So Close

For any of you fellow Sportspersons who watched the 100th Anniversary running of the Indy 500,you were probably similarly shocked by the ending. J.D. Hildebrand, a "Rookie" at Indy,was coming around the final turn and about to win the race when he got too high on the track and slammed into the wall. I could not believe what I was watching. Here is a driver about to win his first start at Indy....misjudging his speed and track position and crashing just before winning. He still managed to limp across the finish line on 3 wheels for a 2nd place.
This incident is illustrative of many of the truisms of life and sports: Yogi Berra's statement that "It ain't over 'til it's over" and other adages such as "almost doesn't count" and "don't count yer chickens...." and "haste makes waste>"
Indeed. Hildebrand had the race all but won...he only needed to throttle back and not try and pass wide. Instead, he tried to pass, lost traction, and slammed into the wall. I felt genuinely sorry for Hildebrand on Sunday afternoon.

Horse in the House

This is the kind of stuff that happens around the Sportsman's lodge on a fairly regular basis. Here we have one of my daughter's friends with a miniature pony in our mud-room.
The horse that my daughter takes care of has been very lonely of late. So, the owner purchased a miniature pony to hang out at the barn and provide companionship. The pony, "Tucker" is a sweet little guy...and smaller than my hunting dog. The girls walked Tucker up from the barn and brought him into the house. So, when I arrived home from the office my kids announced: "Horse in the House!"
Last night was a great crab feast at Sambo's in Liepsic, Delaware and tomorrow is Race Day...Indy 500. Tomorrow night and Monday night we will watch the adult hunter-jumper class events from our box at Devon and in between we'll be following the NCAA Lacrosse games on T.V.

Memorial Day Weekend-Vintage Indy 500

For any of the small cadre of deeply bored readers who perused my gibberish last year around this time, you may recall a post on the Indianapolis 500. I attended the race with my College buddies from 1989 thru 1996. We had some serious fun and saw some serious racing and drank some serious amounts of beer.
This Sunday is race day. Known as "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing," this 500 mile race is a true test of both human and mechanical endurance. The drivers must survuve 200 laps around the 'Brickyard" and get to the end with a functioning race car and enough gas to finish. I'll admit that the race loses a lot of excitment and allure in the Television rendering, but for true fans, it will have to suffice.
This year is the 100th running of the race and in homage I present some vintage pictures of racers and racing from the past. From the singing of "Back home again in Indiana" to the checkered flag, this is an All-American event which all Sportsman should experience in person at least once.

The Devon Horse Show

The following is from the website of the Devon Horse Show:
In 1896, the Devon Horse Show started as a one-day show. Now, years later, it has become the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States. It is internationally recognized, USEF-A rated, and one of the most exciting events to happen in our area. While it draws top competitors from around the world, the show continues to reflect the local traditions and lifestyles of the Philadelphia Main Line.

In 2010 Devon has become just the fourth American horse show to be honored with the designation as a USEF Heritage Competition. This award is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for more than a quarter century, promoted and grown the equestrian sport, and made a contribution to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.

Devon was also recognized for the second consecutive year by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame as the Horse Show of the Year. Devon has captured this national title over fifty percent of the time it has been awarded.


The Show starts this Thursday and goes day and night until Saturday,June 4th. I posted about the tone and traditions of this classic Main Line event last year. Once again my family is excited to attend several day and evenings sessions to watch Hunter-Jumper competitions and the premier event:The $100,000.00 Gran Prix of Devon.
In between there will be 5 gaited horses, carriage driving, the Bud Clydesdales and every form of competition equitation one can imagine. There will be cocktails in the box seats and the kids winning junk at the Midway games,Labs and Lacoste and Lily clad vixens,Preppy Main Line denizens and hard core Barn rats from Kentucky and everything in between.

Philly Boxing History

On Saturday evening at a venue in Canada, a 46 year old Philadelphian named Bernard Hopkins stepped into the ring seeking to make history. 12 Rounds later, this favored son of Philly became the oldest boxer ever to win a major title...besting the previous record holder...George Foreman. Hopkins beat Jean Pascal by unanimous decision and out-boxed the younger man throughout the match.
This athlete can be an inspiration to those of us over 40.

Rest Easy Sweet Dixie

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this, the last battle, can't be won.



You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.



We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.


Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end



And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,

It is a kindness you do to me.


Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.



Don't grieve that it must be you,

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close,we two, these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.




Author Unknown


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Heartbreaking Decision

My heart is heavy and I am deeply melancholy this afternoon. After much deliberation my wife and I have to face the imminent need to "put down" one of our dogs. "Dixie" is pictured above about 15 years ago peering out the screen door of our old house waiting for me. She is sitting right next to our daughter. Nearly every evening when I got home, both the kid and the dog would report to the screen door of the kitchen in our first house and wait for me to come inside.
My wife and I adopted Dixie from the Chester County S.P.C.A. when she was 8 weeks old. I put many hours into training her and she is a well behaved and smart dog of great disposition and gentle temperment. Over the years we had many wonderful walks and hikes at Valley Forge park and in the woods at Rolling Hills Park. She walked off-leash at my heel and obeyed each and every command. I could put her in a sitting "stay" and walk 100 yards across a field...and she would not move a muscle until the command: "Dixie,COME!" She would then rocket across the open space between us and sit at my feet waiting for her reward: a piece of pretzel or biscuit. My kids have grown up with her and she is loved by all.
Sadly, she is now 16 1/2 years old. A combination of degenerative arthritis and muscle wasting has made her bascially incontinent and unable to get up or walk. Hence it is now time to acknowledge her dignity and comfort and carry out my last act of love as her master...I am literally tearing up as I type this. Tomorrow we have an appointment and it will be brutally hard but it is the only option.