The stars were perhaps a bit out of alignment today. I loaded Bart into the trailer, in good time. Then, the truck would not start – a dead battery, which I had worried might be a problem after the Happenstance incident, but I was lulled into a sense of security by the last few days. Ah, well, as problems go, this was not a big one. Harry dashed over and jump started the truck, and I called AAA to install a new battery at the show grounds. A real benefit to cell phones- I was able to make arrangements as I drove to the show. Once there, Bart settled in.
Bart’s second nap of the morning!Bart is up, with shavings on his face
I saw Jules as I walked into the show barn. She is Hillary’s dog, we have known for 13 years. She is now 16. Also, I did get the name of Kate’s gate assistant dog…
Jules looks at me with suspicion , but I remember her with loveFEEBEE (Yes, that is the way she spells her name)
Well, I had a big cheering section today, but I was overstimulated, and did not get pictures of everyone. Susan arrived first – she bred and raised Bart, and he is always very happy to see her. I am incredibly lucky to have him.
SusanSusan and Bart
Louise and Pam arrived, too, and Louise videoed Bart’s rounds, along with Jane. It is helpful for me to see videos, and I can pull some shots off video clips to share. Pam has a particular affinity for Bart.
Louise and PamPam has missed Bart!Harry arrives and dogs are admired
Justine, too, came to support us. She and her beautiful mare, Callie, show locally, but are giving this week a miss with a trip east planned for next week, alas.
Justine laughs
Bart was inspired by all the support, and, more importantly, by wonderful preparation by Kris. Unfortunately, rusty as I am, the course was difficult to remember, and I missed two inside turns in the jump off. Nonetheless, Bart was double clear, and there were some good moments. We finished 2nd (primary color!) in the 1 meter Jr/AO class of 3 entries.
Bart at workFinishing the first round clearFinishing the jump off clear!
Harry was there to watch with Weedy, but I failed to get a picture. Then, our friend Joe Walsh arrived and I never took a picture of him, either! Joe missed Bart’s round, but he stayed to watch a bit and learned some things about a different horse sport. Joe has two race horses, which is a very different game, but he is definitely a horseman.
A new battery arrived, courtesy of AAA, and the ancient truck lives to drive on, and drove us home.
Once home, the mower repairs were in progress, but problematic. They should be solved next week. The drought has kept grass from growing, anyway.
To finish the day, Jane and I went for a wander on Derry and Oisin. We are very lucky old ladies!
Tomorrow Bart and I will show again, while Harry leaves early for the “Chalkfest” in St. Louis, where he will do artwork on an underpass. He promises to get a picture for the blog!
Oisin leads the way
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Well, it was a day off showing for Bart, though it was a full day for Harry and me! Bart greeted the morning in his usual manner, and he was asleep for an hour, before we left.
Bart thought horse showing was quite exhausting!Eddy is loaded and ready for a trip to town.Weedy does not like the camera!
First stop was for my Covid booster, then on to a routine visit to Harry’s cardiologist. The news there was good, as were the two jokes that cannot be repeated on the blog. Dr. Davison is a connoisseur of jokes, and a scrupulous cardiologist. From there, we went to lunch with the dogs.
Where next, wonder the dogs? Harry knows we are stopping at the horse show.
We stopped at the horse show to inquire about the schedule for tomorrow, and enjoyed seeing friends.
The Tack Trunk sign, with Dale, the new facility manager, in the backgroundBettina and HarryJanis, Corinne, and Winna
Back at the jumper ring (officially, the East Ring) we found Kris and Jake hard at work. Jake is riding for Kris this week. I first met him years ago when he was just a youngster. Now he is a professional, from Pennsylvania and Ocala. Like many people in our sport, he has a Florida location for the winter. As for me, I am just lucky to be showing in Missouri! Bart and I will arrive around 9 AM tomorrow.
