Kentucky | Xavier SNPHA

The Kentucky Derby is arguably the most famous horse race in the United States. It is held in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Also known as the “Run for the Roses,” the Derby is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown. It is followed two weeks later by the Preakness Stakes, and then three weeks after that The Belmont Stakes is The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875, with Aristides taking the winner’s circle. It was originally run at a mile and a half, but in 1896, it was shortened to today’s mile and a quarter. 1919 produced the first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton.

Over the years, many well-known favorites have won the Derby, including Exterminator in 1918, Black Gold in 1924, War Admiral in 1937, Whirlaway in 1941, Citation in 1948, Seattle Slew in 1977, and Barbaro in 2006. In the entire history of the Derby, only three fillies have won the race: Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988. Another filly, Eight Belles, made a spectacular placing in 2008, taking 2nd behind the favorite, Big Brown. Tragically, she broke both front ankles during the cool down after crossing the finish line, and had to be euthanized. This game little horse was the first one to die in the running of the Kentucky Derby. She will be honored at Churchill Downs in the Garden of the Kentucky Derby Museum at the track. A magnolia tree is being planted in her honor, with her remains buried at its base. The La Troienne Stakes will also be renamed for Eight Belles.

There have been some memorable rivalries associated with the Kentucky Derby, most notably that between Swaps, a West coast horse, and Nashua, an East coast favorite. They met for the first time in the Derby, with Swaps handily beating Nashua down the stretch. This led to a match race later that year that not only pitted both horses against each other, but the nation’s two best jockeys at the time as well: Willie Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro. Swaps injured his foot the day before the race, but continued with the race anyway, losing to Nashua.

The horse that still holds the record for the fasted finish in the Kentucky Derby is Secretariat, who won in 1973. He managed to finish each quarter of the race faster than the last… something that no other horse has been able to do to this day.

There are also many traditions associated with the Kentucky Derby. The mint julep, a cold drink made of bourbon, mint and sugar syrup is the traditional race beverage. Fashion holds the day, with many lady visitors dressing in their elegant best with elaborate hats. It is tradition that during the parade to the post “My Old Kentucky Home” is played by the University of Louisville’s marching band. And one of the most coveted awards, the blanket of roses, is draped over the shoulders of the winning horse. This blanket is made of 554 red roses. The rose blanket has been a Derby tradition since 1896, and is believed to have its beginnings from a post-Derby party in 1883, when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to all the ladies.

Play The Great American Kentucky Derby On Free Horse Games Websites

Posted by admin | Posted on 02-11-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: American, Derby, Free, Games, Great, Horse, Kentucky, Play, Websites

Play The Great American Kentucky Derby On Free Horse Games Websites

Horse fans across America are gearing up with full zeal to welcome one of America’s most awe-inspiring horse racing festival, the Kentucky Derby. The famous American horse race event is going to be run once more for the 136th time in its hometown, Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky on 1 May, 2010. Inaugurated in the year1875, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a prestigious Grade I race for three year old horses. If you want to learn more about the history of the race, you can browse free horse games portals.

The list of past Kentucky Derby winners includes popular champion Thoroughbreds like Mine That Bird, Street Sense, Alysheba and Swaps while the current list boasts of universally acclaimed bunch of some of the most accomplished three year old top notch race horses such as Awesome Act, Interactif, Dave in Dixie, Ice Box, Rule, Ron the Greek as well as Super Saver. Horse fans who want to know about the rest of the contenders in the race can go through the homepage of Kentucky Derby or even online free horse games websites. Virtual horse race games in 3D offer horse fans the best gameplaying experience by simulating some of the world’s most exalted equestrian events including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness stakes as well as the Belmont Stakes.

Under the tutelage of Todd Pletcher, Super Saver is all set to give the other racing superstars a tough fight. He is the progeny of the brilliant Maria’s Mon, whose racing career includes glorious wins like the One mile Futurity and 1 1/16 mile Champagne S. The race history and pedigree of Super Saver and other thoroughbreds featuring in the race is available on the official website of the Kentucky Derby. You can find similar information on free horse games websites also. The 2010 Kentucky Derby will be televised on NBC television network in the US. Look out for the forthcoming 2010 Preakness Stakes and the 2010 Belmont Stakes.

