Clicks and Spurs

ICY white stuff!

2011-01-01T10:18:00.000-05:00

The only "white stuff" we typically have down in the south is cotton. Which was the pure reason for my previous blog posting to this one. Oh the irony of it all ... we had a White Christmas in Aiken! The snow was a light 2-3 inches but still very rare for our area. It officially snowed TWICE in 2010 for us. The first time in 9 years! I hope you enjoy the few shots I got:

A pictoral documentary in fuzzy white stuff

2010-11-29T21:36:00.002-05:00

No, the white stuff is NOT snow ... it's cotton! If you've never lived in the south, the sight of cotton sometimes makes you do a double-take. It's interesting to a Yankee of course. Ha!

Cotton field before ...

Cotton harvesting equipment ...

A bale 'o cotton ...

Cotton field after harvesting ...

Okay, come on now. It is a little funny.

You'll never hear me say my life is boring

2010-10-31T14:07:00.000-04:00

I've had an amazing summer. I got back into the "A" show Jumper ring for the first time in about 8 years and had a total blast. I've met more and more great horse folks in Aiken that are riders, trainers, grooms, photographers and other business owners. It's truly a unique experience living amongst such a huge equestrian population.

I've been covering Aiken polo for 302 this past month and had the privilege of meeting up with a young polo athlete that is really stealing the show at a lot of matches around the world - Nic Roldan. He's charming and a real superstar on the polo field. I hope he comes back for next season!

Me and Nic - photo courtesy Meghan Timmerman

Nic waiting for the ball to drop for Orchard Hill

Show proofs from Aiken equestrian events

2010-10-31T13:14:00.000-04:00

The following Aiken, SC equestrian event proofs are online here: http://nicolelivermore.com

Poker Trail Ride at Three Runs - 10-30-10

Hunter Trials & Hunter Pace at Paradise Farm - 10-2-10

Memory Hunter Show at Three Runs to benefit Alzheimers Association - 9-19-10

Full Gallop Farm CT on 6-26-10

If you prefer to purchase prints with a personal check please contact me and I will fulfill your specific order. Prints are always available in black/white or sepia tone if you want a specific "look". Cropping and color correcting are done on a per-order basis. Proofs are untouched.

Livin' the good life

2010-08-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

This summer has been rather grueling ... temps every day in the mid-90s since the beginning of June. I don't ever turn off the A/C in the house at all! It has been a great opportunity to spend time with friends though. Thankfully I have a few friends with pools or I make a trip to the beach.

The horse shows have been limited because of the heat but I got the chance to "stick n' ball" with a few polo friends. I brought the camera to the "fast practice" and shot some really fast players. Most of them can be found here on my page but I'll post some below.

Bakin' in Aiken

2010-06-23T18:49:00.001-04:00

As we all get older we seem to always chase the elusive "lifestyle" that we all hope and dream of. Years go by and that might change due to children, job changes, relocation, health or age but also our hobbies. I reflect on my move to Aiken and chuckle because I seem to live in a transient state of feeling like a "retiree" because the weather is so pleasant and feeling like a "kid" because there are so many things to do!

Aiken is one of the most picturesque communities in the country. The culture here is friendly and comforting. It is seeded with a deep history and the community is very supportive of historic preservation while ensuring luxury to the inhabitants.

The elements of nature in and around Aiken are just astounding. You can view some shots: Nature I and Nature II on my page. We have great places to visit like Rye Patch, Hopelands Gardens, Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, the Farmers Market and the historic downtown area with Hitchcock Woods, stables and beautiful mansions dating back to the 1800s. The greenery and blossoms on the parkways and fountains are all part of the folklore and experience of this old railroad town. It has a wealth and sophistication that can't be found in other parts of the country.

It's a great benefit to be only a few hours from either the mountains or the beach. It really does feel like every day is a vacation in Aiken. It is truly a "legacy" community.

Horses are big business in Aiken

2010-06-15T13:06:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to share this video on the horse industry in Aiken with my readers. This is the inspiration behind my career and my move to Aiken. I am very happy to be a part of this lovely town.

Life as a "Suthuhnuh"

2010-06-14T19:29:00.001-04:00

I find that the longer I live here the less shocked I am by the Southern lifestyle and way of doing things. I am really growing to love it more and more each day.

It's funny because when you "horse show" down here the Prize List and signs in the office indicate: "Jackets are waived for ALL classes." There is no question about it, it's HOT here. In Wisconsin we used to wait half the day before the judge would have sympathy enough to waive coats!

And for all of my Wisco friends ... remember when mom used to yell "close the door or you'll let the heat out!" during winter time? Yeah, same thing happens here but it's cool air escaping the house into the thick, sticky humid air outside. As I write this, it's 102 degrees on my "shaded" back porch. It's not typical for Aiken to be this hot mid-June but I'd take this over -40 degree wind chills any day! Plus the sunsets and rainbows are no competition for Wisconsin ... they are simply amazing!

Reflection

2010-06-03T06:21:00.001-04:00

I write this post fighting back tears ... Remembering the past is sometimes hard but it also brings back the good memories. We just came out of Memorial Day weekend and I remember this weekend most because we lost my grandfather on Memorial Day of 2004, he had just turned 95.

<<---- this shot is from around 2000. He was very proud of the Maple tree in his front yard.

He was an amazing lost soul. He was the only grandfather I knew because my dad's father died prior to me being born. I was his only grand-daughter. They lived in a small northern Wisconsin town called Eagle River, commonly known as "Up North". We spent our weekends and I lived every summer growing up in Eagle River; I almost consider it my home town away from home.

Grandpa took me fishing at the "T-docks" and I usually caught enough sun fish to make me happy until the next week. He would tell me stories of working in the CCCs, logging in Alaska and he would show me his coin collection.

On the outside he was weathered and war-torn but on the inside he was the kindest, most gentle man I've ever known. He always wore suspenders and carried his pipe wherever he went. That sweet, strong smell of tobacco was always around him. At this time every year I can smell it when I remember him. It surprised me a little this year because I was just sitting on my couch watching TV and it hit my nose; and then again the next day while driving my car. That tobacco smell is my way of reflecting on this wonderful life that has passed before us.

You will forever be remembered gramps. I miss you.

Aiken Bluegrass Festival

2010-06-02T19:46:00.006-04:00

I had the pleasure of being the volunteer photographer of the Aiken Bluegrass Festival this year. It was an amazing time and I can't get over how genuine and fun the Bluegrass folks are. I'm a total fan now! The bike ride from Aiken Hotel to the festivities started things off. They had tons of children's activities and of course a whole lot of "geetars", banjos, fiddles, mandolins and the impressive bass. It was an incredible day of fun and frolic. More photos can be found on my Facebook fan page.

Cowboying Around

2010-05-31T08:32:00.000-04:00

I'm a little late getting these posted. This was a beautiful warm Spring day in Ridge Spring. Tommy Gesell is working an Andalusian stallion for his owner. More photos can be found here on my Facebook page.

Slacker!

2010-05-18T20:31:00.001-04:00

Yes, I've been a real slacker here. Life has been keeping me incredibly busy. I had visitors from Wisconsin, a hunter/jumper show series in Aiken for two weeks and then the Aiken Bluegrass Festival. Whooosh! Tons of fun and no time to blog. I'll get photos up soon of the fun stuff.

