Old Friends

[Diver52]

Didn't know just where to put this, but a friend and I went to the open house/barbecue/auction today. It was beautiful (unlike yesterday!) and although there were tours, you could also just wander around the paddocks. The first horses we saw were a pair of muddy bays--"Hey, it's Dude!" Game on Dude and his buddy Little Mike, who is actually the boss--its all cool until carrots are seen, and then Mike shoves Dude out of the way. The only way we could give Dude carrots was to coax Mike up the fence while the other one of us sneaked down to give Dude his!

Silver Charm was in a front paddock by the barbecue and looks great. He's social and seemed to enjoy all the attention--I got a good headshot of him with his kind eye. War Emblem is in a double-fenced paddock with a "guard," there to make sure no one does anything silly--I asked him if WE has mellowed, and he hesitated, then sort of flip flopped his hand as if to say "Well. . . . " But although he wasn't interested in us, I did see WE go over to the fence later when someone came up--whether Michael Blowen or someone else, I don't know. But the horse was grazing peacefully and looks good

Afternoon Deelites in his late 20's loves carrots and will nip if you hold out on him. AP Valentine is not particularly interested in people. A new arrival--still quarantined--is Nicanor, one of Barbaro's brothers. Very handsome. Alphabet Soup still had a jacket on (it was pretty warm!) but seemed to be enjoying his sweet feed and a nose rub. From what I overheard he may have been a bit off his feed so it was good to see him going at it. Eldaafer (sp?) has a companion goat and is pretty demanding about his treats. Another stallion--maybe Alphabet Soup--has a donkey. And of course there's Little Silver Charm!

One of the best parts was wandering uphill to see some of the geldings in paddoscks--we loved meeting Awesome Gem, who seemed to run forever, as well as Amazombie. It was really hard reading their nameplates, though--it was so muddy! Rail Trip is there too but we couldn't identify him. Arson Squad was also nice, in fact most of the horses were quite social and as I said, we were free to wander around at "our own risk." The only one who was a bit irritable was Smooth Air, but maybe he just didn't like me.

Anyway, between the excellent pulled pork and the lovely weather, it was a great day--I'm sure I've forgotten some of the special "old friends" I was glad to meet.

[lurkey mclurker]

Awww sounds like a lovely visit.

Interesting that they have Nicanor now, I guess the stallion plans didn't amount to much. But he'll draw visitors as the brother-of-Barbaro, and he won't be bored I suppose.

[luvsgeldings]

oh Diver..... thanks for sharing your visit to Old Friends - I enjoyed reading every word - my gosh, you saw some of the horses that my husband and I went to the tracks here to watch race in SoCal over the years - Game on Dude, Awesome Gem, Amazombie, Rail Trip and dear old Silver Charm... my gosh how many times we saw him battle with my dear favorite Free House - honestly, I swear I would weep seeing them again - but the best thing would be to see them roaming around free in their paddocks - how beautiful - and you got to give them carrots - what fun! it would be such a dream to actually get to greet them and thank them in person for the joy they gave us watching them run -- I hope I can get there to Old Friends some day - I wish I wish I wish - in the meantime, it was so nice to read your comments - thank you again so much!

[BaroqueAgain1]

I envy your visit and I'm glad you weren't there during Derby Day's weather.
It's too bad that Da Dude has to play second fiddle to Little Mike. Poor Dude, he's such a 'can't get no respect' fellow, even though he was a tremendous racehorse. I still can't believe he never got some sort of Eclipse Award.

[bare it all]

They have Mike in with Dude now? He was paddockmates with Catlaunch. Where was he at?

[Curtis]

They didn’t happen to mention what happened to Bluesthestandard did they?

[stark]

Just my opinion, but this thread belongs over in the mainstream where everybody can enjoy it. Not all of us venture over here very often and it would've been a shame to miss it.

Ain't nothin' better than memories from a great vacation, they last forever.

Thanks Diver52 for sharing.

[TBird]

They didn’t happen to mention what happened to Bluesthestandard did they?

good question.

[djnorth]

Definitely a good question about Bluesthestandard. Especially when you think about him having a nice home with Kristen Mulhall. She didn't even race him, she just liked him and respected him.

Hate to keep sticking on old history but I think an answer is important. "I f'ed up, won't ever do that again." would satisfy at this point. That and being upfront about placing some horses elsewhere. Not that it's a problem but people should be informed. Thought about going there Sunday post-Derby but went to KHP instead. I know they had issues with Kona Gold but at least they addressed it, even though that seemed more like a terrible accident that can happen with horses. They had an exhibit on African-Americans in KY equine history which was really good. An Arabian exhibit and a beautiful pinto Marwari mare.

An apology from Blowen may not do much for the "Saint" title but I think it's important. Hey I think he's done a great thing with OF but we're all adults and we all screw up. Owning up to it actually makes me trust somebody more.

[Starine]

Definitely a good question about Bluesthestandard. Especially when you think about him having a nice home with Kristen Mulhall. She didn't even race him, she just liked him and respected him.

Hate to keep sticking on old history but I think an answer is important. "I f'ed up, won't ever do that again." would satisfy at this point. That and being upfront about placing some horses elsewhere. Not that it's a problem but people should be informed. Thought about going there Sunday post-Derby but went to KHP instead. I know they had issues with Kona Gold but at least they addressed it, even though that seemed more like a terrible accident that can happen with horses. They had an exhibit on African-Americans in KY equine history which was really good. An Arabian exhibit and a beautiful pinto Marwari mare.

