Burghley 2007 is here!

The first day of dressage ran yesterday and with 9 Americans entered, it'll be an exciting three days! Best of luck to EVERYBODY and I hope everyone over there has a safe, successful weekend. I have included a link to a picture of one of the new cross-country fences for this year's event, The Land Rover Arena (jumps #27-#29). If you can't tell, it is a three-element combination, where the horses/riders jump the short-bed of one Land Rover, jump the sandstone skinny in the center, then jump out over the short-bed of the second Land Rover. That's why these riders are the best in the world!!!

Burghley Fences #31and #32

Today's fences: Lambert's Sofa (31) and the Land Rover Finale (32).











Fence 31 is a really beautifully designed and constructed jump, with a lovely view of Burghley House in the background.

Burghley Fences #29 and #30

Today's fences: the Galaxy Turn (29, 30).

Silly Girls...

Jenn and Erika, this post today is just for you. You both are crazy, but I love ya for it!!! :)

Burghley Fences #27 and #28

Today's fences: the Trakhener (27) and the Gnome's House (28)

Tryon re-cap

Special Ed and I are back from our latest horse trial and a fun-filled weekend in Tryon, NC. No, unfortunately, that is not us in that picture to the left, although it does deceptively look very much like us, right? That is Zara Phillips and Toytown winning the gold medal at the World Equestrian Games last summer. It's easy to confuse them with me and Eddie. :)

I rode like CRAP all weekend, but Eddie was so good!! I don't think I've ever competed in such hot weather, and I was very worried about Eddie (as we weren't nearly prepared for this competition and we are both in wretched shape), but my little guy pulled through like a real trooper, and lo and behold...we finished in 4th place. So, on to our next challenge (MTPC in Nashville in October) and then a move-up to the next level in Lexington!

Burghley Fences #25, #26

Today's fences: Discovery Valley (25abc, 26)

He's back!

Ok, now, you all KNOW I couldn't go 2 Beckham Monday's in a row without BECKHAM, so here he is. And, he's even out there with his own blog.


Becks...in his own words. Simply adorable!!!

Burghley Fences #23, #24

Today's fences are Herbert's Hedge (23) and Thomson's Wall (24)

Burghley Fences #21abc, #22

Today's fences are The Land Rover Trout Hatchery (21abc, 22)

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club HT

Eddie and I are leaving tomorrow morning for Tryon, NC to compete in the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club summer horse trials. As much as I complain about never riding, and it being so hot and all, I'm really looking forward to seeing some of my friends this weekend and being in the show atmosphere. It should get our butts kick-started for the fall events. Mr. Ed and I will do our thing, and have a lot of fun along the way. Wish us luck!

Burghley Fences #20abc

Today's fences: The Pedigree Poser (20abc)

Life is Good

I saw a huge billboard on the side of I-40 West yesterday, here in Knoxville, proclaiming that our local CW affiliate will be airing Family Guy episodes 6 nights a week, from 7-8pm (EST). As if the other 2 or 3 times per day it is aired on other stations isn't quite enough for me (no, it's not). My DVR will be chock full of more Family Guy than I can possibly handle in one sitting (that's a lot). I love it!!!!

Burghley Fences #19ab

Today's fence: The Maltings (19ab)

Pretty on the Outside

How amazing would these Miu Miu boots look with that Prada metallic leather tote? I won't even tell you how much these cost. They are, together, worth roughly more than my horse. Or, my car. Or, my entire graduate school education.

Burghley Fences #16ab, #17, #18ab

Today's fences: The Land Rover Dairy Farm (16ab), Capability's Cutting South (17), and The Rolex Corners (18ab)

Christmas 2007

If you're wracking your brain trying to think of the absolute perfect Christmas gift for me this year, then look no further. If they also happen to auction off Ioan himself, then you can forego the "actors set chairs or clothing worn on or off the screen" and just bring me Horatio. Sorry, there is no Beckham today. Today is all about me, me, me, since I'm kind of tired of Becks' new look and he hasn't really done anything exciting lately.

Burghley Fences #13, #14, #15

Today's fences are Winner's Avenue (13), The Enormous Cottesmore Leap (14), and The Egg Basket (15)

"Eddie did great"

According to Dr. Adair, the equine surgeon at UT's vet hospital who did Eddie's chiro adjustment this week, "Eddie did great." He thought Eddie was such a good boy (for his first chiro treatment) and the student/intern who assisted in the procedure thought Eddie was "so cute." Yep, that's my pony! He also thought that Eddie looked pretty good (short of needing to add some muscle to his hind-end and put a bit of weight on him before winter) and all he did was crack Eddie's back, pop his shoulders, and stretch his spine/topline and neck out really good. He did have to adjust his sacropelvic region (hip) on the left side, which was out of alignment and was probably causing my concern about him being stiff to the right when we jumped and turned that direction.

