The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palance

On my last morning in London, I walked from our hotel at the Claridges down to Buckingham Palace with the intention of getting cash (one of my favorite Euro activities) and seeing the Royal Mews. Well, the Mews made London for me! As I was approaching, a horse drawn carriage came out! The Royal Mews are an active department of the Royal Family. It handles their horses, carriage events, the Trooping of the Colors. It stores many of the state carriages, including the Gold State Coach and the Scottish State Coach, among many others. At the end of the Royal Year, the Queen holds a party at the Mews, with caroling and children, and a sleigh-drawn visit by Santa! 1360 was when the first Master of the Horse was appointed, and the Royal Mews used to be where the National Gallery now stands and before that was at Charing Cross. It was circa 1760 when the Mews were moved to Buckingham Palace by George III. Now, the Riding School is the oldest part of the Mews -- in fact, this riding school was where all of Queen Victoria's children took lessons. I was blown away by the beauty of the Mews. The horses have these tremendously large, clean, airy stalls with sea green tiles on the walls. Just beautiful. The horses are beautiful. The riding school was regal (of course). The Gold State Coach was a mind-blower. And it was at this point, that someone popped up and asked if I would take a survey about my satisfaction with the Mews as a tour destination. Well, you know me, I hate surveys! But I was just about beside myself to praise the wonderfulness of the Mews. It was perfect timing. I was bursting to tell someone how *great* it all was and then this proper courteous survey interviewer pops up! Here are some facts: The Master of the Horse is the third of the great officers of state in the Royal Household. He is very important and handles all things horsey -- he was pivotal at the 1953 Coronation, making sure that the Queen didn't have trouble getting in or out of the Gold Carriage at Westminster Abbey. He doesn't run the Mews daily, that's the Crown Equerry's job, but he does hold periodic inspections! Every time I go to London, I will visit the Mews!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mews

or

http://www.gagme.com/greg/vacation/2003/cruise/buckingham.php

or

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=31

Ormonde and My Girls!

My girls are related to Ormonde (1883-1904), the 4th English Triple Crown winner. He raced 16 times in his life and won all 16 times, career earnings of $142,325. He was so successful that many famous artists painted him, including Emil Adam. In the painting below, you see Sidney R. Wombill's rendition of Ormonde beating The Bard at the 1886 Epsom Derby on his way to winning the Triple Crown. He was "roaring" so loud, he could be heard all over the track. He was such a great race horse that the Ormonde Stakes at Chester Race Course are named after him. His owner and breeder was Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster. The Duke must have been very proud because Ormonde won the Triple Crown in the St. Leger Stakes at a larking canter!! He was considered the finest race horse of the 19th century and had a kind temperment just like his dad! His dad was the sweet, handsome Epsom Derby-winning Bend Or and his mom, Lily Agnes, was sired by another Epsom Derby winner, Macaroni. So, over the course of a few generations, you see Birdcatcher, Stockwell, Bend Or, and Ormonde! After his racing career finished, he travelled the world! He went to Argentina to stand at stud for awhile, but then returned by boat to Southampton. His old trainer, John Porter, met his boat to greet and welcome him. He said that he pulled "a few hairs out of his mane and tail which I have preserved as a memento of a great and noble creature." It was the last time they ever saw each other. After a rest, in 1893, he took a steamer to New York, and then rail all the way to San Francisco Bay to stand stud at Menlo Stock Farm in California. He died on May 21, 1904, and was ultimately exhumed, so that his skeleton could be sent to the Museum of Natural History at South Kensington, UK. Here's a sweet story about him -- he would eat anything. But he had a passion for flowers. He loved to nip the boutonnieres right from the pockets of his wealthy gentlemen visitors! You can read more about this gentle, speedy boy at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormonde_(horse)
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Ormonde.html
or
http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=844

Hailee is in Foal!!

Barbie called me this evening and had the most wonderful news! Hailee is in foal! Dr. Burns gave her a check-up today and reported that he is confident that she's expecting. The foal is the right size given the number of days gestation. Hailee seems unremarkably routine! So, she will be checked again in a few weeks just to make sure she hasn't reabsorbed the egg, but things just look terrific. Thank you, Barbie and Tom, for your expertise and care with Hailee and to Dr. Burns for his unique talent at tracking and monitoring fast-cycling, small-follicled mares! I am so delighted to say that Hailee is going to become the dam of an American Sports Pony!!! That foal will be lucky to have a Welsh pony sire and a registered stock Paint horse dam with the blood of Easy Jet in her pedigree!! Cheers and Namaste to you all!!

The Elgin Marbles at the British Museum

When I was in London with Vicki and Marty, we went to the British Museum one morning. Who knew?! The British Museum is the coolest place on earth. It's beautiful, visionary, airy. It has the most wonderful, decorative, relaxing massive library. They had a special exhibition about every single drug a person takes in her life from birth control pills to cancer pills. They had a special exhibition about the costumes in Star Wars. And, of course, they had the Rosetta Stone AND the Elgin Marbles. The Elgin Marbles have their own specially designed Duveen Room. They are amazing and wonderful and sexy and awesome and inspiring. They make you glad to be a human being. Glad to be alive. Glad to be in the British Museum. And their home in the British Museum is controversial. When they were on the Parthenon, they were intended to celebrate the Creation of Man, and were supposed to show a pantheon of the Gods, holding a discussion about whether the creation of man was a good or bad thing. Among things they represent, they show Centaurs in battle and devotees of the Goddess Athena. They must have been beautiful at the Parthenon. But in 1806, Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin received permission from the Ottoman Sultan (who was holding Greece in his power) to take the Marbles. He removed them and in 1816 they were placed in the British Museum. 2/3rds of what's left of them are now in London and about another 1/3rd are in Athens -- though fragments are scattered across museums around the world. They were damaged in the 1930s, irreparably, by shoddy cleaning work by museum staff. Those staff were fired outright. I don't know what to say about whether they should be returned or not. But I will say that seeing them was one of the most truly amazing, humbling, joyful moments of my life. I can't describe it. One more thing about the British Museum, and this is a disappointment really. I learned that they had many, many sarcophagi of cats, so I was thrilled. I thought, "How cool. The Egyptians really had it going on. When their pet cats died, they turned them into mummies and gave them their own little tombs." The little mummies were fascinating. However, the uncool reality is that when a famous important Egyptian died, his pets were killed to join him in the next life. How uncool is that? A significant disappointment. I didn't dare tell Tea Cake, Jackie, or any of my other dear ones. You can read more about the Elgin Marbles and about the continuing controversy of their questionable vandalism at the following links:

http://www.athensguide.com/elginmarbles/photos/index.html

or

http://www.parthenonuk.com/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_Marbles

or

http://www.hammerwood.mistral.co.uk/elgin.htm

or

http://www.athensguide.com/elginmarbles/

Birdcatcher and My Girls!

