WEG Day 14

This morning was the very important - and dare I say historic? - signing ceremony for the partnership between the Kentucky Horse Council and the Normandy Horse Council. The Pavilion was packed, and a herd of media was there too. Our Kentucky First Lady, Mrs. Jane Beshear, participated in the ceremony. It was actually a double ceremony (sounds like a wedding for two sets of twins) for partnerships between KHC and Normandy HC, as well as University of KY and the French Equine Cluster.

What is an Equine Cluster, you ask?
Well, it is NOT a GooGoo Cluster (for non-southerners, see www.GooGoo.com).

The French decided to assess their strongest industries, and then organize professional units to make sure those industries were strengthened and growing. These units are called "clusters". Dr. Lori Garkovich at the University of Kentucky has written about clusters of economic activities. The French chose the Equine industry as one of their strong industries, and now they are working to keep it healthy and growing. (Sounds like something Kentucky should think about doing for the horse industry.)

Speeches were made by everyone, and representing the KY Horse Council was President Madelyn Millard. As she signed the agreement, light bulbs flashed and cameras clicked. Hollywood.

Then, Nicholas, head of the Normandy Horse Council burst the bubble. He whispered to me: "Now we have to do the work!" Oh darn, these signing ceremonies are followed by actual work aren't they?

But tune in to kentuckyhorse.com. We want to get a bunch of Kentuckians saving for a big trip to France for the 2014 Games. Including a 4 year French lesson! It could be one BIG party. If you haven't been to France, why not now? Go with friends and watch some incredible horses perform. Sounds like heaven. [oh, and then there is the food.... yum!]

Today was long and hot, and ended with me losing my wallet somewhere in the Horse Park. I was assured by the lost and found personnel that they have had a number of wallets turned in and people are being very honest, with all the money still in them. That's not a problem for me because I think I had like $5 in cash... but it's the credit cards and drivers license that is a problem. Well, I am going to wait 24 hours before I panic.

And I'll use my current favorite phrase when something bad happens: "Oh well, nobody died."