My niece, Kristina rides in the Bedford Pace
This past Memorial Day, Betsy, my stable manager, took part in the Bedford Pace, a fund-raiser to benefit the Bedford Riding Lanes Association. You may remember my blog from a year ago, when Betsy and her team won the blue ribbon for riding in the Pleasure category. This year, the returning champion rode in the Pleasure category once again, along with my niece, Kristina Christiansen and her good friend from college, Tabitha McAnally.
These young ladies attended the University of Delaware and were members of the University of Delaware Equestrian Team from 2004-2008. They were both very involved with the team and the sport and were co-captains during their senior year. Kristina and Tabitha competed in the highest level of collegiate riding and also in top rated A shows throughout the country.
The Bedford Pace is a bit more relaxed than what these two accomplished riders are used to. Prior to the Pace, an official rides each course to set the time. This makes things tricky for the riders because no one knows what that set time is. It's really all about luck and fun and which team finishes closest to the set time. Come and see how Betsy, Kristina, and Tabitha did.
For a really wonderful source for everything equestrian, check out Hudson Valley Horsesource.
Those horses know from cameras, that's for sure! Lol! Gorgeous hams!
Posted by: Marie | May 28th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Martha
Your horses are beautiful, looks like everyone had a wonderful day.
As far as taking home that little fur ball that would be out of the question. I'm sure Francesca would would think she had a new toy.
Ann
Posted by: ann | May 28th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Hi Martha, your horses are beautiful and
so elegant!! Thank you for sharing the
pictures.
Janis
Posted by: Janis | May 28th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Beautiful horses! How fun!
Posted by: Ellen Hurtado | May 28th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Tnks Martha to post in Twitter...Your horses are beautiful =]
Posted by: Cris Camargo | May 28th, 2009 at 8:42 am
This photo should be turned into a puzzle for a rainy day,Gorgious. Growing up on a small ranch in Texas as a Foster child, horses were chores I couldn't wait to get away from. Now I miss them so, so much. It gets in your blood. Keep those girls in the Horse world, Spreading the word of the importance of saving the innocent animals on this planet.
Posted by: steve grimes | May 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Gorgeous horses and scenery! How can you really soak in the beauty of everything you see? Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Posted by: Cindy Walker | May 28th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Martha-horse-woman,
Pic 19-24, wrong!...There the pommeranian is with the adorable Martha!
And what a nice Auntie you are, too!
EVERYTHING is beautiful!, your niece, your horses, Betsy, the outfit AND the boots!
Posted by: tinay | May 28th, 2009 at 9:23 am
go Delaware, m alumni & my home state........ur horses r exceptional beauties, seems like such a fun day
Posted by: Charmayne | May 28th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Dear Martha,
Thanks so much for the mention of my publication, Hudson Valley HorseSource. I'm disappointed we didn't cross paths at the Pace!
Best,
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kornblum | May 28th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hi Martha,
Believe it or not, I actually thought about your niece Kristina not too long ago and wondered what she was up to. I remember her making head bands on your show and being in a cheer leader competition I think it was, and now she is an accomplished rider. You must be so proud of all of your nieces and nephews.
Well, they didn't win the pace but like you said it was all luck and fun. They looked like they were having fun and I think you were too with the cute little doggy. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us – I always enjoy seeing your majestic Friesians. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 28th, 2009 at 10:43 am
oh Martha how much I enjoyed this adventure, seeing those girls on those magnificent horses, swelled my heart and brought back memories of my girls and their horses...the setting was awesome and looked like they had a great time...thank you so much for sharing this.
***By the way there is a glitch in this forum and has happened several times to me...that being someone else's name and email address in my space, where my name and info should be...thought who ever moderates this should know***sorry to mention it here, but emails to you don't go through. Delia
Posted by: delia | May 28th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Those are some beautiful horses! So big and majestic!
Posted by: Pat | May 28th, 2009 at 11:19 am
It is difficult for me to not think today's blog is absolutely adorable - I love everything about it! The horses in themselves are just absolutely beautiful! (I say it time and time again, I know.) My most favorite pictures are the early ones of the horses and their riders in front of the stables, then exiting the stable yard near the 'buckeye' trees (horse chestnuts). The 'boys' are posing so nicely at a diagonal, with their respective rider by their side. I reiterate, too, how I love your mounting block, Martha - utilitarian, yes, but it blends nicely in the landscape as well.
The Bedford Pace is obviously a fun event - I sure had fun, and thanks for clueing me in about it and the basis from which to judge the winner(s). (And) look at the smiling faces on Betsy, Kristina, and Tabitha - happy hearts that are sooo in their element atop these stately, gorgeous creatures! They are so fortunate for the familiarity of and association with these beautiful animals!
Yes, I would say that the little pomeranian did want to go home with you, Martha - animals can sense when one feels comfortable with and shows interest in them.
(...let's see...how does that old hymn go?...oh yeah: "All things bright and beautiful...all creatures great and small...")
