Hershey, Fjord Stallion

Today's Joy: Fun Work at the FVSA Show.
Another belated batch of photos for your perusal, Reader. I do apologize for the delay, but hope you will understand, when you see them, why I was so particular about editing them correctly.

Though, I spend all day at these horse shows running back and forth with cameras dangling from my neck, getting sunburned, sweaty and dehydrated; the thrill of capturing a great shot and of observing people I love having a wonderful time far exceeds any minor discomfort I may be experiencing in the moment.

With back-to-back horse show weekends, I am definitely getting a workout. And some amazing shots. For your enjoyment, dear Reader, here are the highlights of another beautiful August FVSA show:


Aunt & Charge


Fred & Ginger, Portrait

The 3 Musketeers & D'artagnan make an appearance for the Costume Class

The red-headed Musketeer

Aunt Chef drives a Circus Wagon full of animals to the Costume Class

A very friendly giraffe

The Circus Wagon

Aunt & Charge doing cross-country

Aunt Chef gives the kids a ride

Hershey is my favorite Fjord ever!

Uncle & Aunt Chef do cross-country

Ambie Webster, Portrait

For Safe-keeping

Reinsmanship

KB & Sugar

Mike's first show

It takes a village...

KB & Rosie

Today's Joy: The ADS (American Driving Society) Show.
I am posting this quite late, dear Reader, only because our grueling show schedule caused a major back-up in my photo editing. And I refuse to present unfit images for your perusal. But, at last, they are done! I'm quite pleased and hope you enjoy this little peek at an amazing driving show. As you will see, we had a ball. Dressing in period attire and showing off your reinsmanship in front of a judge can be serious stuff. Fortunately, with this crowd, it's just seriously fun.


Uncle is the Ralph Lauren of our Set


Aunt & Aunt Chef show off their millinery creations

Aunt Chef's Fabulous Hat

Aunt & Poodle Await the Carriage Dog Class

Mr. Superintendent's first show!

Uncle & Julia going into the Carriage Dog Class

Mr. Superintendent & Ginger

Dreamer, Aunt Chef & Weiner await the Carriage Dog Class

Aunt & Super Charge strut their stuff!

Uncle & Fred

The Incomparable Grace driving Sarah

Aunt finishes the cross-country course.

Aunt Chef & Uncle doing what they love best.

Mr. Superintendent & Ginger finish cross-country.

Aunt Chef & Dreamer race through the last gate!

Uncle tries out a new look.

Today's Joy: Dinner with the Family.
Aunt, Aunt Chef, Uncle & Cousin were all out showing horses on this lovely Sunday, Reader. So, as they were all pooped from being fabulous all day, I came home from work and cooked them 'Breakfast for Dinner'. I love to sit down for a meal and listen as they recount their adventures from the day.

Today's show highlights included an upset in the usual placings, one runaway Belgian draft horse (no one was hurt) and Uncle looking very Chippendale-esque as he un-harnessed his horse. (He gets in trouble for dirtying his good white show shirts, so rather than get something on it, he simply removed his shirt and proceeded to un-harness the horse bare-chested in his black bow tie, show trousers and boots). Oh, how we laughed!

With any luck, I will be able to attend the next show, Reader, and will have photographic proof of the mischief they get in! Hope your weekend was lovely!

Today's Joy: Kicking Off Horse Show Season.
This past weekend, my family took their carts, horses & ponies out for their first show of the 2010 season. At 33, I'm really enjoying watching my aunts & uncle shine up their harness, clip their ponies and don their best show outfits to go have a ball with their friends.

For many years, they worked hard, playing grooms, coaches and cheerleaders at every county fair & 4-H horse show my brother, cousins & I attended. They gave up many weekends and plunked down a veritable fortune to turn us out respectably. And they were always there with encouraging words, tissues, hoof black and safety pins. Showing horses was an integral part of my childhood and one of my fondest memories.

Now that we're all grown, I love to see them showing for their own enjoyment. Aunt came home Sunday with 2 blue ribbons, which are now prominently displayed on the shade of a living room lamp. While I'm no longer showing, myself, I'm delighted to tag along and take photos of the family & our friends doing what they love most. Stay tuned, Reader. I'm sure there will be many wonderful show highlights to post this season!



Photos: Girl at Horse Show and Red Boots, taken at the Fox Valley Saddle Association, Plato Center, IL, 2008.