The Romance and the Reality of the Long Trail

When someone suggested that a group of riders ride the length of the Sheltowee Trace during the summer of 2013, I was ON BOARD. The romance of the idea caught me, and I signed up without a thought.

Think of it! Riding on the trails that Daniel Boone and the native Americans travelled to cross  through Kentucky hundreds of years ago.  To be on Kentucky's only Long Trail, riding the ridges, peering into the deep valleys, watching the beauty of Kentucky's mountains change through the seasons.

But the reality was daunting.

I had a horse that hadn't trail ridden much.  Although he showed courage the few times we had taken him on the trail, he hadn't been out much and needed a lot of time to get a depth of experience.

So there was that challenge.  But I trusted him not to be too crazy, as he had seen most of the things in the forest at one time or another with minimal reaction.

The second challenge:  the horse - and I - were out of shape after a winter of relative inactivity.  But the assurance that we would just be walking, and that most of the horses on the ride would also be out of condition reduced my concern about that.  He (Stormy) was naturally athletic, so I felt he could keep up.

But once on the trail, again reality hit: Stormy, due to his lack of trail time, used an inordinate amount of energy just fussing and getting excited about the trip and traveling with unfamiliar horses in unfamiliar territory.  So what little energy he had was used up in nerves and unnecessary jigging both at the trailhead and on the trail as we started out.

Yet still I had confidence that he would be fine, albeit tired.  I even told him early on, "Hey, conserve your energy, it's going to be a long two days!"

Then on day two, reality really overtook the romance completely when Stormy just stopped.

What do you do when you are in the middle of the forest miles from a road, with a group of other riders, and your horse stops?

I know the answer to that now... you wait.  And you wait.  And he catches his breath, then moves on for a while until he stops again.  And you wait.

He was dehydrated, sweating in the unseasonably warm weather in a winter coat that hadn't shed yet.  I was worried about him.  I was sorry at that point that I let the romance carry me away, to the point that I might injure my horse.

I started dismounting at every hill we had to climb, to lighten his load.

My generous trail companions offered some of their own water which was poured into someone's upside-down hat, and he got a small drink.

And half a dozen hills later, we found a puddle in the trail.. filled with frog eggs and lots of mud, but water nevertheless.  Stormy drank deeply and I breathed a sigh of relief.  He perked up and was fine from that puddle-drink until the end of the trail. No more stops and ears once again pricked forward down the trail.

We both arrived home safe and sound, and by the next day Stormy was ready to go out and play with his pasture-mates.  Meanwhile I was still sore, but glad to be back home with my horse in one piece.

We will be going out again on the Sheltowee in a few weeks.  We are working on conditioning, I've ordered a collapsible water bucket, and will be carrying a small amount of water on the trail.

The romance of the end-to-end Trace ride is still alive, but now reality has been given its due and its respect.

Trash or Tourism?

The following was contributed by guest freelance writer, Karen Weber of Lewis County, KY.

“Get Out Kentucky!” is the new battle-cry of our state Tourism Department’s efforts to encourage healthy options for recreation, while drawing visitors to Kentucky’s unique geographical and historic sites. From a relative newcomer’s perspective, though, if I were a paranoid, conspiracy-theory subscriber, I’d say there are equally hostile forces at work trying to thwart the momentum of a traditional southern hospitality’s draw.  As a participant in various outdoor adventure activities, it’s become a personal habit of mine to keep garbage bags in the car, so when I find myself at a trailhead or on a road with cluttered ditches, unsightly trash can be picked up and later disposed of responsibly.                  

Acknowledging there are visitors to our state parks, trail systems, and tourist sites who respect and care for our natural resources, there is also evidence of another mentality of users with seared consciences who toss their waste out of car windows, along trails, and beside streams.  In less than an hour, this past weekend, at one place where a trail crossed a road in Rowan County, I picked up a 30 lb. bag of trash, including beer and soda cans, empty “chew” cans, bottles with black “chew-spit” inside, cigarette wrappers, plastic bags, shell casings,  and even dirty disposable diapers. 

