LaurenGallops

Dawn comes early, especially during Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgeston. Last night, however, we feasted very well at the Alltech Press Dinner hosted by Dr. Pearse Lyons at his Alltech Brewery, home of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Down here, most appropriately, they serve that bourbon barrel ale in brandy snifters! We guess you could chug it, but it’s meant to be savored and we did. After a fine sit-down dinner, we enjoyed mousse and Bluegrass Sundown, a lovely coffee liqueur bottled by Lyons Spirits (an offshoot of Lyons’ Alltech empire). Dr. Lyons’ presentation after dinner concerned the impact of Alltech’s sponsorship of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, the Alltech sponsorship of 2014 Normandy, the Alltech National Horse Show and various other programs and projects energized by Dr. Lyons, who isn’t actually a ‘mad’ scientist but certainly a force with seemingly unlimited energy.

NEW VOCATIONS Adoptions – Thoroughbreds For All

We wrote about New Vocations earlier in 2012, and we’re thrilled to announce that New Vocations is here at Kentucky Horse Park for Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event where a bunch of the horses entered for the premier four-star and big step in the US Olympic Selection Process happen to be Thoroughbreds, especially OTTBs!

A special program and fundraiser takes place Saturday evening, presented by Steuart Pittman of Dodona Farm (MD) and founder of the Retired Racehorse Training Project, and Anna Ford of New Vocations.

New Vocations Adoption Program was founded by Anna’s mother, Dot Morgan in 1992, in order to re-train and find new “jobs” for Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds after their careers in harness and on the flat came to a halt. The program, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is dependent on donations to fulfill its mission – to help ex-racehorses. Some come off the track injured, others are too thin, and many lack the skills necessary to change careers. The goal is to provide safe haven, rehabilitation, and continued education.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (l-r) Eliza Farrell (NV rider), founder Dot Morgan and her daughter, Anna Ford (NV grogram directors), and Mary Perkins (NV rider).

Since its inception New Vocations has placed more than 3,700 horses, with 423 adopted in 2011. The program has expanded from its original venue near Dayton to another facility in Marysville, also in Ohio, plus locations in Lexington (KY), Manchester (MI), Hummelstown (PA) and Monterey (TN). The horses themselves come from about 40 tracks throughout the country and, thanks to the dedicated staff, are placed into experienced, caring homes in 32 states.

Thoroughbreds For All! is an evening of education and fellowship for people who favor off-the-track Thoroughbreds combined with an invitation for equestrians to shop in Kentucky for the Thoroughbred of their dreams.The evening event starts shortly following the Rolex cross country at 5pm on Saturday, April 28 fifteen miles from the Kentucky Horse Park in the covered arena at West Wind Farm, 4787 Haley Rd., Lexington KY 40516. A southern dinner and cash bar will be included in the evening festivities. The event is proudly sponsored by AmWest Entertainment and the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program.

Highlights include two-time World Champion Bruce Davidson alongside Rolex veterans Dorothy Crowell and Cathy Wieshhoff who will evaluate the potential of recently retired racehorses available for adoption through New Vocations. Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron and students from the North American Racing Academy will demonstrate how racehorses are ridden and how jockeys and exercise riders develop skills that all equestrian should learn. Demonstrations also include working with retired racehorses at various stages of training as well as a special appearance by the 1994 World Equestrian Games silver medalist and 1998 top-placed American at Rolex, Molokai, a Kentucky-bred racehorse.

Purchase tickets for Thoroughbreds For All, presented by New Vocations & Retired Racehorse Training Project on-line for $35 each. Proceeds from the event benefit New Vocations and Retired Racehorse Training Project, both 501(c)3 charitable organizations.

Dubarry Babies!

Congratulations to Mary & Danny Hulse, GM Dubarry of Ireland (USA),  on the birth of their daughter, Adeline. The addition of baby Dubarry boots in rubber for toddlers no doubt took inspiration from this blessed event. The photos show the ‘baby Dubarrys’ right off the shelf in the proud papa’s hands; the second photo shows the boots in action at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone.

Congratulations to Danny Hulse, shown holding a pair of baby Dubarry boots, and his wife Mary on the birth of their daughter, Adeline. © Lauren R Giannini

And the boots in action…

Lily takes over for Dubarry of Ireland staff who demonstrate the bling-waterproofed boots in the signature Dubarry "puddle" and has entirely too much fun showing off how well her Dubarry boots work! © Lauren R Giannini

Okay – that’s all the time for now – must get out into this gorgeous day and take some photos of what’s going on in the dressage arena and also in the Walnut Ring.

Kentucky Reining Cup this evening at 6 pm in the Alltech Arena – catch the action – and lots more from Rolex Kentucky later this afternoon with the dressage recap!