Historic Meadowbrook Stables

Meadowbrook Stables never intended to be a "hold out" but now sandwiched between cookie-cutter housing developments and what little green space is left inside Washington, D.C.'s Beltway, it's the only riding stable/academy left in the concrete jungle that circles our nation's Capitol.

Some records claim it was built in 1930, others 1934, but at the time it was one of the finest.  Now sitting on about 10 acres in Rock Creek Park not far from Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the property still possesses glimpses of its illustrious past.  The farm is Federal but is run by the Maryland National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC); they lease the land to someone to run the stable which houses a riding academy as well as private boarding.  Many of the riders compete in local and rated horse shows in the region.  There are about 50 horses on the property today.  And there are "rules" that aren't quite the norm in most horse properties.

Tractors can't come out before 7 am.  Loudspeakers are not allowed to be used until 9 am (not an issue except the three times a year the facility hosts horse shows).  An ornery neighbor likes to complain about the dust from the ring even though she can't see the facility from her house. Manure has to be picked up and removed, a huge expense.  And being in the "city" lends itself to watching out for people who wander in "just to look" but most likely know nothing about being around horses.  The property had a facelift about 7-8 years ago and looks great, but in keeping with its historical roots.  Renovations must be "approved" following a strict code.  But the modern touches do exist, like the outdoor lighting that is used in winter months.

The property was the site of the first official raising of the D.C. flag seven years after its completion.  It was "originally established by the Meadowbrook Saddle Club to encourage Olympic-type equestrian events and to make open country riding possible for city residents."  (From a plaque located outside the barn).  

Pegasus Stables once existed a few blocks away but was torn down to make way for housing.  Pegasus was the public barn for recreational riders while Meadowbrook was the private barn where the ambassadors kept their horses those who were more serious show riders.  The Chevy Chase Country Club (just a few blocks away) used the stables to board their members' horses.  And the Meadowbrook Hunt once existed, with many members riding from this site, if you can imagine a fox hunting club existing today inside the Beltway.

I took a photo of an old magazine article dated from the 30's and there were no big trees, no houses anywhere in site, and these jumps are huge (riders and horses were bolder back then).

This is the old farrier shed that still exists on the property today, much like it did way back then.  The same tree is also there, only much smaller.  And the lovely old stone fireplace is still there as well!  

The inside of the barn is charming and part of the space was once an apartment, house, area used by the hunt club.  There is an old newspaper article showing a group of riders in tweed coats and breeches hanging around this old stone fireplace with drinks.  Probably talking about a good day's hunting. Today this is part of the tack room and office.

Another old photo from the past:

Not sure when this one was taken:

The barn is old but still charming and the horses look happy. It is cool in summer and warm in winter according to those who know...

Today the barn has all the amenities you would want, like good outdoor (and indoor) wash stalls:

The old stone foundation still encircles the entire structure:

 Upstairs in the "loft" is a tack shop and more storage. Supposedly, the hunt held their formal hunt balls upstairs too.

 The barn has a round pen (for lunging) and turn out:

 The three rings have good footing:

 And the landscaping is lovely!

Another old photo/article showed Calvary riders jumping their horses (from Chile) at a show (date unknown) at Meadowbrook, as a warm-up for the Washington International Horse Show. What a past this place has!  If only these stalls could talk!

The Infamous Pony Toy Story

I was at a horse show on Sunday and much to my surprise guess who was living at the barn where I visited?  Toy Story.  Some of you may be familiar with this famous small pony.  He was one of the top ponies in the country in his prime but the real story behind him was that he was rescued from slaughter at an auction in Pennsylvania and went on to have a wonderful career.  I think the story goes that he cost less than $800.  What would he have been worth in his prime?  $500K maybe?

He is about 21 now and does the short stirrup division with some of the young kids who ride here.  One little girl told me that Toy will buck you off when it is time to graduate from short stirrup.  He knows his stuff!  What a great story and he is living a nice life in retirement. 

Comeback Kid

Wow! Was 50-year-old Gary Stevens not unbelievable today winning the last two races at Pimlico, including his third Preakness after a 7-year hiatus from riding, bothon  longshots? He gave the youngsters a clinic in Baltimore, taking the relatively unknown Oxbow to the winners circle.

Stevens is clearly an overachiever, being not only a Hall of Fame jockey but also a movie star (see Seabiscuit) and  a television regular (HBO's Luck) and well-regarded television broadcaster. His comeback will eventually make legend status. Who would have bet that a retired 50-year-old jockey who certainly did not need the money or fame could make it back to the very top of the sport in less than a year after a long hiatus?  Look for his face on an upcoming Sports Illustrated  cover, please.

The famous Shoemaker was 54 when he took Ferdinand to win the 1986 Derby and 54 in '86 is now 64 in today's world.  He was the oldest jockey to win a Triple Crown race. Maybe Stevens plans to better his mentor for the history books. The odds are good.  Not counting his wins today, his mounts have collected over $221 million with 4888 winners.


But what makes Stevens' comeback so amazing is his history.  He has undergone 13 knee operations along with many other surgically-repaired parts which forced Stevens to quit in 2005. He had a really comfortable life with his second wife, Angie. He became a well-respected racing analyst for HRTV and NBC.
But what gave Stevens the biggest rush — one he admittedly had missed after he stopped riding — was acting.