It's rather funny that I realized something this week. I rarely, if ever, watch the weather anymore. Odd because when you are a Wisconsinite your day is very categorized by how cold, cloudy, windy, wet and brutal it is outside. Here in Aiken every day is the same ... sunny, light breeze and warm. The only clincher is that they sure can't predict rain! They said 80% chance for yesterday and we never saw a drop. Today however, they said 10% chance and it rained. *scratches head*

No worries. I still love it here! I'm posting a shot of the Magnolias since they are blooming at the moment.

My love affair with the south ...

2010-04-09T11:56:00.002-04:00

Is the honeymoon over already? I can hardly believe it's been a year since I moved to Aiken. Time sure flies when you are having fun in the southern sun.

When I first arrived, it was quite a drastic change for me. I was called a Yankee and was told several times to go back to my side of the Mason Dixon line. At first I was pretty insulted but now I know that it's just the Southern Way. For the same reason the saying "bless your heart" can have a literal OR a sarcastic meaning.

Some folks scratch their head when I talk and can't really figure out if I'm from Maine or the Midwest. They usually know the town of Green Bay (thank you Brett Favre!) before they recognize Milwaukee or Madison. Sometimes I just give up and say I'm from Chicago!

I don't really miss the aggressive driving and short tempers of the North. This slower, more laid-back way of life suits me well ... and of course the sandals and sunburn too. I had to get used to narrow, trash-strewn back roads and drivers that never signal or drive the speed limit (usually 10 under). Otherwise, the general population is pleasant, easy-going and wow, can they cook some great food!

Down here you have a mama and a daddy no matter what your age is. I'm regularly called ma'am, sugar, sweetie or darlin'. Everyone drinks Sweet Tea which is essentially sugar water followed by a diabetic attack. If you don't drink Sweet Tea you drink co'cola. Grits are a staple for almost any meal. Roadside stands sell Boiled P-nuts, butter beans, peaches and steaks. If it doesn't taste good everyone just adds more butter. The Georgia boys go "coon" hunting on the weekends and everyone drives a 4x4 truck - a few with Confederate flags on them.

There are just as many churches as there are gas stations that sell beer. Most things are closed on Sundays and you regularly meet someone with a daddy that is a minister or pastor. You can find a Baptist church about every mile or so.

I honestly chuckle at all of this because I truly do LOVE this place. And so I leave you with funny quote from a friend describing a rather southern individual: "You're not a Southern Belle, you're not even a Redneck Wind Chime"

In this case, I believe the Redneck Wind Chime was a few empty Bud Light cans strung from a pine tree!

Young Horse Program - Round II

2010-03-19T19:44:00.001-04:00

Thirty days after our first introduction to Belle we shot another Horsecity.com episode with Tommy and Gerry Gesell. This time it was an open field in the town of Ridge Spring, SC. To refresh the scenario for you, Belle is a 4 yr. old mare that had been handled but never ridden. At this point Tommy has quite a few rides on her and she looks fantastic from the ground. She is balanced and listening well.

We also had the treat of shooting Grace, a Quarter Horse mare owned by two of my local Aiken friends. Grace is rather green as well and the pair were put through their paces by both Tommy and Gerry. It was great to watch them switch horses and see how each mare reacted as they were put to the test of the hills and galloping lead changes.

This outing was very special for Belle because her owner was able to ride her for the first time since Tommy started working with her. She was ecstatic and she looked really good up there!

Here are the shots ... click to enlarge them. I also posted more on my Facebook Fan Page. Enjoy!

Young Horse Program - Round I

2010-03-15T20:14:00.009-04:00

I'm finally getting around to posting the shots from the initial meeting with Tommy and Gerry Gesell. We shot these at the Hippodrome in North Augusta, SC. This black mare is a four year old Appendix mare that had been handled but never saddled or bridled before. They used the blue roan to work the mare a little in the round pen and then started the process of saddling and bridling her.

She took to the hobbles very smartly and was a very patient student for the cowboys. She gave a little bit of an opinion about the saddle when she started moving out. Especially once Tommy asked her to move out under saddle. After a little crow-hopping she went right to work. Tommy's use of long lines before he got in the tack was a great way to get her used to the bridle and steering.

You can tell by the smile on Tommy's face that it was a great day! When he finished up with Belle he said "I love my job!" I'm sure glad you do Tommy ... I love mine too!

(If you click on the photos you can view them larger)

Source of inspiration

2010-03-08T13:19:00.001-05:00

My visit to Sporting Days horse trial this weekend was truly inspirational. My friend Beth was riding her gelding Fred in the Prelim division and I thought I'd go to shoot her and get in some more horse time. As if I don't get enough already!

Fred is a fantastic little Thoroughbred with a big attitude... typical redhead too. He likes to ham it up for the camera and has a ton of athleticism which makes him a joy to watch and photograph. Beth is such a great rider. She's focused and positive and really enjoys competing. She is an inspiration for me!

I've also been noticing another "stand out" competitor here in Aiken. Doug Payne really takes the cake. He has poise, technique and always has a smile on his face. I'm not sure how many horses he had but every time I looked up it seems he was putting another through the paces of the next phase. His dressage tests were incredibly quiet and accurate. His showjumping had great pace and turning and he allows his horse to be the athlete. If you have the time, check out Doug and his mounts at Doug Payne Equestrian Sports and he also has a Facebook fan page.

Doug is pictured here in his showjumping phase. The second shot is Beth and Fred at the water on cross country. I took quite a few photos of the day and selected a few standouts here on my fan page photos.

Enjoy!

More perks of my "boring" corporate job

2010-03-05T23:22:00.004-05:00

All kidding aside ... I'm surely not complaining, instead beaming with appreciation, for my recent endeavor with my big lens for my job at Horsecity.com. In mid-February I got the opportunity to meet and shoot two transplanted Texan cowboys here in Aiken. Tommy Gesell and Gerry Gesell grew up near San Antonio and their mother, Carin had them in the saddle since they were toddlers. They know horses inside and out and have lived through all the blood, sweat and heartache that we all associate with being devoted to these beautiful hooved animals.

In an effort to preserve the history and legacy of wild horses, Ned and Diana Twining created 88 Ranch in Wyoming. As trainers for 88 Ranch, Gerry and Tommy provide the captured horses a chance at a new life through trust, teaching acceptance and work. The horses are adopted out to new owners at the end of their time in The Young Horse Program and ensure new careers with their owners as trail horses, fox hunters and even polo ponies. The ability of the wild horses to adapt to a new environment and way of life is amazing. It truly confirms the outstanding ability of an animal to enlighten all the senses and pull our heartstrings.

The 2009 program of eight horses was an incredible success. Gerry selected the horses from the BLM holding pens based on their conformation. Within a few days, all the horses were haltered, led, tied and learned to pick their feet up. By the end of the year they were all saddle broke and willingly working which made them great prospects for their new owners. But this story does not end here ...

The two brothers "winter" in Aiken and commute back to Wyoming every Spring. In April 2010, they will find the most "critical" equines that are permanent residents of the BLM pens to give them a new life. Fifteen mares in the 5-6 year old range will be chosen and brought along in the program, and into prospective owners hands by the time Fall comes. These will never be "ordinary" animals because they will forever be stamped with the BLM "badge of honor" brand on their neck. Who knows, you may see one in the show ring or on the polo field in 2011!

