Great Weekend at the All American Futurity
What a great weekend! If you haven't been to Ruidoso, NM for the All American Futurity, the richest Quarter Horse race in the world, you have to add it to your Bucket List.
I have been to the Kentucky Derby a few times many years ago and have always enjoyed all the pageantry and hoopla surrounding the race. But it is different at Ruidoso. Instead of elegance, you get casual. Instead of champagne, you get beer. Instead of gowns and suits, you wear boots and jeans. Just think of a red-neck version of the Kentucky Derby. Casual and relaxed.
I met Heath Taylor last year when I hauled some of his race horses back to Texas for him after last year's yearling sale. Heath is a successful young trainer with a wonderful family and is the great trainer. This year, Heath had 3 horses in the 10 horse field for the biggest race of the year for Quarter Horses.
The race was a great one, complete with a spectacular stretch dual between the two favorites in the race. At the wire, it was Heath's horse, Stolis Winner by a half length, giving Jet Black Patriot his only loss of his short career. Another horse trained by Heath finished third, Jess Zoomin. I joked with the owners of Jet Black Patriot prior to the race over which horse would be in the winner's circle but at that level of racing, you are just thrilled to be part of it all - win, lose or draw. After the race, I gave a hug to the owners and we took photos together.
The winner's circle was full of media, cameras, family and friends, tears and hugs. The jockey, G. R. Carter did his traditional back flip off the winning horse in front of the grandstand, with the crowd roaring in approval. After the trophy presentation and photos were finished in the winner's circle, we moved inside to the museum for more celebrating, a champagne toast to the owners, trainer and jockey. In the museum, all the monitors played the race over and over. It was great to hear the stretch call again.
The next morning, the official press photo is taken for the publications against the green grass and the mountains. The horse arrives and is saddled for the photo. Imagine dressing a two year old child, and expecting a child to stand patiently for dozens of photos. Stolis Winner was very good for the most part and I even got a picture next to him.
Since I still am having trouble attaching photos, here's a link:
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa256/prettypony99/AllAmerican/
I have been to the Kentucky Derby a few times many years ago and have always enjoyed all the pageantry and hoopla surrounding the race. But it is different at Ruidoso. Instead of elegance, you get casual. Instead of champagne, you get beer. Instead of gowns and suits, you wear boots and jeans. Just think of a red-neck version of the Kentucky Derby. Casual and relaxed.
I met Heath Taylor last year when I hauled some of his race horses back to Texas for him after last year's yearling sale. Heath is a successful young trainer with a wonderful family and is the great trainer. This year, Heath had 3 horses in the 10 horse field for the biggest race of the year for Quarter Horses.
The race was a great one, complete with a spectacular stretch dual between the two favorites in the race. At the wire, it was Heath's horse, Stolis Winner by a half length, giving Jet Black Patriot his only loss of his short career. Another horse trained by Heath finished third, Jess Zoomin. I joked with the owners of Jet Black Patriot prior to the race over which horse would be in the winner's circle but at that level of racing, you are just thrilled to be part of it all - win, lose or draw. After the race, I gave a hug to the owners and we took photos together.
The winner's circle was full of media, cameras, family and friends, tears and hugs. The jockey, G. R. Carter did his traditional back flip off the winning horse in front of the grandstand, with the crowd roaring in approval. After the trophy presentation and photos were finished in the winner's circle, we moved inside to the museum for more celebrating, a champagne toast to the owners, trainer and jockey. In the museum, all the monitors played the race over and over. It was great to hear the stretch call again.
The next morning, the official press photo is taken for the publications against the green grass and the mountains. The horse arrives and is saddled for the photo. Imagine dressing a two year old child, and expecting a child to stand patiently for dozens of photos. Stolis Winner was very good for the most part and I even got a picture next to him.
Since I still am having trouble attaching photos, here's a link:
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa256/prettypony99/AllAmerican/
posted by the Pretty Pony | 11:01 PM
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