Baby Long Legs!

Okay, so these photos are a little weird, but I wanted to give you some close ups of Renny's long sweet legs.

Proud Mama!

Here's a photo of my darling Hailee standing guard over her napping foal. She has such tenderness in her face. She really is a lovely broodmare. In this photo, you also can tell that she's a bit tired too! She has to work hard. A few days after this photo, Renny has become a hoofful. He likes to kick and rear and buck. He's kicked her in the mouth. He's reared and knocked her head. He's a real pistol! But here he's just a napping little baby!

Breaking News! Nashoba's Key Euthanized!

I am sad to report that the 5 year-old filly, born the same month and year as my dear Violet, Nashoba's Key was euthanized yesterday at the Hollywood Park backtrack. At 5:30am, she was in her outdoor pen, being readied for a gallop, when she kicked out so forcefully that she broke the tibia in her left hock. She is the daughter of Silver Hawk out of Nashoba by Caerleon, and she didn't start until her fourth year, when she won her first 7 starts. This year, she came in second in the Sunshine Millions in January, and won the Santa Margarita Handicap in March. She was coming off a rest break before being trained to shoot for the Fall Classic races. Her final record was 10: 8-1-0. Last year, she was, not surprisingly, a finalist for the Eclipse Older Female Award, placing second behind Ginger Punch. Rest in peace, powerful girl.

Satisfied Baby!

I like these photos because he's still a little guy and because in the top one, where he's just finished nursing, you can see that he has his little tongue sticking out, smacking his happy little lips!

Cutie Pie Deluxe!

Here he is, as sweet as he wants to be. I just love his little freckle and the pink spot on the bottom of his lip!

My Sweet Girl Trying to Sneak a Visit!

Here's a picture of the lovely Violet, trying to be cautious and sweet, but still sneaking a peek at baby. She doesn't want to be left out of the fun!

Sharing a Meal!

These photos were taken on Day 8, the second Saturday of his life. He is already a big boy who enjoys snacking on his mom's hay!

Happy Mama!

This photo was taken on Monday, May 12th, the 10th day of Renny's life outside mom. He is taking a nap after a vigorous play session in the arena, under his Grandma and Stephanie's watchful eye. He snoozes like an angel. He is precious and you can see that in his sweet nature when he sleeps! And here in this photo, on lady's sunday, you can see a picture of his loving, loving mother. She loves her baby. And she is proud of him. What a good Hailee!

Grandma Loves Baby!

These are pictures that Christine took with 35mm film. These are among the only photos of me and my little foal. I am chatting words of love to him. And he is trying to chew on his Grandma. I like these photos because they show me like I am. When I see him, I have to talk with him. I have to tell him how glad I am to see him. How glad I am to know him. How glad...Christine caught that moment!

The Valentines Visit!

Okay, so here is a photo that makes me happier than I can say. Doug, Pat, Barbie, Montgomery and KT Valentine. These people feel like family to me. They are the nicest, most generous people. Doug took care of my little Hailee when she was an abused young baby. And I will always remember him strolling into Showgate Stables after his work shift, checking on horses, feeding dinner, and visiting with his strange boarders (like me!). And Pat has always only been friendly and kind and open and sharing. I am such a lucky person to have found these people in this world! Namaste!

The Lucisanos Visit!

On the 8th day of Renny's life, my favorite people came to visit. Uncle Carlo, Aunt Mary Jane, and Cousin Jane all came to meet my newest little family member. You can tell that they are world travelers. They had no problem running around with my mare and foal, taking pictures, taking video, asking questions. Carlo and Mary Jane just returned from safari in Africa where they took 15 little puddle jumper airplanes over the course of 21 days. So, they were practically crawling through the paddock to take up close and personal shots of my little wild foal. When you are used to taking photos of cape buffalo, a little American Sport Pony is an easy shot! I was grateful for their visit. I love them.

Breaking News! Storm Cat Retires from Stud Duties!