My girls are related to the Irish Thoroughbred, Birdcatcher, born in 1833 to Sir Hercules and Guiccioli. Hailee also has Birdcatcher's full-brother, Faugh-a-Ballagh, which is Gaelic for "Clear the Way!" Birdcatcher had 15 starts and won 7 influential races. He raced only at the Curragh. He was retired at 5 to be a sire, and was a magnificent one. He is the grandsire of my girls' Stockwell, pictured here in Harry Hall's painting. Stockwell was known as the "Emperor of Stallions." Birdcatcher travelled a bit as a stud, serving at Newmarket, Easby Abbey, and Brownstown. He was champion sire in 1852 and 1856, and was among the top sires 15 times in his long breeding career. He was the first Irish stallion to breed English race horse winners. Seven of his children won 3 St. Legers, 2 1,000 Guineas Stakes, and a win of the Epsom Derby and win of the Epsom Oaks. He was a beautiful dark chestnut with a large star and narrow attached blaze. And he had a left hind leg white stocking. And he had what are now known as "Birdcatcher spots" -- this white ticking on his flanks. Now, here's the sad part, just so you know how vulnerable horses are -- even the hard-working champions. When he was 27, he was to be bred to a large mare named Queen Bee, but he could not complete the service. So, his owner, Mr. Disney, ordered his execution.

Here's the report: "Among the mares sent to the son of Sir Hercules that year was Mr Michael Dunne's Queen Bee. She was a mare of good size, and when Birdcatcher attempted to serve her, he failed to do so. Mr Disney, who owned the stallion, thereupon decided that he should no longer survive. At once a messenger was dispatched to the local police station with orders to bring back with him a constable with a loaded gun, as a horse was required to be destroyed. The police officer - his name was Preston - reported himself to Mr Disney, who gave the necessary directions for the destruction of Birdcatcher. The horse was placed on the brink of a sandpit situated on the flat opposite Conyngham Lodge, Curragh; without any ceremony he was shot and his carcase tumbled into the pit. Thus ended the career of a good racehorse and a mighty sultan at the age of twenty-seven years. His head was afterwards presented to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dublin."

Can you believe that ending of a champion race horse and peerless sire who brought glory, fame and wealth to his owner?

You can read more about this champion, handsome creature at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Birdcatcher.html

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdcatcher

or

http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/JumpSires/JumpsiresDAB.html

Moccasin and My Girls!

My girls are related to Moccasin, a champion racing filly and broodmare! Moccasin was born in 1963, just like me, and she looks so much like Violet. She was a chestnut with two white hind socks and a white fore sock on the left side. Here is a picture of her grandchild K One King that she produced through her son Apalachee out of Round Table. Moccasin is considered a Blue Hen, having produced 9 foals, with 8 runners, 7 winners, and 7 stakeswinners! She is in many good blood lines, and is even the third dam of Hail Atlantis. Her notable kids include Apalachee (of course) and Indian, Nantequo, Brahms, Belted Earl, Scuff, and Flippers. Her own race record was so good at age 2 that she was voted co-Champion U.S. Horse of the Year -- the only time a 2 year-old filly took such an honor. She was also voted U.S. Champion 2 year-old filly. She was bred by and raced for Claiborne, and ran her races so convincingly that they looked like easy victories by a wide margin. She had 8 undefeated races in a row. Her final record was 21: 11-2-4 for a total earnings of $388,075. She was so good that the Moccasin Stakes in Hollywood Park were named after her. Her sire was Nantallah out of Nasrullah and her dam was Rough Shod. Here's something interesting -- her full-sibling is Ridan, the horse that Violet's relation, Jaipur, defeated in the famous match race the Travers Stakes. This girl is buried at Marchmont Farms in Paris, Kentucky. She is related to my girls in many ways, including the following: Nasrullah, Blandford, Isinglass, Stimulus, Sir Gallahad, Commando, Orme, Ormonde, Love Wisely, and St. Simon. You can read more about this amazing competitive filly and excellent mother at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin_(horse)
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersMarchmont.html
or about Moccasin's sire Nantallah and his famous pedigree:
http://www.reines-de-course.com/nantallah.htm
or about Moccasin's dam Rough Shod and her famous pedigree:
http://www.equineinfo.com/roughshod.htm
or about Moccasin's boyfriend, Round Table:
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/roundtable.html
or about Moccasin's grandchild, K One King:
http://www.reines-de-course.com/k_one_king.htm
or an example of a mixed-horse related to Moccasin:
http://www.ckappaloosas.com/mares.html

Hailee's Top Deck!!

Hailee is related to the 1990 AQHA Hall of Fame sire Top Deck through at least two lines. He appears through his child Speck Deck and then through Moon Deck who is in the lineage of Easy Jet. He was born in 1945 at the King Ranch and right away at age 2 began producing amazing babies. He produced Star Deck F the AAA runner and winner of the Texas Futurity. Among his famous children are Go Man Go, Decketta, Barbara 3, Top Lady Bug, Astro Deck, and Moon Deck!! He produced 405 foals with 228 ROMS, 5 world champions, and 15 world championships. His children earned millions of dollars!

Breaking News! Cautious Optimism for my girl!

Two weeks ago, Barbie, Tom and Sandy were working to breed my Hailee, the Saturday and Sunday over Mother's Day. Today Barbie called and said she was with Dr. Burns and there was reason to be cautiously optimistic that Hailee is in foal. They can see the little egg, though her blood isn't going to show the hormonal change yet. So, in another 4 days, he'll check again for the definitive word! Cautiously Optimistic! Here's what I've learned about cautious optimism! Last year, around this time, I was leaving for a pilgrimage in Spain with my Aunt Anita. The best trip ever. The night before we were going to walk our last distance to Santiago de Compostela, we stopped at a pension in Rua. A lovely pension where we stayed in a converted stable in a most welcoming room! So, we check into the pension, and I take a peek out my window and BOOM, I see mares and foals right outside my bedroom window a few feet from where I'll sleep. God's way of giving blessings to me the night before I complete the pilgrimage. But, you know me. I'm a "high spirited" lady and by night time instead of being grateful for my big Valentine of a blessing, I was instead a bit concerned that the mares wouldn't have enough water, given that the water tubs were rather low and it's hot, dry Spanish weather. So, I am laying in the dark, listening to the foals and mares, and wondering about their thirst. And then, suddenly, I hear a truck drive up, and the farmer steps out into the dark night to busy himself with filling the water troughs to the mares' whinnying satisfaction. I fell asleep so satisfied with my small place in the universe and so grateful to be completing the pilgrimage with my aunt. I knew that night that Hailee would have big adventures and that Violet would join our family! So, I think that cautious optimism is a wonderful thing. So, that's a long cryptic story to say that Hailee may be in foal! After Barbie and Tom's careful work, she may become a mom! We'll know for sure next week! Namaste and Buen Camino to you all. Hugs.