Unfortunately, this was not the end of the blatant disregard for health and safety issues posed by openly discarded waste. Either deliberately, or accidently, a large box of shiny silver roofing nails (with no box in site) had been freshly broadcast across a 4’ x 20’ section of ground where a trail came out of the woods to cross over a single lane road.  The side of an empty plastic milk jug cut-open, allowed the half gallon of retrieved nails to be disposed of safely. These “tire and hoof eaters” could have seriously injured or debilitated trail users or well-meaning service vehicle pulled off onto the road’s shoulder.  

Where do we, as citizens of our communities, start to correct the attitudes of those who cause this too often seen blemish on the natural beauty of our state?

As a substitute teacher, I’ve seen how quickly students from elementary thru high school aged adolescents can trash the floor of a classroom. ( I‘m known for not letting students out of class to go to their next class until their space has been picked up first, since I am neither their mother or maid.)  But is it too much to expect adults, young or old, who are eligible to drive, drink, hunt, and own land in our state to exhibit more responsible behavior by simply picking up and disposing of their trash so it doesn’t become an environmental hazard, as well as an eyesore? One state in the union, I clearly recall, has signs posted as you cross the border into their territory. A friendly welcome sign puts it simply: “Don’t Mess with Texas” --Littering fine $200.  Maybe the state and county tourism advocates around the beautiful state of Kentucky need to start posting similar reminders for residents and visitors alike.  “Kentucky Proud” should not only refer to agricultural products, but to natural resources and recreation areas deserving our care and protection.  Otherwise, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot and progress will only limp forward when it comes to maximizing the economic potential of towns, and becoming a place where others will want to visit, if not make their home.

(Karen Weber is a presently a Kentucky resident, teacher, and freelance-writer.)

Day 0: Saturday, February 2
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

Yesterday was The Day.

Months of preparations, mounds of email, piles of money all poured into one day, which was yesterday.  February 2, 2013... the first Kentucky Round-Up.

A Winter Weather Advisory had been announced.  The snow started in the early hours, and increased in intensity.  At 8:00AM visibility was reduced due to the heavy, large flakes.  The roads were becoming slippery.

It was an event planner's worst fear:  Weather that would keep everyone at home, fearful of the cold and treacherous roads.

But an amazing thing happened!  People started pouring in the doors at the Alltech arena at 8:00AM, 30 minutes before we were even scheduled to open the doors.  Kids, parents, teens -- all stamping their feet,  shaking snow out of their hair... red cheeks from the cold, and looking forward to seeing the horses.

We (the planning committee) were all shocked. The attendees came through the snow and kept coming all day.  (Luckily the weather got better after noon; the snow stopped and temperatures were climbing.).

The atmosphere was bustling all day!  Vendors were pleasantly surprised.  Only a handful of horses had to cancel due to the conditions.  The demonstrations in the ring were lively with spectators both sitting in the seats and watching from the concourse.  The announcer was enthusiastic and provided background information on events, sponsors and the Kentucky Horse Council. There was a lot of visiting going on everywhere you looked.  Concession lines were long.

The day was exhausting for the Committee, as we rushed from here to there, solving small problems, helping horse owners or vendors, hanging extra signs to direct people, drawing door prizes and announcing the winners, checking security and making sure the public was not getting back into the barn and warm-up areas (safety), etc.

What a great start to what we hope will be a long term annual event which grows every year!

Please join us by getting involved and together we can make Kentucky Round-Up into one of our greatest equine events.

You know how to reach me,

Ginny Grulke

Executive Director

Kentucky Horse Council

Day 1: Thursday, January 31
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

This is it, Baby.

We've been counting down for a month. We are down to the last day. So this is it, baby.  Whatever isn't done by tomorrow at noon isn't going to happen.  

I thought as a finale you'd enjoy a "Kentucky Round-Up by the Numbers".

