Tiny Hoofprints! The Due Date!

I looked up on the internet an equine gestation calender service, and put in the date when Hailee was last bred. She was bred over Mother's Day Weekend, so her last day was Sunday, May 13th, 2007! Horses gestate for 340 to 370 days. So that means the following:

Week 28 -- 7th month -- 11/25
Week 36 -- 9th month -- 1/20
Week 44 -- 11 month 3/16
(In week 44, she should have all her vaccinations and be wormed.)
And THEN, the big day is predicted to be --April 17th, 2008!!! I am so eager!

Kelso

Kelso is so famous that it's hard to know where to begin. So, let's just jump in! He raced for 8 years! Whoo! That's because he was a naughty boy from an undistinguished family, so they gelded him at 2. Boy, didn't they feel bad once he turned out to be an amazing racer! He was foaled at Claiborne Farms, but belonged to Mrs. Allaire du Pont of Woodstock Farm in Maryland. When his career was over it stood at: 63: 39(31), 12(10), 2(1), and he had earned almost $2 million. He won everywhere, all the time, even carrying shocking weight disadvantages.

As Eddie Arcaro once said, "He can beat anything at any distance. So, here are some of his spectacular achievements. He won the Jockey Gold Cup race 5 times! He was voted #4 of the Top 100 racehorses of the 20th century. He earned the Eclipse Horse of the Year Award 5 times! He earned 5 division championships, earning 3 year-old colt of the year, and champion older horse for another 4 years! He set or equaled 8 track records and set 3 American standards. His 5 Eclipse Horse of the Year awards have never been rivalled and they earned him the #3 Top moments in Racing History. He was inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 1967, and the Aiken Training Track Hall of Fame in 1977. He was so beloved, especially in 1963 the year I was thinking about being born, that he received fan mail at his own mailbox at his home at Woodstock Farm.

He passed away on October 16, 1983 at the age of 26 at his home in Maryland and BloodHorse said of him in an obituary: "Kelso demonstrated the durability of class. No horse in our time was so good, so long. His was mature greatness." I guess he was -- 8 years! He earned a rest.

My girls are related to him most immediately through the following shared relatives: Count Fleet, Hyperion, Mahmoud, Prince Palatine, Man o' War, Whisk Broom, Black Toney. You can read more about this absolute champion at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelso_(horse)
or
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=96

Vagrant, 2nd Kentucky Derby Winner

Here's a picture of Violet, taken by Barbie in September. I include it because she is related to the second Kentucky Derby in history, but I couldn't find an image of him to share.

Vagrant was a gelding by Virgil and Lazy by Scythian. He was born in 1873 and was eventually purchased by William Astor. His dad, Virgil, sired three Kentucky Derby winners -- Vagrant, Hindoo, and Ben Ali.

Vagrant ran for 9 years, from 1875 to 1883, as a 10 year-old horse. His final record was 88: 20-12-12. Then, get this, as he could not be bred, and he no longer could race, he was sold. He spent the rest of his life as a cart horse on the streets of Lexington.

Can you believe that? Imagine the book that horse could write? Raced 9 years for the richest family in America and not even earn a retirement!?! I mean, win the Kentucky Derby and not earn a cushy retirement! Then have to pull a Black Beauty or a Godolphin Arabian and have to haul a cart around a city? I just can't believe it.

So, next time you are in the beautiful city of Lexington, driving around, just give a thought or two to Vagrant who won the Kentucky Derby and then worked like a proud horse on the streets.

My Thanksgiving

Here we are in Elena's home, sitting down to our Thanksgiving dinner. We have Steve, Elena, Emma, Mary Jane, Carlo, Ann, Jane, and Clara. I am behind the camera! We had a wonderful meal!

I am happy to say that yesterday I spent a nice late afternoon with my girls. I am thankful for the both of them. I hung out with both Hailee and Violet. Violet was feeling playful, so she tooled around in the ring. But she and I practiced our Parellis. Her coat is so glossy and she looks so fit and lean. Like a thoroughbred!

And Hailee and I groomed the last of the Kentucky burrs out of her tail from her days as a wild herd girl! I want to work slowly on getting her tail in tip-top shape, and fussing over her coat, and clipping her fetlocks. I want to make her a glowing, healthy mom!

It's funny, but having Hailee back in Ohio now makes me realize just how much I love Violet.