The jumper warm up ringKris is focused on his studentAt the ring, after a winning round by Maura FaheyKris and JakeJake
Also caught by the camera is Kate’s adorable dog. Kate works the gate, a very important job, getting riders into the ring efficiently and keeping us apprised of the schedule. I will learn the dog’s name tomorrow…
Kate’s assistant
When we got home, Jane and I went for a wander on Derry and Bart (fitness, Bart!). We happened upon the Electric Right Of Way above the back hay field, and there was a newly graded dirt road that we could take all the way west to Tuque Road! Sadly, this is because they are adding electric lines, but for now, on a perfect afternoon, it was wonderful! We saw at least half a dozen monarch butterflies amongst the yellow flowers.
Always a good day when we see a perfect box turtle under a fragrant sumacAcres of yellow flowersHill work for fitnessJane and DerryBart leads the way westward
Back home, Bart furiously scratched an itch before I could even get his saddle off! After his bath, he and Oisin shared a scratch in the paddock. We had rain last night, at last, which brought cooler weather. That means Oisin can forego his fly sheet, which improves scratch sharing.
Bart is very flexible, thanks to itchingThe Pearl Brothers share a scratch
Lots of adrenaline today, returning to jumping around a real course at a rated horse show. Kris does a masterful job of preparing us and keeping the hamsters in my brain as calm as possible. Jane was there for support and to video, and Justine came to cheer. Bart and I did a .95 meter (3’1″) class. There were only two entries, and we went second. The first horse had a nice round, but pulled a rail. Bart jumped around clear, winning a blue ribbon, without jumping off. Turns out, there is now a rule that a winning clear round is not permitted to do the jump off! I was very happy, as was Bart, not having to jump another round.
Oh, no! Time to tack up, and Bart is napping!Wake up, Bart!Bart jumps aroundGood boy, Bart!
Eddy was a good horse show companion. Harry had other plans, made because I was never sure I would actually show. Unfortunately, Eddy is still stinky, but I tried a new concoction this evening. We shall see. I just hope people don’t think I am smoking pot! The odor is very similar. When we were in Boston, I thought it odd that there were skunks in the city, then learned it was the smell of marijuana smoke.
Eddy poses by the Kirin banner with Bart’s blue ribbonRibbonsEddy meets Peggy SueEddy and Peggy Sue, Maura’s dog, saved from a puppy mill operation
Back home with Bart, he attempted to drown himself so that he wouldn’t have to work so hard. Luckily, he is getting tomorrow off from showing. He was very good today!
Around the barn, as I was finishing up chores, I saw a Monarch butterfly, which made my day. Also, a few other delights…
A Monarch on the zinniasOrange boys – Tom Morris and MarmaladeA crepe myrtle at the edge of the woods dressed for autumnEvening barnHoping for rain tonight
It was a day for counting blessings, reminded by a picture from Nancy Stevens of the honor guard pack string for her good friend Keith, a National Park ranger, who died in May, and was celebrated on September 1, in Montana. Too many losses keep piling up, but, on the other hand, we are fortunate to have intersected many fascinating lives.
Keith’s horse, Drifter, followed by Special (a jumping mule), Tom, and Nort (the Snort)
News of a young, unexpected loss came yesterday. Life is unpredictable indeed. We need to be grateful for every day.
Stay safe, stay well, stay connected to what matters. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
I aimed to school at around 11 this morning, but I was fairly inefficient. Bart came in and had a good rest, early. Some rain fell, but only a little bit, and only for a few minutes. It is desperately dry here.
We had a visit from the heating and A/C guy, named Bill, doing routine maintenance first thing this morning. Noticing the skunk stink, which is still quite pervasive, he described to us a misadventure he had when he was 8 years old and was thoroughly sprayed. He told us that the musk skunks spray is not liquid, but slimy and sticky. Not a pleasant bit of knowledge! Poor Eddy – and poor Anne and Harry and Weedy, having to live with this odor.
I puttered around, making sure I had everything I needed, and was distracted by a small toad – I do love those amphibians. Then there was the reblooming catmint, and of course, the camera cannot resist a sleeping Tom Morris.
