New York, had to scramble with changes too.  The Belmont will now be the first of the three this year, held on 20 June, and the Preakness will be on 5 October.

Here in the Bluegrass, in Lexington, is another beautiful racetrack surrounded by horse farms...Keeneland, that is as historical as Churchill Downs.  This year, 2020, Keeneland is to host the world renown Breeder's Cup Classic in November.  However, everything can change.  We may have to hold the Derby, Preakness, and Breeder's Cup without spectators.  It will depend where we all are then with the virus situation.  Or the unfathomable:  IF they may all have to be cancelled due to a worsening virus situation.  Obviously, the hopes are for the best.

Not far from where I live is the famous Kentucky Horse Park, began in the late 1970's.  I was actually a part of the team which helped create some of its' logos back then which was an honor and fun.  

Each year in April the world renown Rolex Three Day Event is held at the Horse Park.  Also at times, the World Equestrian Events are too.  Of course the Rolex Three Day Event understandably had to be cancelled, besides all other activities.  So did the Spring Meet at Keeneland as well.  But so has everything else around the world too.😭

This is very touching:  many from around the world come here throughout the year, especially during the spring just to visit our farms and their favorite horses.  Obviously due to the virus, trips planned for a year or more, had to suddenly be cancelled.  The farms also had to close their "gates" to visitors anyway.  However, the farm owners came together, and with the help of a wonderful organization here called Horse Country Tours, began doing live virtual tours of many farms here, including all aspects of each farm, and its history.  Mill Ridge Farm has been especially instrumental in doing this, touching deeply the many throughout the world who come here for the love of Kentucky horse country.  Mill Ridge Farm personifies everything we treasure most here.  As with a number of our farms their history dates back into the 1800's and earlier.  Farms like Mill Ridge Farm make me proud to be a Kentuckian.👍😃👏  Anyone here interested in taking these virtual horse farm tours may access them via Horse Country Tours on Facebook.

Anyway, back to more tidbits about this place I proudly call home.  Another benefit discovered after Kentucky began due to the abundant limestone in our water, is our Kentucky Bourbon.  There are numerous historical distilleries throughout the region.  One is not far from me, and if the wind is just right, I can smell the mash being boiled which is a sweet smell.  About two years ago one of our distilleries lost a warehouse filled with bourbon whiskey as it was aging due to a huge fire.  Our bourbon whiskey is so important around the world, even more than I realized.  I soon discovered I was getting more news and updates on what was happening regarding the loss of this warehouse on the BBC than our local news!  One thing the BBC did was speculate on how the loss of this warehouse could affect the amount of bourbon we produce.  The BBC even focused on what our wildlife officials were doing about trying to save the fish in the river all the bourbon poured into!  There wasn't anything in the local news about THAT here!  By the way, though a lot of fish were lost, our wildlife officials were actually able to avoid a huge loss of our catfish and carp, by neutralizing the effects of the bourbon.  A fact I learned from the BBC in the U.K.!!!🤣

Another product Kentucky is famous for, and also one benefiting from the limestone here, is tobacco.  We are the leading state in tobacco.  Oh, and hemp too.😃

Kentucky is of course, also famous for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  In my blog about the famous people I have met, I wrote about my friendship with Colonel Harland Sanders himself, and his wife Claudia, whose home was not far from the farm where I boarded some of my horses.  I used to join them for tea on their veranda now and then.  They both were up in their eighties by then, and so dear and charming.  I am grateful to have had that time visiting them at the Colonel's insistence when he discovered me on my horse one day.🐎🤠🐎

There are many more wonderful things about Kentucky, like Bluegrass Music, our theatres, and uniquely beautiful natural wonders.  Yet it is our equine culture I am most proud to be a part of.  Since so many famous horses reside here, our evening news broadcasts often have news pieces featuring their births, fame, retiring here, and when they pass away.  When Secretariat was euthanized due to laminitis, it was the only news here for days.😭 

When Secretariat retired here, arriving at Bluegrass Airport, local and national news teams were there with 
live news updates, following the procession to Claiborne Horse Farm, and as he stepped off the van.  Many years later, it was the same for American Pharoah.  Also, many of our commercials here are related to the horses and farms too. 

Back to foaling season.  Those making sure all goes well during the cold wee hours of winter/early spring in barns throughout the region during foaling season, often have been doing their job for decades.  They all say the same thing too...that each foaling never loses it's wonder and magic...and they're right.  The miracle never ever ceases to amaze.😍💫

And then, oh what a delight it is to see all the many playful foals trying out their legs in fields of bluegrass on a misty Kentucky morning!  Or when they encounter their first snowfall.  These joys and wonders never diminish.👏  

This, dear ones, is my beloved old Kentucky home.😍🐎

[Following is a page of photos opening a window just a bit for all to see.]😃