March Words of Wisdom

The wisdom, its numbers are dwindling... 

 

But oh my, this is a noisy world. (Mr. Fred Rogers) 

 

We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think. (Rod Serling)

 

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. (Aldous Huxley) 

 

Common sense is not a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it. (George Bernard Shaw) 

NOTE: I love this one because my Dad once told me some of the best advice he'd ever been given (by a teacher) was that, "You'd be surprise how uncommon common sense is." Yup.

 

Ask me to show you poetry in motion and I will show you a horse. (Unknown)  

 

Recent Reading: "Riding for the Blue: A Celebration of Horse Shows"

 

Riding for the Blue: A Celebration of Horse Shows

By Cindy Hale

Photographs by Sharon P. Fibelkorn

 

I've had this book for years stashed in the old horse crazy girl stack that seemed more and more a thing of the past, books that seemed like an indulgence that I probably needed to leave behind. But I've had some recent revelations about what was really important in my life and I realized how much I've missed being around horses. Getting back into the saddle has always been something I thought was increasingly unreachable for a number of reasons (for one, the sheer cost of it in L.A.) so that particular realization that I've spent years away from the one thing that was always most important to me growing up was a jolt, hence the refocus.

 

Riding for the Blue is one part gorgeous picture book, and for me, one part nostalgia-fest of the shows I rode in during my younger years. Nothing major, just local stuff, but I still have my ribbons and some horse equipment that I've been unable to part with. Too bad I didn't take the hint sooner, I might be riding right now instead of typing a blog post. This book was published in 2003 and I'm sure shows have changed a lot since then, but even dated, Hale imbues the show life with a love of horses and everything about them, and I got caught up immediately and devoured this in one sitting.

 

Although it's a pretty quick read, Hale covers a lot of ground regarding various types of horses, riders, shows, and everybody involved with them: hunters, jumpers, dressage, western, breed shows, rookie riders, green horses, trainers, judges, show moms, sportsmanship and character building, and much more. Even though showing wasn't a big part of my riding life, it did bring back memories of early mornings, performance jitters, and just the sheer joy of partnering up with a beloved half-ton animal. I also got a kick out of the fact that Hale mentions that over time, blue first-place ribbons will fade to purple, which is ironic because in horse shows purple ribbons denote a seventh-place finish.

 

Cindy Hale is (was?) a long-time contributor to Horse Illustrated magazine (which I recently resubscribed to) and they published the first chapter as an excerpt, which you can read here. 

 

Some of the gorgeous images from the book:

 

 

Santa Anita icon Trevor Denman wins Eclipse Award

Trevor Denman, the long-time voice of Santa Anita Racetrack (along with other Southern Cal tracks) has been awarded an Eclipse Award for Career Excellence. If you don't know, the Eclipse is horse racing's version of the Academy Award.

 

From the linked article:

 

“I am so honored to receive this award and will treasure it forever. I wish to thank Alan Balch of Santa Anita and Joe Harper of Del Mar for giving an unknown kid a chance to call at such prestigious tracks back in 1983. I also thank all the fans for their tremendous support over the years. Thank you all!”

 

Notwithstanding his distinctive accent, Denman broke the mold of traditional race callers with a welcoming and innovative style. While most American announcers stuck to the basics of calling the specific order of the races and lengths in front or behind horses during points of call, Denman incorporated commentary and analysis into his race calls...

 

And he created a signature stamp at the gate break for each race with “And away they go.” 

 

At one time, Denman was calling the races at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Pomona (Fairplex) during a prolific annual schedule.

 

Denman called races for more than 50 years. Besides his extensive Southern California stint, he worked at tracks in the Bay Area and on the East Coast, as well as calling the Breeders’ Cup races when ESPN had the TV rights to the championship event. Additionally, he provided the calls in several racing movies and dozens of television shows.

 

Yep, he has an imdb entry! 

 

Born in South Africa, Denman made his Southern California debut at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meet in 1983. He retired from Santa Anita in 2015. He continued calling at Del Mar until announcing his retirement from racing in 2025.  

 

Here's a great example of Denman's calling ability - the 1988 Santa Anita Derby, won by future Kentucky Derby champion Winning Colors (one of only three fillies to ever win the Run for the Roses):

 

 

Someone on YouTube put together a collection of forty of Denman's calls.

 

Congratulations to Trevor Denman!

 

December Words of Wisdom

I am still under the impression that there is nothing alive quite so beautiful as a horse. (John Galsworthy) 

 

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. (Oscar Wilde)

 

Don't waste time on anything that doesn't thrill you or bring you love. (Gil Gerard, RIP) 

 

I still remember the days of sitting at book signings, playing with my pen when no one would come, and still I even then thought I was living the dream, because I had a book out. (Harlan Coben) 

 

The bigger the issue, the smaller you write. Remember that. You don't write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid's burnt socks lying on the road. You pick the smallest imaginable thing, and you work off the resonance. (Richard Price) 

 

 

"It was love at first ride!" RIP Ron Turcotte

Ron Turcotte, the jockey for Secretariat, has passed away. He was 84.

