Peace has returned to Bronze Fox Farm after three days of roofing chaos. Nine Guatemalan workers replaced three roofs, astounding us with their work ethic and good humor. But it seemed a long time and very noisy. The peace and quiet, when they finally finished this afternoon, was astounding. There are other projects ahead, with gutters to be replaced, power washing, and a variety of other things, but we are appreciating the interlude.
Yesterday began with the crew arriving before light dawned. We all rode, with just a light hack and a meandering on the trails.
Jane and Derry 
Susan thanks Oisin for a good ride 
Yikes! 
Brave guys 
Russ and his sidekicks stop by to check on the roofers
There was an Open House yesterday at Morrison Equestrian Center, which is a newly renovated stable near here. Frank and Beth Vlasaty have been friends for many years and have embarked on a great adventure in the horse business. Their daughter Kendahl is a very keen rider, and Stephanie Petersen and Liz Gifford are now trainers there. It was fun to see friends, and astounding to see the work that has been put into the facility. A very pleasant diversion and visit to a beautiful place.
Beth and Frank, owners of Morrison Equestrian Center 
Stephanie Petersen, head trainer 
MJ King and her gorgeous and talented horse, Nugget 
Harry and Jane talking to Frank at the outdoor ring 
Frank entertains, and makes a point
Nathaniel was here mowing the pastures when we left. We returned to beautifully manicured fields. The roofing project was ongoing, and they started on the barn in the early afternoon. This was no fun for the horses. They were quite traumatized by the commotion, and that was before the real noise of nailing shingles set in! So, we dressed the Pearl Brothers in fly sheets and turned everyone out. They were freaking out a bit, and there was considerable running and bucking once they were in the pasture. I was way too stressed to take pictures of the romp. But they soon settled, and were much happier once they could see what was happening on the roof from a perfectly mowed distance.
Nathaniel at work 
The horses are trying to ignore the work
Harry was taken with David, at ten years of age the youngest of the Guatemalan crew. He admired Weedy, so Harry knew the boy had discretion. They became pals. It helped that David could speak English as well as Spanish. He was given permission to take a short break from working (a fourteen hour day!) to visit the barn and the studio. He told us, somewhat wistfully, that Guatemala has big fields with cattle and horses.
David meets Weedy and Harry, as they return from town 
Oisin loves to meet new people 
David gets a souvenir (not the hat) 
Back to work!
The new roof is beautiful.
Eventually, the work ended and we got some sleep. At 4:30 AM, I brought the horses in to eat and rest a little bit before our 9 AM lesson today with Kris. Luckily, the Guatemalan crew did not arrive until 8 this morning. It is, after all, Sunday, a day of rest (?). So the horses did get some quiet time, thanks to the later start.
We tacked up in the paddocks, because work had begun, and then we rode to the ring and had a great time.
The barn roofing underway 
Fearless guys 
Contemplative artist 
Rent string horses 
Stone has done this before 
Susan and Oisin in action 
Harry and Jane watching Susan 
Bart and Anne 
Derry and Jane 
Work continues as we play 
Almost done!
Jane and I dashed up to the show to meet Susan and to watch Louise. It was worth watching. We saw some nice hunters, and Louise had a beautiful round and won her class.
Spectating 
Louise and Encore on their way to a win
We returned home, and at long last, the project was completed and the horses came in to the barn for a rest.
“Good bye, and good riddance”, says Stone!
Next week, we horse show! For inspiration, I just got pictures from our last show at Kirkwood. Melissa Kelly Imagery got many wonderful action pictures. It is so nice to have horse show photography available! Here are three Melissa Kelly images…
Jane and Derry gallop (Melissa Kelly Imagery) 
Anne and Bart on course (Melissa Kelly Imagery) 
Bart makes a nice effort (Melissa Kelly Imagery)
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Weedy, David, and Harry, love it! Also love the “Contemplative artist” photo. Bronze Fox Farm in tip top shape, as well as all the humans and non-humans that reside their, happy to see!
Jane, thank you for all your enthusiastic comments! Hope to see you one of these days. We have endured a long spell of St. Louis summer and the glorious autumn is almost upon us. Perfect weather for horse people (and everyone else).
That contemplative artist photo should be framed. You did have an interesting week-end indeed. I stopped reading Louise Penny to read your blog and wasn’t even tempted to return to it until I had finished your essay. I hope you see that as the compliment that it is meant to be.
High praise indeed, Louise! Thank you.