Have a mentioned that I love polka dots? I am always drawn to the classic but fun pattern. The top that I am wearing is from Zara (buy HERE). I purchased the “black & white” combination. As seen in the widget below, I also linked several other similar options. I highly recommend the black high-waisted jeans that I am wearing. The fit is TTS and very flattering and slimming with just a hint of stretch.
On a book related note and very apropos with the upcoming Belmont Stakes, I just finished Joe Drape’s book on American Pharoah, winner of the Triple Crown. A spectacular horse and a great read. (Linked in widget below). My mother, an avid horsewoman, accomplished equestrian, and the woman who taught me and my two sisters to ride, always loved a day at the track— not for the betting (usually those were barely over $2) but for watching the beautiful Throughbreds. As Drape could not have explained better: “[b]est of all are the horses—lovely creatures that take my breath away when their strides reach out effortlessly with their feet barely touching the ground.” He also explained that long before he wrote about racehorses, he owned them which helped him understand the great costs, the great responsibility, and great thrill that come with being part of the sport. “Horses are athletes, spectacular ones, and depend on their grooms, trainers, and owners to do right by them” notes Drape. In his book, Drape does a terrific job discussing the individuals who were a part of AP’s life, upbringing, handling, riding, and training. For example, Frances Relihan, an Irish horsewoman, who took care of AP as a foal and knew very early on that the horse was something “very special.” He touches on the use of (legal and non-legal) drugs in the industry and the risk to horse and rider, an ongoing and evolving issue in the industry.
Growing up on a small farm in Maryland, I had the opportunity alongside my mom and sisters to help care for our Throughbred mares and foals and exercise racehorses, prepping them for racing at the track. As a young adult, I rode and trained an off the track thoroughbred (“OTTB”), also a highlight of my equestrian background. With the upcoming Belmont Stakes, here is to the possibility of another Triple Crown winner with Justify, as well as a safe and smooth race.
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OUR OTTB – GRAND ELOQUENCE
“The blood runs hot in the Thoroughbred and the courage runs deep. In the best of them, pride is limitless. This is their heritage and they carry it like a banner. What they have, they use.” ~C.W. Anderson. Mare pictured, our lovely, Grand Eloquence. Bred, born, and raced in KY. Now a pleasure horse in Maryland.
Oil Painting, Portrait of Grand Eloquence by Deanne Cellarosi, local Maryland Equine Artist. Grand Eloquence (fondly “Ellie”) is a granddaughter of Mr. Prospector.
Ellie enjoying a “summer shower” at her home in Barnesville, Maryland.
Galloping and conditioning young Throughbreds (Never Pressed & Altezza Reale) in the cornfields with my sister, Maria, now physician and commercial farm owner in Lexington, Kentucky.
At Laurel Racecourse before Barengo’s race.
Maryland track days with our horse, Barengo. This photo was the day that he had the “bullet” workout at the track, i.e. the day that he had the fastest workout at the track that morning for the distance. “Breezing” a racehorse is usually when the horse is working out very easily and also possibly under a hold.
Barengo’s mother was a granddaughter of Native Dancer.
Barengo was a homegrown effort. He was born on our property and trained by us. He went to the track as a three year old.