Stevens stayed in character when he was hired in the role of veteran jockey Ronnie Jenkins in the HBO series "Luck" in 2011. Though the preview was well-received and a second season was quickly signed, the show was abruptly canceled after reportedly three horses died on the set.

"I had big plans, we all had big plans, I had a five-season contract with them and my role was growing," Stevens said. "It was a shock, a disappointment."  Stevens said that going on the set playing opposite actors such as Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte "was almost like going into the jock's room, I was the new kid on the block." Stevens compared the pressure of acting to that he has experienced in racing.
"It kind of gave me my adrenalin fix," Stevens said. "I do like that pressure. I say I don't put pressure on myself, I guess in a sense I do. The Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont, the Breeders Cup races, those are when you want to shine. When you're in front of a camera, that's when you want to shine as well. You don't want to be the reason for the failure of a scene and hear, 'Take one, take two, take three.'"

Let's just assume that Stevens is back, he knows his calling is not acting but riding.  Thank goodness. 

Merry Marimekko

I remember Marimekko from the 1960's when "mod" was in as was "groovy" and women wore paper dresses if they were really cool.

It seems it's back or maybe it never left.  The Finnish company is based in Helsinki and is noted for its brightly colored printed fabrics and simple styles. I tried on a great striped Marimekko dress recently that fits this bill.

The company was introduced to the US by architect Benjamin C. Thompson and Jackie Kennedy made the brand famous by wearing eight Marimekko dresses during the 1960 Presidential campaign.

Crate and Barrell is also a big fan and has an agreement with the company utilizing its designs on textiles sold in their stores.  But the company floundered as time went on and almost went into bankruptcy in the early 1990's.  Sex in the City helped revive the brand much like Jackie when Carrie Bradshaw wore a Marimekko bikini in season 2 and later on, a dress.  

Today the company has stores in New York City, Cambridge, MA, Oxford, MS, Miami and in Vancouver.  There are 84 stores worldwide.  Keep your eye out for this timeless brand that appears to just "keep going" - gotta love it!

Tunic Time

Summer has arrived here in the south but that does not stop my love for long-sleeved tunics.  Sheridan French is my new best friend.

White jeans, linen pants, leggings, skinny jeans, Jack Rogers sandals, Tory Burch flats, or even barefoot.  Chic is the outcome.  No jewelry needed. Outcome?  Outrageously chic.

Palatial Virginia Plantation With a Pedigree

 

Looking for new digs?  Money no object?  Do you have a Downton Abbey-type staff available to run it for you? Or better yet, are you an American television executive looking for the perfect place to set a new reality show, Brandon Plantation? Look no further than eastern Virginia on the James River where you can bid on the palatial Brandon Plantation in late June.

 

This incredible plantation (the house was designed by Thomas Jefferson) boasts 4,487 acres and has 3.5 miles of James River frontage. There are 11 other homes on the property so bring your family and friends, along with 14 farm structures.

This rare plantation has roots traced back to Jamestown and the settling of America, is being offered for sale by the estate of the late U.S. congressman Robert W. Daniel, Jr., whose family has owned the property for close to a century. Brandon is one of the longest-running agricultural enterprises in the United States. This is only the third time the property has changed hands in over 400 years.

With its Thomas Jefferson-designed main house (still wearing Revolutionary War cannonball scars) and more than 10 other buildings along the southern banks of the James River, Brandon has been designated a National Historic Landmark. It was first constructed in 1765 by Nathaniel Harrison, whose family owned the property until its sale to Robert W. Daniel, an RMS Titanic survivor, in 1926. Daniel’s son, a former U.S. Representative from Virginia, oversaw the operations of the working plantation until his death in early 2012.

The owners of Brandon had a history of public service. The Harrisons (the original owners) were a prominent political family in US History producing numerous governors of Virginia and two U.S. presidents. The Harrisons are also related to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ulysses S Grand and Winston Churchill. Mr. Daniel, Sr. was a Virginia state senator, financier and survivor of the Titanic. His predecessors included an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, first attorney general of U.S. and Secretary of State. Robert W. Daniel, Jr. served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Although the construction date of the plantation house is uncertain, its architecture is considered one of the most sophisticated of Virginia's 18th century structures. Style is Paladian with family tradition attributing design to Thomas Jefferson. It is the consensus that the two-story dependencies were built initially and the center two-story section and hyphens were built later. The residence were damaged during both the Revolutionary and the Civil War and remained in the Harrison family until 1920's when Mr. Daniel, Sr. acquired. Under his ownership, the mansion was modernized, restored and the west wing enlarged to accommodate modern bathrooms. Also, during the Daniel era, many of the farm buildings and tenant houses were built; most appear to fall between the 1920's and 1950's.









The auction is scheduled for June 26.   This place makes Tara seem trivial.

Bids are sealed and will be unsealed on the date of the auction.  Bidders must submit a cashier's check in the amount of $250,000 to bid. 

Tiptoe Through the Trelliage

If I could add just one room to my house it would have trelliage.  I am in love with this stuff both inside and out.  Maybe its my southern roots, my love of preppy style, even though its provenance is France.   (all photos below are from Pinterest).  Trelliage or latticework was invented in the 12th century by French farmers as a way to support heavy vines.  Who knew?  Its influence has been growing ever since.

Love Meg Braff's wallpaper too!

 Bunny Williams loves it too!

If you love trelliage like I do there is a great article in the Wall Street Journal about it.  You find find that here.

Have a great Monday!