A tiny toadReblooming catmintTom Morris
Eddy and Bart and I set off on time, but our trip was stalled by the cutest little varmints I have ever seen, just around the corner from our place. Quadruplet raccoons! I did have the camera with me, but I missed the best shot, when all four were staring at the truck and trailer.
Then, before we left the gravel road, there was a doe with her growing fawns, on the edge of a pond.
At the show, Jane met me and helped me unpack and get ready. Then, Bart and I eventually got to the East Ring to school with Kris. I was not at all happy with the new footing, but we are hoping it will be improved by tomorrow. Bart was very good, and we feel fairly ready to show tomorrow. We are going to do a .95 meter class.
I went to the office to provide my documents to Mickey and get my number. Most importantly, I stocked up on treats for Bart at The Tack Trunk shop in the lobby. Maura had just arrived and Gremlin was visiting. I took a picture of them, but Gremlin would not look at the camera. She had eyes only for Mickey, her human.
MickeyMaura and Gremlin
After much visiting with friends, I took Bart home, so that he can graze overnight. Stone and Oisin were happy to see him.
Thirsty work, being a show horse!Stone takes a roll Oisin enjoys some hay, as grass is getting scarce
Just after turning the horses out, Eddy saw a deer in the pasture. Off he went, not at all tired after a day at the horse show. Even stinky, he is always happy and full of energy. Eddy is surrounded by a cloud of joy stronger than skunk stink!
Eddy spies a deer!Hot pursuit!White tail flagged, she makes her escapeEddy returnsEddy caught his toy
Overhead, there was the autumnal music of geese flying south.
Stay safe, stay well, stay alert for the beauty around us. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
A lovely, overcast day for Bart’s final ride before the first week of showing commences tomorrow with schooling day. Jane and Derry rode earlier, but we both encountered dreadful skunk smells along the north perimeter fence more than a hundred yards up from the culvert. Sorry to report that Eddy and the house still smell pretty awful. This too shall pass, I hope soon!
Bart enjoys the trailsThe invasive Russian Olives at Marilyn’s have conquered the area, spreading with many berries
I went over to the National Equestrian Center (NEC) to bed Bart’s stall for tomorrow. It was fun to see many horse pals there. Since I left Facebook, I sort of live on another planet, so it was fun to catch up. Eddy went with me, but I had to warn people to watch out for the skunk stink!
When I returned, Harry and I tacked up Oisin and Stone to take advantage of a nice afternoon, with few horseflies .
Oisin was very enthusiastic today!Stone and HarryStone and Oisin think trail riding is thirsty work!
Eddy spent the afternoon outside, but he still smells fairly skunky. He was delighted when he came indoors. After treats, his toy basket was returned to the floor, having been lifted for tidying. He was exhausted after a big, stinky day.
Eddy on patrolTreat timeYummy!Toys!Dreaming
As for bird pictures today, I tried to get the tanager, but it hid behind the suet and then flew away. Soon the Summer Tanager will be flying south for the winter… Days are shortening.
Tanager tail
The perennial hibiscus is putting on a late summer show, as September arrives.
Stay safe, stay well. Enjoy every day. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
101 years ago, my father, James Brian Barry (known as Brian, or Dad, to seven of us) was born in Yorkshire. He only lived to celebrate 86 years, but he has not been forgotten. This year, fifteen years after his death, I have had several people express to me what an impact Dad’s teaching (Physics, mostly) had on their lives. He was a gifted, though untrained, teacher and we seven children were very lucky to have such a father. Harry considered Brian one of his best friends, and some people said I married a man very like my father. But really, there was no-one quite like him. Harry and I raised a glass to his memory today, and counted our blessings for having lived a life with him.
Brian – youngest of three sons (Pete, Brian & Mike)A young Brian, with a puppy whose name is forgottenBrian, who was at D-Day during World War II on HMS Orion (1944)Brian and Trudy, the woman he lovedSilly BrianBrian watches for the green flashBrian makes a toastDadAnne and Dad in front of Trudy’s famous azaleaBrain and Harry in Wells, Somerset 2010Brian turns 86 August 31, 2010Brian never lost his sense of humour
So, on we go, carrying memories that remain vivid and consolatory, and funny. Such luck!
