The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is one of the most intense competitions in North America. ALthough I had the great luck to be able to go to the World Equestrian Games, I'd never been to Rolex. Until now.

Wow. The excitement and the tradition were truly astonishing. There are people who've been coming to the event for years--an annual pilgrimage to watch the world's greatest athletes (equine and human) compete in a fast, thrilling and dangerous sport.

Okay, have I been a very bad "enthusiast in chief" and not posted in THREE MONTHS! So bad, bad, bad. Anyway, I have plenty of excuses, not the least of which was the sale and subsequent state of flux of the site. But I decided this morning to keep it going, since I miss writing about this and that.
And, well, I admit it. It's a great way to promote my book. The Adult Longeing Guide is available through Amazon, here. 

So Baleno was apparently a very bad boy when I was in Germany and France. At least he wasn't a happy boy, acting generally mean and rearing and resisting a lot. About a week before I left, he got his head stuck in the fence and pulled out quickly. Afterwards, he was shaking his head like he had hurt himself. I was afraid he had a head injury. He didn't, as it turned out, but he probably did give himself a big-time bruise.

It's late at night in Germany and afternoon in the U.S. and I'm just back from the big German trade fair, Spoga, which takes place in Cologne.

As some of you know, my "day job" is as editor of Equestrian Retailer magazine. I'm in need of some help:

Anyone who'd like to, please answer the following questions. It's for our "Window Shopper" column. I'd love to hear from you!

What's you favorite tack store? Why?

Do you shop online? Where? What's the advantage and disadavantage of shopping online

What's the one item you and your horse absolutely cannot live without?

What new products have you discovered in the past year that you've enjoyed using?

What's your pet peeve about the equestrian shopping experience?

So little Belle is getting to be a very grown up girl! She stands very nicely next to my brand new red mounting block, and lets me lay over her back. She stands quietly at the hitching post. She walks, trots and canters on the longe line to voice and body commands. She loads in the trailer (most days.).

Usually I'm a hard core. Ride no matter the weather (although I'm not a fan of wind). But I'm fighting off this flu-cold-bronchitis and I'm looking out the window at a wintry, breezy day. I'm not enticed.

A giant box arrived last week--Santa must have had a hard time carrying it, so he brought it a little late. What was inside? A Newer Spreader.

I already have a manure spreader, but its sides have all but disintegrated and it's on permanent "spread" mode because the mechanism that turns the wheels rotted off along with the sides of the spreader. We've nursed it a long for a year or so, but my husband recognized the need for a new one. I would have continued using the old one, but he wanted to get me this new, rust-proof, lightweight model.

Belle is up at Mike's place, having "spa" week. She's been up there for three weeks now, and she's doing very well. She obviously loves Mike, and he loves her, although I bet he doesn't run across too many horses he doesn't love... he's that kind of guy. Belle was resting her head on his shoulder and snuggling with him, that is, until Kathryn, Mike's wife, stuck a needle into her chest.

I wish I could have been in the show, America's Next Equestrian Star, but I'm too old, too plump, and started dressage too late in life.