Before it was light, a van full of Mexican roofers arrived, unloaded, and prepared to get to work. As I write this, 14 hours later, dark has fallen, they are still cleaning up, and only now are they preparing to depart. Since they don’t really speak English, I’m not sure if they are returning tomorrow. I said “Manana?” to one of them in a questioning manner, and he replied, “Si, manana.”, so I think they will be back in the morning.
The sun is not over the tree tops yet, but work (high risk work) has begun 
No inflatable vests here 
Tarps to collect shingles 
The beginning of a shingle avalanche
The horses were horrified at the roofing work, and wore themselves out, running around in great excitement before acceding to come in for breakfast. Poor Stone was shaking from all the commotion. Soon enough, once they were in their stalls, from which they could observe, they settled down.
Kris arrived for a 9 AM lesson with Louise Chase, one of our favorite Kansas City friends, who came to assist. Louise has a very famous niece, Amanda Steege, one of the top hunter riders in the country, legendary on her Laffitte De Muze. Here is a screen shot of a Chronicle of the Horse image of that celebrated pair (I hope it’s OK to post this!). For those who don’t know hunters, this is how a great one jumps.
Harry rode Stone, I rode Bart, Susan rode Oisin, and Jane rode Derry. It was a real jumpfest lesson, and such fun! Quite apart from the fun, Kris is a gifted teacher and trainer, and all horses were better thanks to the lesson on Tuesday, and improved even more today.
Lucky riders, ready for a jumpfest 
Louise ready to assist 
Jump crew! 
Harry and Stone 
Jane and Derry 
Anne and Bart – oops! dropped my right rein! 
Susan and Oisin
After his ride and bath, Oisin had a good roll and a tummy rub. He has a condition called sweet itch, with itch being the operative word. It is an allergy to the saliva of flies and midges. He never showed a sign of it until last year, when he rubbed his tummy raw, and rubbed out most of his mane and tail. This year, thanks to assiduous dressing in a Rambo fly sheet, we have held him together. Susan has provided a special shampoo for him that reduces itching, but today he had a good scratch before getting up.
Harry and I went up to the horse show to watch Louise in the hunters. Jane had an appointment, so couldn’t join us. It was fun to see people at the show, but still somewhat strange after all this time. We are wearing masks out of an abundance of caution, Warren County now being the hot spot of Missouri for Covid, with fewer than 40% vaccinated. Most people at the show do not bother with masks, so we seem a bit weird, but we are old folks, so who cares? One person who was wearing a mask was Maura Tobler, at The Tack Trunk. We stopped to visit, and snapped a picture of Maura with inflatable vests. Note Louise is wearing one – they are very unobtrusive. We watched Louise do two pretty good trips – her long ride to the single oxer (my downfall) was an inspiration.
Maura and Helite vests 
Louise and Encore on course
We didn’t stay to hear results, because we had to take Weedy to Starbucks for a pup cup. Priorities! Unfortunately, we just learned from Janis that dogs are lactose intolerant, so we may have an answer to why Weedy passes very malodorous gas. But, oh, he does love his pup cup!
Finally, poor Marmalade has had a very bad day. He was utterly traumatized by the roofers and hid under the porch until they were gone, missing breakfast. Dinner was very late – I just went out and fed him – and very much appreciated. If this goes on for long, he will be as lean as Jane’s orange cat, Bobby!
Fretful, upset, and hungry Marmalade 
Jane’s cat, Bobby
Harry was very happy and back at full strength again, on his horse and in his studio.
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
So happy to see Harry doing well. Adios amigo.
That photo of Steege and her hunter, Lafitte is spectacular! I googled them, what a pair!! And, all of you at Fox Bronze Farm for the lesson with Kris, I’’m impressed. There’s a 4th level Dressage rider in the New England area, her age, 87! And, how about Janet Gouldner VerPlank still going strong at 83! Very inspiring.