..."but Nana, I never had a weinie roast before!""Well let's get Papa to make a camp fire!"
What fun was that!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
What a great night for a weinie roast!
..."but Nana, I never had a weinie roast before!""Well let's get Papa to make a camp fire!"
What fun was that!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Ten Commandments...are not multiple choice!
Some profound and some not so profound thoughts!
The pursuit of happiness is the "chase" of a lifetime
Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right...forget the one's who don't.
If it changes your life, let it.
Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.
Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and what's wrong!
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
And last but not least....The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It just ain't the same....
......without him!
I just returned from announcing the "Ohio Celebration" the Buckeye Walking Horse Associations fall horse show. Long time show chairman, Jerry Fisher was not physically there this year. He passed away suddenly September 21, 2009 at the age of 67.
It's strange to have someone your own age pass away. It was a very, very somber feeling that I experienced when I received a phone call from my friend Linda Vaughn, "I'm afraid I have some bad news" she said. "Jerry Fisher died in his sleep last night".
He was not a close friend, but a professional friend. He chaired the show that I have had the opportunity to announce for the past several years, and he was a very high profile, high energy, high anxiety type of guy, who had forgotten more about Walking Horses then I will ever know.
There always were two opinions in his world, the wrong opinion and his opinion. He loved his Ohio State Buckeyes, his wife and family, and his Walking Horses.
On Friday night at the horse show, Jaime Hankins, Jerry's longtime friend and trainer, exhibited a lovely chestnut walking horse in a class. As Jaime came around the ring, the second way, just before he passed the announcer's stand, he looked up at me, smiled and said, "Hey Judy, look at Gus" (Jerry's horse Jose at Heart's barn name). I caught my breath and tears started down my cheeks. One last ride for the "Gipper" as it were.
On Saturday night, Jerry's wife Julie, daughter Cathy and son-in-law Greg were at the show.
Opening the show was the National Anthem played by horse show organist Chase Williams, and then I introduced a Buckeye Walking Horse member, Georgia Harvey who came into center ring and sat down at the organ. I had approached Georgia earlier in the day and asked her if she would be willing to play the Ohio State Fight Song at the opening of the evening session, in honor of Jerry. She agreed wholeheartedly, and said she would as long as the organist, Chase would allow her to play. Chase quickly agreed, and so, after the National Anthem, I asked everyone to remain standing as Georgia cranked up the organ and belted out the Fight Song. Not once, but twice, the second time it was even more resounding. A fitting tribute to a "good guy"! After the selection was played, Jaime Hankins took the microphone and made a tribute to Jerry, while his longtime friend, Bruce Vaughn, came into center ring carrying Jerry's Ohio State Football jacket and hung it up under the canopy in a place of honor.
We don't know when, or where or how most times, but we do know that our lives touch a lot of people in our lifetime.
Jerry Fisher touched mine, and I am a better person for it!
Jerry is probably already chairing a big horse show in the hereafter!
There's the one judge......there's the one!
I just returned from announcing the "Ohio Celebration" the Buckeye Walking Horse Associations fall horse show. Long time show chairman, Jerry Fisher was not physically there this year. He passed away suddenly September 21, 2009 at the age of 67.
It's strange to have someone your own age pass away. It was a very, very somber feeling that I experienced when I received a phone call from my friend Linda Vaughn, "I'm afraid I have some bad news" she said. "Jerry Fisher died in his sleep last night".
He was not a close friend, but a professional friend. He chaired the show that I have had the opportunity to announce for the past several years, and he was a very high profile, high energy, high anxiety type of guy, who had forgotten more about Walking Horses then I will ever know.
There always were two opinions in his world, the wrong opinion and his opinion. He loved his Ohio State Buckeyes, his wife and family, and his Walking Horses.
