Twenty-four Michiana students are just hours away from heading to the event that kicks off the Kentucky Derby.

Members of Culver Military Academy's Horsemanship Program are heading bright and early to Louisville Thursday for the Pegasus parade.

Leadership is a word students at the academy live by but, this week they've been preparing to lead the way like they've never lead before.

Zach Faylor of the Black Horse Troop says, “People who don't even really like horse racing will sit down and watch the Kentucky Derby because it's the Kentucky Derby.”

Faylor and his classmates won't be watching. They'll be riding the streets in the 1.7 mile Pegasus parade with hundreds of thousands staring.

Randi McColly-Fleener, Captain of the Equestriennes says, “You hear people yell, “Look at the horse,” and it's just really special because our hard work is recognized.”

There's obvious excitement as they prepare to hit the streets of Louisville for the nationally renowned event but, this group says there's more to it. This is their chance to show off what's in the streets of Michiana, their school.

McColly-Fleener says, “I think it's a major pro for our school being there and having people want to be us on our black horses.”

Mark Waller, Director of the Horsemanship Program says, “Years to come if new students see they got to go to this ride, we can say if you continue to work hard on your riding skills you too can have a chance in taking part in something like this.”

The Black Horse Troop is one of the few remaining Cavalry units in the country and the largest.

The Pegasus Parade is Thursday at 5 p.m.

It will air nationally Saturday morning. You can catch the actual derby right here on WNDU at four o'clock Saturday afternoon.