A dear friend and former Cedar Crest boarder, Mary Warlick, sent her two chestnut thoroughbreds down from snowy New York to over-winter in Free Union while she completes her book on the history of advertising. Old stager, Cato, and the young pretender, Dasher, enjoyed the open spaces at Chapel Springs but Cato was particularly overjoyed when Mary came down to visit for a week at the end of February. I don't think I have ever seen a horse show so much pleasure at the sight of a human being!
Mary was able to ride both her boys as well as accompany me on hacks through the woods and trails on some of the horses we have stabled in Virginia. She stayed in a comfortable hotel in Charlottesville but spent all day, every day, at Chapel Springs and declared it to be a great riding vacation!
I hope many more of our friends will make the trip south to have some fun on horseback and to experience the many pleasures of Charlottesville, not least the excellent "locavore" cuisine.
Gerry