Horse lovers who share a passion for wagering on horses, now is your chance to strike gold! You can bet online also through the official wagering website of the Kentucky Derby. For more details on the race, go through the Kentucky Derby Prep Schedule available on the internet. If you enjoyed reading this bit of exciting information, you will surely enjoy watching all the sizzling action in a live Kentucky Derby. Till then ardent horse lovers can enjoy playing virtual free horse games.

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How To Make Your Penis Longer – penile male enlargement And Kentucky – Stallion Penis Anatomy Andnot Babes Porn

Posted by admin | Posted on 23-10-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: Anatomy, Andnot, Babes, enlargement, Kentucky, Longer, male, penile, Penis, Porn, Stallion

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Kentucky Audit Blasts Spending at County Insurance Provider

Posted by admin | Posted on 07-10-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: Audit, Blasts, County, Insurance, Kentucky, Provider, Spending

Kentucky Audit Blasts Spending at County Insurance Provider

The association that sells and manages insurance programs for Kentuckyâ€™s 120 counties operates with a â€œself-serving cultureâ€ that has resulted in millions of dollars in questionable spending the past three years, according to a critical report by the state auditor.

State Auditor Crit Luallen today released a special examination of the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo), which found that as KACo’s revenues increased 75 percent from 2003 through 2008 to more than .7 million, the level of discretionary spending by the organization also increased dramatically– on parties, adult entertainment, expensive meals, sporting events, some employee retirement benefits, even condo rentals for executives.

KACo, a public, non-profit association primarily funded by public dollars and governed by county officials, offers lobbying and financing services and sells insurance to member counties, which pay insurance premiums and membership dues.

The majority â€“ more than 90 percent– of KACoâ€™s revenue comes from fees paid by the insurance and financial programs administered by KACo staff. The insurance portion of the organization is regulated and audited by the Kentucky Department of Insurance. County membership dues are not a large source of income for KACo, having averaged only about 0,000 each year since 2003.

The state auditorâ€™s report claims that a culture of overspending flourished as board members, management and staff spent funds on lavish dinners, alcohol, sports and entertainment tickets, staff birthday meals, adult entertainment, and fancy Christmas parties. The exam found nearly million charged on agency credit cards over a three-year period, with .4 million having inadequate or no supporting documentation, an unclear business purpose or was excessive in nature.

The lack of board oversight included weak internal controls, minimal conflicts of interest and ethics policies, and no whistleblower policy, the audit report says.

The exam reviews KACoâ€™s finances from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 and makes 40 findings and more than 150 recommendations to improve board oversight and management operations.

â€œOur examination provides the leadership of KACo the proper tools to continue to strengthen accountability and to fulfill its responsibilities to the counties and the taxpayers,â€ Luallen said. â€œI believe the public expects no less. In this current economic downturn, when our counties are struggling, our citizens have no patience for waste and excess from those who hold their trust and handle their tax dollars.â€

Luallenâ€™s office announced its plans to audit both KACo and the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) in July after media reports raised questions about spending at both organizations. Luallen said the KLC audit would be released in the coming weeks.

Luallen said KACo should have found ways to return increases in revenues to its member counties as lower membership dues and insurance premiums or as additional training programs instead of on wasteful spending.

She said the KACo board has taken steps recently as a result of public scrutiny and media reports to begin to achieve greater accountability.Â She also said that there were some board members and employees of KACo who resisted excesses evidenced in the exam and who worked effectively, despite the culture that developed.

Luallene said the KACo board has indicated it would move forward with reforms in reponse to her examination.

The audit uncovered .4 million in questionable credit card charges that lacked adequate documentation of their business purpose, including:

* KACo paid 9,144 for 77 restaurant charges that each cost more than ,000. Examples include: an ,857 meal at Mike Dikta’s Restaurant in Chicago; an ,161 meal at Zâ€™s Oyster Bar and Steakhouse in Louisville; a ,237 meal at Salâ€™s Italian Chophouse in Lexington; and a ,082 meal at Starkerâ€™s Restaurant in Kansas City.

* In 2007 and 2008, the organization spent ,426 for two board Christmas parties for management, staff and board members. After brief board meetings that were held during the day, these individuals, along with their guests, were driven to Spindletop Hall in Lexington by a tour bus to attend the Christmas parties each year.

* KACo spent ,000 on alcohol, although auditors believe the amount is significantly higher based on information provided through staff interviews.