I'll be doing a follow-up post about a few Aiken horses they have in training as well as follow-up of the 2010 wild horses throughout the year. Enjoy!

Aiken snowpocalypse 2010

2010-02-15T22:32:00.003-05:00

We had a rather unheard of snowstorm on Friday the 12th. From what I hear, the Aiken/Augusta area has not seen that much snow in 8-9 years. Some folks claim to have "never" seen that much. Regardless of the record set, it was gorgeous. I never got to see the pretty "clingy" snow in Wisconsin because 1.) we never had leaves on the trees and 2.) it was just to freakin' cold! Our snow was typically the fluffy, crystallized sort that glistens in the sun and make skiers and snowboarders drool.

I had a good time watching it ... and not attempting to leave the house for fear a crazy southerner would run me over in their haste to get to their destination. There are no plows here and very little suggestion to lay salt or sand down to help. Thankfully it was about 55 degrees by the afternoon and most of it melted and the roads dried quickly. You can see a "before" and "after" picture here of the melting off the trees by 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday.

I sure enjoyed it!

USEF Training Session at Three Runs in Aiken

2010-02-12T23:04:00.002-05:00

I've always said my life is full of amazing opportunities from living in Aiken and this day was proof of that. I had the chance to watch, listen and soak-in the expertise of Oded Shimoni and Capt. Mark Phillips during a USEF training session at Three Runs.

I missed a few of the morning sessions but got to see Shimoni instructing Stephen Bradley, Allison Springer, Will Faudree and Will Coleman. I was able to catch Phillips with Lillian Heard and Doug Payne. They concentrated on flatwork and each of the horse/rider combinations had their own things to work on. It was nice to see riders at such a high level occasionally having a bump in the road. It made me feel better about my riding!

Allison Springer was an incredibly accurate and quiet rider. Her horse was very responsive and by the end of the ride was simply amazing to watch. I learned a lot from watching Doug Payne because his horse is so similar to one of my old horses. He too had a great session and by the end the horse was in a lovely frame, balanced and cadenced within his gaits. I'll stop blubbering on and let you enjoy the photos.

A blast from my past and a new favorite all in one night

2010-02-10T21:57:00.006-05:00

I remember singing and dancing to Willie Nelson as a little girl. I think my family had at least three of his albums on "8-track" and cruised all the way west to Wyoming and Colorado listening to him in our Winnebago when I was around 10. I think I sang "On the Road Again" about 100 times before the trip was over! He's always been a "classic" to me – the gray braids and red bandanna topped it off.

I recently had the chance to see him in concert in Augusta. My friend from England is a big fan of his son, Lukas Nelson, so he jumped at the idea of getting tickets at the last minute. Promise of the Real is blowing the crowds away with their bluesy-rock style and great stage presence. I'm an instant fan! Lukas sounds a lot like Willie but with a twist, and he can play guitar with the best of them!

Willie was amazing too. It took a few songs for him to get his voice and lungs going (but what else do you expect given his age?) He played some of my old favorites and even played a new song from his new album expected out on 4-20. (Ha ha Willie, we "get" it!) This old man still jams and was well worth it!

I hope you enjoy my shots. I posted a lot more on my Facebook fan page.

More equine adventures in the south

2010-02-04T14:55:00.003-05:00

In January, I spent a week hanging out with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls at the Augusta Cutting Futurity. My employer, Horsecity.com is a major sponsor of the competition and I really enjoyed meeting a lot of our advertisers and rubbing shoulders with the spur-clad riders. The cutters are a hard-working crowd but they like to have their fun too.

I got a great new pair of boots from Babs and Lannie at Lagrange Leather. You can't beat the design and quality of these boots. They are just fabulous!

I also got the chance to hang out with Shorty and Bobbie from Shorty's Caboy Hattery. We had some "shortinis" and I watched as Bobbie custom-fit a hat for a long-time client. It was fun watching her work the hat over the steamer and make adjustments.

I looks like I have an exciting weekend ahead of me too. I have a choice of a High-Performance Event Clinic at Three Runs, a PSJ Hunter/Jumper show and a Horse Trial at Sporting Days. What a rough life ... I think I might hit the "Track Kitchen" for breakfast and watch the race horses work out too.

I'm officially published!

2010-01-08T22:39:00.009-05:00

I could not be more thrilled! This shot is one that was published ... from a Dressage show in Aiken.

The first was the December 2009 issue of Horseman's Yankee Pedlar. Three of my photos are featured in the Dressage "Communication" article starting on page 37. (you can jump to that page by typing 37 in the white box at the top) The pretty bay head on the right side is my shot. The other two photos are on page 40 of the same issue. The grey is the lovely gelding Rebus owned and ridden by my good friend and trainer, Laura Wagner. The extended-trotting bay is The Alchemist ridden by Camilla Van Liew.

My second publishing is the January 2010 digital edition of the Horseman's Yankee Pedlar. This time we hit page 48 with a shot of Paul and Maria Smith's lovely pinto stallion Sambucco showing at Ledges. Special thanks to Paul for letting me submit that shot. I love it!

Let's hope I keep on clicking off some good shots! I'm lovin' this life!

The ever-present and amazing equine community in Aiken ... and the ebb and flow of it all!

2010-01-08T20:59:00.006-05:00

Here we are in the new year and I can't help but be amazed by this still relatively-new home of mine. As we approached the holidays in Aiken the Polo players gradually faded away to much warmer paradise locations in South America and southern North America. The Fox Hunters are still going strong after starting their season around Thanksgiving. Now that we have the New Year, all of the die-hard Eventers have come to town and the Hunter/Jumper shows are in full swing.

I have a real back-road drive to my office in Augusta every day – by choice. It's quite literally one horse farm after another on smooth country roads. Beautiful trees with generous green leaves and majestic pines that reach for the sky one after another. The sunrise each morning is incredible and welcomes each new day.

One particular open area on my drive seemed to have an "abandoned" horse barn, paddocks and hay field. I'm awfully embarrassed to admit that this particular farm is not abandoned at ALL. It is merely a snow bird paradise! What I considered a "forgotten" barn was immediately filled to the brim with hay, beautifully colored jumps placed in the field and a giant full-size portable dressage ring was erected in a matter of 48 hours. It was an instant training facility!

As it turns out, it is the facility that Sally Cousins escapes to each winter from Pennsylvania. I'm surrounded by some amazing horse people! I never imagined this to be such a dream come true for me. Who knew that I'd have Phillip Dutton, Sally Cousins, Corinne Ashton, Kim Severson and countless other high-performance trainers right in my town. We even get the USEA training sessions here with Katie Prudent, Mark Phillips and Oded Shimoni teaching! Did I mention it's only 4 miles from my tiny little cottage? I'm so humbled and honored!

For those times when I need a little equine retail therapy I have 3 tack shops within 2 miles of my house ... yes, I'm terribly spoiled! Aiken Saddlery, Oak Manor Saddlery and Boots, Bridles & Britches most always have anything I need (a.k.a. "want") in a pinch.

