TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
HONOR OF A LIFETIME BY DR. ROBIN HICKERSON From sire to sire, It’s born in the blood The fire from a mare and the strength of a stud It’s breeding and it’s training and it’s something unknown That drives you and carries you home
And it’s run for the roses as fast as you can Your fate is delivered, your moment’s at hand It’s the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance
And it’s high time you joined in the dance “Run for the Roses” by Dan Fogelberg
T he Kentucky Derby, also known as the Run for the Roses, has been labeled the most exciting two minutes in sports. Most of us are familiar with the pomp and circumstance surrounding the derby—hats, mint juleps, twin spires, and the bugler. However, most people have no idea just how rare it is for a horse to qualify and just how much time and preparation goes into the whole derby experience. The annual foal crop in the United States is about 20,000, and only 20 or 0.001% of each crop qualifies for the Kentucky Derby ( pennhorseracing.com ). Starting each fall, horses can run in derby prep races and begin earning points toward the Run for the Roses. Texarkana residents, Kerry and Alan Ribble, put themselves on a path to achieve the lofty goal of sitting in an owner’s suite at Churchill Downs on derby day. Their journey to the derby has been a spectacular one, filled with highs and lows, laughter and tears, and an unbreakable bond among family, friends, jockeys, trainers, and owners.
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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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