550 chairs

3 classrooms

32 classroom speakers

94 horses

14 demonstrations

160 volunteers

1500 pre-registered attendees

12 security personnel

1 EMT

75 vendors and exhibitors

(Un-countable Planning Committee hours)

And here's the 1 Number we are all waiting for:  

Inches of snow on Saturday?

Everyone reading this: get down on you knees and pray for a dry day.

This is the last countdown blog; I've enjoyed it and hope you have too.

Tomorrow (Friday) we'll be at the Alltech arena from mid-afternoon through 10pm helping vendors move in and set up, getting the ticket booth all set up, watching a stage get built, and in general get ready for the Saturday crowds.

Hope to see you there!  

Ginny

Kentucky Horse Council

Day 2: Wednesday, January 30
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

No Weather on Saturday.. at all.

We've been watching the weather closely for about a week and a half now.  Will Kentucky Round-Up be buried by snow?  Will it be skated by ice?  Will it be heated by abnormally warm temperatures (which is NOT good for a winter horse event because horsemen will want to ride rather than attend)?

And Kentucky, true to its form, will not give us any definitive answer.  A weekend of frigid, followed by a warming pattern sending temps into the 50's, followed by wind and rain and plummeting temperatures.  

I just went to the weather.com local forecast page, and then the WLEX weather forecast page on the web and got a page error on both  (yes, my internet connection is OK).

So apparently we are not having weather on Saturday.  Hmmmmm...

Uh Oh, does that mean the Mayan calendar was just off a teensy bit and tomorrow is the end of the world?  I wish!  I could sleep in then.

No, we are ready for Saturday and our only problem (almost a problem) is TOO MANY VOLUNTEERS!  Do I dare say that out loud?  They are coming out of the woodwork!  At the last minute.  But that's good, right?  Yes, but they all need to be kept track of, assigned real tasks, provided TShirts and entry tickets.... so it IS a challenge.  We'll manage.  We'll need them all next year anyway, so it is good to have their names.

Onward!  Til tomorrow.....

Day 4: Monday, January 28
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Yabadadoo!

I guess I showed my age on that title.  Anyone remember The Flintstones?  Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty and of course Dino.

That unique word is a great way to express happiness (I thought), but then I made the mistake of googling it and found this definition in the Urban Dictionary: 

To leave work early, disregarding the status of any project that is currently needing attention. The employee's escape is similar to Fred sliding down the dinosaur's tail in the opening credits of The Flintstones.

Oops, I didn't mean it in that way. Honest! 

But here's the real Yabadabadoo ..

We've got 700 people pre-registered for Kentucky Round-Up.  And the files are all turned into the printer for the program. And I picked up the tickets today.  And we have plenty of volunteers. And the signs are all at the sign shop and should be ready in time.  Banners are ordered and will be delivered to Chad tomorrow.  All speakers are confirmed and re-confirmed.  Demonstrators are confirmed and re-confirmed. Horses are lined up for the Stable area.  Stage building is scheduled and all concert contracts signed...

Now the weather forecast, that's the one possible non-Yabadabadoo.   Right now they are calling for 40% chance of snow and 37 degrees.  What I don't understand is how you can have snow at 37 degrees.  Isn't 32 degrees the freezing point? 

Nevertheless, I'm not worried because Kentucky forecasters have to change their forecast every day or so.  In a day or two the snow will be expected next week, let's say Tuesday. Nothing to worry about.

Well, Fred and Wilma, see you at the Round-Up.

Til tomorrow...

Day 5: Sunday, January 27
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Sunday Musings

Sunday evening and the sun has gone down, the chill is descending and the horses nestle in their stalls. A good time for sitting down with the blog.

I went to the Tennessee Walking Horse sale yesterday at the KY Horse Park.  There had been a huge controversy over holding the sale at the Horse Park, because some people don't want any association with the TWH breed due to the industry's soring problems.  The Horse Council board supported having this sale, with the belief that you do not punish a whole population of good horses and horse owners due to the inhumane actions of a few.