=^..^=
"The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies."--Gertrude Jekyll
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | May 28th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Such beautiful horses! So sleek and majestic! When I saw the pic of the four young girls, it made me realize again there is a whole world out there that I know nothing about. My horse experience here in Kansas started when I would go with my mother out to a friend's farm to buy eggs, and I would run down to the small pasture where there was a pretty Shetland pony, and I would just hop on it's back and ride around the pasture. When my legs grew so long that I could touch the ground while sitting on the Shetland, I graduated up to a full-size horse with reins, but still no saddle. Just some good ol' Kansas farm horses.
Posted by: Lisa | May 28th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Love the photos of the horses and stable. You look to be having a good time, but no doggies on the food table not where I eat anyway!
Poms look a lot like Chows, I used to have them when I was a kid, now for past 30 years the chows have captured my heart.
I bet your team had a great time & day.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | May 28th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
It's always such a treat when you feature your beautiful Friesen horses. I think it's time you branched out and added calenders to your product mix. I'm sure separate calenders of the Frenchies, the horses, the donkeys and cats would be big sellers.
Did you know that you and Joe Perry of Aerosmith are both Friesen horse lovers?
Posted by: Sonya | May 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Hi Martha,
Will you PLEASE post more kitty pics??? LOVE THOSE!
Posted by: Julie | May 28th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
.
Do you and your other riders do out and out galloping on these big guys while trail riding?
.
Posted by: andreaandtheweimaraners | May 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Your fresian horses are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | May 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Hi Martha, Fantastic blog about the Bedford Pace. So sorry the girls and your beautiful Friesens didn't win again, but there's always next year! These sure are beautiful photos of your horses, the pastures and the super stable. Looks like the weather cooperated. That little Pom sure is cute. My little Dudley Do Right is part Pom, but he doesn't look anything like that little cutie. He just has some of the same color in his brindle coat. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 28th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
How fun. I'm glad I looked at those photos before going to work. Made me smile. I used to ride for years, not quite like this, but Love all horses. Thanks for sharing.
I'm a long time fan of yours. Have taped every Fall and Winter show of yours for years. You are an awesome woman Martha!
SMD
Posted by: Susan | May 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I thought those were your horses when I saw them at the pace and now I know they were. What beauties. It was a wonderful day. I hope you had good time. Perhaps you'll ride in the fall. Let me know if you need a trail partner. Your stable is awesome!
Posted by: Gail Y-D | May 29th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
All Hail to Delaware (a line from the alma mater song of University of Delaware, my alma mater, along with Kristina and Tabitha)! I rode with Kristina and Tabitha on the University of Delaware Equestrian Team, and not only are these young women accomplished riders, they were also awesome and gracious captains. I had never ridden before joining the team, and both girls were amazing at calming nerves before IHSA shows, and at coaching along the side lines. Once out of the ring, they were wonderful at praising their teammates- no matter what place they took. I am glad to see they are still riding, and I wish them both the best!
Posted by: Brittany | July 1st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Martha:
Seeing your post about the Bedford Pace brings back fond college memories of being a member of the Vassar equestrian team. I was a beginner and took lessons in nearby Rhinebeck, NY at the Southlands Farm. They gave us the best deal if we agreed to tack our own horses. I liked riding Snapshot and Phineas best.
Your horses, by the way, are beautiful. I feel bad for Meindert though, who didn't make the cut. Was he the horse who had a problem with his leg a while back? Oh well, maybe he'll be able to participate next time.
I can't believe your niece, Kristina, is already out of college. I remember her as a little girl in many of your books and as a teen on your show. Best wishes to her in all her pursuits!
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | July 14th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Exquisite horses! As a lifelong horse nut, I was so very happy to see Rutger on the cover of your Halloween issue. Thank you!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 29th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Fresians are just the most stunning breed of horses. Just WOW! I don't know that much about them - my question for you, Martha or Besty, (should you chose to answer, of course!) Are Rinze & Rutger from a particular ancestor or lineage, thus their names begin with a "R"? I know some breeds do that; Halflingers have an "A" line, a "D" line, etc. Are the lines only found in the US or did you import them? I know Fresians are descended from or developed to be "war horses" so their forte is Dressage - do they jump at all? I have heard Fresians do not jump but I can't imagine them being incapable of doing so.
Enjoy them Martha - they are incredible beasts.
Posted by: WJYD | September 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi Martha I am a farrier that used to live here in the bedford area shod horses for richard gere chevy chase bob torre i have been traveling with the budweiser clydesdales for the past 6 years an now i am back in the area I drove past your property last week with some friends visiting from canada your horses are beautiful i was wondering if you have heard about my hoof oil miracle hoof oil It has been on the market since 2001 It really keeps horses feet healthy I have a face book page miracle hoof oil inc an a list of testimonials
Posted by: otis ervin | September 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I love the saddle pads! Anyone know who makes them? I saw them in the Halloween magazine and I'm DYING for one!
Posted by: Molly | October 13th, 2009 at 11:51 am