Speaking of luck, today, as so often happens, we had both good and bad luck. I had a confirmed Monarch butterfly sighting (good luck). And Eddy had a skunk encounter in a culvert (bad luck!!). I was doing some fence repair, and heard a commotion in the culvert. I did not have a skunk view, but I certainly got a scent!! The house is now very stinky, although Eddy himself has been deskunked.
Monarch visits the new butterfly bush!Paddock fence repair inspired further repairs to the west, near the culvertEddy rolls after skunkingEmpty culvert ,when I returned to finish fixing fence after bathing Eddy
Jane and Derry are in fine form, helping to inspire Bart toward fitness for next week.
Jane and Derry lead the wayDerry looking in show shape herself!
The horses are always good photo subjects, as are birds and flowers and cats.
StoneOisinBartFor those who are not familiar – this is a horse fly – vicious bane of our summer ridesEarly morning finchesEnthusiastic perennial hibiscus bloomingVERY dusty back window makes the dust drawing even more interestingTom MorrisSkittle
Onward to September!
Trail in late light
Stay safe, stay well, stay grateful. Be curious and kind. Laugh often, in spite of everything. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
We have had pleasant weather here, but we are desperate for rain, and there is no hope in the forecast. The grass has stopped growing, which is just as well, since the mower is out of commission, and the wrong part arrived, so we face a third week without a mower. As problems go, this is a small one. It also means the horses are not getting fatter on abundant grass, which is a benefit. Monday was so cool, Oisin went out without a fly sheet! He is very sensitive to bugs, having a condition known as “sweet itch”. There is nothing sweet about itching!
OisinDew is the only moisture we have had for agesEarly morning sun on the western trees
Speaking of itching, Harry had a terrible case of oak mites this week. I had a minor case, which was my own fault for working in the woods. Poor Harry got attacked just walking to the ring, under the oak trees. Pictures do not do justice to those vile pests. The misery they cause is immense, but they are very difficult to see. Similar to chiggers, but a more fiery itch, and mites can be seen – with reading glasses and a flashlight!
Dust on the car’s back window affords an opportunity to distract Harry from scratching himself…
Artist on board
Bart was quite tired after his horse showing last weekend, and Oisin, too, thought a nap seemed a good idea.
The Pearl Brothers rest their jumping legs
I happened to see a deer in the pasture after breakfast – three deer, as it happened. One buck had quite impressive antlers, and an enviable jump!
A healthy young buckA fancy trot!Off he goes…Easily up and over the fence!
I passed my online Safe Sport qualification, which is necessary for rated shows, and I have reserved a stall for next week and the week after at the Pre Charity Show and the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show. I’m excited and quite nervous already. Jane helped me school Bart through a gymnastic on Wednesday. Unfortunately, she was going to swat a horse fly on Bart’s butt, and she tripped over a jump pole and fell on the dusty ring. Luckily, she was not hurt, but her phone camera got covered in dust, so the videos were hard to see, and the picture I took from the video is not very good…
Bart feels great!
On Tuesday, I visited Laura and her bassets, after retrieving my watch from the repair shop. I cannot survive without a wrist watch. Using the phone to tell time just does not work for me. I treasure the Swiss Army watch that I wear, given to me by Jane on my 50th birthday.
Bassets!Eddy was a bit overwhelmed!LauraLaura and her terrier, DreidlDreidl is very cuteBassets are cute, tooThis basset can laugh on command!Laura loves her houndsCattle in the field intrigued Eddy – fat, slow deer?!This steer needs a fly mask!
I heard a commotion in the barn as I was getting into my car to leave on Tuesday, and discovered Trigger was visiting. I locked him into the paddock and took him home later in the day, where I found he had broken the chain that held the gate.