Nice black mare and her new owners

What a great experience it was being there.  It was a good old horse sale just as they should be:  lots of people visiting and milling around; people of all ages and (by appearances) all income levels; horse that were willing and curious being shown in the arena; a barking but playful auctioneer trying to get that last extra $25 or $50 for a horse; concessions with lines; the smells of horse flesh mixed with the smells of hotdogs and nachos.

And what a good economic boost for the horse industry.  The TWH horse breed is the third largest population in Kentucky after Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. There are an estimated 36,000 of them here.  I have ridden with many on the trail and they are calm, courageous and personable.

I ran into Senator Robin Webb, a TWH rider, and spent quite a bit of time talking to her about the media attention to the sale.

Horse getting inspected

Horses were selling at relatively low prices, in my opinion.  I did see a few go for over $1000 but not many.  I didn't stay for the show horse part of the sale, though.  That's when the prices get higher I imagine.

I left a whole bunch of  Kentucky Round-Up flyers there.  Some I left with Mast Tack, who was set up there and also coming next weekend to Kentucky Round-Up.  Some I put on the front doors (don't tell the park staff!). 

Next year we'll have a better plan to tell people attending that sale about Kentucky Round-Up.  In fact, we'll have a better plan about getting articles and ads in lots of different show programs and sale flyers.  It just all takes time and you need to start early.

We are already talking about 2014.  I've been collecting ideas, and we are storing the names of those who volunteered after we filled all our spots. There is a lot of interest in this event and we need to keep it rolling.  What a better way to spend a February weekend than spending time with horses and horse people.

Til tomorrow...

Day 7: Friday, January 25
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

The Light in the Tunnel

This is day 7 in our countdown... Hmm... isn't 7 a lucky number?  Has anyone been to Vegas lately and won big with the number 7?  Today should be a very lucky day. It's Friday, and that in itself is lucky.

Our board President, Anna, came down from Northern Kentucky to meet with Alltech and the Tourism cabinet about World Equestrian Games 2014.  Alltech would like Kentucky to have a booth, and I think Kentucky wants to have a booth too... but the state budget is not in the best condition (although it is reported to be getting better, if only those pesky old people wouldn't insist on getting a pension after their years of service!).  

Somehow Kentucky will pull enough together to get over there (Caen, France)  The KY Horse Council has been asked to participate to represent our equine industry.  Much talking to do with our board and others in the industry to see how it could be helpful to our breeders and trainers. I have volunteered to work free of charge if someone would just give me a place to put my head at night.  What did that 80's song say? "Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?"  Oops-- that means "Will you sleep with me tonight?"  I know just enough French to get me in trouble. Literally.

Back in the States -- er, Commonwealth -- Kentucky Round-Up gets closer.  We got a call today from a tack vendor over at the Tennessee Walking Horse sale at the Horse Park, wanting flyers or something for KY Round-Up because people were asking about it.  That's good news!  I had hoped to have a table at the Walking Horse Sale, but we have one staff member (out of three) out sick and just too much more work to do to get ready.  Maybe tomorrow I'll get out there.

Got 95% of the program sent off to the graphics person today.  Ordered wireless for the ticket booth.  Got a count of volunteers, demonstrators, clinicians, etc. so we can get them lunch vouchers.  Emailed our insurance agent.  Little stuff like that.

So I think that while Day 7 was not "lucky" per se, it was a good day;  now we are one day closer to Round-Up and so the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. I hope it's not a train coming our way.  NAH!

Tell all your buddies to party with us at the concert.  Love to see you all!

Til tomorrow...

Day 8: Thursday, January 24
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get

Those of you who work in publishing, or printing, or journalism are used to deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.   But I have taken a step beyond that, and am now experiencing "Deadline Creep".

Deadline creep occurs when one deadline passes, and although you are ALMOST done with that task, another deadline comes along before you finish the first.  But now you are behind on the second one, and then another deadline comes along... you get the picture. The snowballing effect.