Violet's Blue Larkspur

Violet is related to Blue Larkspur (born 1926), a beautiful stud from E.R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm in Kentucky. He was one of the most important broodmare sires of the 20th century, showing up on the broodmare sires list continuously from 1944-1960. His daughters produced 114 stakes winners and 6 champions. Blue Larkspur produced 290 foals, with 44 stakes winners. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957. And he was voted #100 of the Top 100 race horses of the 20th century by Blood Horse magazine. Of the 127 stakeswinners that Mr. Bradley had over his lifetime on Idle Hour, including Bimelech, Blue Larkspur was considered his best!! His final record was 16: 10-3-1. He won though he received two kicks while racing, and won though he suffered a bowed tendon. He earned $272,070 over his career and was the 1929 Eclipse Horse of the Year and 3-year-old Colt champion and 1930 Champion Handicap Male. Among his wins were the Juvenile Stakes, Saratoga Special, Classic Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Withers Stakes, Arlington Cup, and Stars and Stripes Handicap! When Mr. Bradley passed, he was acquired by the King Ranch in 1946. For Violet, Blue Larkspur was bred to La Troienne to produce Big Event who was bred to War Admiral to make Blue-Eyed Momo in Violet's Francis S line! You can read more about this courageous, sweet, mare-producing stallion at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/BlueLarkspur.html

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Larkspur

or

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/bluelarkspur.html

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=33

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway!

This month, May 2007, is the 100th anniversary of John Wayne's birth. Among many things, he is the King of the Western! I like him for that quote in the title of this blog entry and, of course, for The Quiet Man which is a great movie. You can read more about Mr. Wayne at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne

or

http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/

More Rolex and Eventing News!

Here's a photo taken by Cindy Fisher of the fabulous Teddy and Karen O'Connor team at Rolex 2007 this year. Remember that Teddy is a *pony* who earned third at Rolex and jumped clear and under time on the last day!!! This year, Rolex's cloud was the fact that Ralph Hill had been injured in a riding accident earlier in March, so he was not at Rolex for the first time in 3 decades. He is considered the "Mick Jagger of Eventing," and so his serious injury just underscores the demands placed on these true athletes. You can read more about Eventing at their official organization webpage, as well as some news about Ralph Hill at the following links:

http://www.useventing.com/

or

http://www.horsesdaily.com/news/health/eaf/hill.html

or

http://www.ralphhilleventing.com/

Thoroughbred care

So, I have a beautiful thoroughbred related to royalty in my care. I am learning how to care for her. This winter-spring, She has had tail-shedding problems and I used a chemical treatment which only made the condition worse. Her tail is considerably thinner and ratty now and she's got a little bald patch on her rear end from where the chemicals touched. Her once beautiful vibrant dark red tail looks poorly. But I am learning to care for this thin-skinned lovely girl. We are working on it. I stopped using the treatment right away and now we're going to do a few betadine baths and then just let nature take its course. This is one instance in which the treatment was worse than the problem! But we are fortunate because she is healthy and strong and she is really enjoying our riding lessons. So, we have a cosmetic problem which we are going to solve! We have a riding lesson today, in fact, and it'll be beautiful weather!

Hailee Dirty Stops!

In Summer 2004, Hailee was just a young girl -- 4 years old! One beautiful early summer day, I was out at the stable and Barbie and Meghan and others were there. Barbie told Meghan to saddle up my girl and take her for a spin. Hailee is a real athlete, but she was new to jumps. I was so proud of her. She was taking the jumps so well and so sweetly. She lifted her knees high and had such a round bascule. BUT! Wow!!!! On this one jump, she reverted back to her reining champion heritage. She put on the biggest dirty refusal and sliding stop!! It was impressive!! But Meghan handled it. Can you believe that Meghan didn't come off!? She has an amazing agility and seat.

Don Quixote in the Plaza de Espana

In 2006, I traveled to Spain with my godmother, Anita. We took a stroll through Madrid one evening, eating truffles, window-shopping, being lazy. And we saw this statue of Don Quixote on his steed, Rocinante, and with his buddy/man-servant, Sancho Panza. That goofy el ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha! Maybe he's getting ready to visit Dulcinea or tilt at windmills? Either way, it was lovely to sit in this Plaza, watch children climb all over this statue, and marvel that I am from the same heritage as Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

Mending Fences euthanized at Pimlico

This Saturday at Pimlico, in the race after the Barbaro Stakes, the Dixie Stakes, a 5 year old stallion, born April 17, 2002, twisted his ankle, dislocated it, and as he came down, his bones came through his flesh. He had to be euthanized. Mending Fences was the son of Forestry (Storm Cat) and Mended Heart. He had 26 starts in his life, and had won 5 of his last 7 races. His lifetime earnings were $231,400. He was his own sire's top race earner this 2007. His mom and dad, Linette and Rob Miller of Palm Beach, were very proud of him. Linette said, "It has become quite the family affair. We are becoming known in this community as the group of screaming women in the crowd, cheering for our horses." Her husband said, "Mending Fences has really come into his own this year. If he has a good year the rest of this year, ultimately he will be a stallion." Mending Fences never earned that privilege, fatally injuring himself in a turf race. He's related to Violet through one of my favorite lines: Wild Risk, Wild Violet, Wood Violet. They also share a little Traffic Court, as well as the usual suspects through Mending Fences' Secretariat line.

Violet's cousin, Curlin, wins 2007 Preakness Stakes!

