Down The Lane

Today's Joy: Risking The Rain.

Definitely a galoshes sort of day, Reader. This afternoon, I tagged along with the family & cronies on a trail ride (and drive) through the beautiful grounds at St. James Farm. The weather threatened all morning and eventually opened up to drenched us completely. But despite the literal wet blanket, it was a lovely afternoon and a great opportunity to see the property's preserved horse & dairy barns--freshly-painted in their trademark golden mustard color--as well as the ponds, woods and statuary scattered about. Everything had a deep green, misty quality about it. Driving down the lane I felt, for just a moment, what it must have been like in its heyday. Can't wait to go back and tour the rest when the sun is shining. Here are the highlights of our adventure:

Aunt has a new navigator.

The Foot Bridge at St. James Farm

Ginger, Portrait

First ride in the cart and she's a natural!

Fred & Ginger, Belgian Drafts

Aunt, Silver Poodle & Super Charge.

Grace & Smoke

Aunt Chef & Ginger

Breezy & Julie

Fred & Uncle

Wild Turkey

But I Don't Want to Wear Fly Roll-on!

My Viewpoint

Wild Turkey

Fred, the Belgian Draft, Headshot.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.
~Winston Churchill

Today's Joy (Part II): Watching the Family Share What They Love Most.
Reader, today was a wonderful opportunity for me to follow on foot and photograph my family & friends participating in the Homecoming Celebration at St. James Farm. What a honor for them to be asked to show their horses and ponies for the public and in honor of this amazing facility, which has hosted innumerable world-class equestrian events over the years.

They were all having such a good time, I wanted to capture every moment! Below are a few of my favorite shots from the day. More highlights of the Homecoming Celebration are available here.


Uncle & Fred in the royal blue buggy.


Little Man, Priscilla & Cousin resting before the parade.

Aunt, A Driving Portrait.

Aunt Chef & Bibiena, one of the original St. James Lipizzans.

A little love before we go in the arena.

The horse is God's gift to mankind. ~Arabian Proverb

The lovely Grace & Sarah, the Suffolk Punch.

Feeling down? Saddle up. ~Author Unknown

Little Man, Priscilla & Cousin demonstrate Lead Line for the crowd.

Aunt makes a very pretty picture driving Super Charge, her welsh pony (2006 Roadster Pony of the Year).

Even an E-type Jaguar looks merely flash beside a really smart pony and trap.

~Marion C. Garretty

Cousin warms up her American Quarter Horse mare, Decka, for the barrels & flags demonstration.

To me, horses and freedom are synonymous. ~Veryl Goodnight

At four years old, Little Man is already riding Priscilla, the pony Santa brought him for Christmas, all by himself.

The incomparable Grace dressed to the nines and showing off her custom-made wicker cart.

Uncle & Fred, the Belgian Draft, showing off their moves.

Aunt & Charge working for the crowd.

Aunt Chef long lining Bibiena. Purchased by Brooks McCormick as a two year-old, Bibiena was part of the celebrated St. James Farm Lipizzan four-up for many years. Now semi-retired, Bibiena enjoys a leisurely life & the occasional show with Aunt Chef.

Julie & her Arabian mare, Breezy, represent their favorite discipline, Competitive Trail Riding.

Little Man leaves the arena after demonstrating his newly-acquired riding skills.

In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have. Eleven-hundred pounds of raw muscle, power, grace, and sweat between your legs - it's something you just can't get from a pet hamster. ~Author Unknown

Cousin exits the arena after wowing the crowd with her barrel pattern & flag run. Her 16 year-old AQHA mare, Decka, routinely performs a 7-second flag run.

Grace & her husband Peter enjoy visiting.

Kelly & her Clydesdale-Morgan cross, Toby, move out for the crowd.

Cathy & Harry, Kelly's parents & lifelong horsemen, enter the arena as part of the Fox Valley Saddle Association & Hub Club contingent.

Horse Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

A breath-taking sight: Andalusian stallion with his handler.

Today's Joy (Part I): The Horses & Varied Disciplines Exhibited at the St. James Farm Homecoming Celebration.
Reader, after attending & photographing this amazing equestrian event with my family, I looked over all the images I captured (nearly 600 in total) and decided that one post is insufficient to pay homage to my loved ones & their horses as well as all of the other participants. So, Part I of today's joy includes just a few shots of the various breeds, riding disciplines and showmanship demonstrated on May 29th, 2010 at St. James Farm.

Many of the shots below feature a traveling performance troupe of Andalusians & Friesians. They were a sight to behold. SO gorgeous! I couldn't whip my camera out fast enough to capture their dramatic and skillful demonstrations. For more highlights from the St. James Farm Forest Preserve Homecoming Celebration, click here.


Andalusian stallion headshot.


A gorgeous pair.

Riding Demonstration.

Andalusian stallion bows for the crowd.

Andalusian in harness.

Andalusian pulling a cart.

Another gorgeous Andalusian.

A beautiful Dressage demonstration.

Demonstrating the concentration & precision required in Dressage riding.

Dressage Movement.

Girl & Friesian demonstrate Spanish riding.

Mario & his traveling troupe waiting to perform.

Spanish Riding & Long Lining Demonstration.

Mario demonstrating Spanish horsemanship and long lining from the saddle.

Mario & Andalusian pair bow for the crowd.

Member of Miniature Horse Drill Team.

Vaulting Demonstration.