Happenstance May Show

Jane and Derry returned to the show ring this past weekend at Happenstance! Susan and Melissa were here, too, for the show. I was the photographer / videographer for the weekend.

Melissa brought a beautiful filly, Ava, for her first horse show experience. There was plenty to learn and she was a good student. Melissa pays attention to every detail, and it is always an inspiration to watch her work with horses.

Derry and Teah had nice rounds. There were not many jumpers, but it was good to see Jane and Derry back in the ring, after an unlucky year in 2022 that kept them sidelined. Ali schooled Jane, while Melissa helped Susan.

At the horse show there are many friends to visit. It is as much a party as a horse show. Friends and animals – life is good!

The horse show weekend was fun, but May is careening along, with flowers bursting, birds gathering and friends visiting. I seem unable to maintain a regular blog schedule.

Eleanor Hartwell came by with a Huntsman’s Book for us to sign, which was quite an honor, but also a wonderful visit. Eleanor has recently retired from her huntsman position at Bridlespur and, like Harry, is now working as an artist. She descends from some great artists, so I expect she will be well received.

On Tuesday, we met up with Ted and Linda McClaren Parkhurst, who have driven from Michigan for an annual horsemanship clinic that Linda conducts in Eureka, Missouri. Linda was in charge of the hunter / jumper program at William Woods University for twenty years. She is now an artist and a writer, in addition to teaching clinics. Linda was a fellow jumper competitor when Harry was in his horse showing prime. We have many horse show memories together, and have even shared horses over the years. In particular, my greatest huntsman’s horse, Casey Jones, came from Linda. As luck would have it, Thomas Equinas, Harry’s top amateur adult jumper thirty years ago, eventually arrived at William Woods. Linda gave him a great life there, then found him a perfect retirement home when he was quite old, where he spent his final years on Kentucky bluegrass.

But I digress… we met up with Linda and Ted, and Linda’s aunt Jane McClaren (also an artist) at The St. Louis Art Museum for the Monet / Mitchell show and a lunch at the museum restaurant. An unusual day for us and a nice break from chores on a beautiful May Day.

Back home, life abounds.

Today, Fred came to shoe, always a welcome event. He was in rare form, and he even put on a show for spectators, as Christina and Michael were here on sculpture business and had never seen horses being shod. After they departed, Linda arrived for a visit. A full day indeed, and Harry had to go into St. Louis this evening for a sculpture engagement, so it’s been a very long day for him.

The ginger cats always catch the camera, so in closing, here they are…

Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.