This past Saturday was the Preakness Stakes held at Pimlico. And what an exciting day! Street Sense was strong the entire race, as was Hard Spun, but in the last strides, the very last stride in fact, Curlin won by a whisker of a nose. Curlin has had 5 starts, 4 wins, and a third in his career. His trainer flew him home to Kentucky on Sunday and said of him, "He definitely knows he ran." Curlin was a bit tuckered out after winning. Street Sense's trainer said, "These 3 horses ran their guts out the last 2 races." He doesn't think that Street Sense will go to the Belmont now, but reflected on the loss by saying, "Winning isn't everything in this game. You don't want anybody to get beat, but there's got to be a winner." Violet is related to Curlin multiple ways, including the following: Case Ace, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Nearctic, Blue Larkspur, Princequillo, Turn-To, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Sir Gallahad, and Bull Dog. On Preakness day, Michael Matz' horse won the Barbaro Stakes, a race which was originally the Sir Barton Stakes, but renamed to honor Barbaro. Michael Matz was Barbaro's trainer, and the Jackson's handed him the award, so it was a bittersweet moment. The day was marred though, immediately after that race, by a horse who broke his ankle, punctured his flesh, and had to be euthanized in The Dixie Stakes. Mending Fences perished that day, much like Barbaro from last year.

Snowflake and the Bumble Bee!

This post is my last for awhile about my sweet Snowflake. She was a darling member of our family. She was beloved and she cared for us. My last post is about Snowflake and Elena. My little baby sister used to love to ride Snowflake too. She would ride her in lead line classes. I'll post a photo of that some day as well. She would have this wild crazy zebra saddle pad and a teeny tiny western saddle. My sister would just sit and slouch in that saddle like a well-seasoned cowhand. And Snowflake would be led around the ring by my dad. My favorite though was the costume lead-line class. This was the time of John Belushi and the killer bees. So, my dad and Elena had killer bee costumes and they were *adorable* in their classes. My big fat bee dad and this itty bitty bee on the cutest grey pony. Just makes my teeth hurt thinking about it! So sweet!!

More about my lovely Snowflake

I really do know that Snowflake earned a special wide lovely pasture with a bubbling brook and trees in Heaven. She was such a good pony. I was never afraid riding her. I always felt competent and happy and in tune with her. We'd go on trail rides along the highway and I never worried about spooking. She enjoyed going through woods and across fields and into lakes for a swim. She was rock solid and a sweet girl. She was willing. Anyway, here are some highlights from our big show year in 1979. An entire reshod on 8/24/79 cost $13.00! On 8/20/79, I bought a pair of white show breeches at Bill-Miller's for $27.00! On October 7th, Snowflake got her winter blanket and Velcro leg wraps. On November 8, 1979, I saved up $72 of my own money to buy her a show halter. On September 3rd, at the Menominee A Show, it was the first time I placed in a Western class at a P.O.A. show and the first time I placed in all my classes. On October 7, 1979, at the Wild Bill Show, I earned a 1st in English Equitation 13-18, and 1st in English Pleasure 13-18, which was the first time I earned firsts at a P.O.A. show. For P.O.A. that year, I earned a 6th in Girls Non-Timed at the Year-end awards. And at the November 10th, 1979 North Central Horseman Awards, my dear sweet Snowflake earned Grand Champion at Pony English Pleasure, Reserve Grand Champion for Pony Western Pleasure, and Reserve Grand Champion for Pony Halter. I earned a 4th for Bareback Equitation, and a 5th for Intermediate Horsemanship. Yes, there was a time that I could sit and walk, trot, canter with seeming ease while riding bareback! But the thing that blows my mind is that sweet, adorable, kind pony was a Champion that year. I knew at the time she was the most special pony in the world, but there was empirical proof going on at the same time. She was a good-looking pony who obviously looked like she was a lot of fun to ride! What a good girl! Bless your ever-loving heart, Snowflake!

Snowflake and the Wausau Hospital Charity Open Horse Show!

On August 18, 1979, Snowflake and I went with the Hahner family to the Wausau Hospital Charity Open Horse Show. I will never ever forget that day. Snowflake usually shipped like a quiet sweet girl. But on that morning, we parked the trailer under an awning, so when she stepped off the trailer, she was surprised and dismayed by the roofing. She snorted and acted like a little thoroughbred, all high temper and spirit. Mr. Hahner and I were so surprised. And I guess that day, she thought she was all that and a bag of chips! Every class she entered, she entered to slay! We earned 1st in Showmanship at Halter for 14 and older in a class of 10 horses. She earned 2nd in Pony Halter, and we got to go in Grand and Reserve at Halter. We earned 3rd in Open Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat. We were in a class of 19 horses with thoroughbreds, Quarter horses, and Arabians and she was the only pony. We earned 1st in Pony Pleasure with a class of 3 ponies. My baby sister, Elena, earned 2nd in Tiny Tot Leadline. And I earned 1st in Senior Western Horsemanship 15 and over in a class of 9 horses. My family was so excited. It was an indoor arena and they had someone playing an organ. Snowflake was a driving pony before I got her, so she had this big, bang-up, extended trot. I mean, that girl could work an extended trot. Well, that asked for the extended trot in the equitation class, and one of my sweetest moments in life is when she just floated out all relaxed and happy and sweet and just smoothed past the other horses in a liquid silk way -- and you could just hear that organ playing. She was just zooming all sweet to the sound of music! We would have won that class too, but they asked for a Figure 8 with a flying lead change, and though my pony was handy and sweet, I was a novice rider in her first summer of owning a pony. I could only do a simple change! But what a day! There's a photo of me and her, with our trophies in front of the big sign for the show. And she and I look like the sweet team and champions that we were. God bless that little pony!

Snowflakes Princess and the beauty of POAs

Snowflakes Princess was a Pony of America (P.O.A.) which is a breed begun in 1954 and which has Arab, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Welsh Pony and Shetland Pony. Snowflake had the perfect little dished Arab-like nose. Her face was adorable!! And she also had the tractable, gentle, willing nature noted of her breed. She was a loving, sweet girl. She helped me gain confidence in life through her kindness and willingness. She was a good backyard pony and good little show pony. Every child should be so lucky to have this kind of a friend! You can read more about this special breed at the following links:
http://www.poac.org/
or
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/poa/index.htm
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_of_the_Americas

Showing with Snowflake!