I'm swooning over this town! It will be a never-ending love for me until the day I die!

Saturday morning with the Aiken Hounds Fox Hunt

2009-12-23T21:01:00.007-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Children's Drag Hunt with the Aiken Hounds departing from Stable on the Woods in Aiken. What a wonderful group of kind parents, friendly riders, beautiful horses and stunning hounds! I almost kicked myself for not attending a hunt earlier and I'm really hoping I can join them in the saddle soon.

The Aiken Hounds were established in 1914 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hitchcock. They hunt in the well-known and coveted Hitchcock Woods in downtown Aiken. "The Woods" as it is affectionately known by the local riders is 3,000 acres of pure horse- and hiking-heaven. Perfectly groomed trails with natural obstacles and hours of tranquil riding or hiking await all the visitors.

Returning to my roots

2009-12-14T18:22:00.006-05:00

Due to the high cost of traveling during Thanksgiving and Christmas I decided that my first return to Wisconsin had to be mid-month. I'm glad I did so, with the exception of the dumping of snow! Sadly enough, it was bitter cold and we got about 6 inches of the white stuff in my 4 days there.

It was great to see my friends and family again. I didn't realize how much I missed them until they were right in front of me. I feel like I'm missing out on my niece and nephew growing up but I'm hoping they will make it down to the south for a visit this coming year.

Like any typical vacation I ate a lot of food and had some great laughs. I have a few pictures to share ... the lovely tree my sister-in-law decorated, the fresh snow and me with the kids. It was good fun but I was happy to return to a 75 degree day in Aiken!

I'm looking forward to finishing the Christmas season with some great friends here. Until then ... Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Mele Kalikimaka and Fröhliche Weihnachten!

In appreciation of the older generation

2009-12-04T08:57:00.005-05:00

If you know me well, you will know that I just love old cars. Muscle cars to be exact ... a nice GTO, Challenger, Mustang or Camaro really revs my engine. When I saw these old Edsels I just fell in love. I even climbed barbed-wire to get the shots!

It's so fun to find stuff like this in the south!

Thanksgiving Southern Style

2009-12-04T08:32:00.006-05:00

This was my first Thanksgiving in 35 years that I did not spend around a table of Cheesehead family members. I can't say that I was happy about it, but I'm adjusting to doing everything new and welcoming new people into my life. My coworker's family generously invited me to attend their dinner in Georgia ... I was impressed!

Southern style Thanksgiving is not that much different than us Yankees. A generous amount of turkey, ham, beans, fruit fluff and of course, CRANBERRIES! I was so very happy to see them on the table as we sat down. I minded my manners and did not eat the whole bowl. My father would be proud.

And what's not to love about a horsey family too? After dinner we socialized with the five equines that live on the farm. Took a long relaxing walk through the woods and the hay field. It was a perfect day ... short sleeves and all!

Yet another reason I love my job

2009-11-22T17:49:00.004-05:00

It's a cold and rainy Sunday here in Aiken so I've taken some time to get little projects done that I've been putting off. Glad to say it's a productive day.

One of the small joys of my job is enjoying my handi-work after a photo shoot. I really have to say that I'm proud of these sales shots for a truly elegant Hanovarian/Trakehner gelding that my friend Laura is selling. He was a joy to shoot and our weather was MUCH better than it is today!

Laura is an amazing rider and trainer and has been a joy to work with both behind my lens and with my own riding. I'm so grateful to have met her!

We lost a shining light in the equine photography world

2009-11-22T17:19:00.002-05:00

Equine photographer Susan Sexton has lost her battle with leukemia. She has been such an inspiration to me over the years with my own photography I just had to mention something here. She was so talented and paved the way for so many equine photographers... she could make a horse look like magic on paper.

Godspeed Susan.

Terri Miller (another amazing photog) has a great tribute to Susan in her blog.

Here is Susan's galleries if you'd like to see her work.

I'm a Calendar Girl!

2009-11-14T09:35:00.002-05:00

Well, not really me ... I'd break the camera. But my photo is! Horseman's Yankee Pedlar is a spectacular mag from the northeast and has published a 2010 calendar featuring horses of all disciplines. My shot from the Aiken Spring Classic Hunter Derby is featured for April. I just love this shot. I'll post here as soon as I know the ordering details.

Aiken Fall Steeplechase

2009-11-01T08:33:00.007-05:00

What a lovely afternoon of racing, friends and food! It started out cold and rainy but in true Aiken-weather-form it was 80 and sunny by the time the bugle played and jockeys mounted. It was great footing for the horses and a good crowd cheered them past the finish each time. It's amazing to have the track right down the street from my house. I'm truly spoiled here in Aiken horse country!

Random shots from Aiken, SC

2009-11-01T08:19:00.010-05:00

Moonlit night on my back porch.

Slave shack on my way to Georgia.

Rey, an FEI Dressage horse I get to ride on weekends.

A mushroom in my back yard.

A visitor from Wisconsin!

2009-11-01T08:07:00.003-05:00

I had a lucky day to have my friend Sue visit from Wisconsin. I showed her around Aiken and we had a great dinner at Davors. This was a great photo moment for me because she had never seen cotton before and she even took some home with her! It's funny how we see something every day and don't think about how interesting it can be.

Lake Strom Thurmond

2009-11-01T07:51:00.007-05:00

A beautiful "artificial" lake between South Carolina and Georgia that provided me some beautiful photos! We got access to the lake through the Hickory Knob Park and hiked it to the shore. We saw deer and fish and it was beautiful weather. The texture and color of the shore reminded me a lot of Mars! I posted a lot more on my Flickr page here.

Enjoy!

Amazing foodie talent!

2009-09-21T14:18:00.002-04:00

Check out this butter sculpture from the Kansas State Fair. A blacksmith working on a horse with his dog watching. Simply amazing! Check out the story here.

This horse is just AMAZING!

2009-09-04T22:19:00.002-04:00

This YouTube video of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas scoring a 90.7% in the KUR European championship at Windsor is simply amazing! You just have to watch even if you are not a fan of Dressage. It is almost unreal how this horse can move and be so athletic.

Horsecity.com TV at DFG Stables in Aiken

2009-09-04T17:48:00.006-04:00

It was great to finally meet one of the local stars of Aiken. We traveled to DFG Stables in Aiken to video Daniel Geitner and this lovely up-and-coming jumper mare for our In the Irons segment on Horsecity.com TV. We had a great time and the farm Jack Russell was adorable!

Career Perks

2009-09-04T17:40:00.008-04:00

I'm very blessed to be a part of some fun things at Horsecity.com. Recently we did a video shoot at a beautiful barn in South Carolina built by Rustic Barns. Mark and Marybeth are just amazing folks and they did a wonderful job on this barn. Now where is a winning lottery ticket when you need it?

Okay, maybe I love Savannah even better!

2009-07-22T22:10:00.011-04:00

I'm really torn now. I got to visit Savannah and I think it tops Charleston. The beach at Tybee Island was just wonderful, even with a storm rolling in. We spent a few hours on the beach, having beers in the local bar while it rained, then back outside for a walk along the river and a carriage ride through downtown Savannah. Great grub at the Crab Shack in Tybee and Rock River Brewing Company in downtown. It was an unforgettable day!