I've enjoyed my last year with Violet, but hadn't realized just how terrific she is. She's athletic, smart, sweet, goofy. She is very sociable. She's playful and engaged. She's gorgeaus. And she likes to be a good girl when I ride her. She's a true joy. Having Hailee home makes me realize that Violet is a real important part of my life, as is my girl H. I am very proud to have both a thoroughbred and a Paint horse as part of my horse family. I am looking forward to when it just feels natural to have them both with me, so I don't feel torn when I'm working with the one, feeling like I'm ignoring the other. I am sure they both see that I love them both very much (and equally!).

This year I am thankful for my many blessings.

Francis Mabel Hollams and the #9 Racer!

Here's a painting by Frances Mabel Hollams, one of my favorite English painters. I don't know anything about this artist, this great person. I hope over the course of my remaining time on this earth that I learn about her. Here's one of her race horses. You can just see that she loves him. I am writing this blog on November 1st, All Saint's Day, La Touissaint. So, I send blessings to this artistic spirit and thank her for her great works.

Hailee Arrives at Breezy Acres!

Last week, Tuesday evening, Hailee jetted home to Ohio from her lovely vacation resort in Paris, Kentucky. Barbie called and text messaged me to let me know how Hailee was doing on the road. And then she was delivered to Breezy Acres on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, on one of the wettest days all year! Stephanie and I had just kind for a hot chocolate when Barbie called and said they were minutes away.

I was so excited. They pulled up in the trailer and when I saw Hailee in the window, she peeked at me and gave out a whinny! My girl remembers me and likes me! She walked off the trailer as quiet as you please and seems to like her new home! Here are some photos of her soon after her arrival in her wonderful new stall. Violet and Hailee share the two stalls in the new wing. They have a wonderful, comfortable, safe, lovely new home thanks to the Hintz family!

Dr. Zimmerman came to visit Hailee on Black Friday and gave her a rhino shot. Hailee remembered that she didn't like him and gave a few crop hops. He gave me advice about supplements, food laced with fat, and worming and vaccination schedules. And he said that she looked great -- she's got a nice fat crease along her back and looks like a lovely pregnant girl!

She and I have been hanging out and I am grooming her lots. She's got a tiny bit of rain rot from her days loose in her Kentucky herd. So, I am slowly grooming those scabs away. I think she'll be radiant, shiny red mom by spring! After a few days, when she's used to her new home, I'll start giving her some light exercise -- longing, games, etc. And over time, I'm going to begin Parelli with her, at the very least the Friendly Game, so that she'll be used to people touching her everywhere when she's a new mom!

And Violet. Well, my big red girl was so jealous on the first day. She was confused and demanded attention. But yesterday, I went out for a ride with Stephanie and she was fabulous. She cantered and galloped around like a thoroughbred champion and then gave me the quietest, sweetest, most obedient kind of ride. She's a playful smart sweet girl! And she caught on to the Driving from Zone 3 game! She's smart as a whip!

I introduced both the girls yesterday. Hailee was in the riding ring and I was holding onto Violet. They gave nose kisses, big smells. Violet stood still and sweet and quiet and polite. Hailee arched her neck like a power girl and gave a pouty squeal and foot stomp. But by the end of the day, they gave each other a quiet nose kiss through the bars of their stall.

I love having both my girls in the same place!

Heart of a Champion!

Here's a picture of my sexy red girl taken by Vikki in September. Violet is all wet, so she looks like a rich brown, rather than her red chestnut, but she sure looks long and regal and relaxed in her beauty. She looks like what she is -- the daughter of champions and a champion at heart herself!

Dolly D and My Hailee!

On her mother's side, Hailee is related to the 1941 dunskin mare, Dolly D, who is part of the Waggoner family in Texas. She was a very productive broodmare. She ended up in the NCHA Hall of Fame because she mothered the NCHA Hall of Fame Poco Mona. She was the dam of 3 AQHA Champions: Poco Bay, Poco Doll, and Poco Mona. Poca Mona was also an AQHA Superior Cutting Horse and AQHA High Point Cutting Horse. Dolly D's kid, Poco Doll, was an AQHA Superior Halter winner.

