All The Pretty Horses: "SECOND CHANCE DREAMERS"

Sponsored by Currently & Lo.@ Maryhurst Alternative School

1015 Dorsey Lane right off of Ormsby Station Road

Louisville, Kentucky

(the horse was made a unicorn by the children to represent purity)

ABOUT THE GALLOPALOOZA

I grew up in a town called Shelbyville, which is about 30 miles east from the city of Louisville. I still live there today. The horses of the Gallopalooza really didn't interest me until just recently when I decided to photograph the remaining horses that are left in Louisville. This collection of horses, 223 to be exact, was put together by Brightside, a public-private organization whose sole interest is in the beautification of Louisville. Local businesses from the area sponsored the design of their individual horse, an artist designed the horse and then, in October of 2004, the horses were auctioned off for charity. If the business wanted to keep their horse, they had to buy it back. If they didn't buy it back or were outbid because another company wanted that horse, that business lost it. Half of those proceeds went to Brightside and the other half went to the charity of the buyer's choosing. Some businesses still have the horse they sponsored and some do not. Altogether, Brightside raised some $800,000 for the continued beautification of the city of Louisville.

Now, about the Gallopalooza. All of the Kentucky Derby winners names were involved, some were Triple Crown winners, some were Oaks Winners, some were just famous horses like Man O' War and Seabiscuit, & some names were based on a specific part of the business that sponsored that particular horse.

This has been a fun project for me. I honestly can't say why, but I do love all things beautiful, colorful and unique and I really believe the Gallopalooza is unique to the city of Louisville, not every city has life size horses standing on the corners of area businesses. I think this is the first year that I really appreciated the spirit of the city during the Kentucky Derby Festival. I will continue this until I finish it & finished for me will be to know the location of every horse after it was auctioned, sold, damaged, and yes, people have vandalized them and even stolen them.

Want to give a loud shout out to my brother Mike for his help with this. Thanks Mike. Thanks Bro.

All The Pretty Horses

Friday, June 13, 2008

"SECOND CHANCE DREAMERS"

Heather Gail

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ABOUT THE GALLOPALOOZA