Here is a photo by Mark Cornelsion of the fabulous Storm Cat whose grandsires are Northern Dancer and Secretariat. On May 13, Overbrook Farm announced that this world's leading sire, with over $112 million in earnings from his children, retired from stud duties. He is 25 years old now and his fertility is beginning to decline. His dam, Terlingua, who lived on his same farm, was euthanized in late April, so now her boy gets a chance to really unwind, relax, and reflect on his enormous impact on the breed! In 2007, his fee was $500,000, the highest listed in the world! Blessings on the head of this champion. Namaste and love to this child of Secretariat and Northern Dancer! You can read more about this champion at the following links:

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

or

http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/sr_sire_page.asp?refno=935962&origin=BHonline

or

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=935962

or

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=935962

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmCFG2zQXFs

Barbie and Montgomery Visit!

On Day 8 of Renny's life, Saturday, May 10th, Barbie and Montgomery came to visit. I was thrilled that they came to see our foal. Barbie is a dear and loyal friend. She's enriched my life in many ways beyond Hailee and Violet and Renny. But let's face it! She is the woman who brought these three wonderful creatures into my life.

Christine and Jorge Visit!

My friends, Christine and Jorge, came to visit baby within his first days of life. Christine has hidden talents both as a photographer and as a horsewoman! She was really intrigued by the beauty of the horses and has that zen connection with them!

I was excited because she took some beautiful 35mm film exposure photos of Hailee and Renny. And she got some awfully nice photos of me and my baby, especially. You'll be seeing her work over the next few days.

Sassy Baby!

I took these pictures and video on Monday, May 12th. I have a week before I start summer teaching, so I am enjoying my mornings with my little foal and my sweet mares. Renny is just amazing. He is so perfect in his loveliness. And each day he unleashes some new round of troublemaking! This morning, he showed grandma how he is good at rearing and kicking. And then at the end of the day, he showed grandma, Stephanie, and Tony how good he is at hugging a jolly ball and rolling in the dirt. He's just the best. And he is still the cutest thing I've ever seen when he takes naps. I feel blessed!

This morning, I also spoke with the American Sport Pony people about how to register him. I have to figure out how to get him up to Metamoras, Michigan on September 27th for his inspection, but I have a feeling I can arrange that somehow. He's such a sweetie. I want to make sure that I do what I can to help him find good families in his life. My darling Renny!




g

Breaking News! Big Brown Wins Preakness!

Yesterday, Big Brown became the fourth horse in history to win the Preakness Stakes as an undefeated horse. He won without much effort and with lots of get up and go leftover. His trainer said that he didn't need to even get "on his belly" so that means that he'll have energy to burn for the Belmont Stakes! He won by 5 1/4 lengths without push, without whip, without effort.

His jockey, Kent Desormeaux, said, "What a lovely ride I had, an armchair ride with a big button. It was just the easiest win ever. Woo!" And his trainer, Rick Dutrow, said, "He's a freak! He's a champ!"

The other horses who won the Preakness Stakes as undefeated horses were Majestic Prince (1969), Seattle Slew (1977), and Smarty Jones (2004) . I hope that Big Brown wins the Belmont Stakes because we currently have no living Triple Crown winner. Good luck to this big boy!

I Love My Baby!

Here is a photo of Hailee looking stupid with happiness. What a wonderful thing. To be stupid with happiness. I have been that way for at least a month now. Forgetting things. Walking in a daze. Stupified by my moment in life. Hailee is a wonderful mare. I am grateful for what Barbie and Tom and Stephanie and the Hintz' and Sandy Holbrook are giving her!

We Look Good!

Life is good when you look as good as we do! These photos are from the third day of Renny's life on earth outside of mom.

Hailee Relaxes Day 7!

Each day during Renny's first week, Hailee was more relaxed when they were taking their daily tour. And today, Friday the 9th, was a true blessing. Hailee took the most luxurious, relaxed, leisurely dirt roll I've ever seen her take. Here are some photos! And baby just let her take her time. I am so very grateful to see her relaxed into her job, taking some time for herself, and being the most wonderful broodmare. What an amazing little smart All-American mare!

Cutie Pie!

He is the dearest little creature. And on Friday, May 9th, he followed his grandma (me!) like a good sweet boy. In the morning, he let me lead him around the indoor arena. And in the evening, he followed and waited when I asked, as I led him into his stall. And he let me pick up all his feet and hold them carefully for awhile. And he let me rub running clippers over his head and face and pasterns. Let's face it. Baby loves grandma! I am blessed!

A Baby's Got to Eat!

