Not long after I began blogging ten (?) years ago, I heard about bloggers attending and learning at South By Southwest, aka SXSW. Like an annual World's Fair with a touch of the Texas State Fair Does Tomorrowland, SXSW has expanded into a glimpse into the future for both the arts and technology. What I ...
Where were the Clydesdales?
Budweiser Clydesdales in Saratoga in 2016 / Photo by Rhonda Lane On the day after Super Bowl LII, one of my friends posted to her personal timeline on Facebook: "So where are my Clydes?" She's not the only one asking. (more…)
Memorial Service for Penny Chenery
Penny Chenery Tribute page at Secretariat.com. And now, the original post: First, pardon me while I air out a related matter regarding Penny Chenery. When American Pharoah took the Triple Crown, NBC Sports flubbed coverage of a special moment in horse racing history. While Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert hurried toward the winners circle, the most famous Triple Crown-winning horse ...
Not just another Monday
https://youtu.be/tqlKxgWrqS0
THIS is Saratoga
After a misty morning at the track side breakfast, a full day of racing is ahead. And, tis true: no hat and no fancy clothes. Sorry to disappoint. I made one trip this summer to the races at Saratoga, with friends to the Whitney Handicap. Also, as y'all know, I'm campaigning via social media to win ...
Horses in Heaven for Sam Shepard
The only video I could find of Sam Shepard with a horse is this scene from the movie "Ruffian," portraying her maiden race, in which Shepard plays her trainer Frank Whiteley. https://youtu.be/0TvugZaJpi0 Thoughts of Sam Shepard may be more of theater, space exploration, and passionate family drama -- less like a Norman Rockwell painting but more like ...
Serendipity and the Saddle Box
Businesses often pitch me to post on this blog. I turn down most requests. Others, especially if the email pitch feels "boilerplate," I ignore. The owner of a family-owned company offered me a free Saddle Box via email. If I wanted a free box, business owner Phil Van Treuren said, I could send him my postal ...
Royal Ascot on TV: Comments on the Coverage
https://youtu.be/c4AmyKw-UkU Featured in the telecast was this custom Royal Ascot globe made by Bellerby & Co. The broadcast featured a story about the making of this globe, plus images of the Royal Ascot globe were used for transitions between the program, a.k.a., "bumps." In Summer 2017, NBC Sports aired horse racing live from Royal Ascot for the ...
“Win & You’re In” Is Going Around!
Right after the 2017 Kentucky Derby, I told y'all my Derby Dreams. No big hats, high heels, or mint juleps. More like, a windbreaker, hard boots, and a cup of joe. I still dream of touring the Churchill Downs backside during Derby Week with NBC Sports Announcers Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey just to listen and ...
My Kentucky Derby Dreams
Every spring, the voices of my friends and acquaintances fill with longing. I can guess from their vocal inflections what they're about to say. (more…)