On Friday night at the horse show, Jaime Hankins, Jerry's longtime friend and trainer, exhibited a lovely chestnut walking horse in a class. As Jaime came around the ring, the second way, just before he passed the announcer's stand, he looked up at me, smiled and said, "Hey Judy, look at Gus" (Jerry's horse Jose at Heart's barn name). I caught my breath and tears started down my cheeks. One last ride for the "Gipper" as it were.
On Saturday night, Jerry's wife Julie, daughter Cathy and son-in-law Greg were at the show.
Opening the show was the National Anthem played by horse show organist Chase Williams, and then I introduced a Buckeye Walking Horse member, Georgia Harvey who came into center ring and sat down at the organ. I had approached Georgia earlier in the day and asked her if she would be willing to play the Ohio State Fight Song at the opening of the evening session, in honor of Jerry. She agreed wholeheartedly, and said she would as long as the organist, Chase would allow her to play. Chase quickly agreed, and so, after the National Anthem, I asked everyone to remain standing as Georgia cranked up the organ and belted out the Fight Song. Not once, but twice, the second time it was even more resounding. A fitting tribute to a "good guy"! After the selection was played, Jaime Hankins took the microphone and made a tribute to Jerry, while his longtime friend, Bruce Vaughn, came into center ring carrying Jerry's Ohio State Football jacket and hung it up under the canopy in a place of honor.
We don't know when, or where or how most times, but we do know that our lives touch a lot of people in our lifetime.
Jerry Fisher touched mine, and I am a better person for it!
Jerry is probably already chairing a big horse show in the hereafter!
There's the one judge......there's the one!
The Hat Lady
Often in my life I have had the "chance meeting" of a person who just clicks with me. Such was the case in Lexington, at the Sport Horse Nationals. There is a section at many major breed horse shows, reserved for vendors. "The Hat Lady" is one such vendor. If you win a major horse show event, the show sponsoring organization provides their logo and "team-shop" outer wear i.e. Letter jackets, wool with leather sleeves, and then more modern fabric outerwear that has a little more up to date styling.
This product has become the "trademark" jacket to show success at one of the "Nationals" whether it be Arabian, Morgan, Quarter Horse etc. The status symbol jacket is recognized by exhibitors all over the country.
And we met the "Hat Lady". Terri Deering and husband Tom and daughter Jayme run the shop at shows and produce menories for lots of exhibitors and their families.
Well , Sarah won a National Championship so we all trucked up to the booth where the Hat Lady showed off her wares. During the long process of selection I sat down and just waited and watched. After awhile, the Hat Lady came over and sat down with me and we started to talk. It has been said that I have never met a stranger, and that would pretty much describe the meeting with Terri. We talked about real estate, how she started her business and I was so very impressed, as I have such admiration for women entreprenuers.
In 1984 Terri would attend a Horse Show with a card table, and a tea kettle. "Can I clean up your hat? (show hat, western or saddleseat usually made of wool felt, and she also "colored plain hats with acrylic spray paint. Want a red one and couldn't find one, she could make it happen)" says she. "Sure, it looks bad, it's dusty and out of shape" said the wearer.
That lead to a more sophisticated "table, and then like Topsy, her business grew and grew.
A sweet story told by Terri was of the chance meeting of a gentleman at a show and she offered to "clean up" his western hat. For the purpose of brevity in the telling of the story I will summarize: "Are you going to get a haircut before you show your horse" says Terri. "Why do I need a haircut" says the guy. "Well, you should either get a haircut or wear a bun" says Terri. Laughter from the gentleman. He returned to pick up his hat, paid the bill and they joked a little more. After he left the booth someone came up to Terri and said "do you know who that is"?
"No, said Terri". "That was Patrick Swayze, the movie star". "Oh, said Terri, I've never seen his movies". Terri saw Patrick many times, and they would laugh about the "bun". God rest his soul, he was touched by Terri like so many people were.
A very successful business that is family owned and run. After ten years, Tom left his enterprise and went to work doing the custom embroidery for Terri. And by the looks of the line at the booth he must work long, long hours doing that job.