Or as the old folks said back in Pennsylvania where I grew up: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get."  Pennsylvania Dutch speak.

The deadline of the moment - let's see, let me pick the one I am most behind on - is getting the Kentucky Round-Up program to the printer.  He needs a week to print it and no, it's not done!

There are a few other deadlines I could mention, but it may depress me to see them in black and white, so I think I'll just go into denial for a while (like, 24 hours) on them.

Gosh, this sounds like a downer of a blog, doesn't it?

Honestly though, three of us met with the KY Horse Park staff today and went over all the minute details, and believe it or not... I think everything is OK.  They are more relaxed now too.  I don't think they've ever hosted such a diverse complicated affair.  They'd better get used to it because, as Arnold says, "We'll be back....!"

Until tomorrow....

Day 9: Wednesday, January 23
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Single Digits Can Be Scary

First of all, "My Bad!" - I did not write in this blog yesterday.  I will beg forgiveness, because I was not feeling well.  It all started simply yesterday; I was kind of feeling funky when I got up... but I had an 11:30 dentist appointment (anticipation of which is enough to make ANYONE feel funky).  After the dentist examined my troublesome tooth, he announced that I needed a root canal and he was going to do it immediately.  Out came that nasty long needle that numbs you up. Yikes!

After a few hours in the chair, I returned to work, but now I was REALLY feeling funky.  (Can you blame me?) Stuck at it as long as I could and when I got home, I couldn't face the thought of writing a blog.  Sometimes, life just takes over.

But here it is Wednesday, January 23rd and I'm back to full speed.  Now we are down to SINGLE DIGITS until Kentucky Round-Up.  Just nine days left until the big day. And believe it or not, after all the lost sleep and long hours and tired volunteers... I think we are going to make it!

I put out a call for help to KHC members for volunteers just a few days ago, and the members rose to the task with offers of help, enough to make us feel we'll be OK on the helpers side. A big shout out to our members, thank you!

We continue to get last minute organizations interested in exhibiting at the event.  Today we did a check of all the vendors and exhibitors, and we are up to over 60.  Thanks everyone!

All the speakers are confirmed, all the ads submitted for next week, signed a contract with the concert sound and stage crew, signs are ordered, tickets are ordered...

Next week will be printing, copying, bundling ticket packages for groups, getting money for volunteer lunches, printing name tags for vendors, board members...So there is a lot more work but a lot less decisions.

I and my tooth bid you adieu until tomorrow.

Day 11: Monday, January 21
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Baby It's Cold Outside

Today, baby, it was cold outside, but not only that, baby, it was cold inside too.  Our building had a boiler problem.. I guess it wasn't boiling so good...and the office was freezing.

So everyone went home to stay warm.  We don't normally take MLK Day off at the Horse Council, but thanks to the cranky boiler, staff got a day off anyway.

Working at home, there was still progress on Kentucky Round-Up, but now it's getting awfully nitty gritty...

Gathering up sponsor ads, checking the signs and wording on them, creating an email for members asking for more volunteers, figuring out details of Art Scholarship contest, writing Press Releases...
So that doesn't make it so interesting to read, dear readers1

What IS amazing is that ideas keep popping up from unexpected sources.  Today I got an email from the KY Horseshoeing School offering to give a Forging Demonstration.  That's where they start with a simple bar of iron and MAKE horseshoes.  A very interesting site for everyone, no matter if you own horses or not.  

So we'll make room for them, and add yet one more activity to this event which is already big...!  I love it. It really is great for a first year event, if I do say so myself.  Thanks to everyone and their support!

Til tomorrow....

Day 12: Sunday, January 20
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

It's Like an Endurance Race

I decided that getting ready for something like Kentucky Round-Up is like an endurance race.  You pace yourself but you never stop.  You rest for a while and then get going again.  You're tired but you slog onward.  And when it is all over you are so glad - and there is a sense of accomplishment.

Of course, I'm still waiting for "and when it is over" part.  But it's not that far away either.

