The Darling Foals at Darley

Earlier this month, we visited the stallions at Darley but an added bonus this time of year was a trip to the foaling barn where an enormous collection of well-bred foals and their stakes-winning mothers (in many cases) hangs out.  The babies are so cute and I wonder if any of the ones we saw will grow up to be a "Classic Horse" - it is possible.  Here are some of the babies and I have included the information on each one, just in case......

The Perfect Derby Dress

If you are still searching for the cutest Derby dress ever, then look no more.......

They are selling like hotcakes. You can try Julie Brown in New York here or Punch Boutique in Virginia has a few sizes left. It's 100 percent silk, 1000 percent Derby.  See you at the races.

Talbots New Rollout - Wow

Talbots brought out a new catalog this week with tons of cute spring and summer clothes.  Again, they hit the ball out of the park.  Here are a few of my favorites:

This vibrant green jacket will look great with jeans, white pant or jeans, even shorts or you can wear it work.

This oval straw bag is so cute, I wish it came in more colors.  The navy trim and the shape, well, it's so cute and so different but classic enough to become a wardrobe staple for summer.

 I also fell in love with the print on this blouse which is also available in a dress and a wrap.  The jacket has pineapples on it. Really different but versatile to wear for something more formal or everyday.

Here is the top. It is lovely!

 If I had somewhere to wear this dress, I'd add it to my closet in a heartbeat.

 This watermelon seersucker dress has received great reviews and will surely sell out quickly.

 I love this top and it come in solid and stripes:

 These chambray shorts with scallop trim are too cute:

 And this scalloped cardigan comes in many colors.  It's cotton and rayon, not 100% cotton though.

 These would be great for the beach!

And the good news is that you can shop 30% off.  Use the code Friends30.

A Grand Virginia Estate

This past weekend we took a day and went on the Virginia Garden Club Tour.  The tour is scheduled every April and on various days, towns open up homes and gardens to tour.  This year we went to four homes neat Staunton, Virginia.  This was by far, one of the nicest farms I have seen anywhere, bar none.  Set on 2000 acres, the main house sits looking over a 10-acre lake.  The house is large, probably 8000 to 10,000 square feet.  The inside was lovely as you'd expect. It was built in the 1800's with updates through the years.  It is a weekend home for the owners.

 There is an old mill on the farm, in perfect condition and working order.

 The bank barn has been turned into an event facility. No horses here.

Lovely beyond words!  More to come!

Middy N' Me Sample Sale

If you love the equestrian-themed shirts, skirts and dresses from Middy N' Me but don't love the price, you may find something that you and your budget will love during their sample sale.  Limited quantities but perhaps you can find that darling shirt.  These won't go out of style and the quality is very good. Free shipping too.  Shop the Sale here.

The Search for the Perfect Denim Dress

You'd think this would be an easy task, finding a cute, all-purpose, well-priced denim dress to span the seasons and take on a fall trip later this year. Yes?  You be the judge.....

This one meets the well-priced category and it's on sale now for less than $40. It may make me look like a potato sack but it can be returned so this one is a definite try it.  But the reviews say it's made of tencil and is not soft and comfortable.

(J Jill Dress)

This one is bland but likely will last years but it does not come in smaller sizes so I can't even go there, but it might work for someone else. Good price point too.

(Vermont Country Store Dress)

This one is cute from Lord & Taylor but it is very short. It's also on sale!  Many of these dresses are too wide to fit my frame as well. Will the bell sleeve be out of style in another year?

(Ralph Lauren Dress)

This dress is very cute, not that practical but adorable:

(Ted Baker Dress)

Another inexpensive and somewhat practical dress from H & M:

(Denim Dress)

Another cute one that is already sold out in my size.  It is also made of tencil.

(Denim Dress)

RIP Giant's Causeway

Legendary stallion Giant's Causeway passed away unexpectedly earlier this week near Lexington, Kentucky.  He was 21.  After contracting an infection he died a few days later.  The striking chestnut horse was born at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, where he died.  He is out of the famous Storm Cat and who's fee climbed to its $500,000 peak after the success of his chestnut son.

He was sent to Europe where he was undefeated in his first four starts earning the nickname "The Iron Horse" after winning five consecutive G1 stakes in 11 weeks.  He was sent to Churchill Downs for the Breeder's Cup Class in 2000 where his stretch dual with Tiznow is one for the history books with Tiznow winning the first of his two Classic races.  He retired with a 9-4-0 record and he earned more than $3M. He retired to stud in Ireland but was sent back to the US after a year to Ashford (Coolmore) where he died.

He was the North American leading sire in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and was one of the top five for several years.

Giant's Causeway top runner as a broodmare sire is the famous Gun Runner who retired earlier this year. He will be well represented for years to come with horses like Derby entrant Free Drop Billy, a son of Union Rags.  Among his sons, Giant's Causeway has the most active sire-sons in 2018 among all Storm Cat stallions.  He was legendary and I am glad I was able to see him last year at Coolmore.  RIP.  You were one of the great ones.

A Rags-to-Riches Story in Show Jumping

Everyone loves a rags to riches story especially when horses are involved.  Reminiscent of the Snowman story, an American entrant in the prestigious World Cup Finals in Paris is an $18,000 horse.  No, I did not leave out one or two zeros, the horse is an $18,000 mount.  He ended up finishing 29th overall but what a great story!  American Beezie Madden won her second title and McLain Ward finished fourth.  You can see the results here.  The rider is Andrew Kocher.

Chronicle of the Horse Photo