They traveled the show circuits, but they had Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, and daughter Jayme won her first National Championship at the age of 13. Terri show as well, and they have been involved for over 30 years.
Just plain nice, genuine people. The daughter and Sarah hit it off from the get go, so after the show, Sarah got a call from Jayme saying the family was traveling to Cincinniti to see an uncle, and then they wanted to go up to Cleveland and see the Rock Hall of Fame. "Well you just come right up here with your RV Semi truck and you can park in our drive and go from here". And they did. What fun, as Sarah's friend and client (our friend too!) Maggie invited us over for dinner. Kevin made his special lasagna (one also with sauce and artichokes), Maggie had appetizers, wine, salad, breads and Mama Jo Pies (that's another story). We had a wonderful time and talked and talked and laughed and laughed.
They all went to the Rock Hall on Thursday, and Terri, Tom and Jayme stayed another night with Sarah and Kevin. I headed off to Jackson to announce, but had a warm wonderful feeling having met these great folks.
Whenever you are at a Horse Show, stop and check out the booth of The Hat Lady. They are just plain wonderful! They are off to the Morgan Nationals in Oklahoma City, and then to Arabian Nationals in Tulsa. From November to January 5 or so, they like Dorothy Click their heels, and "there's no place like home" in Washington state.
I am richer for having me them. And believe me, in this economy, being rich with friends like that means you are rollin' in it!
p.s. she also feeds her horses Succeed digestive aid like Sarah and I do, so she takes great care of her horses too!
Take a moment and check out: www.thehatlady.com
Below is Tom ( a musician also, Terri in her signature Tie Dye, and daughter Jayme with the gorgeous red hair!
This product has become the "trademark" jacket to show success at one of the "Nationals" whether it be Arabian, Morgan, Quarter Horse etc. The status symbol jacket is recognized by exhibitors all over the country.
And we met the "Hat Lady". Terri Deering and husband Tom and daughter Jayme run the shop at shows and produce menories for lots of exhibitors and their families.
Well , Sarah won a National Championship so we all trucked up to the booth where the Hat Lady showed off her wares. During the long process of selection I sat down and just waited and watched. After awhile, the Hat Lady came over and sat down with me and we started to talk. It has been said that I have never met a stranger, and that would pretty much describe the meeting with Terri. We talked about real estate, how she started her business and I was so very impressed, as I have such admiration for women entreprenuers.
In 1984 Terri would attend a Horse Show with a card table, and a tea kettle. "Can I clean up your hat? (show hat, western or saddleseat usually made of wool felt, and she also "colored plain hats with acrylic spray paint. Want a red one and couldn't find one, she could make it happen)" says she. "Sure, it looks bad, it's dusty and out of shape" said the wearer.
That lead to a more sophisticated "table, and then like Topsy, her business grew and grew.
A sweet story told by Terri was of the chance meeting of a gentleman at a show and she offered to "clean up" his western hat. For the purpose of brevity in the telling of the story I will summarize: "Are you going to get a haircut before you show your horse" says Terri. "Why do I need a haircut" says the guy. "Well, you should either get a haircut or wear a bun" says Terri. Laughter from the gentleman. He returned to pick up his hat, paid the bill and they joked a little more. After he left the booth someone came up to Terri and said "do you know who that is"?
"No, said Terri". "That was Patrick Swayze, the movie star". "Oh, said Terri, I've never seen his movies". Terri saw Patrick many times, and they would laugh about the "bun". God rest his soul, he was touched by Terri like so many people were.
A very successful business that is family owned and run. After ten years, Tom left his enterprise and went to work doing the custom embroidery for Terri. And by the looks of the line at the booth he must work long, long hours doing that job.
They traveled the show circuits, but they had Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, and daughter Jayme won her first National Championship at the age of 13. Terri show as well, and they have been involved for over 30 years.