Dolly D had 5 AQHA ROM Arena foals: Pine Scooter, Poco Bay, Poco Bill, Poco Doll, and Poco Mona. She had 3 NCHA Money Earners in Poco Bay, Poco Doll, and Poco Mona.

Her kid, Poco Bill (AQHA ROM Arena), is Hailee's relative. Not surprisingly, all of these "Poco" children are out of the fabulous Poco Bueno!

Touch Your Horse with your Heart! -- Friendly Game!

So, my complete Partnership Level 1 Safety Kit arrived from Parelli and I've been busy reading the workbooks, the theory book, watching the DVD, and listening to the audios. I've been doing homework.

But here's the sweet part. My cousin, Jane, came this weekend and took pictures of my beautiful, beautiful snorting buckaroo Violet. We were outside on a beautiful sunny October day, and the corn was rustling and my girl felt good! My cousin took great photos and got a photo of me and Violet doing our jumping jacks! Violet is so smart that she's able to play this silly jumping game with me. Jane got a picture of both me and my horse with all 6 of our legs off the ground floating! What a lovely photo!

Plus Jane helped me with some of my homework, playing the Communication Game with me, and testing me with the saavy string and carrot string.

And today was a big day. I was supposed to go and put on the halter, connect the 12 foot line, and play the friendly game with the carrotstick and saavy string. My Violet is on it! I went into the ring and let her stroll about and relax. I was going to practice, so I clipped the 12 foot line to the gate and was rubbing the line with the carrotstick. So, I turn around and Violet is standing right behind me, ears perked, and staring at me, so relaxed, but interested! She was a hoot! She put her head down to get the halter. She stood still all relaxed and mellow while I rubbed her everywhere. She lets me wrap her head entirely in the saavy string while rubbing her face with the carrotstick. I'm allowed to touch her everywhere and wrap the saavy string around her legs.

She and I are all over the Friendly Game! She's a smart, sweet, lovely young filly. I'm very lucky to have my photographer cousin Jane and my royal thoroughbred Violet!

Woodpecker

In very early October, I was working out and about in my yard, picking peppers, tomatoes, checking my garden, composting, enjoying life. And I heard this rat-a-tat-tat in my white birch tree by my front door. I look up and a Woodpecker is busily chopping away. It was such a clear fall day beautiful sunlit moment. I was so glad to be in my yard, enjoying tomatoes and hanging with Zelia to see that bird!

My Thanksgiving -- Lots of Little Blessings!

Here are my blessings in late October -- my little nieces, Emma and Clara, my dog, Zelia, my wonderful cats, Moibeal, Jackie, and Arcangelo. And, of course, my Hailee and Violet. Many reasons to give thanks! And especially today, since Hailee came home from Paris. She's in her own stall next to her sister, Violet. I am blessed with wonderful friends, family, and creatures. Namaste!

Rags and Lauren Robson!

Here is a photo of Rags to Riches and Lauren Robson, her exercise rider! Can you believe how beautiful Rags is? I hope she's doing okay on her stall rest recovery (I am writing this blog on Oct. 25th, the day before the Breeder's Cup she'll be missing). Anyway, Lauren is one of her friends that knew that something was off. She pulled her up on an exercise ride once this summer because she didn't feel right, and Rags was then sent to the same facility Barbaro went to for a full workup. They didn't find anything, so she was sent back to the track where a hairline fracture emerged.

Can you believe how closely and lovingly Lauren must know her Rags? What a good team and good pair of friends!

Three Chimney's Memorial to Seattle Slew

Here is the statute memorializing Seattle Slew at Three Chimney Farms in Lexington. Now Seattle Slew and his son, Slew o' Gold, can rest. Seattle Slew worked for 17 years in the breeding shed at Three Chimneys, but when he became older and unable to serve, he was sent to the peace and quiet of Hill 'n Dale, so that he wouldn't feel left out and he could rest on his laurels. They didn't want him to get all furious during breeding season at Three Chimneys! What a stud! He is buried at Hill n' Dale.

Namaste, you champions.

A May-December Friendship!

Here we are. Barbie took this photo in September. We look like a happy team -- the much older horsewoman and the young sassy filly!

This week Hailee comes home. I am excited to see her, though know she will be sad about leaving her herd. She's had a miraculous special time in Paris, Kentucky. She's a very lucky girl. I am looking forward to fussing over her, reestablishing our friendship, and introducing her to her big red goofy sister.