Iowa Horse Fair 2010

Laurie Renda modeling one of Judy McClure's marvelous Classic

Hats in the Serendipity booth at the Varied Industry Building.

Laurie and I take a peek at an original copy of Driving For Pleasure by Francis Underhill.

Bob and Don Pecos cut a dash while demonstrating Body Awareness For the Whip in the Pavilion at the Iowa Horse Fair.

Thanks to Kathy Nervig for acting as photographer and historian for the 2010 Iowa Horse Fair.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Tulips, Driving Pairs, Iowa Horse Fair

When I got home from spending the weekend in Des Moines for the Iowa Horse Fair, I found my flower beds awash with tulips. What a welcome home. I am gazing at a vase of them on the sideboard; I can't help but feel happy.

Happiness is also driving a pair of beloved horses on a gorgeous spring day with a wonderful new friend. That was yesterday with Don Pecos, Ace and Theresa Burns. The boys were still a little too forward at the trot, but they came down and gave me a stupendous walk. Theresa and I were delighted with them. So delighted, we spent the better part of an hour just walking around the outdoor arena enjoying the pair, the weather and the company.

We also had a good chin wag about the horse fair. Everything went well: the booth looked lovely, Don Pecos and Bob were movie stars and the Body Awareness Demonstrations were well received. I got to reunite with a friend and former Jennifer Steensen Field of Dreams volunteer which was a treat. The Serendipity family was out in force, we saw old friends and made some new ones. A big thank you to everyone who helped out, I couldn't have done it [or anything for that matter] without you.

Today is another sublime day. I hope you get out to enjoy the tulips.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Countdown to the Iowa Horse Fair

Tired, tired muscles- poor lethargic, winter weakened things have been getting a workout this week. The body just can't keep up with the mind, which is so very excited about everything.

Iowa Horse Fair preparations are speeding up, since the date is rapidly approaching. I have made several summer weight, reversible lap aprons that I'm very proud of to put in the booth. I have acquired 6 horse related antique prints, the rare and out of print book list is coming along and when I get all the details sorted out, I will list them. Martha Stover is feverishly working on sample rain covers for the gig seat to promote her talents. Judy McClure of The Hat Shop is choosing a selection of superb men's hats, including a grey top hat, several Panamas, Fedoras and natty woolen News Boy Caps to place on consignment.

And you're hearing it here first: Harold is placing some antique furniture on consignment! I am most excited about this, not only will it make the booth look marvelous, he is going to actually sell something. What was that noise? Dear readers' jaws dropping on the desk? Probably. One of the best pieces he said I could take [which I loaded into the horse trailer and packed other things in back of as fast as my aforementioned tired muscles could before he changed his mind] is an antique toboggan. Harold's take on it is that someone took the runners off a full sized sleigh, fashioned a long toboggan seat and attached pony thills, so the pony could pull the children around. Unfortunately the thills [shafts] are missing, but you can see where they attached. It is soooooo sweet.

Harold has also lent me two antique glass display cabinets that I will put all of Judy's fabulous hats in, a few of the rarer books and a pair of carriage lamps that I took while Harold wasn't looking. I didn't steal them. Exactly. But, I am in possession of them and currently trying to persuade him to part with them. He did say, "Maybe."

Mark your calendars! April 10 & 11th, Varied Industry Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds. Come see the booty! Bring your checkbooks: carriage booths stocked like this don't happen very often!

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Iowa Horse Fair Preparations

Work on the Iowa Horse Fair carriage driving exhibition and booth progresses, with some exciting developments.

Bob Nervig and I are working on the body awareness presentation and are both very excited about it. Bob will be driving Don Pecos demonstrating how the whip's performance effects the horse's performance. Don Pecos is really starting to understand the Big Picture and his attitude towards this is darling. Bless him.

The collection of rare and out of print books is coming along nicely. The fascinating thing about these books is the difference in the quality of the printing. You can order these books online, but it really is a crap shoot as to what you end up with when the post arrives. At the booth, you will be able to compare and contrast and choose between the same book, at different prices, which reflect the quality and rarity.

I am developing a relationship with a local 'haberdashiere' to provide mens and ladies hats, which is also very exciting. In the next week, I'll get together with her to organize what I feel will be a very nice collection of show hats.

My favorite carriage driving filmmaker, Tim Malloy is working with me to provide some of his outstanding DVDs for sale in the booth. Nothing can truly define carriage driving like Tim's films can. We are discussing the logistics of it and anyone who wants to weigh in on their desire to own any of Tim's glorious films would be most welcome. You can view shorts of Tim's films at: http://vimeo.com/5934478

The snow is melting. Spring and the Horse Fair will be here before we know it!

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.