* The organization also spent ,700 in entertainment ticket purchases, including university football and basketball game tickets, and Kentucky Derby tickets, along with other entertainment venues.

* Auditors found a ,814 credit card charge for 13 tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in 2008. The tickets were for entertainment for five board members, along with spouses and companions, during a bond closing in New York City.

* The organization spent ,593 on staff birthday lunches, ,262 on staff Christmas gifts, ,053 on other board and staff gifts, ,119 on air travel insurance, ,385 on conference meals and 0 on adult entertainment.

* Adult entertainment charges included escort services on two occasions and four charges at two different strip clubs. These were charged to KACo credit cards of the former executive director and former board president.

Besides the .4 million in undocumented credit card expenses, auditors also found other instances of questionable expenditures by KACo.

According to the exam, KACo offers two retirement benefits for its employees: one in the County Employee Retirement System (CERS) and a 6-percent match in the Kentucky Public Employee Deferred Compensation Authority. Over a three-year period, KACo paid 2,355 for the employee 6-percent retirement match.

Additionally, auditors found that KACo spent 4,300 to pay board members for meetings, 8,154 for legal defense for convicted officials, 7,944 for a sports advertising contract, ,000 for donations and sponsorships, and ,600 for use of two condominiums.

Auditors found KACo rented two condominiums: One used by the organizationâ€™s product development manager in Frankfort at a cost of ,000 over a 10-month period and another Frankfort condominium for its former executive director for ,600 for a two-month period.

The list of expenditures can be viewed at www.auditor.ky.gov.

KACo was founded in 1974 as a 501(c)(3) non-profitÂ corporation by a group of county officials. Its membership includes all 120 county governments of Kentucky.Â It was initially formed to offer educational programs, cooperative undertakingsÂ and issue advocacy but over the years had expanded to provide various products and services including insurance. The KACo insurance units include:

* Commonwealth Insurance Company, Inc (CIC), a for-profit corporation that provides employee dishonesty fidelity bond coverage, business income coverage, and extra expense coverage exclusively to theÂ members of KALF.

* KACo Insurance Agency, Inc. (KIA), a wholly owned subsidiary ofÂ KACo and a for-profit corporation.Â KIA was originallyÂ formed to market the KACo group health plan, but hasÂ expanded in recent years to also market public officialÂ bonds, excess earthquake coverage, and spectatorsâ€™Â liability coverage.

* KACo Workerâ€™s Compensation Fund (KACo WC), an unincorporated associationÂ created by KACo that allows county governments andÂ other public agencies to pool resources and creates a self-insurance fund for the provision of workerâ€™s compensationÂ coverage.Â In addition, the KACo WC Fund also providesÂ risk management and loss control training to the countiesÂ and agencies that are members of the fund.

* KACo All Lines Fund (KALF), a group self-insurance pool toÂ provide liability insurance products, including productsÂ such as auto liability, general liability, property, law enforcement liability, public officials liability,Â employment practices, and intentional tort and criminal charges defense. KALF also offers risk management and loss control training.

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Watch The 2010 Kentucky Derby Online

Posted by admin | Posted on 04-10-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: 2010, Derby, Kentucky, Online, Watch

Watch The 2010 Kentucky Derby Online

And they’re off! How would you like to watch the 2010 Kentucky Derby online? The riders get a leg up Saturday, May 1 when the stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbreds runs capping off a two-week Kentucky Derby Festival. The run covers one and one-quarter mikes at the fabled Churchill Downs. The race is also known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” It is the first leg of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown which also includes the Belmont Stake and Preakness Stakes. The race typically draws an onsite crowd of around 155,000 fans. Although I won’t be one of them, I will catch all the excitement online with this fabulous software I found.

It’s really easy to have a trackside seat in front of your computer for this storied horse race. All you need to do is download this software I found that once easily installed you can just as easily operate to watch live-streaming video online. Your ticket to the action is a high-speed Internet connection through either DSL or cable. You will be happy to know there is a software version for either PC or Mac, so everyone can benefit from its use. One of the particularly great aspects about this software is that it can be installed on laptop computers. If you are like many always on the go people, you bring your laptop along for the ride. You can watch the Kentucky Derby from any location where you are on race day, as long as you have Internet access.