I left my heart in Charleston!

2009-07-15T22:44:00.009-04:00

I'm not usually at a loss for words but Charleston left me speechless. I just love that town! My friend Hugues and I hit the road in the early morning and landed in Middleton Place first. The gardens and lakes were extraordinary with a deep history. We ventured into town and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was fabulous!

We hit the shops on King St. and Market St. and then headed over to the docks and Battery Park. I think we logged about 10 miles and a few blisters but it was well worth it. I'm only putting a small sampling here but more photos are on my Flickr page. Enjoy!

Did I mention that I love my job?

2009-06-21T22:03:00.007-04:00

I got to go back "home" to Chicago and video the International Hunter Derby for Horsecity.com. It was such a great time seeing lots of friends that I hadn't seen since my horse-show days and a few that I just hadn't seen since I left Wisconsin. Lamplight was beautiful, as usual, and the turnout made me feel as though the economy was not so far in the pits after all.

All the usual suspects participated in the Derby. Had a few "misses" and I caught most of those on video. I did get to catch a few great jumps with my camera so I will share those. Check out HorseCity.com in August for a great webcast of the Derby, as well as, the history of the Show Hunter and great insight from trainer Diane Carney. Enjoy!

Cutting and Dressage Photos

2009-05-31T19:38:00.006-04:00

Past Due Photos of the Week

2009-05-07T21:03:00.010-04:00

I think I've finally gotten all my boxes unpacked and I'm settled into the new gig at HorseCity.com. Time to play "catch up" on my photos. My weekends have been busy. I've been shooting at two weeks of Aiken Spring Classic at Highfields, then the Aiken Driving Club Show and the U.S. Arena Polo Championships. Not a lot of time to spare! Enjoy the photos.

USHJA International Hunter Derby

Aiken Ladies Aside, Side-saddle demo before the Grand Prix

Grand Prix spectator

Aiken Driving Show, beautiful Arabian cross mare

Michael Tokaruk and Roger Rabbit, he's my new favorite horse and Michael is my new trainer!

Grand Prix competitor, Chase Boggio and his horse Perfekt

Arena Polo, a lot different than grass, not as fast but very hard core action!

Moustachied horse evades barber

2009-04-29T21:54:00.003-04:00

A horse which has grown a curly, golden moustache is refusing to let grooms shave it off.
Read the full story here.

Future Ansel Adams?

2009-04-26T20:00:00.002-04:00

This little guy was having lots of fun with grandma's camera. We were taking pictures of each other.

Photos of the Week

2009-04-25T21:34:00.007-04:00

I've been a bit busy with the new job and getting my equine critter down south but here's making up for some lost time.

lait de Jument

2009-04-14T20:57:00.004-04:00

I'm by no means fluent in anything French. I might have a French first name by default (Nicole) and my grandmother was half French... but that's about as close as I come to it. I'm very intrigued by new things, especially being a wholesome foodie by nature. I came across an article in an equine magazine about the French drinking horse milk or "lait de Jument". Are you kidding me? As it turns out, it has quite a high vitamin content and tastes a bit like hazelnut to the common palate. David Lebovitz even blogged about it after picking up a bottle at his local market. I can't wait to try it... on my next visit to Paris. Whenever that will happen.

Easter weekend in Aiken

2009-04-12T15:32:00.004-04:00

New beginnings

2009-04-09T22:03:00.002-04:00

I've officially made the move to Aiken, South Carolina. It was a bumpy road trying to get all the loose ends tied up in Wisconsin but I've arrived safe and sound. My kitties traveled well too. The drive through the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina was just beautiful. The farms of Kentucky pulled my heart strings. I sure wish I could have stopped and stayed a while, but with animals in tow it's hard.

My cottage in Aiken is heavenly. I'm living on a horse farm just south of town and I can watch the dressage and jumping rings from my porch. It's perfect! I look forward to lots of picture taking opportunities and new friends. Southern hospitality can't be beat, I'm really loving it already.

I'll slide in a picture that I took during my walk around town last night. It is the Horseplay sculpture of Summer Squall.

Aiken, South Carolina here I come!

2009-03-25T15:34:00.007-04:00

I am very pleased to announce that I will be making a big move with my equine friend in tow. I have accepted a position at Horsecity.com and will be starting in mid-April. I've never lived anywhere but Wisconsin so this move is quite a big deal for me. I'll be living on a great little farm called Hopeland in Aiken, SC and commuting to Augusta, GA to work at Horsecity.

I look forward to building relationships on the bulletin board and developing the content of the site. I'm hoping to put all of my equine knowledge to good use! And an added bonus that I never have to spend another winter in Wisconsin again! Special thanks to my good friend Paul for providing me this opportunity, Paul is a fellow horseman that has taken on the task of building Horsecity with me. Keep close tabs on the site because we will have a lot of new things coming your way! Click here to to go horsecity.com.

Funny time-waster horse game

2009-03-25T15:32:00.003-04:00

I tracked this funny horse racing game down on the internet. Good laughs for a little while.

I can't wait until the Derby!

Equine slaughter legislation

2009-03-19T11:34:00.002-04:00

I don't typically get involved in politics and heated discussions but the horse slaughter issue is a really tough one. It seems the states are now back-pedaling to put rules in place that the feds forgot when they pushed their legislation through. This is making the whole dilemma even more complicated. Are we going to throw an embargo at Canada and Mexico too? Here are more details.

Calling all equine artists

2009-03-19T11:23:00.002-04:00

Road to the Horse is searching for a cover artist for the western lifestyle themed 2010 Road to the Horse program booklet. Peter Grant's abstract oil painting won last year. If you know a talented painter, toss them a brush!

Brain the size of a walnut?

2009-03-16T10:19:00.004-04:00

My dad used to always tease me that my horse had the tiniest brain. He was convinced all equines were quite stupid and said it was only a "walnut". That might be close to the truth, but this article gives a good indication it might be larger. Fuego is pretty smart and part draft horse so maybe he's been blessed with a good size brain!

A few photos from my trip

2009-03-13T18:53:00.007-04:00

Trotting right down the street of Aiken as we ate lunch in an outdoor café.

Mill pond on the east side of Aiken, South Carolina

This is a funny sight for a Wisconsin girl. All that sand sure looks like it should be a back road of Eagle River, not Aiken!

Photo of the Week

2009-03-13T18:41:00.002-04:00

My photo of the week is a bit delayed because I was enjoying the southern sunshine earlier this week. This is a sunrise from the city of Augusta, Georgia. We had excellent weather and it was quite hard to come home to 15 degrees in Wisconsin after enjoying the 85 degree sunshine and good company of a lot of new friends.

Urban equines

2009-03-06T10:57:00.001-05:00

Jens Andersson's urban photography of horses has a very eccentric realism. Click here to enjoy a few of his photos.

Domestication of horses much earlier than scientists thought

2009-03-06T10:47:00.004-05:00

Scientists have discovered that domesticated horses occurred much earlier than originally thought. Archeologists uncovered proof that they were both ridden and milked. Read more here...

Equine welfare photo project

2009-03-05T13:30:00.004-05:00

The Equine Photographers Network (EPNet) is opening a photography project to benefit equine welfare. This is open to general and professional members. Amateurs are highly encouraged to join so if you have a camera this is a great cause.

