Horses – Page 361 – Virtual Brush Box

Good Things

I was named a finalist by American Horse Publications for my story, “Finding Safe Harbor”, about eventing a pony (pictured here), published in Horse Illustrated May 2012. I have a slew of recent horse show ribbons hanging on my wall. Yes, my office has the design aesthetic of a horse-crazy 12-year-old. Today is my 25thContinue reading “Good Things”

Kentucky Memories

Another Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has come and gone without me. Am I sorry? Of course, but not as much as I thought I would be. From 1998 to 2010, I went to Lexington for the week to work, to write, to run about. It was always a blast. Then life changed and it seemedContinue reading “Kentucky Memories”

Inspiration Is Everywhere

“Mushroom hunting is not simply a matter of traipsing through the woods after it rains. It is an art, a skill, a meditation, a process.” Mycophilia: Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms by Eugenia Bone [Rodale 2011] page xv. Quoting David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified:A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi. Riding correctlyContinue reading “Inspiration Is Everywhere”

WCOW

Previous Horse hated cows. Cows across the street. We used to trot up & down our long driveway for conditioning hacks. The only thing that made him more nervous than the cows across the street was the empty field where the cows had been on the last pass. Which way did they go? Which wayContinue reading “WCOW”

Days Past

I’m feeling lazy, so here’s one from the archives. Sadat Avenel Farm Fall Show October 21, 1978 Maiden Equitation

Show Report: ETSA Spring Classic, Cleveland, TN

And the winner is Sam Willie. In the morning, it was decreed that I would ride Sam. However, halfway through the day, Lola decided she’d Had Enough. She was done showing and no one was going to change her mind. The resulting horse shuffle put me on Willie. After a quick swap of pre-ride visualizations,Continue reading “Show Report: ETSA Spring Classic, Cleveland, TN”

Old Dog. New Trick.

This weekend I uttered a sentence I have never before used in my life. Proper saddleseat turn-out mandates make-up for female riders. Although I have only worn make-up a handful of times, I submit to this requirement with my trademark quiet dignity. I made sure to take the lipstick with me to the ring forContinue reading “Old Dog. New Trick.”