Snowflakes Princess introduced me to showing. We showed in both open horse shows and P.O.A. shows. My very first year of showing was 1979. Here are important days for me that year: May 21, 1979 -- bought Snowflake; May 27, 1979 -- our first show; July 21, 1979 -- our first P.O.A. show; April 9, 1972 -- Snowflake's birthday! In 1979 we went to 19 shows and earned 69 placings! We earned 11 firsts, 15 seconds, 18 thirds, 13 fourths, 4 fifths, and 8 sixths. We went to 10 P.O.A. shows and 9 other shows. We averaged 3.63 ribbons per show!! Our favorite shows that year were the Wausau Hospital Charity Open Horse Show on August 18, 1979 and the Wild Bill P.O.A. and Open Show on October 6-7, 1979. Snowflake was the sweetest pony on earth -- completely a dear, trustworthy, loyal, patient, bombproof smart pony!!!! She was the real gold-hearted deal.

Our family's first puppy -- Ironbelt's Pal

When I was a young girl, living on Antoine Street, my dad wanted to get a dog. So, we got Ironbelt's Pal, the best dog I ever knew. He was an English Setter and the moment he came to our home, you could tell that he was a big puppy for life. His face was filled with love and trust and joy. Dad tried to show him a few times, but didn't have the conviction or temperment to turn Pal from our family puppy to champion hound. Pal ruled our home for 13 years and passed away one winter while I was away at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my Freshman Year. Every child should be so lucky as to have a family dog like Pal.

My first equine teacher -- Mr. Magoo!

When I returned from my summer visiting Aunt Vicki, my parents set me up with riding lessons. Every week, my mom would drive me and my friend, Angela Hardin, out to Mrs. Humburg's farm where I would take a lesson from my first equine teacher, a pony named Mr. Magoo. He was awesome. He was patient. He was smart. He was not too interested in being good for random children. He would be out in his pasture, and my job would be to catch him, groom him, saddle him, and then take a group lesson with this starchy, proper, a bit scary, British lady. Mr. Magoo taught me the value of patience. It would often take up to 40 minutes to retrieve him from the pasture. He would let me get within a hair's touch of him and move off. He was so slick that even if I brought a bucket filled with a taste of oats, he would manage to get those oats and still be free. You gotta respect that in a lesson pony! Anyway, here we are -- the young equestrienne and her very smart Zen teacher.

Breaking News! Hailee inseminated over Mother's Day Weekend!

Well, we've been monitoring Hailee's progress closely and she received a Prestin shot last weekend. Dr. Burns has visited her every day since then and palpated and ultrasounded. On Thursday, she developed a 25 mm follicle! So, we ordered a shipment of Hootie semen for delivery and on Saturday morning it arrived. She was inseminated both Saturday and on Mother's Day!!! And the vet said that on Saturday, her follicle was all soft and by Sunday it had disappeared, so he is confident she ovulated. We are hoping for the best. I am happy to have such a beautiful mare.

Snowflakes' Kind Heart and Gentle Nature

I visited my Aunt Vicki one summer when I was around 11 years old. She let me eat whatever I wanted, read until late at night, and generally let me be me. AND, she bought me my first riding boots and gave me riding lessons. I loved my black riding boots and have them to this day. I wore them into a frazzle with pride. When I came back from that summer, my parents knew that they had to get me lessons, and eventually someone to ride. And that special someone was Snowflakes Princess, a 7-year-old P.O.A. mare. Snowflake was brought to the Hahner stable special for me to try, but I knew the moment I met her eyes that I would love her forever and that she should be with me. She was the most kind-hearted, brave, sweet, loving little companion. She was as sweet as a kitten, very eager to please, and smart. Very friendly and agreeable. She loved me and I loved her. She was the best sort of pony for a girl like me. She was a simple clear proof of God's existence and love. If you ever met Snowflake, you knew His loving handiwork.

Miss Woodford and My Girls

Miss Woodford was born in 1880 and her final race record was 48: 37-7-2. She was the first U.S. horse to earn over $100,000 during her career. She was owned by Mike and Phil Dwyer of Dwyer Brother Stables, and she was meant to replace their retired champion and relative of Violet and Hailee, Hindoo. They loved racing and not breeding, so she ran for a long time! She was born near Paris, Kentucky and was a daughter of Billet who was imported from England and a leading sire in America in 1883. Her dam, Fancy Jane, never raced. She ran for over 5 seasons, against the finest colts of her day, even at long distances of 2 1/2 miles. She was the American Champion Older Female in 1884-1886 from ages 4-6, and, in fact, she earned 7 Eclipse Awards, one division title for each year she ran, and two Horse of the Year Honors!!! She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967. When she was 3, 4, and 5, she won 16 consecutive races and was a national hero. She even won the Pimlico Stakes during that streak as a 3 year-old. She even beat the colt, George Kinney, who had won the Belmont Stakes. She was trained by James G. Rowe, a Hall of Famer. Five Hall of Fame trainers thought that she was one of the best fillies of all time. And in an American Trainers Association poll in 1955, she was voted 5th greatest filly in American racing history, with Gallorette voted first. She was so hip that she has her own race named after her, Miss Woodford Stakes, which is run each August at Monmouth Park Racetrack -- it's a race for 3-year-old fillies and mares. Of course, my girls are related to her through several shared relations, including the following: Glencoe, Touchstone, Hambletonian, Waxy, Eclipse, and Pot8os. You can read more about this truly stellar filly at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Woodford_(horse)
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Woodford_Stakes
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Billet.html
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Champs/AmChampOlderFemale.html
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/trainer.asp?ID=285

Breaking News! 25mm follicle!

Last week, we gave Hailee a shot of Prestin and she's been monitored closely by Dr. Stuart Burns, Barbie and Tom. She's been an exciting girl these past few days. She showed interest in the teaser early in the week, ignored him on thursday, and then suddenly yesterday, she showed interest in him again. Dr. Burns said that she has a 25mm semi-soft follicle forming! So, Barbie wisely said that we should order her semen shipped and so it's winging its way to Kentucky and Hailee even as I write this note! I'm thinking positive thoughts! Look how lovely she is in this photo taken last weekend by Barbie! She just looks lovely and fit. She would make a good mom. I hope that happens for her this year.

Hailee the Puissance Champion!

Here's a photo of my lovely girl on a summer day in 2004. This was among her first jumping lessons, and I guess she was trying to let us know that she's ready for Puissance! There's another photo where she's really launching straight up to get over this little hopper -- but you get the point! She doesn't want the scary jump to bite her belly. Who can blame her! What a gorgeaus, powerful girl.

You can read more about the amazing sport of Puissance at the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puissance

Seabiscuit and My Girls!!!