From EPNet: "The mission of this project is to shine a light on the condition of horses in need in the world, and the work that individuals, rescues and other organizations are doing to save them from uncertain futures." Read more here.

Photo of the Week

2009-03-04T22:01:00.002-05:00

This is a shot of my dear Fuego with his ponies. I swear he thinks he's as small as they are. One is a small the other is a medium... and Fuego is 17.2!

Perseverence is key

2009-03-04T21:55:00.006-05:00

This video just cracks me up. This darling girl in pink jods just keeps bailing every time she jumps because her pony is NAUGHTY. It's really good entertainment and I can tell by the trainer's body language that she is very patient and seems to be laughing. Lets hope this young lady bares her wounds well and turns out to be a seat-of-the-pants winning eventer at Rolex someday!

Entertainment anyone?

2009-03-04T21:38:00.005-05:00

I think most Wisconsinites know that winter can be one of the longest and most boring times of the year if you are a horse person. So I've started a list of some great horse-related movies for your entertainment. Please feel free to add comments if I've missed some good ones:
Seabiscuit
Man from Snowy River
Black Stallion (I so loved Mickey Rooney!)
Felicity
The Black Stallion Returns
International Velvet
8 Seconds (great music in this one)
Black Beauty
Phar Lap
Hidalgo
The Long Shot
Flicka
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron (yes, it's a cartoon, but I actually LIKED it)

Lets hear yours too! I might have to start a book list...

Photo of the Week

2009-02-26T23:17:00.002-05:00

I'm a day late this week but here's a big momma for your enjoyment. At least I hope that's a she and there's one on the way.

Obama's stimulus act impacts the horse industry

2009-02-26T17:32:00.003-05:00

This is some very good news to horse and farm owners trying to make a proprietary living from the horse industry. The package includes purchases of horses and land which will hopefully spur a better equine economy for 2009. We can use all the help we can get to get out of this rut as quickly as possible.

Only horse people …

2009-02-26T15:27:00.000-05:00

• Believe in the 11th Commandment: Inside leg to outside rein.
• Know that all topical medications come in either indelible blue or neon yellow.
• Think nothing of eating a sandwich after mucking out stables.
• Know why a thermometer has a yard of yarn attached to one end of it.
• Are banned from Laundromats.
• Fail to associate whips, chains and leather with sexual deviancy.
• Can magically lower their voices five octaves to bellow at a pawing horse.
• Have a language all their own ("If he pops his shoulder, I have to close that hand and keep pushing with my seat in case he sucks back".)
• Will end relationships over their hobby.
• Cluck to their cars to help them up hills.
• Insure their horses for more than their cars.
• Will give you 20 names and reasons for that bump on your horse.
• Know more about their horse's nutrition than their own.
• Have neat's-foot oil stains on the carpet right next to the TV.
• Have a vocabulary that can make a sailor blush.
• Have less wardrobe than their horse.
• Engage in a hobby that is more work than their day job.
• Know that mucking stalls is better then Zoloft any day.

Horse of the Year, Curlin's Book Stacked With Major Mares

2009-02-21T12:03:00.005-05:00

The Horse: Horse of the Year, Curlin's Book Stacked With Major Mares

Curlin has been one of my all-time favorites and it's nice to see him win Horse of the Year twice. If you want to see a little more about him click here. His accomplishments:
2007 Preakness Stakes
2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup
2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic
2008 Dubai World Cup
2008 Jockey Club Gold Cup

For a mere $75k you can breed to this lovely boy. I can't wait to see how his foals run.

Someone's searching for a horse hitman

2009-02-20T09:09:00.002-05:00

This is the humorous and candid writings of a non-horsey father and husband that gave me a good chuckle.

Runaway republican guard horse in France

2009-02-19T23:57:00.003-05:00

This equine managed to dislodge his rider and escape down the busy streets of France. What's even more amazing is to watch the woman attempt to grab the bridle from the police car!

Photo of the Week

2009-02-18T23:16:00.002-05:00

This week's photo is from a Sunday drive over to the town of Erin in Wisconsin. One of my favorite places is the peaks of Holy Hill overlooking the farms and trees. I grew up riding at a farm just a half mile from this beautiful church and have enjoyed it's architecture for many years.

Everyone loves a cute redhead

2009-02-16T23:29:00.003-05:00

Redheads are usually the easiest to spot in the crowd. Even moreso when they smoke the competition. Take a peek at Evita Argentina leaving the boys in the dust in this race. She literally comes from dead last and screams past in the home stretch to win. Amazing young woman!

We're inching up on Derby Day!

2009-02-16T23:07:00.002-05:00

I know … it's a bit early for me to be chatting about the Kentucky Derby already but I'm already seeing articles and people pointing out this fantastic gray colt named Old Fashioned. My mom always had a thing for grays and I think I typically follow suit. He's a looker! I'll keep an eye out for some others as we get closer to the big day.

Photo of the Week

2009-02-10T23:33:00.003-05:00

I'm big on sharing so I've decided to do a Photo of the Week posted on Wednesdays. Each week I will pick a photo of my own to share and I welcome any comments or questions. Enjoy!

The first shot is from my doggie photo shoot with Phyllis last week. Chase was a GREAT subject. If you are looking for shots of your own pet, feel free to contact me.

$16 million horse

2009-02-10T23:12:00.003-05:00

Yes, that's right. A Thoroughbred named The Green Monkey sold for $16 million. That's the highest selling price for a public auction. And the horse was trying to get the handler the whole time! Even the crowd was laughing as the auctioneer kept asking for $16.5 million!!

What's even more funny is that this horse has NEVER raced!

White horse sculpture to be built at 33-times life size

2009-02-10T09:59:00.003-05:00

Artist Mark Wallinger's creation has been chosen as the "Angel of the South" and will hopefully be completed for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Now if only Americans could appreciate the horse enough to bring it into our daily lives.

Ecstasy drug less dangerous than riding a horse?

2009-02-09T11:40:00.003-05:00

Are you kidding me? A guy named Nutt says that "ecstasy is less dangerous than horse-riding". A truly Nutt-y way of thinking.

Poochie photoshoot!

2009-02-05T14:53:00.010-05:00

My friend Phyllis hired me to shoot her poochies over the weekend. Here are a few samples:
Chase

Chase

Abby and Hank (mother and son)

Abby and Hank

Hank

A little Jolly Ball fun

2009-02-02T12:17:00.011-05:00

I'm not quite sure why Fuego doesn't use the handle, but it's a really good time for him!

World Record in Puissance

2009-01-21T23:29:00.002-05:00

Frank Sloothaak and Leonardo own the World's Highest Puissance Wall record at a height of 2.40 meters. This is an amazing video and worth watching to the end. The effort of both horse and rider is just astounding!

The Legend of Huaso

2009-01-21T23:17:00.004-05:00

A Chilean bred Thoroughbred jumps a world record height of 2.47 meters (approximately 8'2") in 1949. Huaso ("Cowboy" in English) makes three attempts at the height and is successful. I believe this record still stands. This movie is a really great story! He actually jumps the right side of the fence that is 2.52 meters but the measurement is taken from the middle at 2.47. Unbelievable!

