blog 3

For this blog i will be discussing the relationship between the Uiversity of Kentucky and Keeneland. The Universiy of Kentucky and Keeneland have been working together for many years, trying to make both oganizatrions look and beth best that they can. Keeneland has been long time contributor to the University, and as the years have gone by thehy become very close. Keeneland has donated millions of dollars for the growth of the universiy over a different periods of time. Keeneland's first donation was in1954 and The University recieved 200,000 dollars forthe construction of a women's dorm. Together Keeneland and UK are working to raise over three million dollars for the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center for Cancer Research. These proceeds come from the Keeneland's Maker's Mark Mile. The University hs always wanted to be in the top twenty and with the help of Keeneland's supportof 100,000 dollars a year, the hopes of pursuing this dream is possible. After interviewing Amy Gregory, the Media Relation Manager Keeneland, she talked about how the University and Keeneland set up off season meetings so that the University can hold sponsered events. Some events are See Blue Day and the Schlorship Day. The Univerity also helps Keeneland whenever they need it. A good example of tis is the Universities Agricultural experts. They assist the tracks ground crew with the turf on the track and arond the field. The relationship btween Keeneland and The Unversity Of Kentucky will continue to grow and with each others support will increase their relationships with other organizations. Also this helps make Lexington grow as a community and will help keep its strong traditions and support from other organizations and communities across the nation.

blog 2

I took some time to think of some good people to interview for this segment of my essay. I decided to get multiple perspectives of people and their interest in Keeneland. My first interview was that of my fellow pledge brother Lee, the view of the gambler. Lee is a native to Lexington and has grown up going to Keeneland. When I asked him what Keeneland meant to him and his family, his first response was "Family Tradition." He then talked about how his family and other families from his area would attend Keeneland every year and how important it was to them. That made me think, is Keeneland tradition to more than just families from the area? He then got excited and talked about the fun and excitement of gambling at Keeneland. I didn't really understand all the terms and concepts but it was very fasinating to see how enthusied he was about it. Lee's great grandfather is the last remaining founder of Keeneland. Lee's family has been apart of Keeneland since the begining. His Family and other families like their's have helped have helped shape Keeneland in to what it is today. Lee said that his grandfather takes pride in how unique Keeneland is and stresses the importance of it's mission statement; "Founded as a model racetrack, we seek to continually improve Thoroughbred racing while at the same time preserve its finest tradtions." People resepect and take pride in how classy Keeneland is. When I went to Keeneland last weekend, I had a brief interview with one of the ticket salesman. He told me that Keeneland is a place of entertainment and business. He said he can always tell which ones are there to enjoy themselves and those that are their to win some money. Diversity was his main point of the interview and in my opinion is what makes Keeneland so intersting. It really takes a first hand experience to really know what he's talking about. When interviewing my friend Jared, we talked about the horse's rights. He talked about how in the past the horses were treated much worse. Today, millions of dollars are spend to insure the health and safety of these thoroughbred horses. It made me laugh when he said these horses are treated like royality. He believes that advances in medicine and technology will help give horses longer lives and give them more rights to survive. (further detail and explanation in essay). Further research and interviews will help me accomplish my goals with this essay.

History of Keeneland

After doing research on Kenneland, I found out a lot of interesting facts.  I had no idea that it is non profit.  That makes me wonder why they do it?  The merchandise that they sell is a big key to their funding.  The Keeneland library is known as the "soul of keeneland."  It has helped promote and preserve the heritage of the Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred racing and breeding.  Keeneland is just as famous for its Sales Operations.  Throughout the year, Keeneland holds four horse auctions.  Each event sales a different type of horse and it attracts buyers worldwide.  For my assignment it helps that I have great resources such as the Keeneland Library and The Lexington History Museum.  All this information is really going to help in discovering the different views of Keeneland and help to really get a good understanding of it.

Introduction

I am interested in writing my paper on Keenland. It has been a place that I have been very curious about every since I started looking at the University of Kentucky. I have never seen a live horse race and I am very excited to go and get a good feel of the environment that surrounds me. I want to find out all about Keenland. I want to see Keenland in the many different perspectives. From the observer, to the intense gambler, to the jockey and the horse, and the owners of it all. I will be interviewing one of the founders of the remaining founders of Keenland and find out what Keenland means to him and the community around him. How does Keenland effect Lexington? Good aspects? Negative aspects? My goal by the end of this assignment is to find out all about Keenland and how important it is to the people that make it what it is.