The Rites of Spring

    As spring approaches, ever so slowly, my thoughts turn toward the blue-green fields of Kentucky and the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day event.  Actually, my thoughts turn toward Kentucky before Christmas when I realize I have a big deadline looming ahead - my annual Rolex Preview article for the USEA.  It begins as a nagging kernel of thought in the midst of the push towards Thanksgiving, rearing it’s head when I get word from my editor that she would like me to work on another Rolex Preview. 
    Please don’t get me wrong; I think it’s a privilege to work on the preview.  I adore the RK3DE, as it’s affectionately known far and wide by those who work tirelessly on this premier world-class event or surf the net, looking for the Equestrian Events website.  I adore the people who run it, design the course, and build the course. It has been my privilege to spend 3 or 4 hours every January with these hardworking and talented friends as we tour, laugh and generally have a great time discussing what will be coming and what will be deleted before the next event.  I wouldn’t miss this snowy, bone chillingly cold rendezvous for all the Bourbon in Kentucky. They might be sick of talking to me about this year after year, but I will be forever grateful that they are too gracious to admit it.

The Weather Report

  Over the past year, I have lived and died by the weather report.  I have faithfully watched the weather during news broadcasts at 5:30 am 6:00 pm day after day in order to have the most accurate information possible in which to make my most important decision of the day.  One might think that as I often work out of doors, I need to know whether to wear a jacket when heading out to a farm call.  One might also think that this decision is something that runs along the lines of should my daughter wear her raincoat when heading to the bus stop. Granted, while these are very important decisions that should never be made frivolously, the decision to which I am referring is of a much more grave nature, one that haunts me day and night (my husband can attest to the fact that I literally wake up in the middle of the night pondering this question) - should I turn my horse out or keep him in the barn? 

The Pool Boy

    I have a Pool Boy.  I am one of those lucky suburban housewives, like those you may have read about in the pulp romances my neighbor writes, or have seen on Sunday night television, who happens to have an in ground swimming pool that regularly requires maintenance services administered by a competent professional. I meet my Pool Boy regularly, sometimes clandestinely - sometimes openly, on an almost daily basis, rain or shine, winter and summer.  I just can’t seem to wean myself from the thrill.  I have become so obsessed with the fellow that our meetings are planned at all hours of the day and night.  I have  sneaked literally from my home at two in the morning to fulfill my desire to see him.
    I realize that to the uninitiated observer this all may seem a little, well - twisted. What about my husband?  Don’t I have a family? YES, all these things are true! This deviant behavior, with a fourteen year old no less, may seem abhorrent to you - try not to judge me too harshly – after all I’m just a woman in love and I just can’t seem to help myself!

Ping and I

I decided to create this blog for those folks who weren't subscribers to any of the publications that print my horsey musings and oddball humor.  I really appreciate all of my friends (old and new) and family who are truly interested in my work and definitely appreciate those  of you who are just too kind to say you really could care less.  In order to accommodate all without having to repeatedly email pdf's or print out copies of articles, I have decided to just throw them up on this blog and you can check back from time to time to see if there is anything new. 

The illustrations used here by permission, are by a wonderful artist named Dennis Porter from Dayton, Ohio.  He has an amazing knack for drawing humor.  I give him a few rough ideas of my vision of the illustration and he interprets my vague idea into an amazingly appropriate drawing, generally in just a few minutes.  He never ceases to amaze and delight both myself, my publishers and editors, and from what I hear on the grapevine, my readers (all two of you, and you know who you are)!   He and his other less horsey work may be found at www.porterart.com.  Pay him a visit and enjoy!

For those of you who want to see some of my equine photographic endeavors, visit www.equimage.com for lots of equine  and eventing photography.

All of these little stories have been previously published in Eventing USAmagazine, the official publication of the United States Eventing Association.  Pay them a visit if you'd like to learn more about the sport of Combined Training and Eventing. 

Ping and I hope you enjoy the ride!