What a cutie!

2009-01-21T15:22:00.004-05:00

Thumbelina is said to be the World's Smallest Horse. This mare is 5 years old and only 17 inches tall. She was born at 8 lbs and is now 60 lbs. Can you imagine? Her feed bills must be affordable. I sure would not want to trim her tiny feet though!

Coffee addicted and need a mug too?

2009-01-21T15:17:00.002-05:00

A friend sent me this great link to some really well designed coffee mugs for the most discriminating buyer. I want the one that is the camera lens!

The fab diva is horse showing? Making this a bit of a rag sheet...

2009-01-19T12:06:00.003-05:00

Rumor has it that Madonna has come to Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida to show her two horses. She's flown in her trainer, Daisy Trayford from the UK to be her guiding light. As reported by Horse and Hound in the UK. Fox News also reported the visit. Madonna took a bad fall riding back in 2005.

She's always been fond of whips... maybe this visit to the U.S. is a grand opportunity for her new single lifestyle. WEF is not the usual spot for the "eventing" type to visit and show so I'm guessing that Madonna is just here to enjoy the sunshine.

Horsey smelling woman kicked out of supermarket

2009-01-16T12:23:00.003-05:00

A horsey-smelling woman gets kicked out of a UK food market. Drunks and smokers are allowed to frequent anyplace in public but a horse person can't? I have some super smelly people come into the tack shop all the time and I can't kick them out. How does the management at this market think they can? I can kick them out for causing a disturbance but otherwise I'm obligated to allow them to shop.

How does "eau de equine" effect the sanitary conditions of food in a market? Does no one wash their fruit and vegetables anymore? I can name countless times I have touched my face after handling a horse, dog or cat. Do house pets apply here too? So if the dog licks my hands I'm not allowed in the local market?

Sometimes the internet should not be open to just anyone

2009-01-13T18:52:00.004-05:00

Just when you thought you'd seen it all... someone comes up with a hoax including a horse. This one is Sewer Horse and even has it's own website. They claim to have quite a cult following.

ROTFLMAO! Someone even "Rick Holed" it!

Zebroid

2009-01-13T18:46:00.004-05:00

This is a very interesting mix... a horse and a zebra but with piebald markings. Wow! And she's quite cute too, who knew she might have such a pretty face. She has a zebra father and horse mother. "Eclyse" may be unable to reproduce because most equine hybrids are infertile.

Here's what Wiki has to say about Zebroids.

A prankster putting forth a lot of effort

2009-01-13T18:41:00.001-05:00

I found this online and it makes me scratch my head:

#78: The Venetian Horse Hoax

The citizens of Venice woke on the morning of April 1, 1919 to find piles of horse manure deposited throughout the Piazza San Marco, as if a procession of horses had gone through there during the night. This was extremely unusual, since the Piazza is surrounded by canals and not easily accessible to horses. The manure turned out to be the work of the infamous British prankster Horace de Vere Cole, who was honeymooning in Venice. He had transported a load of manure over from the mainland the night before with the help of a gondolier and had then deposited small piles of it throughout the Piazza. Perhaps he should have been paying more attention to his wife while on honeymoon because, evidently tired by his constant hijinks, she divorced him a few years later.

Arachnophobia?

2009-01-08T12:55:00.003-05:00

Check out these super cool Flash sites that some geniuses have programmed:

Afraid of spiders?
Don't like snakes?
Your very own drum machine

Looking for a new horse?

2009-01-05T15:52:00.003-05:00

These common phrases are found over and over again in all the "horse for sale" ads that I read. I pulled some "meanings" from the internet that might give you a good giggle.

Husband Horse: Large horse that can walk and trot, preferably behind another horse. Not broke to canter, but neither is the husband.
Event Horse: No brakes, not great steering, but goes over (or through) almost anything.
Dressage Horse: Slow, over bent, much too large for its petite rider.
16.2 Plus: 15.3 on a good day, right before he’s been shod
Great Feet: Too bad about the bowed tendon and the back problems.
Bomb Proof: Too dumb to spook.
Three-Gaited: Trip, stumble, fall.
Five-Gaited: Trip, stumble, fall, spin, and bolt.
Spirited: Certifiably insane.
High Strung: Certifiably insane.
Needs Experienced Rider: Certifiably insane.
Athletic: Certifiably insane, and capable of proving it in a heartbeat.
Ready for Training: Certifiably insane, but hasn’t killed/maimed anyone yet.
Mature: Older than rocks.
Good Schooling Horse: Older than rocks.
Trail broke: Never make it in western pleasure, too slow for gymkhana, can’t do dressage, isn’t broke to drive, won’t jump and too ugly to show at halter.
Lots of Chrome: Dumber than dirt, spookier than anything, not particularly athletic.
Loves People: Prefers them lightly seasoned & sauteed in molasses.
Loads of Potential: No one’s been able to get him to actually DO anything yet despite the fact that he’s now 10.
Prospect: I’m sure you can find something he’d be good at even though we couldn’t.
Dead Broke: Nearly dead.
Big Trot: Hasn’t learned to canter under saddle.
Nicely Started: Lunges, but we don’t have enough insurance to ride him yet.
Home Bred: We didn’t know that our 2 year old stud would breed with all the mares in the field.
Typey: We think he looks like either a TB or a QH depending on the angle.
Bold: Can’t stop him.
Good Mover: Hasn’t fallen down recently.
Always Sound: Of course we haven’t ridden him in a year but he looks great out in the field.
Should Mature Over 16h: currently 14 hands, dam is 14.2, sire is 15.3 hands, every horse in pedigree back 18 generations is under 16 hands, but *this* horse will defy his DNA and grow.
Still Growing: Well, he’s getting fatter even if he topped out at 14.2 1/2
Not Marish: Unless she’s in season and that only happens six or seven times a year.
Well Mannered: Hasn’t stepped on, run over, bit, or kicked anyone for a week.
Professionally Trained: We couldn’t do anything with him so we sent him to the girl down the street for a month.
Could go Prelim: He jumped out of the pasture once and that was a really big fence.
Recently Vetted: Someone else found something really wrong with this horse.
For Sale Due to Lack of Time: Rider cannot afford to spend anymore time in the hospital.
Vet Check Welcome: Please pay for us to find out what the !@#$ is wrong with him!
Anyone Can Ride: Except for us. That’s why we’re selling him.
Can be Pushy on the Ground: Knocked over and stomped on his last caretaker then took a chunk out of her arm.
Very Experienced Competitor: We’ve used him up and now need someone to fund his retirement.
Needs “Some” Maintenance: He’s a great horse to ride but needs weekly Adequan and Legend, hock injections every six months, corrective shoeing and a host of other supplements.
“Confirmed” Second Level: Did some leg yields once when we were trying to ride by the gate.
Working Well in Double Bridle: Anything less and you’re off to the races.
Just Imported: We paid a boat-load of money for him and can’t stand riding him.
School Master: Older than dirt and starting to show some soundness issues.
Push Button: Just make sure you know which buttons NOT to push as then it gets scary.
Potential to Move Up: My trainer and I couldn’t get him to the next level but maybe you’ll have better luck.
Barn Favorite: Everyone loves to feed him carrots, but no one wants to buy him.

