NOVEMBER 2005
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November 22, 2005
Never heard back from the folks at Thoroughbred Retirement Fund. I rarely read the Classifieds in The Chronicle of the Horse but just so happened to be doing so and saw an add for a retirement place, Wellbourne. Had just come from Luci Strange's place, Sandstone Farm, the week prior (Alyssa and I were there schooling) and she had mentioned the place as well. Checked it out on Saturday and really liked it. Ironically, I was thumbing through a magazine my boss received at work, Loudoun Magazine, and there was a whole story on Wellbourne and its history. The people who own the place, their family are the founders of Upperville Colt & Horse Show and also Piedmont Hunt. So, it was neat to meet Mr. Morison face-to-face and to see the famous Wellbourne on a beautiful fall morning. Mr. Morison picked me up at the main house and took me through several of the fields to do the checks on all the retirees. All the horses looked so happy and mellow.
There are nearly 90 horses on over 500 acres of land. Mr. Morison said the herd has formed smaller groups of 5, 7, 14 and so on. He knew each little band. He pulled the truck up alongside several of the horses to give them treats of hay cubes which they gladly took, then casually went back to their grass chomping. There is most definitely a different 'look' about a horse that is in work and turned out and a horse that lives out. And I don't mean cosmetically. A horse that is in work and turned out seems to be waiting for something. He has a look of anticipation and 'what's next?'. A horse that is on permanent turnout is so mellow and appears to have a look of 'who cares?'. I like that.
I will be retiring Justin to Wellbourne on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Later on Saturday, my girlfriend,
Dani, of Brydelle Farm, came up. We
had lunch at my house and watched a grand prix that I Tivo'd. Then, we
went to see Cavalia! What a great
show! We really enjoyed it and actually saw Lysa Burke Horkan there.
She's who does all of the commentating for the Budweiser Grand Prix events.
Later, I introduced Dani to my favorite Mexican restaurant. Yummy!
Sunday was a big day for me too. What a gorgeous day. Met Samantha at her barn in Aldie, MEA Haven, where she introduced me to her adorable horse Jake and let me ride him. Then, met my friend Afshin at his place in Middleburg. He and I trailered to Foxcroft School and rode out on trails and through fields there. He rode Limbo and I rode his other horse, Tommy. The Tom-Tom man. Tommy is the horse that Afshin let's me ride when we hunt. He's an excellent guest horse. He's a HUGE Irish horse and really knows his job. I've gotten to ride Tommy for Hunter Paces as well. Those are always fun. The picture to the left was taken of Tom-Tom and me when we went hunting a few years ago. This weekend marked my official first weekend of not teaching for the rest of my life! I look forward to hunting and riding and showing, all for myself this year!