In addition to his success in racing, most famously as the jockey who piloted The Big Red Machine to his astounding Triple Crown success, Turcotte was a class act on and off the track. In recent years he had been not only active on social media, but gracious and friendly in his interaction with fans, who never tired of asking him what it was like to ride one of the greatest racehorses that ever lived.

Turcotte was the last surviving member of Secretariat's team. Owner Penny Chenery passed away in  2017, trainer Lucien Lauren in 2000, and groom Eddie Sweat in 1998. Secretariat himself died in 1989 at the age of 19.

 

Ride in heavenly pastures, Ron, and thanks for your role in one of this horse-crazy girl's favorite childhood memories.

Updated 8/23/25: A lovely tribute to Turcotte from the the president of Secretariat.com.

 

35 years ago today, the world lost one of its greatest athletes ever

Today is the 35th anniversary of the death of Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I don't think I've ever seen a horse more perfectly put together as Secretariat. One book written about him was titled The Horse God Built, and that's about as accurate a description of Big Red that exists.

 

Just look at him:

 

 

 

 

Baby Red

 

RIP Big Red Machine.

 

Pics snicked from various places on the internets.

 

It's that time of the year again

Twenty-three years ago this morning. 😢

Going to press

Very happy to announce that I received an acceptance email today for the short story I submitted to this year's Sisters in Crime Los Angeles anthology, Angel City Beat.

 

 

My story is called "Unbeatable" and involves an undefeated racehorse, a dead jockey, and a pet psychic. It takes place at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia.

 

It's been a while since I got an acceptance email, and I was thrilled to see it. I'm usually confident when I submit that the story is solid and meets the theme, and therefore I'm usually surprised when my story isn't chosen. In this case, I doubled up on the theme (Angel City Beat...hoofbeats and an unbeaten racehorse) but I wasn't sure if the story would be thrilling, or read like a giant mess. I felt like what I was trying to write wasn't coming across on the page and that's always frustrating. In addition, since we only have one editor this time around (we usually have three, but the chapter scored genre legend Barb Goffman to edit this baby) we were capped at 12 stories as part of Barb's participation (we usually have 15-17 stories in our anthologies), so acceptance was even tougher. And yet...

And yet I got in. I'm so thrilled. I'm thrilled to be published again, to be in yet another anthology from SinC LA, and to work with Barb Goffman. And I hope everyone who reads my crazy story about a genuine pet psychic, a crooked jockey, and a big rugged horse who may or may not be a four-legged mindless himbo loves it as much as I do, and apparently as much as our judges/readers did.

I'm very grateful and can't wait to publicize the heck out of this anthology. SinC LA usually releases their anthologies in spring of odd-numbered years, but in order to make this available for Christmas and also eligible for awards next year, is fast-tracking this publication for December 2024. 

Not creepy at all...

Don't ever think you have privacy on the internet.

I was reading an article on Deadline about the death of actor Tom Wilkinson and just look at the ad that popped up in the middle of it:

Guess what I was looking at online just yesterday? Yep, this:

 

I ended up not buying it, but if you've ever wanted the Breyer version of Secretariat, he's still available.

Totally creepy, and not cool at all.

Updated 1/2/24: Breyer ads still popping up on various websites. Not cool at all.

Halloween is coming!

Well done, horse owner!

 

Truly the end of an era

RIP Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was the longest serving monarch in British history, and the second-longest in the history of the world (only a French king served longer and she was only a couple years behind him).

 

One of the saddest sights (of many) of the COVID era was the sight of her sitting alone at the funeral of her beloved husband Prince Philip. I wished someone could have just gone over and sat down next to her so she didn't have to go through that alone. I hope they are now spending a glorious eternity together.

This double-rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace just before the Queen's death was officially announced.

At the age of 21 the then-Princess Elizabeth made this pledge to her people:

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. But I shall not have the strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

 

She was a woman of her word - just two days before her passing, she cheerfully and graciously received the new Prime Minister.

God knows the woman has earned her eternal rest, but the world is a poorer place without her.

 

 

 

 

More words of wisdom from a very wise and eloquent woman:

 

"Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God."

 

On her husband, Prince Philip: "He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments. But he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years. And I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.

 

"I pray God will never let me know the last time I ride a horse."

 

 

If you like, you can leave a message of condolence at the Royal Family's official website.

 

 

 

That's Her Majesty Queen Badass to you.

Images snicked from the internets. Let me know if any are yours so I can give credit where credit is due.

 

November Words of Wisdom

A day early because tomorrow's post will be a hopefully celebratory post about finishing NaNoWriMo.

