Does anyone have news from the Buckeye?  I don’t see results anywhere.  Who was the photographer?

Does anyone know who is judging Mass Morgan show this year?

It is more frequent to hear complaints about service then positive, so I wanted to change that.

I recently received a custom hunt coat and shirt from DeRegnaucort.  Becky took my measurements while I was at OKC last year.  I contacted her during the winter and she helped me pick out fabrics via the internet.  I was nervous as I had not had the samples in hand, nor had I been for any fittings.

My outfit arrived and was stunning.  It fit wonderfully and the fabric is perfect.  As a special touch, it came in a suit bag personalized with my name.

Becky was a pleasure to deal with and I will be a return customer!

As show season is approaching, I know that some of you may be looking for new fun clothes.

I have just found a new consignment website that I wanted to tell everyone about.  They appear to have high-end show clothes in good condition.  Labels such as Marsha, Carl Meyers, Becker Brother, and Show Seasons are included.

Check it out at www.shopcommotion.com

I noticed that Northampton hotel space is very limited.  I was wondering if anyone has stayed in hotels outside of Northampton during the NE show.  Can anyone recommend one?  For hotels outside of Northampton, how far is the drive to the showgrounds?

Thanks!

2008 has been a difficult year for many.  With the economic collapse, disputes within our breed, and life’s inevitable challenges, it has been interesting.  My wish for 2009 is that we all weather the financial recession, have more “ups” than “downs”, and that our beloved breed thrives despite the internal conflicts of its human members.  Hopefully the new year will bring greater unity among our ranks.  After all, we all share a common love.  I wish everyone great success in all their endeavors, and last (but definitely not least) LOTS OF BLUE RIBBONS!!!

I’d like to hear from anyone who has had a problem with charges from dollar rental car.

When I went to OKC this year, we paid our car rental ahead of time.  When we went to pick it up, the gentleman asked us if we wanted insurance.  We both said “NO, NY insurance covers rentals.”  We were asked for a credit card, and stated that it was already paid for.  They insisted on one anyway.

A month after OKC, on the credit card bill, a charge for almost 300.00 appeared from Dollar Rental.  The gentleman at the desk apparently added insurance onto our contract.  Being 11pm, and having emphatically refused insurance, when the gentleman pointed to three spots to intial and sign, we did not notice the garbled abbreviations which indicated insurance and checked.  “we accept/decline xyz insurance”…thinking that meant we decline, though we didn’t specifically circle the word decline.

Dollar rental is continuing to insist that we really did want insurance, despite our refusal.  In my opinion, this appears to be a very clever little scam to overcharge the customer.  I was wondering if any other Morgan people or anyone they know has had troubles with this.  Those who wish to email me privately about this may do so at colwilrin@yahoo.com.

I would like to congratulate Judy Bodman of Boulder Colorado on her purchase of “Ting.”

Judy and Ting found each other in Oklahoma this year and are sure to make a great team.  Ting is now under the training of Dale and Terry Rickford and will be shown on the West Coast next season.  Look for Judy in the Master’s Western Division.

I hope that Judy enjoys Ting as much as I did.  She is a lovely woman who devotes her spare time to caring for sheltered and needy animals.  Ting has truly won the “horsey lottery” by finding such a caring owner.  We couldn’t be more pleased by his placement with Judy.

Thanks to everyone who inquired about Ting and sent well wishes for a great new home for him.

I just got a call from our trainer.  Their truck was broken into last night.  It was in the hotel parking lot.  Please do not leave any valuables unattended.  Even locked vehicles are not safe. 

Update:  Just found out that our trainer was not the only one.  About 10-12 vehicles got hit.  It was in the Saddleback Hotel lot.

Morganrider got me thinking.  She mentioned she had never been to OKC before.  So, for all of us “old-timers” who have gone, lets give Morganrider some impressions.  Specifically, what are your strongest memories or impressions from your first trip to OKC?

Mine are:

1.     The stall decorations.  They are so ornate, with entire living rooms, large trees, wide screen TV’s, and great wall hangings.

2.     Walking on foot through the coliseum ingate.  It just gave me shivers to be there.

3.     The vendors…OK, I love to shop so vendors are always cool…especially when they line both sides of the coliseum hallways.

4.     Watching the best of the breed come down the chute, one by one, for the Park Saddle Championship.  My first year there was when Schaparelli won.  Also in the class were Centerpiece and Liberation First Star.  I think that little mare just got better and better the longer they worked.  What an engine!