Nowadays, high-speed Internet access is available in many places including hotels and motels, coffee shops and fast food restaurants. So, when you are on the go, you’ll be able to witness the world’s most famous race that has been staged form more than 125 years. Hear the paddock judge command “riders up,” as trainers give jockeys a leg up. Watch as the horses are led through the tunnel to the world’s most famous track as the band from the University of Louisville plays “My Old Kentucky Home.”

Will your horse bring home the win?

Kentucky ranks 1st in fatal child abuse

Posted by admin | Posted on 27-09-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: abuse, child, fatal, Kentucky, ranks

Kentucky ranks 1st in fatal child abuse

Kentucky had the highest rate of child deaths from abuse and neglect in the United States during 2007, according to a report released Wednesday by a national child advocacy group.

Every Child Matters Education Fund, a non-profit group in Washington, D.C., reported that 41 Kentucky children died from abuse and neglect in 2007 — a rate of 4.09 deaths per 100,000 Kentucky children.

To help stem the tide of deaths, the group called on state officials to make public specific information about each child’s death, including whether he or she had previous contact with state social workers.

“If you want to stop children from dying, it would be in the best interest of Kentucky to open up the process,” said Michael Petit, the group’s president. “It’s not a question of affixing blame; it’s a question of learning.”

Kentucky law permits the disclosure of details about children who die from abuse or neglect but does not appear to mandate release of the information.

Each year, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services produces an annual report of deaths and near deaths caused by child abuse and neglect, but it does not provide any specifics about each child’s case.

“Our practice is to address confidentiality in the manner dictated by state statute and regulation,” said Patricia R. Wilson, commissioner of the state Department for Community Based Services. “Opening such records is a complicated issue that would require careful thought and deliberation in order to protect innocent family members.”

The Herald-Leader has filed an appeal in Franklin Circuit Court of the Cabinet’s denial of a request for records in the May death of 22-month-old Kayden Branham, who died in Wayne County after drinking liquid drain cleaner that was allegedly being used to manufacture methamphetamine.

In addition to calling for changes in state law, the report challenges Congress to modify federal confidentiality laws. Such changes would allow policy-makers, the media and the public to understand better what policies need to be improved in the aftermath of a child’s death, he said.

A photo of 10-year-old Michaela Watkins, the Clark County girl who received 77 injuries at the hands of her father and stepmother in 2007 before she died, represented Kentucky on the cover of the report, “We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in America.”

Michaela had been monitored by social workers after she was removed from her mother’s home and sent to live with her father and stepmother, Patrick and Joy Watkins. The two were found guilty of murdering Michaela, who had been scalded and beaten.

Nationally, as many as 50 percent of the children who died had previously been brought to the attention of authorities. State data has shown similar results in Kentucky.

The report said 210 children died from abuse and neglect in Kentucky from 2001 to 2007.

“Reports such as this, though troubling, serve to heighten the importance of investing in strengthening families and protecting children from abuse and neglect,” said Wilson, the Kentucky Cabinet official.

Despite the numbers, Petit said, children should be taken away from their families in only a small number of cases. Rather, he said, state and federal lawmakers should spend most available money on efforts to build stronger families, such as strengthening nutrition assistance, preventing teen pregnancy, increasing health care coverage for children and providing money for home nurses to visit first-time, low-income mothers.

Petit criticized the voting records of Kentucky’s U.S. senators, Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell, on legislation that he said could help prevent child deaths. According to the national child-advocacy group Vote Kids, Bunning did not vote for any of the legislation that the organization deemed as helpful to Kentucky’s children. McCon nell voted for two bills.

Representatives of both senators said the criticism was unfounded.

“It’s unfortunate that this report by a D.C. special interest group chose to ignore what Senator McConnell has actually done for the children of Kentucky,” said McConnell spokesman Robert Steurer.

Steurer said McConnell supported a University of Louisville program to help detect and prevent child abuse, wrote legislation to increase funding for a program that provides health insurance for low-income children and advocates for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Bunning’s spokesman, Mike Reynard, noted that Bunning has nine children, 35 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“Senator Bunning is a family man who votes his values and doesn’t pay attention to the views of an extremist organization that cares less about improving the lives of our nation’s children and more about pushing the agenda of Democrats in Washington and the liberal elite of Hollywood,” Reynard said in a statement.

The group says it is non-partisan.

