MIDWAY, Kentucky - how Claudius visitors approached a lush green paddock three chimneys farm, was the stately Thoroughbred big brown on the cue. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner ambled up to the plank fence and calmly made as a movie star on the red carpet.
Jennifer Riggle stretched her arm, camera in hand, and the horse's celebrity photos clicked. Riggle, a high school senior from Huntington, Indiana, spent spring break in Kentucky Horse country with her mother and a teenager friend.
She toured several horse farms, strolled to the Kentucky Horse Park and attended a day of the race on venerable Keeneland racetrack in nearby Lexington. Riggle, 18, said it was better than hanging out on the beach.
"Always a tan would be nice," she said. "But this is so much better." It's like going to Hollywood and celebrities to see. "I saw a horse that is how many million dollars?"
Sleek Thoroughbreds are the stars in Kentucky's Bluegrass region, and there is no better time than spring, in the weeks before and after the may visit 7 Kentucky Derby.
Foals are on pasture, their mothers hover close to teem. Flowers in bloom are and trees are budding, panoramic scenes of green meadows and bulletin board splashes of pink, snakes fences along the hills add yellow and white. Fans flock to Keeneland Racecourse and later in the spring at Churchill Downs, to pursue the iconic Louisville, which has the Kentucky Derby.
"It is to drive the best time of the year through Kentucky and see all farms and only experience really is which horse country," said Jen Roytz, marketing director at three chimneys farm, a popular tourist destination.
Three chimneys comprises approximately 2,300 hectares, but public tours are limited to the Stallion and breeding operation, where some famous names run their trade binary bloodlines, which could produce the next Triple Crown Champion.
The one-hour walking tours are based on demand, with a few exceptions available Tuesdays to Saturdays throughout the year.
The farm boundaries in the bustling Derby week visited but offer an open door to the public on 5 may - Thursday before the Derby. EDT is the open door, from 10: 00 am to 1 am, visitors a firsthand look at the farm Stallion operations type.
Is the peak time for public tours in the spring and again in fall when there are live race at Keeneland, a 10 or 15-minute drive away. The farm of fees is $10 per person for tours, and the proceeds to charities.
During the tour, the traces of the stately stallions with insights into their pampered life follow visitors.
There is a stop in their barns - striking structures with stone walls and high ceilings in the Interior. The spacious stalls are masked with thick layers of straw. Name plates decorate the booths the size of a CEO's to identify each occupant.
Tour guides Sue Clark talked about her daily routine. Each Stallion is bathed and maintained daily. You get the best food. You have to keep fit. You lounge in the open air in the quiet pastures.
"I wish that I this well has been lifted," said Tina Riggle, Jennifer's MOM, later.
The visitors get considered the massive stallions at close range.
Big Brown was released from his stall in a barn. Ears lived, he was left as cameras clicked away.
Mike Hays, a horse racing fan of little rock, Ark., was one of the admirers of the horse, which the Triple Crown 2008 won the first two legs. Later he said jokingly, "I lost some money on him in the Belmont (stakes) but I forgive him."
Big brown left and then came point given, winner of the Preakness and Belmont in 2001.
Both were finally in the Sun, enjoy their hooves clicking on the tile floor as they leave outside led.
"It is in our ears," Clark said.
In an another barn, stable for Dynaformer, one of the world's best sires, was empty. The father of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was already outside. Stallion was groom Veronica Reed, plastic pipes in the hand, his stable employs cleaning. Each horse has his own personality and Dynaformer is known for his stance.
"He knows exactly what he is, he knows, who he is, and how is it," Reed said with a touch of pride.
Where Dynaformer drinking water from a bucket was clicked cameras like visitors strolled to the pasture.
An another photo opportunity came too late on a statue, great Seattle slew. The statue surrounded by stately trees, is a short walk from the barn, where the Triple Crown winner in his post-racing life as a leading father.
The tour stopped at the barn where mares are checked in prior to breeding. Vans had already arrived, from each would-be mother for her fall in the afternoon Rendezvous in the breeding barn. Visitors on the role of the horse "Teaser", a male State, which checks the Mare learned to ensure that it is ready for mating with an expensive Stallion.
Breeding, visitors had the opportunity to participate in a session. Soon they were shed as one which was quickly completed data in the afternoon looked in the breeding. Maybe it was the beginning of a future champion, Clark said.
Other prominent Kentucky horse farms also open their doors for the visitors.
Claiborne farm outside visitors see the farm stallions, breeding is North of Lexington shed and cemetery, where the immortal Secretariat buried of Paris. Ashford Stud can close to Versailles the guests during a tour to get a glimpse of his stallions.
People can call or e-Mail the farms dates set to visit them.
There is now an organized touring system in the works for horse country. Kentucky Thoroughbred owners and breeders work with several area tour company, people to book tours with participating horse farms. Any tour company would transport available. People are booking tours through a website - http://www.horsecapitaltours.com - lists the participating companies and times for tours.
David Switzer, executive Director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred owners and breeders Trade Organization, said that the goal is it to start the touring program this spring. There is a fee, but the level still not been set, he said. Tours are probably run from April to October or November, and he hopes that packages offer also stops at other regional attractions such as Bourbon distilleries.
Although tens of thousands already every year visit farms Kentucky Horse, he thinks, is a huge head to tourism.
"We have something, is so unique," Switzer said. "And everyone has heard of the Kentucky Derby."
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If you go...
KENTUCKY HORSE FARM TOURS: call or e-Mail, at various farms to set up. Three chimneys farm, http://www.threechimneys.com or 859-873-7053. fee: $10 per person, with proceeds going to charities. Tuesday to Saturday at 1 pm, with a few exceptions throughout the year. Summer tours can switch to 10: 00 am, to verify start time.
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