Awesome Hunt Ball and new foal!

We pulled it off! Over 150 people attended our 75th Anniversary Hunt Ball at Tulip Hill on Saturday night. It was a magical  night from the very beginning. The beautiful home of Rebecca Grant and Rick Lewis was transformed with lovely decorations and lighting, and creative furniture "moving"to host our annual Ball. As the almost full moon rose over the estate, the cars began to come up the big oval drive. We had spotlights on the house and "liveried" valets to park the cars. The step back in time continued with the Colonial musicians in the foyer, where the hosts and Mike and I were greeting and introducing the guests. Everyone looked so gorgeous in evening dresses and black tie and the gentleman in their scarlet tails added the touch of Hunt Ball elegance that made it a very special night. I believe Katherine Cawood was touched by her acknowledgement of 20 years as Master and we all raised our glasses in a toast to 75 years. I thanked our founders for their passion and love of this sport that we are still enjoying.  We were sorry that Tom Barnes and Glenn Levin missed the toast because they got "locked up" on the roof!!!
The hors d'oeurves and buffet were excellent and the house was brought alive in every room by the warm greetings between old friends. It was wonderful to see old friends and family brought together for such fun evening. Dancing continued throughout the evening, interrupted occasionally to have a few lively contests. Steuart Chaney won the whip-cracking contest and Greg Bush impressed us all with his horn-blowing skills. Steuart Pittman Jr. was able to raise over $800 for the Retired Racehorse Training Project and Tom McDermott was the happy recipient of its 50-50 raffle. Our Silent Auction was a great success, thanks to the hard work of Ann Bowie Rice and Mimi Calver and we raised over $4000 for the Hunt Club.

It was truly a wonderful evening and many thanks are due to our Hunt Ball Committee and especially our hosts, Rebecca and Rick. The decorations by Nancy Carter and flowers by Wallis Cain added an elegance and charm to every room. We all looked  amazing in our finery and it was a night to remember. Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible.
My mare waited one more night and delivered a healthy colt on Sunday night ! I nicknamed him "Jubilee".

"Broodmare of the Year 2011"

Carol (partner) and I won Broodmare of the Year for 2011 with Gabby's Love. She was the dam of Baltimore Bob and Baltimore Belle, who between them won several stakes races in 2011. We had been nominated before but I found out yesterday that this year we won! It is so cool and it feels like an accomplishment for these small breeders (us) to have won. Gabby's Love died couple of years ago, but she was a great broodmare and we are thrilled with this acknowledgment.
I also heard the spring "Peepers" last night  while we were walking to the barn to check on broodmares about to foal. It was an incredibly clear night with a lover's moon, my husband kept reminding me that it is so-called because lovers could find each other in the night easily under such a big full moon!! Lucky for me we were right beside each other! Venus and Jupiter and Mars were very visible in the sky with this beautiful moon, so it really was a gorgeous night. Alas, no foals tho'. But my cherry tree is starting to bud, the green willow is that beautiful spring green ( don't know what happened with forsythia this year but they are late!) and the peepers are peeping.  I saw my resident fox too, this morning while feeding, loping down the fence line. I always love to see him. Eagles, deer, fox , they are starting to feel spring fever. It is almost here, full-blown spring. I a almost forgot, I also saw an albino deer yesterday while fox hunting!  I thought a goat had gotten out and was running with deer until I quietly moved back to look, and, it was a completely white deer. I felt like I was seeing a unicorn and nobody else saw it because I kept asking later. Has to be a lucky thing.
Our hunt ball is also almost here. I am wrapping up last minute details and holding my breath that it will be perfect.

no baby yet

I will soon have a dilemma. My mare Goldie is a week overdue, my client's mare , Regretable Romance is due in two weeks. She is a maiden mare. Which one will come first?  Maidens come sometimes come early, my mare has gone two weeks late before. Who do I worry about? Both. They are both so muddy from rolling all day. They are positioning the foals and getting rid of winter coat, but it is so messy. I guess I will put them both on straw bedding and start walking out to barn at intervals as well as keeping camera on all night. I find myself watching a big horse's rear end, sort of mindlessly at night. The mares can get very relaxed, a hip cocked, sleeping, and I just fall asleep too- very relaxing. Sometimes I feel like a horse peeping tom, when  all they do is walk around, pooping and peeing- seems intrusive then!
Our fancy Hunt Ball is getting closer. I go over all the details in my mind, hoping I haven't forgotten anything. We set spotlights on the mansion the other night and it looks wonderful in the dark.Seeing the gentlemen in their "scarlet tails", or black tie , and all the ladies in the evening gowns is so much fun. Like rare, exotic birds in full plumage . Sometimes the guys are the most colorful! Can't wait. My luck the mares will foal that night. I am knocking on the barn boards that this doesn't happen!!!