Surprise visit from TriggerTrigger wishes he could be in the barn with the other horsesEscape method discovered
Bart escaped after riding only once this week, when I let my guard down. The grass is definitely greener on this side of the fence!
Bad Bart!
Yesterday, the horses (and Roscoe and Rosie) got vaccinations, so Bart is up to date on Flu / Rhino for showing. It is really happening. Our friends, Mary and John, were planning to come for a visit, but Mary woke up with a cold, and didn’t want to make us sick. We were sorry to miss them – they live in Florida – but that did afford time for more projects. It has been a very busy month, and I continue to fall further behind. The window washers were coming today, and I needed to clear trees and bushes out of the way.
BeforeAfter
The house and studio are bare – sculptures have been moving to the McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts gallery in Webster Grove in preparation for Harry’s show in October. Meanwhile, Fine Art Gallery in Chesterfield has officially closed, marking the end of an era in Harry’s artistic career.
Sculptures filling the carTwenty pieces of bronze artwork in this car load
And, as always, I have a few pictures around the place, taken when the camera is to hand.
Lobelia cardinalis – cardinal flower – grows in the creekbedWild cardinal flowerFungus thrives even in this dry spellTom MorrisA wolf spider webA little frogRoscoeEddy in afternoon lightHarry and WeedyHarryEddyFemale hummingbirdFemale hummingbird landing
Stay safe, stay well, stay busy, stay curious. Be grateful and kind. Treasure friends, and this beautiful world. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Sadly, the “Old Ladies” triumvirate is temporarily reduced to only this old lady (and I ain’t much of a lady!). Despite reservations, and missing my pals on horseback, Jane and Susan, I returned to the show ring with Bart yesterday. Jane was on hand to assist, provide encouragement, and take pictures. I did only one very low class (called Intermediate Jumper), but it was a blast. Even Bart enjoyed it, I think, given his apparent enthusiasm.
Bart understands the importance of rest“Ear plugs? Something exciting is afoot! ” thinks Bart
I have been riding with an eye to possibly showing at the September rated shows, constantly looking for signs – should I finish on last year’s good note, or continue into my senescence? Well, on Thursday I had a call from Kris (renowned trainer), and he was unexpectedly going to be in town for the Happenstance Horse Show. That was a sign!
Kris stopped by here on Friday and gave me a little bit of a school – Bart and I jumped our first jumps of the year. He has not forgotten anything. I felt rusty, but any day riding with Kris is fun, and he thought it would be a good idea to jump around one small course on Saturday (or more, if needed).
Kris watches Bart jump our beloved plank Bart jumps a pice of the old porch railing
My ONLY goal was to jump the correct number of strides between the jumps. That meant going with pace, not our easiest task. Kris did his best to arrest my lifetime bad habit of pulling on the reins, and we galloped around double clear. Bart was fantastic, and jumped from some extravagant distances, but the mission was a success! On to the “real” shows. Now I must complete my Safe Sport training.
Ear plugs to dull distractionsReviewing the courseKris keeps me from getting too seriousBart gallops Bart jumpsSmall jumps, and an old rider, but Bart is impeccableSomewhere ahead of us is a jump – Bart engages his scope to get the seven!Kris is relieved we survived and got the numbers!It was fun!
Harry and Weedy came to watch and cheer us on. Everyone at the horse shows is always pleased to see them. Jane was a huge help, and she enabled me to bring Eddy, who loves horse shows. While we were tacking up, I left Eddy in the truck, so I turned the key to open the windows for him. Alas, I neglected to turn the key back off, so when we finished and loaded up, the truck battery was dead. That was a bit of bad luck, but I had jumper cables with me. Irene, in the office, notified Jaime, who arrived quickly to the rescue, with a thing called a “jump starter”. No cables needed! The bad luck turned to a good lesson, and a future Jump Starter in our kit.
This morning, it was positively chilly – quite delightful. Jane and I had a fun ride, and Bart told Derry all about how good he was yesterday. She was unimpressed. Jane and I were delighted to get two Monarch butterfly views on our ride. No pictures, unfortunately.
