The St. Louis National Charity Horse Show (SLNCHS) began in 1856, before the Civil War, and was quite an important affair! It ran for many years, including being a part of the 1904 World’s Fair in Forest Park. The horse show went on hiatus for a while, but was resurrected in 1978, when it was held at Queeny Park in St. Louis County. In 1999, it relocated to St. Charles County at the National Equestrian Center, which is where we are showing this week.
The transformation in the facility since last week was astonishing. The place looks like there is a real horse show going on, with nice tables for spectators, and banners and decorations galore.
Bart and I are still in Barn 7 with Kris and Kirin Farm, but some more horses have arrived and the excitement is building. It is even more fun now than it was in 1978. I feel very fortunate to be able to participate!
Bart and I left at 8 AM and endured school traffic, but arrived on time. As soon as he was in the stall, Bart took his morning nap.
The schedule, with three rings going this week, was frustrating and slow. Harry and Weedy arrived, to join Jane in supporting us. Then I found I had missed a text from my 7th brother, Eddy, who is in town from France, where he lives. He spent an hour watching hunters before I saw his text! I rushed over to the main ring and found him there. Luckily, he was able to stay for a little while. I was definitely in a state by then, and suddenly it was time to show (almost noon!). Kris prepared us, and Bart was really energetic and happy. We jumped around clean, for a blue ribbon and a bag of horse treats as a reward! Good boy, Bart!
Pictures are only possible with help from friends. Jane videotaped the class, from which I pulled pictures, Randy took pictures of Eddys and me, and Christine took a picture of Bart with his ribbon.
Home again, I noticed the beauty berries are ripening, a sure sign of autumn, even though it feels like mid summer.
I snapped pictures of two old lady cats in the barn.
And that, folks, is a report on Day 1 of the 2025 SLNCHS. Tomorrow Fred will give Bart some fancy feet for the upcoming 1 meter JR/AO classes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will definitely need to stay hydrated for this hot week!
Be safe, be well, be hopeful, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Galloping Through 
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