Sponsored by & Currently Located at
Texas Road House
6460 Dutchmans Parkway
Louisville, Kentucky
(that diamond shape in the horse is supposed
to hold the state of Texas on its back)
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THE GALLOPALOOZA OF LOUISVILLE
Heather Gail
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Blog Archive
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2008
(31)
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June
(24)
- "Alysheba"---1987 Kentucky Derby Winner
- "DREAMS ARE FREE"
- "GO FOR CHUX"
- "PAKMAN"
- "SECOND CHANCE DREAMERS"
- "EMPOWERING DREAMS"
- "PLEASANT COLONY"
- "TOGETHER"
- "CANONERO II"---1971 Kentucky Derby Winner
- "PEACE SEEKER"
- "thoroughBREAD"
- "MERCEDES"
- "MISS MELLWOOD"
- "GENE"
- "MAN(ning) O' WAR"
- "REAL QUIET"---1998 Kentucky Derby Winner
- "WHIRLAWAY"
- "TEXAS ROAD HORSE"
- "GIMME A HAND"
- "CHARISMATIC"---1999 Kentucky Derby Winner
- "Genuine Risk"---1980 Kentucky Derby Winner"
- "JUST THE FACTS"
- "STRIKE THE GOLD"--1991 Kentucky Derby Winner
- "ASSAULT"---1946 Triple Crown Winner
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June
(24)
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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.
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.