CT Summer Classic "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!"

A fine week is in the books for the 2008 Connecticut Summer Classic Horse Show. Thanks to organizers and everyone who worked so hard in the heat (and humidity). Partial proceeds of the horse show benefit Saddlebred Rescue Inc., (http://www.saddlebredrescue.com/) which is a wonderful cause.

There is a wonderful aspect to this show for children with lots of activities geared to them daily during the school summer vacation period which makes things attractive to the younger set.

Maybe I am wrong but this year it seemed there were a lot more Academy riders- filling every class plentifully. It was great to see, I just had to pass on NR's mudslides at the exhibitor party the night before w/the early academy wake up call!

Ginny visited!!! We missed you honey, you were a joy to have around, thanks for all of your help.

If you're reading this and you stay in W. Springfield for horse shows and related events I highly recommend the Hampton Inn on Rt 5, we've never stayed at this particular one before and it was reasonable and very nice: including touches like an outdoor pool (in August! Yay!), cute daily surprises/perks from housekeeping, free hi speed wireless internet, and a complimentary expansive breakfast buffet. Ask for the horse show rate!

Here's how the week went: congratulations riders and drivers. From cookies and milk, to seeing so many of you meet your goals: it was a blast.

Nicholas, Elena and Libby strategize! Or perhaps upon a closer inspection we will find the girls are holding the bridle so Nicholas doesn't get bucked off!

Kathleen Osnoe and Harlem's Beau Dandy were a crowd favorite in the Show Pleasure Driving division at CSC- congratulations on an outstanding performance people are still talking about!

Courtney's Box (Never seen a Box filled with so many useful, mysterious & enjoyable surprises!) This picture does not do it justice.

The photos of her harness didn't come out great due the extreme solar eclipse sun glare action from the shine on her brass!

Home from CT Summer Classic Horse Show

And for the record...at 7am today, Sunday morning, a certain horse trainer was sleeping in past daybreak!

Write this day down on the calendar! (Good for you, Nicholas!)

Havin' Fun in the Sun!

Lunch at the Farmer's Market (next door to an authentico taco stand go figure)

An amish self serve farm stand

THERE'S THE THREE SEASONS....
THEN THERE'S THE FOUR SEASONS!
The only Four Seasons I know of downwind from a horse show! Kidding! Simple clean accomodations...And next door to the Quentin Haus!

A fellow hotel guest we know and love in his PJs-I'm gonna pay for this The mural from room 21
you have to see this to believe it

Sharing the road Rt 772 near Lititz
Amish tractors on a break

Ronks, PA - Annie holds liquid gold, the best lemonade I have *ever* tasted

A busy place with a NO TOURISTS sign Village Harness Shop great shopping for horsemen

As close as I've been to being ready to have one again? Readers? What do ya think?

Awwwwwwwww... Big paws. 4 wks. She wagged her tail and smiled at me.

Myagi & Portay & DB

A farm market in Amish country near Ephrata- as delicious as it is beautiful

Pleasant travels to Children's Benefit Horse Show brings successes back to CT!

Congratulations riders! We are returning from a wonderful trip to Quentin PA for the 19th annual Children's Benefit Horse Show.



Elizabeth McCracken debuted Mr. Rockefeller in his first Country Pleasure drive against the best of competition, garnering a top 3 ribbon and a Reserve Grand Championship- already a stunning combination with only a few short weeks together.

Annie and DB earned top 3 finishes in the show's largest and most competitive division with a reserve tie in the Open Adult pleasure divisions to boot. Go Annie!



Patti and Hero earned two blues in the Saturday morning Academy divisions- you can't miss this combination (or Patti's radiant smile), great job!





We happily motored thru the countryside when we weren't inside the ingate on the stonedust of the beautiful Quentin Riding Club's show ring- the great hospitality of the show committee and the bounty of that Lancaster County has to offer made it a great trip.

In honor of the upcoming Olympic Games! LOL Olympics!

more cat pictures

A fun show!

We just completed a fun, local weekend show at Falls Creek Farm in CT. We had a great time and everyone got some good practice that is close to home. It is so nice to try something different once in a while and it's a day where everyone shows on the same day (in multiple classes!) so it's a great opportunity to get to see how everyone's coming along and support one another. Thanks to everyone who came out to cheer, support and help, it really was a blast!

Annie and DB are a blur, still kind of a cool picture! The only thing NOT a blur was the show schedule! Check out the clock that it's rounding 4:30 and the day is long from being over!

Lib and Willy
"Open up and say Ahhhhhhhhh" We found out that Brooke from FL via Boston via Waterford not only is the helper w/the mostest but an MD too? Thanks for the fun Brooke. Shiloh you are the best behaved Jack Russell I've ever met and you're welcome in my aisle any time!

"Which way is everyone else lining up?"

2 buddies who were riding 2 horses who are buddies!



Erika and Al are all business in their in hand class!
Kate in the winners circle on her wonderful horse!

VHF Tiffany swept the Morgan Division with 3 blues debuting under Kim's beautiful guidance-congratulations to both of these special girls!
Youbefine, Julie McCoy, Portay and Stalenalena Schlink. A lineup beyond description.

Still smilin' at the end of a long day!

Bobette and Mr Rockefeller debuted with 2 blues and a third in three (defensive) driving classes in a large Open Pleasure driving division that featured everything from soup to nuts to 2 carriages that had nothing on Ben Hur- roaring, chain clanking, thundering honestly it sounded like a tornado crashing by! Congratulations to Nicholas and Bobette to getting this team in the ring so quickly and effortlessly.

Ahhh the fun of of a one day show!

Hello bloggers~ we're home from a one day show today (i.e. read: dark-thiry to dark-thirty) and what a fabulous day: new beginnings for young and young at heart, well earned ribbons for the veterans and tons of joy, support for barnmates and lots of laughs-Thanks to ALL you are a wonderful team. More blogging to come on this one but I'm off to find 2 advil and a big glass of water!

Here is a happy photo of Kate and Lauren getting a final strategy session railside in anticipation for their late afternoon classes (with a first and second place respectively on the Wonder Twin Morgans!)

The Eagle has Landed-Mr. Rockefeller's arrival

Mr. Rockeller arrives! (My camera was in the truck quite by accident so this was extra fun!)

Note the little tiny new mom (on the left) intently watching Nicholas deliver the package as gently as it's a dozen eggs!

Sam helps by holding the door...

Nicholas and Elena smiling or a Jerald ad?

This is all a bit Neil Armstrong-like...

"Hey? Wait a minute, I smell root beer barrels!!!!!!

"No, I get to take him for grass tomorrow...
OK I can take the holiday...Wait wait I want Sunday!!! "

A Happy Day for everyone!