I know I've mentioned him before, and I'm sure I will mention him again. My girls are related to Seabiscuit. He was 1938's Horse of the Year!! And in a match race, he beat Violet's direct relation, the Triple Crown winning War Admiral. Anway, they are related through many lines, including Man 'O War, Rock Sand, Whisk Broom, St. Simon. Violet is related very directly as a direct relation to Seabiscuit's mom, Swing On. Swing On foaled Brown Biscuit for Violet as well as her sweet Seabiscuit. You can read more about this macho grand horse at the following link:
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/seabiscuit.html

Thoroughbred Breeding

This information about thoroughbred foal crops is from the April 27, 2007 New York Times. In 2004, 34,642 thoroughbred foals were registered. Kentucky produced 28.3% of that foal crop with 9,815 foals. The other big producing states were Florida (12.9%), California (10.9%), New York (5.8%), Louisiana (5.5%) and Texas (5.0%). Ohio produced 1.4% of the foals and New Mexico, where Violet's daddy now lives, produced 2.3%. In 2005, 23,674 of the yearlings from that 2004 crop went into race training. Yearling auctions accounted for 29% of the 2004 registered foal crop sales. There were 1,952 weanlings sold in 2004, as compared to 10,088 yearlings sold in 2005. In 2006, when they were 2, many of them began their race careers. 10,390 from the 2004 foal crop raced an average of 3.2 times, during their second year. And now in 2007, 20 of that initial crop of 34,642 registered foals were successful nominees for the Derby. They chose the top 20 money earners from graded stakes races. The entrance and start fees for the Derby total $50,000 with an additional $200,000 nomination fee for the Triple Crown. Entrance fees are applied toward the prize money for the top four finishers. The nations best stakes races are graded from I through III.

So, what does this mean for Violet? Violet was born in Florida on March 8, 2003 -- International Women's Day! I *think* she passed through an auction at one point because an envelope that came with her birth certificate and Coggins Test is from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company. Her daddy, Groomstick, was in his last year as a Florida stallion. Her owner was tentatively calling her Watch For Me which is an adorable name and I really like it, but my cousin, Jane, and I chose Velvet Tenderness instead. Out of almost 35,000 foals born that year, Violet was my magic one -- getting ready to come to me! She was going to be someone's hunter prospect, but now she's meant to be my pampered backyard pony.

Arlington Race Track in Illinois!

I earned my Master's of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988. My friends celebrated with me with some beer on The Terrace by Lake Mendota -- there's even a goofy photo of me looking all girlish, thin, and gleeful on the steps with someone handing me a half-filled pitcher. But my friends decided to do something special to celebrate this new degree. So, we travelled to Arlington Race Track to spend a day at the races. It was such glorious, sun-filled fun! Arlington is a very famous track and holds the Arlington Million and Secretariat Stakes, among other important races. I once saw Penny Chenery, Secretariat's mom, and the young girl who starred in the film, My Girl, giving the trophy to the winner of the Secretariat. You can read more about this great American track at the following links:

http://www.arlingtonpark.com/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_Park

A Sunday May Afternoon in Kentucky!

Yesterday, Barbie sent me so many photos of my beautiful girl and her friends. Barbie's a talented photographer. She really captures the elegance of horses and their unique personalities! On this lovely afternoon, she stepped outside her home into this pasture with my wild girl and her thoroughbred herd mates! I am going to be posting from these photos for the next few days. Hailee looks regal, fit, glossy, gorgeaus. And she looks so confident and happy. So sure of herself. She's been given a great gift this past year. In Barbie's photos, you will see that she is indeed the daughter of champions!

Audience the big heart mare and my girls!

My girls have lots of Big Heart blood in their veins. In 1789, an autopsy of Eclipse showed that he had a 14 lb. heart as compared to the average of 6 lb hearts of the time. He had a big heart. Secretariat was found to have a heart over 22 lbs, much higher than the 9 lb. average. In fact, of Secretariat's heart, his autopsy physician, Dr. Thomas Swerczek, said, "We just stood there in stunned silence. We couldn't believe it. The heart was perfect. There were no problems with it. It was just this huge engine." They now believe that big hearts are tied to the female X chromosome. So, you can be a "single copy" or "double copy" mare and if you are a big heart stud, you can pass your X to your children too. If a "double copy" mare is bred to a large-hearted stallion, she will always produce large-heart foals and double copy fillies. Violet is directly related to four of the most famous Big Heart stallions, Princequillo, War Admiral, Blue Larkspur, and Mahmoud. Hailee also has big heart studs, including Moon Deck, Three Bars, Easy Jet, Top Deck, and Leo. Man 'O War was a big-heart stud. The thing with big-heart stallions is that they can only pass their big heart to their daughters. So, often since it takes a crop or two for their big heart gene to express or show itself, thoroughbred stallions will be "sold down river" to the Quarter Horse industry which is why the American Quarter Horse is filled with Big Hearts from their thoroughbred relatives. Man 'O War blessed both breeds with his big-hearted heritage. Among the relatives suspected of having big hearts, my girls have Rock Sand, Count Fleet, Eclipse, Pocahontas, Glencoe, Lexington, Domino, and La Troienne. And they have Audience, daughter of Sir Dixon (the Belmont Stakes Winner) and grand-daughter of Hindoo, the Kentucky Derby winner. She foaled Whisk Broom and in her own racing day, she won the all-important Kentucky Oaks! She is considered a big-hearted gal!! Among the ways she's related to my girls are through Po' Chile for Violet and Sir Bim for Hailee. The photo has a picture of her baby, Whisk Broom. You can read more about the X-Factor at the following links:

http://www.robertsfox.com/x_factor.htm

or

http://www.circledhorses.com/The%20X-Factor.htm

Crazy Horse in South Dakota!

