Nine-year-old Kaitlin loves to fill her world with horses. Her favorite animal is a horse, her favorite sport is horseback riding, her favorite sports team is the U.S. Equestrian Team, her favorite toys are plastic horses, and her favorite vehicle is a horse trailer. Additionally, Kaitlin takes riding lessons and reads books about thoroughbreds. What could a horse lover like Kaitlin wish for? Well, she asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central & Western North Carolina to send her to the Kentucky Derby.

Kaitlin and her family visited Louisville, Ky., home of the monumental event. Her adventure started with a complimentary meal from Ruth’s Chris Steak House and lodging at the Hurstbourne Hotel. She also visited The Belle of Louisville steamboat, where the captain named her honorary captain and let her steer the ship. During the ensuing celebration, Kaitlin was introduced to the Kentucky governor and even danced with him.

Eventually, the horse aficionado realized her dream. She received a grand tour of Churchill Downs – site of the Kentucky Derby – from an actual jockey. Kaitlin also interacted with Arctic Boy, one of the competing horses. She rode him, watched him get saddled for the race, and sat in the owner’s spectator box. Later, Kaitlin sewed a rose on the winning horse’s blanket and received an autograph from the winning jockey.

Other highlights included getting a key to the city of Louisville, visiting the Kentucky Derby Museum, going on a hot air balloon ride, and being an honored guest at the Pegasus Parade. When her wish was all over, there was one more huge surprise for Kaitlin – a generous donation of her very own horse!