Ferdinand's Ball!

As I have mentioned before, I occasionally convince James to put on a suit and traipse around town with me. We have a few favorite events we hit up every year and one of these is Ferdinand's Ball.

It's my favorite time of year: Derby time, which can only mean one thing - the Ball is right around the corner! Now, it just so happens that a good friend of mine co-founded this particular derby gala. All the more reason to support it. However, Ferdinand's Ball is for a great cause, and one that I fully support.

The Ball supports Old Friends, which is a thoroughbred retirement farm. Some Derby newbies might not realize that most of the horses they are watching race, are under 3 years old - just lil' baby horsies! Wouldn't it be nice to retire by 5? When the racehorses retire, it can sometimes be hard to find permanent retirement farms for them. Some of our other friends actually own retired race horses and use them for trail riding and pets, but the bulk of retired racehorses aren't that lucky. By "not that lucky" I mean that some of the retired racehorses, even the superstars, are sent overseas... where they are eaten.

It isn't a fairytale end for these ponies. So that's where the farm steps in. Farms, like Old Friends, are permanent homes for these guys and gals, and what's even better is that you can go and visit them there! Imagine being able to pull up to a house with all of the old reality TV stars in it, and being able to hob nob and hang out with these pseudo-celebs. That's kind of like visiting the farm would be for me.

So Ferdinand's Ball donates their proceeds to the Old Friends, which gives a nice, loving home for all these retired horsies. I love the message. Especially around Derby time. The horses are the real reason we have this huge celebration that lasts 2 weeks long, and they deserve to be treated like the super stars that they are!

Now, the Ball is a great cause and everything... but it is also a great party. James and I love attending. There are so many things to do and see, and it is always in an amazing venue.

Photo taken by the one and only - Jacob Zimmer, Zymage, LLC.

We dress up, eat, drink, dance to some jams, bid on silent and live auction items, watch a painting done live, mess around in the photo booth, and even get to walk the red carpet (which James loves... he would never admit it, but he is totally a glamourpuss).

I am super excited about this year's Ball, especially since one of our own Cardinals is hosting (Peyton!). I can't wait to get all gussied up and hit the town, photogs all over, and have a great time.

This is just one of the many Derby events James and I will be hitting up this year. It is so much fun to attend and I love being able to see everyone there. We meet jockeys, owners, celebrities and new friends. Our pictures are splattered all over the society pages in the Louisville magazines - one even used a picture of James and I kissing in their lead story! He would die if he knew...

May 2nd is the night! I'll put up some of our undoubtedly awesome pictures from this year's ball soon after.