He's all good now, and I could tell that Eddie really was benefitting from the muscle work. His neck relaxed, his hind-end stretched down, and he seemed more comfortable afterwards. Dr. Adair also showed me some stretches I can get Eddie to do at home after a good ride, or on the road at a show, when he's had a long haul in the trailer or is stiff while being kept up in the stall. We're going back the first week of September for the second adjustment, so I think he's going to be a really happy horse this fall event season!

Burghley Fences #9, #10, #11, #12

Today's fences: The GNER Train (9), Capability's Cutting North (10, 11), and The Farmyard (12)

The Lake

Last year, my parents sold their house they built 30 years ago in town and moved to a smaller, more manageable 1950's "project" house out at South Holston Lake in Bristol. Recently, they purchased a new ski boat to replace the one they had sold not long after I finished college. I guess that living at the lake wasn't enough; they now want to spend just as much time on the lake!

Last weekend, I went up there and went out on the boat with them. It was lots of fun and I may need to spend a little more time with my parents, now! That's my dad in the hat (on the cellphone) and that's my mom (who probably shouldn't be drinking beer and driving the boat...or, driving the boat ever. Especially not when I'm trying to ski).

And, that's the Hwy 421 bridge over the lake by Laurel Marina. I distinctly remember jumping off that bridge my senior year in high school, along with John Creasey, Brad Smith, Kevin Kirksey, Tony Giglio, and Jens (the totally cute all-star tennis player/German exchange student, who I had the BIGGEST crush on). I was the only girl. And, not only was I the only girl, but I jumped in a bikini, and I didn't lose my top. :)

Burghley Fences #6ab, #7, #8

Todays fences: The Land Rover Splash (6ab), The Open Ditch Hedge (7), and Coutts Cascade (8)

The Zoo

So, following up on yesterday's post about the little ones, today's post involves me, Martha, and Jace's trip to the Knoxville Zoo last week. I haven't been to the zoo here since I was about 8, so it was an interesting and enjoyable visit, despite the 90+ degree heat and the fact we were accompanied by an "active" 2 year old. We actually put Jace in a stroller, and continuing with my new "pseudo mommy" kick, I pushed Jace around all day for Martha, and she and I just walked and talked and watched the animals.

It was really nice and although I haven't seen Martha in over 2 years (which is a shocking record, for any of the 4 of us girls from college to have not seen one or the other of one of us at any time for more than 6 months or so) it was really as if we'd just seen each other several days before. We picked up right where we left off last time. That's the great thing about me, Michelle, Shane, and Martha...it's like we just never seem to ever be that far apart




(geographically or chronologically, over time). I'm really happy to have gotten to spend so much time with Maratha and Jace, and I look forward to seeing much more of them when they come back to visit Knoxville in the near future. :)

Burghley Fences #3, #4abc, #5ab

Today's fences: The Turrets (3), Land Rover Landscapes (4abc), and The Dolmio Kitchen (5ab)

(You can click on each of the photos for a larger view.)

Baby Love

Ok. It is a well-known fact amongst my closest homies that I am not really what you could call a "baby person." I love the kiddies, but having one of my own freaks me out (for good reason, I should guess, as I'm not married and don't really plan to be anytime soon). But, this doesn't mean that I can't love my friends' kids, which is a good thing, because I do.

Last weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting -- for the first time ever-- Jace, the 2 year old son of my college suitemate, Martha, and I also got to meet new baby Eden, the 3 month old daughter of my other college suitemate, Shane. They are both beautiful children and I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with them. Jace is full of energy, or, as we politely like to say, "He is a very active child." I love it! We went outside and played in the yard together for about an hour on Saturday, so Martha could sit inside with Shane and have a bit of a chat and catch up. Jace took to Auntie Holly like trailer trash to Velveeta! It almost does make me want one of my own, but please don't tell my mom that, because she'd get all excited and hopeful and shit.

Burghley Horse Trials, 2007

The fabulous Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are fast approaching, and to honor the American contingent crossing the pond to compete this year (including the wonderful duo of Will Faudree and Antigua) I have decided to post a picture(s) each day of the cross-country fences on last years 4-star course, up until the start of the competition on August 30. It's difficult to really fathom the height, width, and depth of these amazing fences without standing right next to them (much less galloping a 1200 pound animal toward one, just hoping it will jump it cleanly!).


Thank you to the official web site of the Burghley Horse Trials for posting such beautiful photographs of the course. Today's photos are fences #1 and #2, The Overture (1) and the Flower Frame (2). I wonder why the American flag is flying so prominently above fence #1, when this is a British event?

Monday Hottness

He's such a cutie, but I really wish he'd grow his hair back out. My favorite thing in the world is Beck's hair when it's longer and twists up in the front. Grow it back!!! I really don't like this look...