The report shows that in 2004, the most recent data available, was spent per capita in Kentucky on child welfare services, ranking it 16th among states.

Child advocates noted that the state’s budget has faced repeated cuts since then.

“The most alarming aspect of this alarming report is the numbers come before the most recent series of budget cuts,” said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, the state’s leading child-advocacy group.

Brooks said Cabinet officials have dealt well with mandated budget cuts, but programs that help save lives and money continue to shrink.

“Belt-tightening may be good for Frankfort political careers,” he said. “It is a bad idea for Kentucky’s kids.”

Can The Kentucky Wildcats Beat Etsu??

Posted by admin | Posted on 19-09-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: beat, Etsu, Kentucky, Wildcats

Can The Kentucky Wildcats Beat Etsu??

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As the Kentucky WildCats take on ETSU in the NCAA 2010 tournament, the underdogs of East Tennessee State University have nothing to lose. The are up against on of the best teams in the country this year , Kentucky. Kentucky is lead by its first year Coach John Clapari who last year was the Coach at the University of Memphis where he had a very successful career and winning record leading the Tigers.

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Now this year the Kentucky Wildcats are once again seeded as a number one seed and also make it a record of being in the NCAA tournament 50 times. This is a season and a record that the Kentucky Mens basketball team can be very proud of but thier job isn’t over yet untill they bring home a national title.

Kentucky hasn’t won an NCAA tournament game in three years, but that streak is about to end. East Tennessee is athletic and defense-minded but doesn’t have the size to hang with these ‘Cats.

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The NCAA tournament is famous for the little guys shocking the marquee powerhouses and turning into the darlings of March.

Upsets happen.In every region, every year.With one lopsided exception: No. 1 vs. No. 16.

When brackets are e-mailed to the office staff after the 65-team field is set, typing the “W” in that 1-16 matchup is about as automatic an annual occurrence as ringing in the New Year on Dec. 31. With good reason: The Washington Generals have better odds at victory over the Harlem Globetrotters than a No. 16 seed does over a No. 1.

This year’s likely one-and-doners: Lehigh, East Tennessee State, Vermont and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Those four have a combined 17 tournament appearances. Top seeds Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Duke have a total of 14 — as in NCAA national championships. All but the Wildcats have won a title in the past 10 years.

Kentucky Derby Tickets

Posted by admin | Posted on 17-08-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: Derby, Kentucky, Tickets

Kentucky Derby Tickets

From 1875 to 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 out of 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. On May 11, 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton, age 15 became the youngest rider to win the Derby on 11th May, 1892. Elwood won the race, the first Derby starter plus winner to be owned by a woman, Laska Durnell in 1904. Regret was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derbyin 1915 whereas and in 1917, the English bred colt “Omar Khayyam” was the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.

In order to earn huge chunk of amount, the horse owners started sending their victorious Derby horses to compete a few weeks after in the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. All three races provided the largest purse and in 1919 Sir Barton was the first horse to win all three races. Moreover, the term Triple Crown didn’t come for about another eleven years. Later Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races and the public loved referring these horses as Super horses.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in Louisville in the first week of May, you’re surely going to have loads of fun and excitement. May in Louisville features a high stakes equine race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses called the Kentucky Derby. The annual event of Kentucky Derby Race also garners the attention from world-wide audiences for the following Kentucky Derby Festival. The festival lasts for two weeks following the day of Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby Festival includes a whirlwind of vibrant activities, ranging from fireworks show to concerts, Kentucky Derby Betting, Spelling Bee, sports, races, marathons and many add to the historic running of the Kentucky Derby.

The region of Kentucky has been a major center of horse breeding and racing, and traces its traditions back to the late 18th century. The Bluegrass Region has since been noted for its ability to produce superior race horses and hosting several horse races. A large number of visitors flock to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May to watch one of the most famed horse races in the world, the Kentucky Derby. Aptly named “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for its duration, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing with the Preakness and Belmont to follow.

Staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby is a stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. The Kentucky derby is also noted as ‘The Run for the Roses’ for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. Drawing around 155,000 fans, the race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Churchill Downs is the Louisville’s premier racetrack, founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. who organized the Louisville Jockey Club to raise money to build quality racing facilities outside the city. He named the facility ‘Churchill Downs’ which was officially incorporated in 1937.