In the early 1990's, when I lived in Nebraska, I was a strong member of the Women's Studies program as well as on the Sociology faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We started this undergraduate Women's Studies Association and I befriended two young women, Jen Putzi and Thelma Ione Ross. Thelma is my friend to this day! Anyway, we decided to go on a camping trip together one summer. We traveled through Nebraska into the Sandhills Country, we canoed on the Niobrara River (beautiful), and stayed in Valentine, Nebraska. We gambled in Indian casinos. We went to the Black Hills where my mind got blown. We stopped at the information office when we first got to the park and I asked in my usual uptight way for a map and instructions about where we could walk in this weird moonscape sort of park. The information woman said anywhere you want to go, you can go. I was like, "Yeah, right." But it turned out they meant it. You can go anywhere you want to go. What permission! So, one evening, under a Full Moon, Jen, Thelma and I walked across this barren windswept moonscape and sat under the fattest lowest-hanging moon and smoked cigs and and enjoyed our lives and our little moment in history! We had many moments on that trip. We drove through Sturgis and saw lots of motorcycles. We drove through Buffalo National Park, grooving and meditating on The Stone Roses and enjoying the grasslands when suddenly, what did we see? Buffalo! Everywhere. We went to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and saw the memorial to the Wounded Knee massacre. We went to Mount Rushmore -- truly trippy and 1950s feeling. We went to Fort Robinson and saw where Crazy Horse had been murdered. We learned at a musum to the Western-moving immigrants that they think that there's a body buried along every quarter mile of our country from this pilgrimage from St. Louis to California. We stayed at the Blaine Motel in Chadron, Nebraska! Anyway, Crazy Horse. What a great wild crazy mother of an idea to carve a memorial to Crazy Horse out of a mountain. We got groovy on that part of our trip. We enjoyed it. But since then, I've read much more about Crazy Horse and he was truly a seer, great thinker, humanitarian, lovelorn man, family person, horseman, warrior, etc. When he was murdered, his parents took his body and it's buried in an unknown location. I so encourage you to read about this great historical figure and legendary American. And I also encourage you to learn more about this very funky American vacation destination at the following links:

http://www.crazyhorse.org/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Horse_Memorial

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Horse_(person)

Breaking News! Tracking Hailee's Follicle

On Saturday, Dr. Burns ultrasounded Hailee and gave her a shot of Prestin. She had a 11 mm follicle (very small!). She was teased on Sunday and will be teased and palpated today too! Barbie is trying to keep close track of Hailee since she's a fast cycler with small follicles. Everyone is working hard to make this sweet mare a mom! Yesterday, after a beautiful afternoon with my nieces, sister and brother-in-law, I was driving home and had a telephone chat with Barbie. She was in the pasture, taking photos in the evening cool, and visiting with the horses. It was so nice to catch up and to hear the news and gossip about the Derby. And it was so nice to know that she was right there with my beautiful pony! Hope you all have a great week this week! More later.

Big Daddy Rabbit Heads to Preakness!

Street Sense had a mile jog the morning after his Derby win, yesterday on a beautiful Sunday at Churchill Downs. His trainer wants to keep him in assertive training, so that he'll be conditioned and mentally ready at the Preakness. Both Nafzger (trainer) and Borel (jockey) know that Street Sense loves to race and understands what he's doing and how to win. And they love that he knows how to be patient and run from behind and then use an explosive thrust to overtake his competitors. It's his style of fun at the track. His owner, Jim Tafel, didn't start with race horses until he was 60 and he's been with Nafzger for 23 years. Calvin Borel has been with the team for 9 years, so they are a longterm working krewe! Carl Nafzger says, "This horse has never run a bad race. I've got all the faith in the world in this horse, and I can't say enough about him." And Calvin Borel added, "I didn't think there was nothing in the world to beat him. He's an incredible horse, believe you me." He's going to try to be the 12th Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won in 1978. You can see information about the Preakness Stakes and about the sister Black-Eyed Susan Stakes the day before at the following link, as well as see more pictures of this beautiful horse:

http://www.preakness.com/

or

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=B2&Dato=20070410&Kategori=SPORTS0801&Lopenr=704100809&Ref=PH

Traffic Court, Ace Card, and Violet!

Violet is related to at least two Kentucky Broodmares of the Year. The Kentucky Broodmare of the Year award is an elected honor chosen by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Traffic Court (1954 Broodmare of Year) is the daughter of Discovery and Ace Card (1952 Broodmare of Year), is the daughter of Case Ace. In the case of Traffic Court, her dad, Discovery, had the most amazing race record, but he became even more famous, if possible, as a broodmare sire. He produced Geisha dam of Native Dancer, Miss Disco, dam of Bold Ruler, Good Thing, dam of Bed 'O Roses, and Violet's own Traffic Court, dam of Violet's Hasty Road Co-Champion 2-year-old Colt of 1953 and Preakness Stakes winner, dam of Traffic Judge, a major stakes winner, and dam of Intentionally, a major sprinter. Discovery's owner, Alfred G. Vanderbilt, used to joke about his breeding strategy for race winners, "just breed any sire to a Discovery mare." Violet's Ace Card is bred to Count Fleet to produce One Count who was bred to War Admiral's Wee Nip. I've mentioned that before, but it's so cool that it bears repeating! Anyway, not only does she have these two fine Kentucky Broodmare of the Year mares in her heritage, she's related to many of the Broodmares of the Year through her sire connections, including Princequillo, Bubbling Over, Blue Larkspur, Blenheim, One Count, Count Fleet, War Admiral, Dark Star, and Blushing Groom! She also has some connections through the dam line, but I'm just pointing out the boys for now! Here's a photo of Traffic Court's daddy, Discovery! You can read more about the Kentucky Broodmares of the Year at the following links:

http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/AmBroodmareofYear.html

or

http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/discovery.html

Street Sense wins 133rd Kentucky Derby!

Street Sense won this year's Kentucky Derby with Hard Spun, and Curlin, placing and showing. He broke 19th out of 20th and ran from behind for most of the race. His jockey, Calvin Borel, rode him tight on the rail until the final turn when four horses drifted off the rail and gave a window. Street Sense, covered in mud from the front runners, exploded through the opening, and swung fast and hard past the second and first horse. He just put tracks between him and the still strong, still fast-moving Hard Spun. He was a sight to behold and the master of the track that day! I am very happy for the Cajun jockey who won his first Derby on Street Sense. He was thrilled that he'd come that far from his Cajun bush track days! My girls are related to Street Sense in multiple ways, including the following: Nearctic, Nearco, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Teddy, Man 'O War, Sweep, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Sir Gallahad, Blue Larkspur, Sun Princess, Hyperion, Princequillo, Wild Risk, Traffic Court, Bull Lea, War Glory, Eight Thirty, Gay Crusader, Case Ace, Rock Sand, and Hasty Road.

Violet's and My First Derby Day Together!

I have loved horses my entire life. I read Black Beauty as a child. I read Misty of Chincoteague. I collected Breyers horses. I loved thoroughbreds. And I loved Secretariat. And this year marks the first time in my life that I owned a thoroughbred, shared a thoroughbred as part of my family. And such a lovely one -- beautiful Velvet Tenderness "Violet". I woke up on Derby Day joyful. I walked with my dog to Grounds for Thought, bought the Saturday paper, read about the horses preparing for Derby. Then I bought apples and carrots and visited my own thoroughbred. I praised her for her heritage. Groomed her with love. Told her that she's made of magic and speed and God's breath. And then I had a riding lesson with her. She was all light and floaty and powerful. And so that's how I spent my Derby morning with my first thoroughbred. I rode a four-year-old filly who is directly related to 7 Kentucky Derby Champions! War Admiral, Count Fleet, Reigh Count, Hindoo, Ben Brush, Pensive, Dark Star! How many women can say that's how they started their Derby Day!? Riding the descendant of Derby winners!! Yah Yah!!