Just plain nice, genuine people. The daughter and Sarah hit it off from the get go, so after the show, Sarah got a call from Jayme saying the family was traveling to Cincinniti to see an uncle, and then they wanted to go up to Cleveland and see the Rock Hall of Fame. "Well you just come right up here with your RV Semi truck and you can park in our drive and go from here". And they did. What fun, as Sarah's friend and client (our friend too!) Maggie invited us over for dinner. Kevin made his special lasagna (one also with sauce and artichokes), Maggie had appetizers, wine, salad, breads and Mama Jo Pies (that's another story). We had a wonderful time and talked and talked and laughed and laughed.
They all went to the Rock Hall on Thursday, and Terri, Tom and Jayme stayed another night with Sarah and Kevin. I headed off to Jackson to announce, but had a warm wonderful feeling having met these great folks.
Whenever you are at a Horse Show, stop and check out the booth of The Hat Lady. They are just plain wonderful! They are off to the Morgan Nationals in Oklahoma City, and then to Arabian Nationals in Tulsa. From November to January 5 or so, they like Dorothy Click their heels, and "there's no place like home" in Washington state.
I am richer for having me them. And believe me, in this economy, being rich with friends like that means you are rollin' in it!
p.s. she also feeds her horses Succeed digestive aid like Sarah and I do, so she takes great care of her horses too!
Take a moment and check out: www.thehatlady.com
Below is Tom ( a musician also, Terri in her signature Tie Dye, and daughter Jayme with the gorgeous red hair!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Soon to be the end of an era!
Above, Storm Cat's barn with the life sized statue of him standing in the grass. Most bronze statues are on a "pedestal". Mrs Young said, "no, horses stand on grass, not pedestals" So the "Cat" bronze was mounted on ribar, and anchored in the ground, so his feet "could touch the grass".
Overbrook Farm, a legend will disappear....
Mr. W.T.Young and his daughter accepting a trophyCenter and right (Above: the legendary 27 year old Thoroughbred Stallion "Storm Cat" who earned $20 million a year in stud fees for the farm.
The farm is closing, and horses are dispersed with the exception of a few wealings who are consigned to the Keeneland Sale in November. Many sired by the above living legend, "Storm Cat".
It was my privelege and bittersweet pleasure to meet my new friend, Beth Meredith on a gloomy and rainy day last week in Lexington at the farm. Beth has worked there for more than two decades, and looked upon Mr. Young as a "father" figure. She gave me the private tour, even though many of the farm roads were underwater from the heavy rainfall. I stood outside the car and looked in every direction.....and all I could see to the horizon was dark painted four board fencing, green manicured pastures, grass and graceful hills all the way to the horizon.
What a beautiful and sad sight all at the same time. Mr. Young is gone, and the next generation is not interested in pursuing Mr. Young's dream.
Beth snapped my photo in front of the trophy case housing "Grindstone's" Kentucky Derby winning blanket of freeze dried roses, and his horsehoes, mounted on the case. The trophies are in every room, hundreds of them. Too many to count, much less catalogue.
Beth is the wonderful friend that I made when I visited Kentucky, at this farm to be exact, at the end of February, 2008. Driving from home to Versailles, Ky, in the worst snow storm and snow accumulation that I had remembered in awhile. Beth was the foster Mom to my new collie, Toby. She has fostered many collies in the past and Toby was one of her favorites.
We have corresponded by email ever since, and of course Toby's progress in the family was photographed and emailed to Beth every couple of months.
Since I was going to be in Lexington, for the Sport Horse Nationals with Sarah, I took the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with Beth.
I can't tell you how much that visit meant to me. A dynasty closing is very, very sad.
The stallions are all gone except a couple of teaser stallions, and "Cat" himself. His caregiver for the last 10 years, Wes, brought him in from the pasture and paused so I could take photos and get an "up close and personal" look. He is magnificent. Even at 27, he gave me chills.