Pony lovers will get a kick out of this one

2009-01-02T19:43:00.002-05:00

There are some amazing ponies on YouTube. Click the link to see them but keep your volume down as it's a bit loud.

New color a genetics mystery

2009-01-02T18:41:00.004-05:00

Well, not really a "new" color per say. But you sure couldn't breed this into your herd! Check these two out. They made me crack up. The first is a WHITE horse covered in mud and the second used to be white but is now a Dreamsicle? Looks good enough to eat anyway. Looks like he had some fun in the Virginia mud. LOL!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T18:29:00.003-05:00

I heard someplace that resolutions are not good for your mental state so I'm going to avoid them altogether this year. Part of the fun is to see how long you can go until you break them anyway, so what's the point?

I celebrated with a few friends this year but mostly spent my time at the barn riding and socializing with my horsey friends. What's better than that, right? My critter is so hairy right now he looks like a giant teddy bear. He's about to take a bite of the camera lens here.

Best wishes in the New Year to everyone!

Holiday traditions

2008-12-24T12:08:00.002-05:00

The traditions of the holidays within my family have changed over the years. Looking back, I remember as a child we ALWAYS visited my grandparents in the Great White North a.k.a. Eagle River. They lived in a very conservative house in town but we usually enjoyed winter activities like ice skating and ice fishing. Grandma made the best melt-in-your-mouth cookies and angel-food candy from scratch. She made Martha Stewart look sloppy! We also opened presents on Christmas Eve rather than in the morning... not sure why this started, but it stuck for a long time. Convincing my brother and I to go to BED was the hard part. Then as soon as we fell asleep Santa would miraculously appear with all the goods.

With the passing of my grandparents and addition of little ones to the family we've kept our holiday festivities to the Milwaukee area now. My mom has carried on the tradition of grandma's Refrigerator Cookies and we've now enjoyed a meal of prime rib roast as our big meal of the day. We now open presents on Christmas Day with my brother's family. Although they are growing and the tale of Santa is no longer impressionable on them any more.

With this said, if you'd like to track the ol' man this evening you can do so here. It's long-standing tradition of the NORAD folks to help all the little ones know when he may be arriving!

I think we may have hit the 50 inch mark of snow for this season already. And to think we have 3 more months of this to go! At least it's a White Christmas and feels more like tradition.

Merry Christmas to all!

To have a horse in your life...

2008-12-20T21:07:00.003-05:00

I had this emailed to me from a horsey friend and wanted to share. It's a long one but worth the read:

To have a horse in your life...

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few short years, a horse can teach a young girl courage, if she chooses to grab mane and hang on for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies is mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of falling off, having one's toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or a computer, a horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty and smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily; we know we've made the right choice.

Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you - you'll struggle to keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are so accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new ways to injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses? Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by finding new ways to escape from the barn when you least expect it.

Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are people- which makes the whole partnership thing all the more interesting.

If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple thing you can learn in a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics on a Sunday, but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition and putting the car or tractor in "drive."

In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to go along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps he' fed up with how slowly you're learning his language. Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider) or he may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all about.

If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to work at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment, and compassion in addition to basic survival skills. You'll discover just how hard you're willing to work toward a goal, how little you know, and how much you have to learn.

And, while some people think the horse "does all the work", you'll be challenged physically as well as mentally. Your horse may humble you completely. Or, you may find that sitting on his back is the closest you'll get to heaven.

You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you really want to? The results may come more quickly, but will your work ever be as graceful as that gained through trust? The best partners choose to listen, as well as to tell. When it works, we experience a sweet sense of accomplishment brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual understanding between horse and rider. These are the days when you know with absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying his work.

If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our lives, most of us have to squeeze riding into our over saturated schedules; balancing our need for things equine with those of our households and employers. There is never enough time to ride, or to ride as well as we'd like. Hours in the barn are stolen pleasures.

If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life with them. Our horses know our secrets; we braid our tears into their manes and whisper our hopes into their ears. A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life's true priorities are clear: a warm place to sleep, someone who loves us, and the luxury of regular meals. Some of us need these reminders.

When you step back, it's not just about horses - it's about love, life, and learning. On any given day, a friend is celebrating the birth of a foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That same day, there is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a decision to sustain a life or end it gently. As horse people, we share the accelerated life cycle of horses: the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and death that caring for these animals brings us. When our partners pass, it is more than a moment of sorrow.

We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways our lives have been blessed. Our memories are of joy, awe, and wonder. Absolute union. We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage, and willingness to give.

To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To see us in our muddy boots, who would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We celebrate our companions with praise worthy of heroes. Indeed, horses have the hearts of warriors and often carry us into and out of fields of battle.

Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of journeys made and challenges met. The best of horses rise to the challenges we set before them, asking little in return.

Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human heart. Together, we share the pain of sudden loss and the lingering taste of long-term illness. We shoulder the burden of deciding when or whether to end the life of a true companion.

In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts us to our horses--or our horses to us. Does it matter? We're grateful God loaned us the horse in the first place.

--Author Unknown--

Historic photos

2008-12-16T12:28:00.002-05:00

LIFE magazine and Google got together and created an internet archive of some truly amazing photos. I think I could browse this for hours!

It allows you to search by key words and everything. This was by far my favorite from a photography and horse perspective - a hard shot back in the day!

Harley vs. Horse

2008-12-16T12:16:00.002-05:00

Most of my friends know that I'm a huge fan of Harley-Davidson. I'd love to have my own V-Rod but I've kept horses all my life instead. Maybe one day I'll have both, but in the meantime. Here's a lady that's got the best of both worlds. It's a fun little video that won a contest. Dually noted that it's an off-the-track Thoroughbred which makes it even more special. Happy trails ...

Gosh I just love my Toyota

2008-12-16T12:13:00.003-05:00

So we're clearly in a recession; took them long enough to admit it. And the Big Three are now in bailout proceedings with Big Brother. It all just makes me cringe. Someone decided to help out the Big Three and create a new ad campaign. I kind of like it.

Totally unbelieveable jumper

2008-12-03T10:20:00.002-05:00

This is a video of Herve Godignon riding an absolutely amazing course and a really talented jumper. It's probably the longest course I've seen and VERY hard... it's amazing the horse had the fitness level to still look fresh in the end. And of course, they left ALL the rails up!

The funny things I do at work

2008-12-02T17:02:00.003-05:00

If you need a little lighthearted entertainment, here you go. No need to put on your boots, coat and mittens... you will stay dry and warm building this snowman!

BOGO on a new Ram

2008-11-19T13:30:00.002-05:00

I never thought I'd see this kind of thing but the economy sure has it's moments. There's a dealership in Miami that is offering a buy-one-get-one on Dodge Ram trucks. Talk about an amazing deal! I wonder if this will start a trend in the automotive market? That's a high overhead vehicle to be giving away.

Wish I didn't hate Dodges so much...

How addicted to coffee are you?

2008-11-18T11:12:00.004-05:00

There's nothing better than a hot cup of coffee on a Sunday morning relaxing in my PJs, or a good pick-me-up on a work day to keep the engine moving. So I'm wondering how addicted I really am? I took this quiz to see.

It's official... I'm only 60% addicted.