Monday – October 19, 2020 – Galloping Through

A very autumnal day, cloudy, damp and cool. It was a very hectic day, alas, and I was very negligent indeed with photography.

Sadly, early this morning I learned that Bud Meissner, one of the older Bridlespur members, died on Saturday. He and his family were passionate horse people. Mrs. Meissner (Nina) had a wonderful show hunter (Sea Breeze, I think), and she was a winner in the amateur hunter show ring, in addition to fox hunting regularly. The entire family rode and hunted and had their hunt colors before I ever even imagined chasing foxes on horseback in Missouri. They were all well mounted, and Bud bought one of my all time favorite horses, Butterscotch, from the family I worked for. It was a great match and I enjoyed seeing Butterscotch ridden so well. When the horse retired, he went to Fieldstone Farm, the pinnacle of horse retirement homes, and lived well into old age. Speaking of age, Bud was 101, which is quite an accomplishment in itself. I found a picture of Bert Condie and Bud, who have both left us this year. Gallop through, gentlemen.

Butterscotch was such a nice horse, that even with me riding in my extremely dorky youth, he was successful in the Regular Working Hunter show ring. Photo discovered while looking for a picture of Bud Meissner…

While I was working in the barn, the herd came up for a drink, and there were some shenanigans that I did catch on camera. Oisin stayed clear of this battle of the titans.

*Even missing a tooth, I can bite hard!*

Harry and I ventured out for many errands, which we did accomplish.

Since I don’t have many pictures today, here is a fox hunting picture from long ago (circa 1986), memories tied to the departure of Bud Meissner, though he is not in this shot.

*Foxhunt at Three Creek, near Corley’s*
In this picture, I am in the center on “Eyes”, Harry to the right on “Newton”, Jane on the pinto “Casey Jones” and behind her, Laura Balding on “Mac”

Finally, goodnight from the boys in the barn.

Stay safe, stay well, stay in touch with the past, but look to the future (surely it will be better than this godawful year).

jane mcclaren

October 20, 2020 at 2:10 pm

Oh my! I visited Fieldstone Farm for a possible equine retirement. It must of have been for Mr Grae. I remember seeing the old guys there, and I thought, my Mr Grae is not ready for this! The horses looked great, just old. I instead moved to Southern Pines, had him shipped from Bonze Fox Farm, where you so wonderfully helped me get him out of Florida. Anyhoo, Mr Grae and I enjoyed a little fox hunting, twice to be exact, many beautiful hacks in the Walthour-Moss Foundation, and his reputation grew as the steady horse anyone could go out with, the worried ones, the spooky ones, and even a youngster learning the ropes. What a horse, he took me to every jump and knew the distances. Linda got rid of him at Wm Woods, and luckily he found me! I love these colorful days too! Thanks for sharing the memories and all the antics on the farm! Happy Horses Happy Days!