All Along and My Girls!!!

My girls are related to All Along, a very important filly with a number of major "firsts" to her credit. She was a French filly owned by Daniel Wildenstein, a renowned French art dealer and highly successful horseman. She won numerous prestigious races in France, England, and Japan, and was one of the top fillies of the last part of the 20th century. Her track record was 21: 9-4-2. She won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1983 and was immediately shipped to Canada where she won the Rothman International, and two weeks later won the Turf Classic at Aqueduct in Jamaica, New York, followed shortly after by a win at the Washington D.C. International in Laurel, Maryland. She had four consecutive major wins in three different countries in just 41 days!!!! It's no wonder that she won the 1983 Eclipse Horse of the Year Award in America and the 1983 Horse of the Year Award in France too. That year, she also earned Older Grass Female. In fact, she was the first foreign-based horse to win the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year!! As a 4-year-old, she became a world champion Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse. And she was the first filly since Regret in 1915 to win the Eclipse Horse of the Year! She won the Champion Older Female Runner in France twice. She earned $3,018,420 over her career in racing, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. AND she was voted #68 top race horse of the twentieth century by Blood Horse magazine. She retired to Three Chimney Farms in Midway, Kentucky and bore 13 children, 11 of whom started, and 4 who were winners!!! She was pensioned in 2003 and then euthanized in 2005 at the ripe age of 26 due to infirmities from old injuries. The late Daniel Wildenstein's son, Alec Wildenstein, said of her passing, "She took us—my father, my brother and myself—on a joy ride like no other, culminating in an achievement we scarcely dared to dream about, which was Horse of the Year in America. Sad as it is to lose her, I am glad she had such a long and healthy life in return for all the happiness she gave us." Of course, my girls are related to this beautiful girl. They share many relatives including these champs: Princequillo, Nasrullah, Bull Lea, Hyperion, Gainsborough, Discovery, Man 'O War, Sweep, Teddy, Bend Or, and Phalaris. You can read more about this great racer and great broodmare and great family member at the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Along

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/news/nrm-news-view-story-detail.asp?varID=57

or

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2005-02-25-all-along-dies_x.htm

or

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=5

Bend Or and My Girls!

My girls are related to Bend Or, 1877-1903, a horse who won the Epsom Derby, Epsom Gold Cup, and St. James' Palace Stakes, during a 14:10-2-0 career. His regular jockey, Fred Archer, winner of 13 consecutive British jockey titles said Bend Or was probably the greatest horse he had ever ridden. He was unusually gentle. He was a beautiful golden chestnut, with white flecks on his coat, and black spots on his mane, shoulder, and quarters. He passed those markings onto his children, so they were called Bend Or spotting. He was noted for his courage, class, beauty, and kindness. He was owned his entire life by Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, first Duke of Westminster, the richest man in England in the latter half of the 19th century. His groom, Richard Chapman, said, "He was the sweetest-tempered horse in the world. A child could do anything with him." His attendant, Ben Jenner, said, "Bend Or was as docile as a lamb, but he had the courage of a lion. I was always very fond of him." Another sign that he was a sweetie-pie is that he was very attached to a cat, and always travelled to his races with him. He retired with shin problems, and in his photos at stud, you can see that his fetlocks had taken serious damage too. But he managed to produce some of the most fabulous horses, including Phalaris, Bona Vista, The Tetrarch (who was voted Britain's 2-year-old of the 20th century), and the Australian racing star Phar Lap. He sired the English Triple Crown champion, Ormonde, who won all 16 of his starts and was perhaps the finest race horse of the 19th century. Now, my girls are directly related to Bend Or in multiple ways. Violet carries Phalaris, Bona Vista, The Tetrarch, Fairy Gold, Orion, and Ormonde, in multiple instances. Hailee has Sylvabelle, Bona Vista, and Ormonde!. You can read more about this gentle giant at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bend_Or
or
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/BendOr.html
or
http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=830

Lillies for the Fillies! Violet's Cousin Wins with Ease!

Violet's cousin won the Oaks a few minutes ago with ease! Rags to Riches broke from an unfavorable gate on a sloppy track, which she's never run on before, and then just pulled it out and smoothed past everyone at the end. She won with ease! She is owned by Michael Tabor, an English racing businessman, who purchased her as a yearly for $1.9 million. The Oaks is her 4th win in 5 starts, 3 of those wins being Grade 1 Stakes. She is the only member of her crop of 3-year olds (either boy or girl) who has taken 3 Grade 1 races! She shares many relatives with Violet, including the exact placement of Blushing Groom as both their great-grandpas. For Violet, Blushing Groom is great-grandpa on her sire's side, for Rags to Riches, great-grandpa on her dam's side. They also share, among many, the following: Traffic Court (1954 Kentucky broodmare of the year); Princequillo; Nasrullah; War Admiral (triple crown winner); Whisk Broom; Blue Larkspur and Discovery!. Rags to Riches shares a relative with Hailee too -- the great Bubbling Over, Kentucky Derby winner! Rags also has a few of her own cool relatives, such as A.P. Indy (her sire), Secretariat, and Busher. Now, Busher is awesomely cool! Busher is War Admiral's kid with some Bubbling Over involved. Busher was a monster racing filly. Her only son, Jet Pilot, is in Rags to Riches' pedigree. Busher just beat the heck out of boys, girls, whoever! And in the few times that a horse beat her, she was merciless. This is what a track historian had to say, "The salient attribute of War Admiral's little daughter was she always took revenge." She beat every horse who ever beat her -- she had the final word. No surprise that she was inducted in the Racing Hall of Fame in 1964, was among only a handful of fillies who won the Eclipse Award, and was #40 of the Top 100 20th century race horses. So, you can see, Violet not only looks like the beautiful and powerful Rags to Riches, she's a real kissing cousin! In the first photo, she is shown winning today's Oaks, and in the photo below, she's shown having a morning workout with Circular Quay, a boy horse entered in the Derby and her barnmate. She's a macho young thing, just like Busher!