By: Chelsie Rigterink

“Guess what?” I exclaimed, jumping up from the computer with excitement. I had just found some of the best news imaginable while surfing the Internet. Not waiting for a reply, I shouted out the information that had caused my sudden burst of enthusiasm. “Cigar is at the Kentucky Horse Park!”

“Well that’s nice,” my mother replied sedately from her seat on the couch. She had barely looked up from the book she was reading. The rest of my family had little or no response. It wasn’t as if I expected them to leap up and turn cartwheels as a result of the statement, yet I found myself disgusted with how calm they remained. My family does not share my obsession with horses, so they could not have possibly understood why this was earth shattering news.

[private]They knew, at most, that Cigar was a racehorse. They did not realize that this was the world renowned Thoroughbred winner of sixteen consecutive races and the all time leading money winner at the time of his retirement. They did not know that this was my all time favorite racehorse, the one that I never in a million years thought I would have the opportunity to meet.

You see, there was a reason for my ecstasy. In just a few weeks, my family would be visiting the Kentucky Horse Park on vacation. That in itself would have put me on cloud nine, but meeting Cigar was the icing on the cake. At only thirteen, I actually had the opportunity to visit my favorite champion!

Those next few weeks seemed to drag on forever, but the time finally arrived for our trip to Kentucky. Upon arriving at the Kentucky Horse Park, I felt overwhelmed. The park was beautiful. With so many things to do and see, and so many horses, I knew I would love every minute of it. But before I could take it all in, I just had to see Cigar.

I explained my dire urgency to my family, and although I am sure they did not understand, they agreed to my plan of action. It wasn’t long before we found the Hall of Champions, where great horses of various equine sports live. As I headed up the walkway to the picturesque building, my heart began racing with anticipation. I knew that just inside were some of the most famous horses alive. Chills ran up my spine and I shivered in spite of the intense summer heat.

I finally stepped inside the Hall of Champions, and found the nameplate bearing the name “Cigar” almost immediately. I quietly stepped up to the stall and gazed at the magnificent horse within. There he stood, gazing back at me calmly with dark brown eyes full of personality. It was really Cigar. Although retired from racing, he still appeared well muscled and sleek. His beautiful bay coat glistened with good health. I studied every powerful inch of him in awe, finding it hard to believe that I was standing so close to such an incredible animal. I will remember that moment, standing so close to a world champion racehorse, as long as I live.
There were several other famous horses in the Hall of Champions that I felt honored to meet, but none quite as much as Cigar. Having the opportunity to meet this wonderful equine taught me that life is full of special, unexpected moments. We are fortunate to have these experiences, which can only be found by embracing life and living in the moment. For one horse crazy kid, one such moment was realizing the dream of visiting a champion.[/private]