This is what I do! I drink my mom's milk! And I like to butt my head into her belly, just to let her know that I'm there, getting bigger and stronger because of her love! In my first 2-3 days of life, when I was done nursing, I liked to spin around, put my butt into her belly and buck into her. Just to let her know, "Good job, mom!"

Visitors!

Today was a big day for little Renny. A professional photographer came to take a few shots and this photographer set up an appointment to capture Renny's first time in the grass paddock! Of course, I mean that Joe and Elayne Jacoby came to visit. They are the dearest friends. The weekend of April 18th, they had me over for Seder. I love sharing Seder with them. They throw the very best sort of celebratory dinner party! And Joe even said a special prayer for Hailee and, at that time, baby Nitro. I felt so blessed. And today, Friday the 9th, I feel blessed again in their friendship and their well wishes for baby Renny and his beautiful mother, Hailee! Namaste!

Stephanie and Renny

Here is the young woman, Stephanie, who has been helping me every step of the way! She and I made up "Team Nitro" in the early days. She would send me text messages first thing in the morning and phone me the last thing at night. She kept close eyes on Hailee and was the first to note any changing signs. She is amazing! She is the one who identified that Hailee was "bagging up."


And she was there when Renny was born! I am writing this note on the 7th day of Renny's life on earth outside of his mom. And I can tell you that Stephanie has brought such goodness into his life. She spent a patient week, teaching him to lead, stand, listen. She is teaching Renny to be a good, loving boy -- the kind of polite, well-behaved boy that any family would love to have for their children. What a blessing. Namaste!

Violet and Me!

Stephanie took these photos one breezy morning, during the first week of Renny's life. I've owned Violet since Spring 2006, but these are the very first photos of me on her. I look older and fatter than when I was a lovely young rider. But you can tell that I still love riding. And I love my sweet Violet. She and I are a good team!

My Mom and I Rock!

Can you believe how amazing this little guy is? Just a slice of perfection!

Winsome Adante Retires!

Here is a photo from the retirement party held for Winsome Adante, who won the Rolex three times! What an amazing horse. Here he is with Kim Severson, his wonderful rider, and his mom, Janie Atkinson. What a happy, sexy, lovely boy!

Come on, Mom!

Today, Day 4 of Renny's life, was very good. They both walked forward into the ring. And Hailee has learned that she needs to take care of herself and let us help her. She rolled 4 times! Stephanie had watered the ring, so the dirt was nice and muddy and cool. I had cleaned Hailee's afterbirth on her rear and legs, and cleaned the stall walls too. And by the time she got into the ring, she was ready to have a delightful roll with her beautiful baby by her side watching. I was so proud of her.





And she let me pick out her four feet this evening and groom her foal and take care of her. She's a good mom and beautiful mare! And, well, he's just a slice of heaven!

Violet Being Playful!

This photo and video were taken right before Renny was born. Violet works hard to be a good girl! Here you can see why I love her so very much!

Rolex 2008! Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan

Here is a photo of Kim Severson and her new horse, Tipperary Liadhnan. They took 5th overall in this year's competition, pretty fabulous. Kim Severson is a fabulous, amazing rider!

Hugs and Kisses!

This morning was just so perfect! I woke up, enjoyed my pets, walked Zelia, had coffee, went to the barn. Visited with Hailee and Renny. And he was so very good about letting me put on his halter. Overnight, he's learned some new tricks, like how to kick and rear! And Stephanie text messaged me as I was leaving the stable to say that her dad caught Renny eating his mom's poo! What a pistol!.

When we let them into and out of the arena today, both Hailee and Renny were champs! They were quiet, slow, patient, and Stephanie had Renny leading quietly. We all felt as though we had accomplished a great deal! I can't wait to see them all this evening!

To top it off, Violet and I had a wonderful, fun, quiet ride!

Winners of Kentucky Rolex 2008!

1. Connaught, Phillip Dutton

2. Courageous Comet, Becky Holder

3. Critical Decision, Missey Ransehousen

6. Theodore O'Connor, Karen O'Connor

Becky had first after both the dressage and cross-country, but on the jumping day, Connaught jumped under time and clear, while Courageous Comet had 8 faults.

Fabulous Mom and Beautiful Baby!

Here is a photo of Hailee and Renny, during his second day of life. He is so perfect, and she is so lovely. She's wearing her special nameplate halter, a gift from Barbie Valentine!