Sit
02-02-2009, 10:55 AM
The TASHA show near Houston this weekend was great fun as always with some new riders and new combinations. Our horses showed great, but after four classes in four hours on Saturday and the "heat" (near 80) on Sunday and advancing age (mine), we decided to just watch on Sunday. Barbie Smith judged without fees (don't tell, don't ask) to help the group with the smaller of its two shows and teenage Kevin Berman (grandson of TASHA Hall of Famers Edmund and Ada Perwien) volunteered to produce wonderful music. Sue Roby and Dorothy Dukes were inducted into the TASHA Hall of Fame.
There was a "Saddlebred Moment" on Sunday. Ten-year-old, fifth grade honor student, Alexandra Eagle, has been riding for just a couple of years, but Sunday she and her new horse went into the novice horse walk and trot class and made a flawless ride to win a very nice class (among good riding veteran adults). The place erupted as this beautiful, classy, nice girl was called out as the winner. I wish I could tell the whole story of Alex, whose presence on earth is due to some unbelievable medical surgeons and God's wonderful Grace. Alex is also a pioneer in the saddle seat world as she shows in a beautiful brown velvet helmet with a tiny red ribbon on the back. She has proven that safety and "class" are not only compatible, but more than chic. Parents John and Jennifer Eagle (of major auto dealership fame) not only support Alex, they are in the stall grooming and loving on her horses. Instructor Nicole Foster of Dallas is responsible for bringing and keeping these wonderful people in our Texas Saddlebred world. I could keep trying to describe the grace and beauty of this youngster, but hopefully a photo will appear in one of the magazines to capture it for all to see.
The late Sue Roby and Dorothy Dukes were inducted into the TASHA HALL of FAME on Saturday evening. A wonderful video tribute to each of them brought tears of joy to our eyes as we remembered these two grand Texas legends. They supported TASHA at every turn and their riders came through the gate at every opportunity -- rain or shine, freezing or torrid. Many of their riders paid tribute to them not only for the horse skills, but also the life skills, that they brought to them and their children. Sue Roby's son, Texas trainer Steve Chaddick, also spoke and, in the tradition of his Mother, brought 17 horses to the show for SGF Winning Ways Farm.
We are very grateful for the opportunity that the TASHA shows have given us to show and enjoy our Texas horses over the last decade and to now try to claim to be part of the great TASHA tradition.
-- Sandy and Bill Marple
There was a "Saddlebred Moment" on Sunday. Ten-year-old, fifth grade honor student, Alexandra Eagle, has been riding for just a couple of years, but Sunday she and her new horse went into the novice horse walk and trot class and made a flawless ride to win a very nice class (among good riding veteran adults). The place erupted as this beautiful, classy, nice girl was called out as the winner. I wish I could tell the whole story of Alex, whose presence on earth is due to some unbelievable medical surgeons and God's wonderful Grace. Alex is also a pioneer in the saddle seat world as she shows in a beautiful brown velvet helmet with a tiny red ribbon on the back. She has proven that safety and "class" are not only compatible, but more than chic. Parents John and Jennifer Eagle (of major auto dealership fame) not only support Alex, they are in the stall grooming and loving on her horses. Instructor Nicole Foster of Dallas is responsible for bringing and keeping these wonderful people in our Texas Saddlebred world. I could keep trying to describe the grace and beauty of this youngster, but hopefully a photo will appear in one of the magazines to capture it for all to see.
The late Sue Roby and Dorothy Dukes were inducted into the TASHA HALL of FAME on Saturday evening. A wonderful video tribute to each of them brought tears of joy to our eyes as we remembered these two grand Texas legends. They supported TASHA at every turn and their riders came through the gate at every opportunity -- rain or shine, freezing or torrid. Many of their riders paid tribute to them not only for the horse skills, but also the life skills, that they brought to them and their children. Sue Roby's son, Texas trainer Steve Chaddick, also spoke and, in the tradition of his Mother, brought 17 horses to the show for SGF Winning Ways Farm.
We are very grateful for the opportunity that the TASHA shows have given us to show and enjoy our Texas horses over the last decade and to now try to claim to be part of the great TASHA tradition.
-- Sandy and Bill Marple