There is a full size bronze statue, true in every detail of him in the grassy entry to his stallion complex. For insurance purposes, and to appraise value, a stallion's worth is two breeding years. So I was fortunate to see in real life, a $40 million dollar horse.
I shed a few tears during my tour with Beth, knowing that this was to be no more. Perhaps some rich person will take up the torch of Overbrook Farm, and keep it in all its glory.
If not, I choose not to think what will happen to the 1600 acres of Kentucky Bluegrass, home to the "Kings of the Sport"!
Not good bye for Storm Cat, as he will ultimately take up residence in the Kentucky Horse Park, Hall of Champions. Perhaps I can see him one more time before he leaves his beloved bluegrass.
...and the winner is!
Show Results for 2009 SPORT HORSE NATIONAL CHAMP
1232 A/HA/AA Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout Champ SFF
Final Results
Exh #
Horse Name
Rider
Owner
1) 595
LUSCIOUS LORRAINE
VAS, SARAH E
SCHLUND, MARGARET M VALLEY CITY OH
1232 A/HA/AA Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout Champ SFF
Final Results
Exh #
Horse Name
Rider
Owner
1) 595
LUSCIOUS LORRAINE
VAS, SARAH E
SCHLUND, MARGARET M VALLEY CITY OH
(above photo is of "Hattie (Winfield Haute Couture) and her new baby "Lucious Lorraine" fondly known at "LuLu")
She did it! Sarah and Maggie's filly won the National Championship in Carriage Pleasure Driving Turnout!
What a thrill for me. I'm sure for everyone involved, but especially to me. When Sarah was born, I knew she would be a horsewoman. I did not know at the time that she would be so gifted, but she has proved herself time and time again with the horses.
She was a "horse whisperer" even a a teenager. She has marched to her own drum for a long time, and she has studied, observed, practiced, tried, failed, tried again.
She owned this filly's mother. She bred her mother, Winfield Haute Couture to Monarch V and produced "Lucious Lorraine" a dark brown filly who was tall and slender. The filly has a leg injury that required serious surgery and long post op down time, and rehab. When Maggie had to have her other filly humanely euthanized, she bought "LuLu" as a replacement horse. She kept the filly with Sarah who broke her and trained her to drive, and then this year, LuLu competed in two shows in Indiana that garnered enough qualifing points to allow her to enter this National Competion.
The results are in, and she beat the best of the best!
Congrats to "Sis" and "Lulu". A well deserved win at Sarah's first ever National competition!
Additionally, Sarah and Lulu placed National Top Ten in two other carriage divisions. All of this with the filly being off work for 3-1/2 weeks due to Sarah's injury, and Sarah's injury left her in lots of "pain" at the show as well.
My dreams for her have come true. I knew she could do it some day, and she did.
My heart overflowed with joy for both Sarah and Maggie!
I don't have photos yet of the "Red Rose blanket and trophy" presentation, but I will send them soon!
Friday, September 25, 2009
The thrill of victory!
I cannot even begin to tell you how I felt when I watched my daughter Sarah drive a filly that she bred, raised, sold to a wonderful client, trained and entered her first National competition.
I did not cry, I did not weep, I just watched in awe as my heart swelled in my chest. I held my breath hoping for a flawless drive in two classes, and my prayers were answered wth a resounding "Semi finalist 595, Luscious Lorraine, driven by Sarah Vas, owned by Maggie Schlund of Valley City, Ohio." On to the semi-finals for Sarah and LuLu!
I did not cry, I did not weep, I just watched in awe as my heart swelled in my chest. I held my breath hoping for a flawless drive in two classes, and my prayers were answered wth a resounding "Semi finalist 595, Luscious Lorraine, driven by Sarah Vas, owned by Maggie Schlund of Valley City, Ohio." On to the semi-finals for Sarah and LuLu!
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