This weekend was part of that endurance race.  Now we are starting to layout the program which will be given to everyone coming in the door.  That means  collecting all the sponsors' ads and trying to figure out how many pages there will be.  Luckily, we have a graphic person to do most of the work, I just have to get the materials to her.  Although that takes more time than it sounds.

I did get outside three times today, which is two times more than I thought I would: once in the morning to feed the horses (and muck out one of the stalls), once to feed at night, and once to take a walk.   

Taking the walk was essential.  I was finding out that too many hours at a computer makes one's vision go blurry, not to mention the sore back and neck.  So with a good dose of Ibuprofen and sneakers (and blessed sunny weather), I took a walk with the husband and dogs... just around the fields of our neighboring horse farm (Overbrook).  Cleared up my head, rested my eyes, and just felt great!

One more break today - to watch Downton Abbey.  I am hooked on it.  That poor family (the rich one I mean) just can't seem to stay out of some kind of trouble or drama.  I guess money doesn't solve all problems after all.  (Can I give it a try though?)

Until tomorrow...

Day 14: Friday, January 18
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

The Story of S_______ (not the Story of Pi)

Yesterday I had a visitor we'll call S____ (I love when stories talk about S_____, it is so mysterious.  As if S____  MUST be hiding from the FBI, or why would you use S______ instead of his/her name?  Note: This S______ is NOT hiding from the FBI!)

S_____ became interested in Kentucky Round-Up when he read the article in the Lexington Herald-Leader.  He is in the thoroughbred (racing) industry, has never volunteered for anything but many times has said to himself, "I need to help out with this, or that,".. but for some reason has not gotten off the dime.

We are lucky that the article struck such a chord with him.  He has a strong marketing background, has lots of contacts on Thoroughbred farms, and believes firmly in what we are trying to do, which is to put in place a formalized way of getting youth into our horse industry - into ANY segment of it, whether racing, showing, trail-riding....

He is going to use some of his contacts to try to get the Thoroughbred farms involved in this project.  It is late to do that (only two weeks to go!) but he may be successful with some, and with the others he might be able to get them committed to the purpose so that they can help us out next year.  

I loaded him up with materials about Kentucky Round-Up, including a piece I wrote about WHY we are doing it and how important the goal is.  Then I added to his "load" our annual report, brochure and a sample postcard we sent to the legislators.  He is well-armed for his farm mission.  And out the door he went. Godspeed!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, we secured a family with young kids to do the barrel racing demo, and sent the order for all the signs in (all 28 of them, PHEW!), talked to AQHA about sponsoring (No, but they would send brochures and we need to get Ky QHA to help out), talked to a few more vendors who want to set-up, and generally answered all the flotsam and jetsum emails about the event. 

We continue to look for flatbed trailers for a mobile stage for the concert.  If you have any ideas, PLEASE email me. 

The ship slowly moves forward.

Until tomorrow...

Day 15: Thursday, January 17
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

There are bits and there are bits

I was talking (well, on email) to our webmaster for Kentucky Round-Up. I was brain dead, it was late in the day, and I had 4 pictures to choose from, for the polo demonstration page... and I could not even make a decision!  So I told him, "just pick your favorite, I'm 'decisioned out'"

Within an hour he responded back "How about choosing not to choose?" and a link.  When I went to the page I saw all four pictures.  No decision to make.

And I replied back to him, "Bits are cheap." (which meant the bits on a computer).

Bits for horses on the other hand are NOT cheap.  And they seem to be getting more and more expensive.  I enjoy seeing the working donkeys in third world countries being ridden with a piece of rope in their mouth.  Maybe we could all go back to that.

Which then reminded me that Kentucky Round-Up did NOT have a display of bits.  We have a display of various saddles, breeds, disciplines, colors... but not bits.  Here it is two weeks out, do I want to add yet another thing to collect up, figure out how to display, have a volunteer to explain the bits, and then pack up and get back to the owners?  NAH!  It goes on my list for 2014.

