October 20, 2015. A Day at the Horse Park.

 

 

 

October 20, 2015.  A Day at the Horse Park.  It was like stepping back in time.  Yesterday, we visited the same horse park we first visited in 1988.  It was different this time.  We didn't have four daughters to look after. 

Not much has changed.  There is the massive statue of Man of War by the entrance.  There is a new statue, Secretariat, the most successful racing Thoroughbred in the second half of the 20th Century. 

There is also the Hall of Champions, occupied by, of course, champions, racing champions.  The kids will recall that John Henry was there in 1988.  He was stalled with a goat as a companion to keep him calm.  John Henry has gone on to that big stall in the sky.  There are horses in heaven, aren't there?  I am certain there are dogs there.  I'm not so sure about cats. 

But, there still a good number of horses stabled there who won lots of races.  Thoroughbred legends Da Hoss, Funny Cide, and Go For Gin, as well as American Quarter Horse, Be A Bono are housed there.  Clips of their notable wins were shown followed by the horse being led into the arena by a handler to the applause of the audience. 

We also went to the show on several breeds of horses including the American Paint and American Saddle Bred.  We were entertained and educated. 

The weather cooperated.  It was clear and 66 degrees.  It was a good day at the horse park.