The first Kentucky Derby race was run at 1.5 miles o May 17, 1875 in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. The distance was changed to 1.25 miles in 1896, and is currently raced at this distance while Derby participants are limited to three-year-old horses. This first leg of the U.S Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is followed by the Preakness Stakes then the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby involves a great amount of excitement before ‘The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports’. Opening week of the Kentucky Derby sees farms bringing horses to Churchill Downs to workout on the most legendary racetrack in the world.

The Kentucky Derby is sometimes referred to as “The Run for the Roses,” for a blanket of 554 roses is awarded to the Derby winner. In addition, the Derby is host to some of the longest standing racetrack traditions in the United States. You may come across fans sipping Mint Juleps and eating burgoo at the racetrack. Also worth-watching is the University of Louisville marching band that plays Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” as the horses are paraded before the grandstands. Visitors will find women appearing in lavish outfits with big, elegant hats. One of the most notable traditions associated with the Kentucky Derby horse race is wearing classy, trendy and stylish Kentucky Derby Hats.

Have you got your Kentucky Derby Hat for Kentucky Derby 2009? If not then grab one ASAP! The history of Kentucky Derby hats dates back to the world famous Royal Ascot when he ordered all his guests to follow a dress code including hats. It has since been one of the major attractions of the event. The Kentucky Derby events are more than a celebration of the renowned horse race. There’s no shortage of activities and attractions when it comes to the Derby. You may find an array of events to choose from. Be it a dapper man, beautiful woman, laid-back infield crowd who picnic on fried chicken and toss around Frisbees, Kentucky Derby has been everyone’s race for over 125 years. Everyone is there to witness the world’s premier horse-racing event.

Fans taking in the Kentucky Derby not only enjoy this respected tradition but also define a creative and an exuberant flare for headwear, commonly called Kentucky Derby Hat. So get yours piece ASAP, be a part of the vibrant event of Kentucky Derby and experience the ultimate fun and excitement!
For more information about Kentucky Derby Tickets visit:
http://www.ticketluck.com/sports-tickets/Kentucky-Derby/index.php

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The Most Popular Of The Mountain Horses – The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse

Posted by admin | Posted on 01-08-2010

Category : Region III

Tags: Horse, Horses, Kentucky, Most, Mountain, Popular, Saddle

The Most Popular Of The Mountain Horses – The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse

For over 200 years, the saddle horse has lived in the hills and valleys of many parts of Kentucky. Originally bred by the Appalachian mountain people in Eastern Kentucky for the demanding needs of farm life, the horses had to be tough to survive the rugged mountain lifestyle, and versatile enough to work the land, be ridden in style and comfort and perform multiple tasks with a stable, and willing nature. These were the roots of the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse.

When roads improved As the United States entered the motorized transportation age and new means of travel were created, gaited horse populations in the United States started to decline as the horse lost its position as a necessity of daily existence. One exception was the less-developed area of the Appalachian Mountains where gaited horses were still necessary for travel where there were no roads, and so breeding continued and several early breeders were determined to maintain records on the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse because the unique, surefooted, four-beat gait was still essential for getting around the rugged mountain terrain where no other vehicles could traverse.

The exact origins of the Mountain horses are sheer speculation, but the Narragansett Pacer, Spanish Jennet, Mountain Pleasure Horse, and ambling Galloways are all ancestors of the modern Kentucky Mountain Saddle horse. Old Saddlebred stock and Tennessee Walking Horse bloodlines were also used. These breeds were well known for their comfortable gaits and willing attitudes which were essential for spending long hours in the saddle when the horse was the primary mode of transportation.

The traditional belief is that around 1890, a family on their way back to Virginia brought a young, gaited colt with them that was the foundation to a line of horses that has been treasured in the area ever since. He was called “the Rocky Mountain Horse” by the local Appalachian people because of the area he had come from. Little is known about this foundation stallion, but the oral history indicates that he was chocolate-colored with a flaxen mane and tail, and that he possessed a superior gait. That stallion was instrumental in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse breed, and sired two influential sons that settled in Estill and Clark Counties in Kentucky.

