Only the very bitter or the very jaded could arrive at Kentucky Horse Park and not be impressed. There is nothing else like it in our sport. Those of us who get to be here in any capacity, be it rider, owner, groom, friend, spectator or vendor, are lucky. For a few days once a year we get to be part of something incredibly special.
For my part, I have been here in a variety of capacities over the years, though not as a rider in a very long time. I have ridden Orion since he was 3-years-old, which is to say for the last seven years. And in some regard or other, every day of every week of every month of every one of those seven years was designed to lead us here. He is the best of friends and I am privileged to be here with him.
It’s odd to think that just yesterday we were at the Fair Hill Horse Trials with Brew doing the preliminary, last night we were fine tuning our dressage and availing ourselves of Jules and Libby Anderson’s amazing hospitality, and now here we are, in Kentucky. Things certainly happen fast. For me, having been around the block a time or two, taking the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moments that are offered is essential.
For those inclined to see auspicious signs in nature, the day ended with a brief rain shower, then a perfect rainbow framing the park. It could not have been more beautiful.