Poor Harry did not go riding this morning, because he was attacked by oak mites (aka oak itch mites) and had a terrible ordeal last night with removal and treatment of the evil, almost invisible creatures. They are the bane of late summer in Missouri. Since they do drop from the trees, Harry doesn’t fancy riding through the woods, at least not until the itching from this unfortunate episode subsides. No oak mite pictures were taken. They are too tiny!
Our “tick collection jar” was chewed by a varmint, and no longer holds water or ticksTomato hornworm enjoying its final meal before banishment
In the studio, thankfully, there are no oak mites (or ticks, or tomato hornworms). The Jackie Joyner Kersee maquette departed Friday morning for Kansas City, where the enlargement will be created. It is nice to have another big project underway. Meanwhile, preparations are being made for a comprehensive art show in October of Harry’s work at a St. Louis gallery. Details will be provided later. The organizers were here on Thursday. We are very gratified by their enthusiasm, and they are entertaining and fun people.
Jackie Joyner Kersee clay maquette
Art is all very well and good, but amphibians are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, as I often mention. We have seen fewer toads than last year, which makes me sad, but we have some lovely frogs now that the stream is up and running. They serenade loudly at night.
The stream and a lone hibiscus blossomEach hibiscus flower only blooms for a day, but the bloom is gorgeousFrog in a waterfallFrog in a poolA leopard frog in Eddy’s pool (water trough)A toad on the ring, under a jump pole
Avians we do have in good numbers, though they are molting, and the migratory birds will soon be traveling south. I never tire of taking pictures of feathered creatures.
A pair of blue jaysRed bellied woodpeckerSummer tanager eyes the suetTanager on the suetTanager descendsMolting blue jayCardinalFemale finchFemale cardinals and finchesA tufted titmouse on birdbath
Before the weather cooled on Thursday, I brought Bart in from a ride with lots of lather under his saddle pad. I decided to look into the properties of lather. It turns out that horses have a protein called latherin in their sweat (humans do not). Latherin allows the sweat to evaporate more efficiently, making hot horses more comfortable. I am not a huge fan of technology, but it does enable me to learn new things, even in my old age. The good news is that lather is actually a good sign in hot weather.
Bart awaits his bath to remove latherBart stays flexible as he scratches an itch
The dogs had their nails trimmed this past week, and Eddy posed for a picture with Halloween (in AUGUST??) decorations. Why do I not trim their nails, you might ask? Because I quicked Weedy a few years ago, and so have lost permission to perform dangerous procedures.
The hot, humid weather has magically transformed to pleasant, autumnal breezes and clear, bright blue skies. The best time of year is at hand!
Stay safe, stay well, be kind and grateful. Stay curious, and enjoy every day. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
It is certainly August, with hot, miserable Missouri summer weather. But already some leaves are falling and there is a different quality to the misery, knowing September is headed this way, carrying Autumn, so on we go.
Spicebush berries begin to ripenAfternoon clouds bring a little rain, but no cooler weather yetHostas from Jonee Nehus are bloomingSummer hydrangea at Culvers’ houseSnakeroot, an autumn blooming native plant (toxic to horses) appearing early in the woods
Tuesday was trash day, and Harlan was in fine form, as usual.
The dumpster emptiesHarlan, the magician of trash
Bart has been working despite the heat, just in case we decide to show in September. The other horses watch with sympathy as Bart heads out to work on fitness.
Exhausted BartOisin dreams of his World ChampionshipsStoneOisinBart looking fit
Harry has been busy in the studio preparing for a showing of his artwork in October. He has a new sculpture project underway, and in his spare time he continues to write his memoir. He has also done two dust portraits on the car window this month, a new métier. As Ionesco said, “Only the ephemeral is of lasting value”…
The artist at workCarter and his portrait with HarryAn uncanny likenessSteve’s portrait suffers from a cleaner window
We popped over to see Steve and Margaret briefly on Saturday morning, and were delighted to find their neighbor, and our dear friend, Laura, there, too. Laura had brought Steve and Margaret a pair of pullets after a recent raccoon massacre in the chicken house. The surviving rooster was lonely, and Laura brought these two young wives to him, all the way from the Ozarks. Road repairs near Culvers’ driveway are progressing, though pictures do not do justice to the project.