 

 

There's no competition. Respectfully, you can never be me. Disrespectfully, I would never want to be you. --Unknown

 

I am happy I don't have a fake image to maintain. What you see is what you get. Some days I'm amazing, other days I'm a wreck. But every day, I am ME.  --Vicky Zugah

 

The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which makes you lonely. --Lorraine Hansberry

I'm a fan of reality. I do not like delusional thinking. I do not like deceptive thinking. --Joe Rogan

 

Put the things you can control in order. Repair what is in disorder, and make what is already good better. --Jordan Peterson

 

Look at the bright side of life and the bright side will look at you. The reflections we send out always return. --Ron Baratono 

It's time to just be happy. Being angry, sad and overthinking isn't worth it anymore. Just let things flow. Be positive. --Unknown

 

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires,  and a touch that never hurts. --Charles Dickens

Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and thre's so much to smile about. --Marilyn Monroe

 

No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness. --Aristotle 

There is a huge difference between wanting to change and being willing to change. Almost everyone wants to change for the better but few are willing to take the steps necessary to create that change. --Unknown

 

Befriend the man who is brutally honest, for honesty is the highest form of respect. --Daniel Saint

Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become. --Heraclitus

Learn from your past, then pack your shit and get the fuck out of there. --Unknown

God made the horse from the breath of the wind, the beauty of the earth, and the soul of an angel. --Unknown

The cat crossed the street daintily, pointing his feet like a ballet dancer, lifting them high as if his feet were too good for the pavement. --Vera Caspary

A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer. --Robert Frost

 

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. --Charles M. Schulz

 

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!!!

October Words of Wisdom

A perfect meal is a perfect confluence of other forces. It's the right smells in the air, it's who your eating with, it's the colors, it's everything. It's the particular needs and feelings that you might have brought to that particular time and place. --Anthony Bourdain

Every day I wake up and make the decision I'm going to be happy. Yes, every day. Some days are harder than others. But that's okay. --Unknown

 

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition. --William Arthur Ward

 

Find a place to be where what's wrong is not the topic of conversation. Step away from the haze of negativity and soak up what is good and right and beautiful. --Brooke Hampton 

 

Once your intention is set for positive change, it is difficult to make choices that go against your highest good. --Collette O'Mahony 

 

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. --Anne Lamott

 

I never had to unscrew another person's light bulb in order for me to shine. --Unknown 

Be brave. Do something. --James O'Keefe

No legacy is so rich as honesty. --William Shakespeare

 

Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie. --Miyamoto Musashi

If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people. --Virginia Woolf

An apology without changed behavior is just manipulation. --Unknown 

I am no bird, and no net ensnares me. I am a free human being with an independent will. --Charlotte Bronte

 

I loved being in my own head so much, it was getting harder and harder being with other people. --Marian Keyes

 

Editing is not a singular process but the Swiss Army knife of creative tools. --Kris Spisak 

Look. I don't belong. It's fine. I was born on the outside looking in. --Sarah Maria

 

There is nothing I enjoy more than minding my own business, finding new ways to grow, and thriving in silence. You say antisocial, I say at peace. --Unknown 

I'm hitting a new level of not giving a fuck. It's honestly inspiring. --Unknown

 

Once you master self-control and detachment, nobody can faze you. --Unknown

Anything you lose by being honest, you never really had to begin with. --Jessica Lanyadoo

Give it time. The weak in character always get tired of pretending. Their true Colors will show. --Steve Maraboli

 

Nothing feels better to a coward than to watch a brave guy fall. --Dave Chappelle

 

A wise man once said, "Bees don't waste their time explaining to flies that honey is better than shit." --Unknown

When a horse greets you with a nicker and regards you with a large and liquid eye, the question of where you want to be has been answered. --Unknown

The most dangerous person is the one who listens, thinks and observes. --Bruce Lee

 

Stand alone if you must. But you must stand. --Unknown

 

Clowns can get away with murder. --John Wayne Gacy

 

From the Department of Stranger Than Fiction: Jockey Frank Hayes

Despite a lifetime as a horse-crazy girl, a large part of which was as a horse racing fan, I had never, ever heard of this guy until this post about him popped up on my social media the other day:

Frank Hayes is the only jockey to win a race while dead. No joke. He suffered a fatal heart attack during a steeplechase at Belmont Park in 1923, just after Sweet Kiss, his 20-1 longshot mount, took the lead at the head of the stretch, but his body stayed in the saddle until after the horse crossed the finish line. It was Hayes's first - and needless to say, last - win as a jockey. In fact, he's the only dead person to ever win a sporting event.

No one realized Hayes was dead until after the race. Belmont officials graciously waived the usual post-race weigh-in and because the jockey was still in the saddle when he crossed the finish line, ruled the win legit. 

You can learn more about Hayes here (and do check out the links at the bottom of that page). Stranger than fiction indeed. And you'd better believe I'm adding this to my riding writing notes. 

Happy Father's Day

Today marks yet another fatherless Father's Day. I keep wondering how long I'll mark these milestones, and I just keep doing it.

For this year, I decided on something a little different. Yesterday, the Secretariat Facebook account put up a picture of Bold Ruler, the Big Red Machine's sire (equestrian-speak for daddy). And damn, just like his over-achieving boy, he was a looker.

Wowza!!!

As for the rest of you dads, have a wonderful day!