Blue skies, spring flowers, and song birds greeted me in Middleburg, Virginia this week. Parking was plentiful and streets were uncrowded. In the wake of the global pandemic the small town charm was a beautiful respite from the nonstop media coverage of bad news.
The greening of spring was everywhere – fields transformed from dormant brown to fresh green, trees were in bud, and bunches of flowers. sprang up in the middle of fields. The miles of stone walls and black board fences created magical outlines.
Navigating the narrow, curvy road, I remembered the remarks made by Punkin Lee, President of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association at last year’s Christmas Tree Lighting, “We love our countryside, our open space, all of our critters, and our people’s way of life.”
Spring has arrived. The flowers and birds don’t know about current events and bloomed and sang. Everything felt “normal” until I spied the new fox statue that was unveiled last Christmas – a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor?
Please enjoy the photos. I hope that your hearts lift and you giggle.
Impressive and Relevant – Southern Maryland Horse Summit
For the Love of Horses Image courtesy of SMADC
They had me at the word, horse. As you know, this blog addresses horse matters and events as it does pointe shoes, violins, galas, and oil paints. With an early spring, the timing for this event was ideal. The Annapolis, Maryland venue was fantastic. What could be better than discussing and updating on all things horse at the Chesapeake Bay?
Brilliant book filled with information and applications
The prefect buckets! Thank you!
The March 8, 2019 Summit was packed with useful and relevant information from experienced horse professionals who shared their best practices and information. The attendees were well versed horse-people who asked important and stimulating questions. Every attendee received a useful bucket in their choice of color to collect and carry promotional items during the day. These buckets are a horse person’s favorite carry-all around the barn.
Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive, former race horse trainer, and Founder of the Retired Racehorse Project photo: Courtesy of SOMD Horse Summit
Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive, former race horse trainer, and Founder of the Retired Racehorse Project gave the opening remarks. His talk about advocacy of the horse industry and its huge growth potential was well times and well received. He stressed the importance of horses on our environment, farm stewardship, and that, “Horses make people better people.” A major takeaway from his speech was that, “Well managed horses pastures are second only to forests with respect to water absorption and filtration of nutrients. Horse pastures stores carbon.”
Hope Birsh of Maryland Saddlery An in-depth seminar on the importance, benefits, and dangers of bits
Kerry Foster Saddle Fitting
Saddle Fitting Demonstration
Attorney, Kathleen Tabor
Dr. Amy Burk addressing equine weight management
In all, twelve topics were discussed in three ball rooms. The topics ranged from how to choose the tight bit for the horse; to legal matters concerning the equestrian industry and individual horse owner; to weight management of the horse; disease control; barn management; finding the right horse; saddle shopping; horse show preparation, and the importance of self-talk with respect to one’s relationship with their horse and its performance. The topics were addressed in significant depth and important resources were shared for further reference. The participants and speakers engaged in important exchanges following the presentation. After spending most of my life loving and riding horses, I walked away with a new bit for my pony because I learned that a broken snaffle bit is not at all in the horse’s best interest. Thanks to Hope Bish’s talk and demonstration of the actual action of a bit in the horse’s mouth, we selected a more suitable bit. Finding a non-snaffle bit for a pony can be a trick. Hope solved my dilemma. From the moment that I placed it in his mouth, there was relief and relaxation.
The Southern Maryland Horse Summit Team ! L-R: Susan McQuilkin, SMADC Marketing Executive; Karyn Owens, SMADC Program Specialist; Anne Litz, Maryland Horse Industry Board Field Marketing Specialist
The event organization was impressively professional from the registration process to the delightful breakfast and lunch buffets, the timeliness of the events and speakers, and the overall value of the information and connections made. As a Virginia resident, I took many ideas back to my area to share with our horse councils and elected officials.
Horses Contribute Significant Economic and Emotional Benefits Images courtesy of Anne LItz n- MDA Maryland Department of Agriculture
In Maryland, according to the American Horse Council Foundation Institute for Governmental Services an Research University of Maryland (2017 and based on the Maryland Equine Census USDA 2010), “The horse industry economic impact is $2.1 Billion with 101,457 horses on 705,000 acres. Horse farms make up 10 percent of Maryland land. The scientific findings are that “pastures are among the best filtering devices to protect the Chesapeake Bay from harmful runoff.”
Keynote Speaker, International Even Rider, Lynn Symansky
While just the individual seminars were priceless, the day’s keynote address was given by international top three-day eventing rider, Lynn Symansky. I have had the good fortune to watch Lynn develop into the incredible horsewoman and competitive rider from her childhood. Now that she is a top professional, it is an honor for my business to be among her financial sponsors. Lynn’s humble manner comes from her primary focus on the welfare of her horses and their correct and patient development.
