56 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Lauren R. Giannini
Thanksgiving means many things to different people.
For some it’s a sacred family feast day with the traditional
roasted turkey and all the trimmings. For others, it’s
another day at the “offce” which means they’re showing,
foxhunting, trail riding and certainly tending the inhabitants
of their barns.
Here is a random sampling of Thanksgiving thoughts
from horse-crazy people.
Bruce Duchossois, hunter rider, owner of event horses
with Phillip Dutton, co-chair of the Development Committee
of theUSETFoundation: “When I was younger Thanksgiving
was a weekend of foxhunting and the Blessing of the
Hounds. Now I give thanks to have my friends, my health,
and my horses.”
Robert L. Banner Jr, president of Great Meadow
Foundation: “Riding in thePiedmont is the fnest in thenation.
Riding in the Piedmont at Thanksgiving is a benediction
from the Almighty! Fall colors, a cooler temperature,
foxhunting in full swing, year-end championships for show
hunters, jumpers, steeplechasing and more. What could
be better than that? The best gets better!”
Thanksgiving Thoughts
L.A. Pomeroy, 2010 AHP Editorial Awards winner & freelance
equinista: “I’m grateful for my Brooklyn-born father, who supported
my 4-H horse fever and helped me shape those Curry Comb Crew
club notes into monthly columns for the county newspaper that
launched a career’s worth of professional bylines; my brother, who
inversely inspired my equestrian writing career; my husband and
suburban in-laws who, bless ‘em, still vaguely worry that what I do
for a living must surely involve mucking stalls… Because isn’t that
what all horse people should be thankful for? Those who endure–
and inspire–us.
Wyatt Harlow, 16, the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award at
theGreat MeadowPoloGala: “I’mvery thankful tomy grandparents
for realizing my dream to play polo and thankful to my parents that
I can go to Aiken, SC this fall to play another level of polo.”
Brant Gamma, photographer extraordinaire: “I feel especially
thankful to have a life flled with some wonderful equine partners
and some equally wonderful friends that have come along for the
ride. I am doubly blessed to be able to earn a living capturing
special moments of both in my camera’s eye.”
Lillian Heard, upper level eventer (profled in this issue) now
riding in Ireland, who lost her horseAriel in the fre at True Prospect
Farm: “The horse community has been just fantastic. I’m blown
away by everyone’s generosity. It’s made me be a better person.
It makes me want to give back to other people because so many
have given to me.”
Wishing you and your creatures, great and small, a very Happy
Thanksgiving!
Randall Wiseman, honorary whipper-in Sedgefeld Hunt, and a
senior at Chatham Hall: “With foxhunting season in full swing,
much time is spent with the horses this time of year. I am so
grateful for all of my friends, family, hounds, and horses, for all to
be happy and healthy is a blessing.”
Photo by Lauren R Giannini
Glenye Cain Oakford, author of “The Home Run Horse”:
““I’m thankful for advances in veterinary medicine that
saved my brave little horse Sassoon (pictured) after his
tendon injury, and for my husband, who never finched
over the bills! I’m grateful for the Hound Welfare Fund that
keeps Iroquois Hunt’s hounds happy and healthy in their
dignifed retirement, and for HWF’s donors, supporters,
and volunteers. Great thanks for the horses and hounds
who’ve brought us our closest friends and shown us the
best of the world.”
Photo by Dave Traxler