An Open Letter To John Nicholson, Executive Director

Dear Mr. Nicholson,

I was saddened to learn of the leaving of Deputy Executive Director Jamie Link. In the little time that I had known him, I had come to respect him as a man of vision for the Kentucky Horse Park.

I would hope that you might agree that the KHP needs a vision. I don't just refer to a vision for the 2010 Games. That is an awesome vision, indeed. But the Kentucky Horse Park needs to revisit its ultimate purpose, and I think, its original vision.

Yes, the KHP is there for the tourists that come from far and wide.

Yes, the KHP is there for the horse industry to have a base for countless competitions and other gatherings.

But, Mr. Nicholson, the Kentucky Horse Park is there primarily for the People Of Kentucky.

Granted, there are several seasonal events like the Southern Lights that reach out to the average Kentuckian. I volunteered twenty hours in '06 for Southern Lights, so I know this first hand. Never-the-less, I am convinced after coming to The Park for over twenty eight years, that little is being done to provide an entertaining experience for the average non-tourist, non-horse industry individual (i.e. the average Kentuckian) to return repeatedly to the KHP. I have heard this complaint many times from the "average Kentuckians" that I know: "There is nothing fun to do or see at the Kentucky Horse Park." They are to some degree wrong in their thinking, but that is their perception.

I know that it was a small step in 2005, but it was a step in the right direction when the KHP premiered its "Best Of The West" show. I've said this many times, but it bears repeating: This was an entertaining show that was an important compliment to the regular offerings of the KHP. The press releases of the KHP of '05 & '06 talked of its popularity with visitors to The Park. I put in approximately 60 hours of volunteer work helping with this show in the summer of '06 and I saw first hand how much all of the kids enjoyed Denny Chapman and his horses Spanky, Dusty and Charlie Brown. I also heard first hand the appreciative remarks of parents and grandparents, alike. It is a shame that the KHP ultimately did not truly value its importance to the visitors to The Park.

I would hope that the Kentucky Horse Park would rethink its ultimate purpose and vision for the average people of Kentucky. And yes, I would like to see the KHP return the "Best Of The West" show to its regular schedule for 2007 for the people of Kentucky, especially the children.

Sincerely,
Michael McBrayer
Lexington, Kentucky

The Kentucky Horse Park

 

 

Snow scene at the entrance to the Kentucky Horse Park February 19, 2006.

[photo courtesy CornerStoneCowboy Images]

 

 

Big Barn in Snow

 

 

The Big Barn at the Kentucky Horse Park on February 19, 2006.

[photo courtesy CornerStoneCowboy Images]

 

 

April ' 06 Best Of The West

Denny and Spanky ride in at the first "Best Of The West" for 2006 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Denny greets a young fan. Kids need good role models these days.

April ' 06 Best Of The West

Spanky does a four-legged pedestal pose! Cool move, Spanky!

April ' 06 Best Of The West

Dusty being cute. Dusty and I are buds.

April ' 06 Best Of The West

Denny and Dusty chasing giant beach ball. No beach in Lexington. I guess they were practicing for Florida.

April ' 06 Best Of The West

Denny and Charlie Brown taking a bow at the end of the show.

Best Friends

Denny and Spanky do a pedestal pose for visitors to the Kentucky Horse Park for Denny's show "The Best Of The West."

Gun Spinning Cowboy

Denny, is that gun loaded? Denny and Spanky compete in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association. They have a world ranking in the competition.

Singing Cowboy

Denny Chapman as he rides in on Spanky for "The Best Of The West" show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Denny headlined the show as part of the regular season at the Park both in 2005 and in 2006. Hopefully, he will be back in 2007. Check out the KHP's web site link in my "Favorite Links" list at the end of this blog.

Hand Stand On Horse Back

Sometimes you just have to look at life from a different perspective.

Fire Jump

Spanky Says, "Hey, who put that in the way? Don't you know that horses don't like fire?"

Ride ' Em Cowboy

Hey Denny! Don't you have to put in a quarter first????????

Dusty Sitting Down On The Job

Here is Denny having trouble getting Dusty to move. Dusty! Your parking brake must be stuck! Get up, Dusty! (Dusty and I are the same age: 14. Sometimes it is hard for us old guys to get moving in the morning.)

Ode For A Star

They rush the door, that frenzied mob

Upon the cold steel, they pound and they sob

Wildly they chant, "Let us in! Let us in!"

But never a sound is heard from within

Off to the side stands One, alone

Often upon Him have the glare of security lights shone

First to come; first to care

Even before your big break, He was there

Before the crowd came, He used to come

The day your name went up in lights, He stood by and sung

A song of joy He sang for you

Yes, believe me it is true, He was happy for you

But wait! A latch clicked. Can it be? Is it so?

Hysterically, the crowd surges forward

It must be, for they seem to know

By Himself once more, alone does He stand

While you, on the other hand, are completely surrounded by your fans

The thought comes to Him, it races through His mind

"Maybe today, in his heart, he will make room for Mine"

And when on the death bed you take your final rest

Again He comes, but alas, this time it is to pay His respects

Yet softly, once more, He knocks upon your door

Ever so gently He speaks, "Oh star so dim, will you now let Me in?"

"I am the light of the world, but they do not see

I am the key to life, yet they change the lock

I was there day after day

Standing by your side

But you would not believe

What more could I have tried?

Never, no never, did I force My way into your life

I value My friendship too much to bring such strife

Neither did I seek you out because of your fame

It has always been the same; I am no respecter of persons

Remember My friend, I was there before your star

Long before your star ever rose to the heights

But even then you refused My friendship

And turned away from My sight

Even so I come to you this one last time

My deep, abiding love for you continues to shine

So bright as to shame the very sun

But a love you have yet to barely comprehend

But where are your fans?

I see not one of them by your side

Have they run after another?

One whose new glittering star has caused them to sigh"

And I saw a great white throne

And Him who sat upon it,

From Whose presence earth and heaven fled away,

And no place was found for them

And I saw the dead,

The great

And the small

Standing before the throne (so awesome and tall)

And books were opened;

And another book was opened,

Which is the book

The book of life

And if any one's name was not found written (there)

In the book of life

He was thrown into the lake

The lake of fire (and despair)

"Oh star, we meet again, in My world now

Oh how I longed to call you friend

But time has past

What once was, is now forgotten at last

All you thought of value

Where is it today?

It has all burned away

What more can I say?"

And I heard Him say to you

Though His heart was surely stricken

"Friend you are not

I say to you, depart!"

Reprieve

The time is now

Oh star, please come

Let us reason together

And rewrite what has yet to be sung

And this time I stood up

I shouted for joy

I avow that what now transpired

Was not a ploy

For I heard Him say as plain as could be,

"Come, oh star who let Me in to dine with thee"

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come"

And let the one who hears say, "Come"

Let the one who wishes

Take the water of life without cost

But surely come!

Before more time is lost

The End (or should I say, "The New Beginning")

An original poem by the narrator and writer of this blog, ca. 1980

Principle players: the little star, The Bright Morning Star and the narrator

Scriptures: Isaiah 1:18, John 3:16, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 22:16-17

Here is a close up.

Since it is getting close to Christmas, I thought that I would share with you my store's window display. Merry Christmas to all!!!