Lynn has ridden in most, if not all, CCI 5 ***** event venues throughout the world as a Team USA member and individually. She holds a number of Team USA gold medals and has placed in top-ten many of the world’s most difficult competitions. In addition to developing her own horses, she teaches and coaches. Her relentless focus and grit were explained in her presentation, “My Snow Day Philosophy: How Horses Have Taught Me to Expect the Worst but Hope for the Best.” A Virginia rider, Lynn rose through the rank of the US Pony Club from an aspiring child to an A level equestrian. Her determination to “do it right,” is well rewarded by her immense success. Her presentation compared students who did or did not do their homework in anticipation of a snow day. Those who were underprepared awoke to clean roads only to go to school with their homework incomplete. Those who expected to have to hand in their homework would awaken to snow-covered roads and a day at home to get ahead for the next school day’s assignments. Her presentation certainly touched all participants’ plans. Lynn lives her plans unwaveringly.
It is in the preparation that competitions are won – Lynn Symansky has that down to a science. Images from the July 2018 Great Meadow International – Lynn and Donnor. PC: Krasi Henkel
It is with great gratitude that I am able to share this event with my readers. The organizers, in their first such event, presented a professional, beneficial and memorable event.
Iconic Riviera Architecture with Beautiful Plantings
No need to board a plane for a Riviera Holiday! The Philadelphia Flower Show brought the best and most brilliant ideas to us!
From white capped waves and calm pools, to cool gazebos amid magnificent vegetation, to alfresco dining, to an entire town block complete with Juliet balcony and sumptuous table-scapes. The best way to share this event is through videos so that you can see it for yourself. Enjoy!
Flowers Everywhere!
More Fun Than We Should Be Allowed to Have!
Greece Has the Longest Mediterranean Coastline
The Water! Even the Waves! Imagination and Creativity Overload!!
Enhance Your Dining Experience
A Get Away From the Hot Mid-day Sun
You can almost hear the waves lap the shore while relaxing on the cool shade of the arbor
From beach day to afternoon wine sipping to grand evening meal . . .
After a hot day – a cool evening by the pool
From rows upon rows of spring flowers, to clever displays, and architectural marvels, the surprises were endless.
****Due to the current health saving conditions, performance dates have been postponed. New dates will be posted soon. *****
An Exciting New Musical Opening in Northern Virginia and Rockville, Maryland!
Image courtesy of Angela Knight, QOTPH
“I started writing on the back of my ticket envelope!” says Angel Knight, of her conception of the new play, Queen of the People’s Hearts. Her inspiration came on suddenly and forcefully, “I was sitting in my seat at Kennedy Center to watch Hamilton. It was like a lightning bolt came through the right side of my brain,” she said, “I was filled with incredible confidence, faith, and determination that I will write a musical. I am going to write a musical about Princess Diana. During the Hamilton intermission, I ran outside to the fountains on the terrace and called my creative partner, Randal Dewey. I asked him about my idea. He agreed!”
The play opens on April 4 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia. The next day, it will be performed in Maryland at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in the Rockville Civic Center.
Angela Knight in collaborative process
Randal Dewey
Photos courtesy of Angela Knight, QOTPH
Angela and Randal set out to tell Princess Diana’s story. Angela worked from her memories and impressions of reading and seeing articles and shows about Diana. Randal, conducted the research. They provided creative musical opportunities for interns, students at the Berkley School of Music in Boston, and artistic opportunities for graphic arts students of George Mason University.
The costuming came together when Angela met her costumer while picking grapes at a local winery. ”She is really good with fashion. Their ‘80’s fashion was more elegant than ours. It was classic and not gaudy. The costumes will be period for them,” said Angela.
Hylton Performing Arts Center Photos courtesy of Angela Knight, QOTPH
“The music will be modern. It has modern sensibilities,” says Angela, “This is not ‘Cabaret,’ it is crisp, brisk, and current. It is tracked and performed by the Berkley interns. We created music and lyrics then sent it to the interns to ‘zjoosh’ it up. They were incredible to work with.”
Asked about competing with the Broadway play, Diana, Angela said, “It is like ice cream flavors. Some want vanilla and some want chocolate ice cream. We want to entertain audiences who want something different from the ‘Cabaret’ experience.”
All photos courtesy of Angela Knight, QOTPH
Selecting the leading cast was exciting. From a wonderful pool of incredible performers, Angela hired exceptional artists from the Washington National Opera and elsewhere to build the cast. While the artists have opera voice capabilities, the musical is not operatic but a contemporary musical.
Keeping in line with modern sensibilities, set design uses today’s technology. The George Mason interns designed the digital backdrops. The technological capabilities will make the show visually exciting and very modern.
Diana, the real Queen of the People’s Hearts Photo courtesy of Angela Knight, QOTPH
The show promises to bring new life to the story of Princess Diana. Both Angela and Randal believe she would approve. Tickets are selling well. Order your tickets soon. There will be two performances at Hylton Theater on Saturday, April 4, at 2 and 7 PM. There will be one performance in Rockville on April 5th at 3 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the Play’s website. Following the Washington Metro debut, the play will move on the Cleveland, Ohio in May.
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