An apology from Blowen may not do much for the "Saint" title but I think it's important. Hey I think he's done a great thing with OF but we're all adults and we all screw up. Owning up to it actually makes me trust somebody more.

Good post -- I agree on all points.

[Diver52]

I have no idea if this works. https://cjgtravelsnmore.shutterfly.com/pictures.468

If it does, this is Little Mike and Game on Dude (halter).

Well, back to the drawing board--maybe I need to resize it.

Or read the "posting photos" part again.

[Somnambulist]

An apology from Blowen may not do much for the "Saint" title but I think it's important. Hey I think he's done a great thing with OF but we're all adults and we all screw up. Owning up to it actually makes me trust somebody more.

Really great post overall, but I thought this was perfectly worded.

[hadrianmarcus]

They didn’t happen to mention what happened to Bluesthestandard did they?

Thank you. Thanks to all that don't allow what happened to Bluesthestandard to be conveniently forgotten.

[Sparrow Castle]

Definitely a good question about Bluesthestandard. Especially when you think about him having a nice home with Kristen Mulhall. She didn't even race him, she just liked him and respected him.

Hate to keep sticking on old history but I think an answer is important. "I f'ed up, won't ever do that again." would satisfy at this point. That and being upfront about placing some horses elsewhere. Not that it's a problem but people should be informed. Thought about going there Sunday post-Derby but went to KHP instead. I know they had issues with Kona Gold but at least they addressed it, even though that seemed more like a terrible accident that can happen with horses. They had an exhibit on African-Americans in KY equine history which was really good. An Arabian exhibit and a beautiful pinto Marwari mare.

An apology from Blowen may not do much for the "Saint" title but I think it's important. Hey I think he's done a great thing with OF but we're all adults and we all screw up. Owning up to it actually makes me trust somebody more.

Yep, I agree. I still support them and donate some, but not to the level I did before. Trust is huge.

[sweettalk]

if i recall, they fed the horses, checked on everyone, they were all fine, and 30 min later someone rushed in saying KG was limping. he wasn't even in shock yet, apparently, so it was caught pretty much immediately. it sounds like a perfect example of "paddock accident".

it was ages ago, and my memory is as foggy as anyone's, so i'm cool if someone needs to correct me.

[FlyToTheStars]

if i recall, they fed the horses, checked on everyone, they were all fine, and 30 min later someone rushed in saying KG was limping. he wasn't even in shock yet, apparently, so it was caught pretty much immediately. it sounds like a perfect example of "paddock accident".

it was ages ago, and my memory is as foggy as anyone's, so i'm cool if someone needs to correct me.

KG? what is the full name of the horse?

[Ridan_Remembered]

if i recall, they fed the horses, checked on everyone, they were all fine, and 30 min later someone rushed in saying KG was limping. he wasn't even in shock yet, apparently, so it was caught pretty much immediately. it sounds like a perfect example of "paddock accident".

it was ages ago, and my memory is as foggy as anyone's, so i'm cool if someone needs to correct me.

KG? what is the full name of the horse?

Kona Gold probably, given what was posted above.

[FlyToTheStars]

if i recall, they fed the horses, checked on everyone, they were all fine, and 30 min later someone rushed in saying KG was limping. he wasn't even in shock yet, apparently, so it was caught pretty much immediately. it sounds like a perfect example of "paddock accident".

it was ages ago, and my memory is as foggy as anyone's, so i'm cool if someone needs to correct me.

KG? what is the full name of the horse?

Kona Gold probably, given what was posted above.

Ah yeah, at Ky Horse Park. It was sad

[djnorth]

The incident with Kona Gold was sad. I couldn't remember if it happened overnight or early morning. I think he may have been turned out with another horse but I do recall there were questions on whether there was a night watch that patrolled the park overnight checking on the animals. It sounded like a kick injury and I think the KHP stopped turning them out in company after that, at least in the HOC pastures. It did sound like just a horrible accident that can happen with horses but at least they addressed it. Sunday I didn't attend the shows, so I don't know how they do it but KHP has some Champions in the Big Barn with the draft horses. I saw Da Hoss, Mr. Muscleman, Be a Bono and maybe one other in that barn. Don't know if they contact the owners or if it's agreed upon on donation or lending.

OF kind of clammed up with the news about Bluesthestandard came out. I don't even really have a problem with them farming out horses to other facilities since I'm sure they get more requests for help than they have space. However, it didn't seem that there was any attempt to contact the donor of the animals. I remember Kristin Mulhall had said that OF approached her about Blues and that she told them she would take him back if it didn't work. She didn't even know that he wasn't at the facility. I actually think that re-homing some of these animals would be good PR for the retirement industry. OF could show horses that are cleared for some work, be it jumping, dressage, pleasure, therapeutic etc. The horses should be cleared by a vet for the activity and the original donor should be notified and given first refusal.

I've sent small amounts even with the questions but I don't know if I'd be comfortable with retiring a horse there without some explanation of the policy. I also noted that OF's Board was never quoted as unveiling new policies for rehoming horses or keeping horse donors in the group. That bugs me a little too.

[bare it all]

fwiw, I see that Catlaunch has EPM and thus can't be out with Dude anymore.