Leap Day

It only rolls around every four years so I believe it deserves a post this morning.  Mare is still looking uncomfortable but no baby yet, maybe a "leaping " baby tonight!. Just praying not on the night of the Hunt Ball. This is a photo of Rachael Alexandra's colt by Curlin, both Horse of the Year parents- that is a lot to live up to!
I was looking back at last year's posts and saw that I heard the spring peepers a year ago today and I mentioned that the forsythia was budding. I had thought that this year was so unusually warm, but it must have been warm last year. I did not notice my forsythia budding yet ! this year. Will have to go look.
I was preparing for two weddings last year and when I think over all that happened , it was a milestone year!!  Sam graduated, got a new job, got married and bought a house. Sarah started several different jobs and pursued makeup business, also got married and she and Kevin are now starting the house hunting  adventure. Will helped keep me sane by being a college kid! I will miss those basketball games! Now, I have Charlotte NC to look forward to in the fall I guess.
Mike is finishing his Master's at the Naval War College, I am writing a book ( more like compiling a book) about our Hunt Club's past 75 years and the next chapter begins for the whole family. It has been very interesting writing this book, as I am including a historical timeline for each year. As I research it has been eye-opening to try to only pick one or two major milestones out of some years because they were  jam-packed with huge events. Like 1945. Those war years were incredible for life-altering events, happening all over the world. One thing that is jumping out with this "look back" is how small events in one year, end up having major effects later. As WWII ended, peace treaties being signed, Germany being partitioned there was a small note that said "Vietnam became a Republic with Ho Chi Minh as President , (and we helped!)" Little did we know what was to come. I wonder what is happening right now that will become a major event for the next generation!

last basketball game

 I know I am playing catch-up here, but sometimes there is just too much to do. Last Friday was Will's final basketball game. We drove to Roanake and had a few minutes to chat with his coach of four years, before the game. He surprised us by saying Will was going to start that night!!  Woohoo. His last game and his first starting position- it was awesome. Coach had some really great things to say about Will's leadership of the team over the last four years and that, at times, he was "blown away by some of the things Will did for the younger guys!"  That is the Will I know. I asked him later and Will said he would encourage the freshmen, when they were discouraged, by reminding them that "being a baller was bigger than just playing in the game ".  He went on to explain that " being a baller was an attitude, a swagger or bragging right - it was just very cool to be a basketball player and it meant more than hoops".  Playing ball for four years certainly put a "swagger" in Will. He stood taller, carried his shoulders straighter and reached for the stars. He always was "the man", but I understood what he was talking about and am glad that he was able to lead a team and be part of that team for his college years.

Now, foal watching starts in earnest. First mare due tomorrow and she is looking uncomfortable this morning. I think I will start napping!!

Will's Senior Game night....

I can't believe how fast four years went by. Will does not share my sentiment, which I suppose makes sense, but as I watch the freshmen sit "on the bench" at these last games and watch proud parents whom I don't know, I remember the first few games I attended. I didn't know any other parents and Will didn't play, but I was the proudest parent in the whole world and I cheered for the whole team. I have cheered for the whole team for four years and been so proud of my son, now co-captain with his friend Kyle. Tonight the team honors these two men and it is truly an accomplishment. I remember Kyle had a broken wrist when they met  as freshmen. Will was and still is the hardest working player- that work ethic impressed his coach enough to be recruited and that doggedness earned him over four years the respect of his whole school. They cheer tonight, " Bill, Bill, Bill!"   The "Bill"moniker an easy tease. He guards his opponents with a fierceness and strength that is all his own. Sometimes they get by but his courage and spirit and leadership over these past four years are an example to all. The light from his soul comes thru and shines when he plays. I am so glad I have been a witness to these moments and will forever cheer for my son and his whole team. Love you, Will.

Happy Valentines Day !

I want to wish a Happy Valentine to my whole family; my husband and grown- up kids. To the wonderful people they have all chosen as partners. To my sisters and their families, my niece and nephews. To all my friends.  And I will give all my horses and dogs and even the barn cat an extra pat and hug ( not the cat that bit me). I try every day to tell the people in my life that they are important and loved but today it is an easy and joyous chance to make sure everyone knows they are loved. You are all the fabric of my life and together we weave the tapestry that we live. Have a loving day and pass it forward! I love you.