In Spout Springs, Kentucky, Sam Tuttle purchased a mare in 1918, Lucy, and bred her to one of the descendants of the original chocolate stallion. The mare was eventually bred to the Hinz Stud, located at Hinz Farm, and the resulting foal was Tobe. Mr. Tuttle tapped into the Mountain Horse Heritage by crossing the native Mountain Pleasure Horse stock with Tobe. Tobe was the sire of Old Tobe, his favorite stallion, and was also his primary breeding stallion and sired foals until the age of 34, and lived to age 37. He had the perfect sure-footed gait and a calm, gentle temperament and was the one that carried the young, the old, or the unsure over the mountain trails in Natural Bridge State Park for 10 years without faltering, even though he was a breeding stallion. Everyone who rode the stallion fell in love with him and his offspring were always in demand. He passed on his gait, disposition, and other great qualities to his offspring but one outstanding trait passed on was longevity, and many of his offspring are still breeding in their late twenties and early thirties. It has also been said that his offspring followed in his perfectly-timed footsteps.

Even through the hard times of the Depression and World War II years, Sam Tuttle kept a sizable herd of thirty to forty horses on his farm. In the 1950s, when the horse populations in general were rapidly declining due to tractors and farm machinery available, breeders still bought their mares to Old Tobe from several different states and he was always in demand for stud service. Old Tobe was a virile and prepotent stallion who became a “breed shaper” for several Mountain horse breeds. Many of the present Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses and Rocky Mountain Horses can trace back to Old Tobe. One of his sons, also named Tobe, became an influential foundation sire of the modern type.

Tobe became well known for producing various hues of chocolate with a flaxen mane and tail in his offspring and his outstanding sons include Sewell’s Sam, Maple’s Squirrel, and Yankee, the last stallion that Tuttle stood at stud. All offspring sired by these stallions were consistent in type, gait, temperament, and quality and it became obvious that there was a need for a registry to showcase the breed. So, in 1989, the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) was formed to document and preserve the ancestry of the breed and in 2002 the Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA), a subsidiary of the KMSHA, was formed to register those Mountain Horses that had large areas or spots of white that were considered to be too much coverage for any of the existing Mountain Horse registries that followed solid color standards.

But there are several breeds of Mountain Horses that have been developed in the Appalachians of Kentucky around the same time and sorting them out can get confusing when all the breed association sites say much of the same thing, but in different ways. For example, in writing this article, I came across this comment from the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association (MPHA) website: “Horses registered in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association are often referred to as Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. Several gaited breeds of horses are included in the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association’s registry, the Mountain Pleasure Horse being one of them. Whereas, the Mountain Pleasure Horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse are “breeds” of horses, the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse normally refers to the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association registry.

Many horses registered with the Mountain Pleasure Horse Association are also doubled registered with the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association.” However, on the website of the KMSHA, it states that “the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse and the Spotted Mountain Horse breeds, each with their own distinctive characteristics and genetic DNA markers, are recognized by the University of Kentucky, Equine Parentage Testing and Genetic Research Center as their own unique breed of Horse.”

Both the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse and the Spotted Mountain Horse have the same conformation standards. They must be of medium bone and substance and stand no less than 11 hands high. There is no upper height limit but there are two size categories. Class A horses stand 14.2 hands and above and Class B is for horses that are between 11 and 14.1 hands at maturity.

The head of the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is attractive and cob sized, not too long or wide, with a broad flat forehead. The profile is neither severely Roman nor dished. The neck is of medium length and thickness, with the top line being longer than the underline. Traditionally, the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse has a compact, well-muscled and close-coupled frame. The tail set should be natural.

The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse may be any solid body color with minimal white markings that should be limited to the face, the lower legs, or on the belly not to exceed an area larger than the size of a hand. Any horse that does not meet the limited amount of white requirement, or that carries tobiano, overo or sabino, may be registered as a Spotted Mountain Horse with the SMHA if other criteria are met.

The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse should be able to demonstrate a smooth, comfortable and natural four beat gait, with four distinct hoof beats, when under saddle. The breed should present an overall appearance of athleticism and the ability to perform useful work as well as have a gentle temperament with a willing disposition.

In Kentucky alone, there are at least 9,700 Kentucky-owned Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses with several hundred Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse and Spotted Mountain Horse stallions, mares and geldings being boarded and trained in Kentucky that are owned by residents of other states. The breed can be found in all 50 states, Canada, and is rapidly growing in Europe.

Crystal is a writer for www.HorseClicks.com, classifieds of Kentucky Mountain Horses for sale and other breeds, listed in Kentucky, Texas, etc.

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