Lucky roosterPullets settling in to their new homeSteve and HarryMargaret and LauraMargaretRoad repairs at Culver driveway on Wolfrum RoadA future “lake” alongside the road
Jane and I visited Florence this week. She, too, very many years ago, lived on Wolfrum Road, with Laura, for a while. Laura and Florence threw me a “going away” party, when, in August of 1973, I departed for England. I returned much sooner than expected, disgraced after dropping out of nursing school. Another story waiting to be told…
Florence was a journalist and a brilliant writer. Now she lives a quiet life in the country with her horses and dogs.
FlorenceTwo of Florence’s three lovely dogs, Rita and BeamerFlorence and Jane feed watermelon to Blitz and Jackson
Two new (to me) butterflies caught the camera this week.
Western Giant SwallowtailNorthern Crescent Butterfly
Around here, during these hot “dog days”, we feel very fortunate to have Weedy and Eddy keeping us smiling through the sweat.
Eddy takes a break in the spare stallSunday nap timeEddyWeedyEddyWeedy
This evening, we are hoping the clouds will provide some rain overnight. The extreme heat should break in a couple of days, if the forecast is right.
Be safe, be well, be grateful for every day, even the hot ones. Slava Ukraini! Pray for a miracle… Peace.
On Sunday, Laura Kraut, age 59 (and a grandmother of two) WON the Rolex Grand Prix of Dublin with Bisquetta, the only clear round of 38 horses. Here is coverage from The Chronicle of the Horse, though I am not sure if it will work as an embedded item…
News of Laura’s victory elicited many memories in this old lady. In 1971, at age 16, I went (alone!) to Ireland and attended the Dublin Horse Show. That summer is a story waiting to be recorded, but suffice it to say that the Dublin Horse Show is a very big deal.
In 1989, showing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we saw an upcoming young rider from the east, named Laura Kent. She was riding for Rodney Bross, and she was a real talent and an inspiration to watch.
Laura ended up marrying Bob Kraut, and they lived in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, a strange epicenter of jumping horses in a somewhat remote location in the midwest. She continued to be a phenomenal rider.
In 1990, in Tennessee, Laura Kraut intersected with Geoff Sutton and Simba Run. The Chronicle tells that story best, if this embedding works!
We watched that first ride with Laura and Simba Run, and followed their stratospheric partnership.
In the mid 90s, Laura was at St. Louis, when the St. Louis National was held at Queeny Park. She was always interested in horses that were for sale, and we brought our young horse, Jesuit (Jesse) over to the show grounds for her to try. She loved him. We were over the moon, and delivered him to Oconomowoc two weeks later. Alas, he failed her vet check, and returned to us. But that is part of yet another story…
It was a different time – do not ride without a helmet!I was too excited for timing at the jump (too early) – before digitalAnne with Jesse ready to travel north
Now, we had a “relationship” with Laura Kraut, and she rode our young horses in the International Jumper Derby. All the effort and the money was worth it, for pictures that hang on the wall to this day in our tack room. Laura’s life has moved on from midwestern United States to The Netherlands, and a new life partner in Nick Skelton, but she remains here in our memories and the tales we tell of one of our great good fortunes.
England Expects (Nelson) 4 Year Old Futurity – with Laura KrautEcclesiastes (Johnny) 5 Year Old Futurity – with Laura Kraut
In addition to being one of the best riders in the world, Laura is also one of the nicest, humble and kind people we have ever known. She truly loves the horses, and we are thrilled that she has added Dublin to her long list of accolades.
Be safe, be well, be kind, be like Laura. Wear your helmet. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Galloping Through 