Gracie and I had the pleasure of spending 5 days at the most amazing horse show with dear friends of ours. With Michele and Morgan Perry, we drove to the Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event in Lexington (not to be confused with the Kentucky Derby in Louisville last weekend). Wow. These were the best of the best contenders and Olympic champions. Gracie had never seen horsemanship like this before and experiencing it with her was very special. One positive thing I didn't anticipate happening was that the girls would to take notice and begin to idolize the women riders. They saw first hand the rewards of what hard work, dedication and sometimes humiliation in doing something you love gets you life.
So, take what you love and multiply it by 1,000 then do that with your best friends equals 5 days undiluted happiness.
Stadium jumping.
Gracie and I under our tent. Here we had lunch and drinks with a bartender and wait staff all day.
On the cross country track. One of the jumps on the 4 mile course.
This is Clark Montgomery (one of the riders) with Gracie. Morgan and she were first in line for his autograph.
Warming up for the cross country course. Notice the nasal strip on the horses nose.
This may seem weird but I had to take a picture of our "Porta" potty because it was so nice. It was a trailer with 4 stalls, running water AND a fire place.
The girls enjoying Sunday brunch. Here they are making themselves a plate of whip cream for dessert.
Morgan and Gracie became friendly with the bartender. They would say "Brian, could we have the usual please"? And he would get out his martini shaker and make them kiddie cocktails. At the end of the day the girls would use their own money to tip him as well.
Michele and me.
Another enormous jump on the course country track.
Sunday's Stadium Jumping.
Before Rolex, we went hiking and had a BBQ with Bret and Rachel's family at Bishop Lake.
Carson, William, Jack, Mason, Gracie and Sam on the trail walk.
Bret, Rachel and their newest edition- Boxer puppies.
Mason and Jack.
This is Sam who was very proud of the fact that he dressed himself to go hiking.
Gracie and Carson wanted to show me and Bryan how we look when we are dressed and off to work. This is Carson's version of what Bryan wears and Gracie's version of what I look like. Isn't this a hoot?
Last night Gracie had a choir concert that was a tribute to the 80's. She also was a featured act with two other girls singing the George Michael's song "Wake me up before you Go Go". Great job little goose, I was very proud of you. You have a confidence I never did and I admire the effort you put into your act!
Carson was dressed for his soccer game. Bryan and I had to divide and conquer the evening by going our separate ways to cover both events. Tara, Brody and Braden came to see Gracie, thank you, you made it even more fun. Inside joke: It was very sweet of you boys to come and help feed the hungry kids of Livingston County so they can eat!!
