Tops

[Richard Harrow] is the most intriguing character on t.v. today, in one of the most intriguing shows on t.v. today. I hope the writers continue to develop some of the complexities they've already introduced with Harrow and that they don't just let it fizzle out. I recently read a fascinating novel by Louisa Young titled [My Dear I Wanted to Tell You] that struck home with the Harrow character. I couldn't get it out of my mind! And, in addition, the actor who plays "Richard Harrow" is a [Huston], which makes him all kinds of unique and interesting in it's own way. I'm all about some Boardwalk Empire and I'm ecstatic that the 2nd season is back on in full effect. I can't wait to see what happens this fall! 

HBO.....just please don't [kill off another of my favorite characters] in one of your series this time around. Please.

In the Dog House

I am frequently heard proclaiming that my house is "the Beagle house." But, this is taking it a bit too far. I kind of love it, though. It looks just like my Beagle, Max (red collar and all)! Put a couple of horses out back and throw in a pot-bellied pig, and that's my idea of pure heaven.

Living the Good Life (Sort of)

[Dream on.]

I had never seen [this blog] before, but a college friend shared a few links to it on Facebook the other day, and once I looked.....I was hooked. FUNNY. 

Scrabble and Eventing? Of course!

Photo by [Renee Saarela].

This may be my new favorite cross-country jump ever. I would really enjoy galloping down to and over this lovely fence found on the Beginner Novice course at the [Steepleview Horse Trials] just outside of Minneapolis. I wonder if Jon Wells might get started on something like this around here in Area III? I love it!

Fancy!

Would somebody please tell me how to teach Eddie to trot like [THIS]?

In that video, it's not so much the floaty front feet that gets me as much as it's the controlled power of the hind-end and the elevated hind feet that is amazing. Wow.

Hat Lady

I love wearing hats. I'm not necessarily talking about the flamboyant and garish, over-the-top hats that come out once a year at Derby time. I'm talking about the hats that cap off that pristine new coiffure at a formal garden party, or the perfect topper to match your shoes at an autumn wedding. 

The Brits are great at many things. One of those things happens to involve the sport of eventing. That's indisputable. So, what happens when you pair a world class eventer with some amazing couture hats? And, yes, we can add that this eventer is also a blue-blooded royal. That lends itself to 1). many social and cultural opportunities to wear a fancy hat, 2). the need for those fancy hats to be stylish and unique, and 3). exposure on an international level that means everybody sees her and her hat. Fortunately, Zara Phillips is a connoisseur of fine hats and she wears them well. And, not only is she a hat girl, but she is a "hat and coat" girl, which I just adore. It's not always the hat or the coat, but the hat and the coat together that can make the outfit truly incredible. 

So, [hats off to Mrs. Tindall], who can wear a Philip Treacy just as elegantly as a Charles Owen.

Sisterly Love and Affection

My sister's birthday was back at the end of August and, naturally, I got her a little present to mark the occasion. I got her a nice, wooden, shadowbox-ish, recessed photo frame so that she can proudly display a picture of her boyfriend, or her horse, or her dog, or her cat. I still don't know what picture she decided to put in it, but I know what picture was in it. Instead of keeping the generic, commercial shot that was provided with the new frame, I printed out a more "personal" picture to place in it when I gave it to her. And, here it is:

This photo was taken by one of the MFHs at the Tennessee Valley Hunt's opening meet a few years ago. I am riding Eddie (of course) and Melissa is riding Rebel, our mom's Walking Horse (who loves to go hilltopping with the hunt, when someone decides to take him). I think the other aspects of the photo are self-explanatory. I'm hoping that a portion of my gift to Melissa wasn't just the picture frame, but the laugh she got when she saw the customized photo. Good times. :-)

Seeing Stars

So, my BFF, Kelsey......oh, do I even need to tell you again who my BFF is, at this point? Anyway, my BFF is entered in the CCI* at the [Hagyard Midsouth 3-day & Team Challenge] at the Kentucky Horse Park in October. I am going with her as one of her 4 grooms (there are 3 other people and only 1 horse, so how hard can this really be?) and I am very excited. Kelsey and Pirate have actually won a Training 3-day and a Preliminary horse trial -- and they just ran their 5th or 6th Intermediate at AECs -- so a one-star seems like the next logical step....particularly since she's aiming for the CCI** next year at Jersey Fresh. 

Trotting up at the 3-day in Ocala.

This worked for Florida in the sunshine, but something more
"Georgie Spence" may be in order for Lexington in October. 

I am getting all of my classes organized, lessons planned, and students settled -- one month in advance -- to ensure that nothing stands in the way of my being there for my girl and the baby Pirate in Kentucky. Kelsey has been adamant about entering only classic format CCIs (where/when they are offered) which means she typically has to do some driving (Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida being the closest long formats around). I can't support her financially in long-format endeavors, so my time, energy, and moral support will have to suffice. I will also be on hand to offer some advice regarding trot-up attire (because sometimes, girlfriend needs a little help), but I just hope against hope that she doesn't expect me to do any braiding. My newly air-brushed French tips say "No way."