The 2014 Kentucky Round-Up list continues to grow.  Lots of good ideas come up, to which I have to say "Good idea for 2014".  We are almost burned out here with what we have to do.  It is going to be fun and successful... so I expect we can get more volunteers next year.  But for this year... we have the program complete, NO MORE ADDITIONS!

Good news today, Breyer called, they'll be there with model horses.
We've got four tack booths but would love to have another one with just western gear.  If you know of anyone....
We are up to over 50 booths now, and a few more to finalize.

Til tomorrow....

Day 16: Wednesday, January 16
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Ticket to Ride

It's been a long time since that song.  If you don't recognize it, you are just too young.  Although honestly there is no such thing a being "too young".  Except maybe for getting a beer in a bar....

Today was ticket day. We've got this a ticket design ready to go.. actually TWO designs, one for the daytime entry and one for the concert.  We've been waiting to print them because we had hoped for Mr. Big Pockets Sponsor to come along, and then we'd put his name on the back of the tickets. But Mr. Big never appeared and so the tickets will have a naked back side.

So the tickets are going to the printer, and meanwhile it's also time to get going on laying out the printed program.

One other pesky detail - we need a flatbed trailer to pull into the arena for the John Michael Montgomery concert. (Hey, who needs a stage?  Just us cowboys, so a trailer is good enough.)

Other things popping up like we need three projectors for the classrooms, and horses for the horseshoeing school to use as demo horses.   And an agenda for the members' banquet, and signs still to be ordered.   ARGHHHHH excuse me while I have a heart attack!

Somehow we'll pull it together, honest we will.  I hope.

Til tomorrow....

Day 17: Tuesday, January 15
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Flu or Not the Flu? That is the Question.

Last Saturday we had our annual Board Retreat, and two of the Board members missed due to the flu.  It seems to be going around more this year, at least among people I know.  And it is particularly long lasting.

So this morning when I got up and didn't feel well, I immediately thought "Oh NO, I CAN'T get the flu, I just don't have time for that."  You know what I mean, I'm sure you've been there.  Things upon things stacked up waiting to be done, and you don't feel so great.

I stayed at home and kept company with my computer.  Not the best friend to have around, but he doesn't talk back and only occasionally forgets his manners and hiccups. Oh, plus the sidekick of the mobile phone.  The three of us spent a nice day at home -- WORKING!

I'm not really complaining.  If you are over 50, you will probably remember the days when there wasn't much you could do from your home, so if you felt sick but needed to get something done at work, you had to drag yourself in to the office. Now -- FREEDOM!!!  Sitting at home working today wasn't as great as if I had just gone back to bed, but it's better than dragging into the office feeling half dead (and maybe passing some illness onto the other KHC staff).

So some Kentucky Round-Up stuff got done today... finalized the ticket design.  Tweaked the billboard design. Got list of benefits lined up for Tarter.  Reminded speakers of their times.  Reserved room for tomorrow's meeting and sent a notice.   Signed a contract with the Clarion (our "official" hotel) .. and a bunch of other stuff too detailed to list.

The good news is - it's not the flu. So I'll be back to full speed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Kelsea our newest employee is not feeling good... so maybe THAT'S the flu?

Argh!  It finds you wherever you are.

Wishing you health until at least tomorrow...

Day 18: Monday, January 14
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Ground Zero:  My Desk

Today we got confirmation of another sponsor: Tarter Gates.  Actually to be honest, the deal is not quite sealed, since we still need to negotiate some benefits.  But I'm optimistic that we can reach an agreement.  Tarter is a good company -- I wrote about them before in this blog... Kentucky Proud!

I opened the newspaper this morning and saw our article about Kentucky Round-Up on the front page of Business Monday in the Lexington Herald-Leader.  Janet Patton wrote it, and she has been good about keeping the ball rolling to get it published. There is nothing that makes a cup of coffee taste better than when you are reading the paper with coffee in hand, and see your event highlighted. Thank you Janet!

Our billboard design for Northern KY (I-471) is almost complete.  Juggling around John Michael Montgomery's head with a our horse cartoon-- and some words... how much can a person take in while driving down the interstate?   Very little, it seems - but just enough, I hope.

We are mailing free tickets to elementary schools, but that has turned out to be more difficult than we thought.  Some need to see everything and fill out a form to get approval.  But others just say 'SURE, send the tickets!'. And no one -- well just one -- answered any emails about it.  So Kelsea is on the phone for hours tracking down the right person.

Tomorrow we start mailing out posters to members.  If you want a poster, just email me and I'll put one (or two, or three) in the mail to you. We want them plastered everywhere...!

And --- MY DESK IS A MESS!  Over Christmas holidays I came in while the office was closed to clean my desk and start sorting through files that have been building up for 6 years at the KHC office.  I got about halfway through the file drawers, but did manage to put my desk in excellent neat condition.  Now I am back to Ground Zero (am I allowed to use that term or is it reserved for the New York Memorial to 9/11 victims?).  Well, where ever I and my desk are, it is not a pretty sight.

See you tomorrow.

Day 19: Sunday, January 13
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up:

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

Sundays and the American work ethic

There's nothing better than a new horse.  Today a good friend took me to visit with her new mare, a blue roan walking horse.  It's almost as exciting as having a new baby.. for some anyway. Or I suppose a new car.  You look over every inch of their body, clean them up better than they've been cleaned for years, watch for personality traits and behavior oddities...and dream of taking them out "on the road" this spring.

But back this blog's topic, Kentucky Round-Up.  Because it was such a rainy Sunday, I was able to get a lot done.  Composed a long email to go out to members. (Telling them about it but asking for help), added three pages to the website, corrected others, wrote an article for newspapers, updated the project management software we are using.  Slowly but surely tasks get ticked off on the list.

Which brings me to the point of working on Sunday.  I am not very religious, but most of the time I try to keep Sunday as either a day of REST or a day of PLAY.  Most Americans work too hard.  It is our possessions that keep us working (the economic motivation) plus somehow our culture rewards "accomplishments" even when it is not attached to money. (the "values" motivation).  Most of us pretty much acquiesce to that culture. Capitalism could not survive without the accomplishment motivation.

Nevertheless,  Sunday is usually pretty sacred in terms of "no work" for me.

But there are exceptions, and Kentucky Round-Up is one of them.  It's big, it's new and it's complicated.  You have to be flexible.

I will warn you, though --- if you try to find me the week after Kentucky Round-Up, you will have to look somewhere warm and sunny.  AHHHH...

See you tomorrow.

Day 20: Saturday, January 12
Countdown to Kentucky Round-Up:

What's Kentucky Round-Up?

I've Been Fired From NASA

Who knows about countdowns better than NASA?  According to my in-depth research on NASA countdowns, it is heavily recommended that you say all the numbers.

Let's say you work for NASA, it's time to get ready to launch the shuttle going to the moon, and you start the countdown:

"25, 24, 23, 22.....uh... 20, 19...

They get real agitated if you miss a number.  For some reason.  

This countdown to Kentucky Round-Up, while not quite as scientifically significant to the future of mankind, nevertheless should have all its numbers.

My Bad!  I missed 21.  That was yesterday.  Friday, January 11, Day #21.

I have a real good darn reason for not writing the blog last night, but who wants to listen to that?  So I'll just get down to business.

So YESTERDAY we decided to move ahead on the large billboard in Northern Kentucky. One problem the Kentucky Horse Council often has is we forget about the huge interested audience/horse lovers in Northern Kentucky AND the Cincinnati area.

The billboard is one of those new digital types and sits right on 471.  Lots of traffic, lots of eyeballs.  The Kentucky Round-Up horse logo will be gazing down at those speeding cars, right next to a huge photo of John Michael Montgomery.  Drivers will look up and think 'Hmmm.... what's that all about?"

It feels like we are in the big time now!  Only time will tell.

See you tomorrow.