Video Link

Go down to the bottom of this page and look for the box labeled "Links". Click on "ShagRa"... very neat video.

Memphis man can't bear to watch as Newseum director
squashes child for headline... His aunt is oblivious. Submitted by Anne

Look what Anne did! How clever and special is this?

WIH 2009

Rats Reunion 2009

Anne, the official videographer

The Rats

Stevenopolous

While Eddie dozed...

What a wonderful time I had. As Eddie and I were discussing, there was a piece of my life that I didn't even realize was missing until I found it again. What truly amazing friends I have... we all just fell back into it as if we had never been apart. Thank you all for making the effort to come together, can't wait 'til we do it again.

Steve and Jeanie on her horse EZGO with wonder dog Annie (always with her)

Steve and Ginger

"Dead" - Ginger's horses doing what they do best!

Ben is the gray gelding and a wonderful critter, the kind you would clone over & over: Sadie is the bay mare and a bitch

TICKETS HAVE ARRIVED!!! Ya-hoooo!

Remember that horrible time when Easy went down and died? And when Talley got hit by a car on Georgetown Pike? Remember the "big log" jump going into the ring beside our house? That massive log cemented in place... and we would hop over it bareback, not a hard hat to be found. If a horse ever caught a front foot on that thing we would have been smoke.

POST FROM STEVE:

I do intend to post a few pictures as I have enjoyed seeing and reading what others have contributed and where life has taken everyone. In fact I think it should be an additional cost of admission to the evenings activities that everyone has to post a current picture as you and Eddie have done. I sincerely loved reliving some of those moments. I also remember riding lessons as resembling work, how could trotting all those hours do us any good (well, I do know the answer today). All those English riding lessons from Jeanie and Gail have served me well over the years. I still maintain an english schooled rider can adapt to a western style far easier than the westerner can adapt to the english.

Now, there are a few things I differ with that have been reported, to call that enormous lake that we risked life and limb jumping into and swimming a mere mud hole in the middle of the road is just not accurate. The comments regarding no cell phones and being on our own all those times, that was true, how did we manage that? And, I applaud everyone who can remember names of people and horses that we use to know, as I have a very poor memory. It has been a great trek down memory lane, and I do remember that lane we always galloped down, we must have been nuts!

So, yes I am thrilled with everything you have done regarding the tickets. Regarding dinner and drinks, I think it is a great idea and the Newsuem sounds wonderful (although my travel plans may take me home on Sunday). Dinner would give us some time to catch up on everyone's lives without being totally annoying or obnoxious to whoever the poor people seated around us may be.

C'mon rats!! I need your input on when to get tickets. I never knew ANY of you to be without an opinion before!

OK, Saturday, Oct 24 for the big reunion. MM is going to be there all day. Tickets are $35 for the afternoon and $40 for the evening. What does everyone want to do... ? Please let me know timeframe that is best for you ASAP so that I can buy group tickets. thanks... can't wait to see all y'all!

These are my best friends (in no particular order). My mare Ebb, looking at the camera, husband Teddy and his little QH, Henry. We can ride out from our house, cross one road and be in the National forest. These have got to be the best doggone trail ponies ever. Once we were going through a trail that was so overgrown we had to get off and lead the horses. There was a tree down over the trail. Henry had to crouch down a little bit to get under it... got his saddle caught between the horn and back of the saddle seat. We had to literally take the saddle off to unstick him. He just stood there thinking what idiots we were and how hard we were trying his patience. Great pals.

Who knows Sandy's last name? And was her horse named Casper?

And we heard from STEVE!!

Oh my god! Can't believe it! Those pictures are unbelievable! How are
you? It has been a long time. Not that any of us have aged, but those
pictures are from a few years ago. I take it with a shentel.net address
you live in the valley? How is Eddie - still in the valley? Saw a
picture of the big kid (aka your Dad) awhile back in the paper (Ginger,
my wife is from the valley and she still gets the local paper) he had
been elected to public office or maybe received an award? How's your
mom, your family, Eddie's etc.

Ginger and I now live in the big town of Eads, TN, basically a suburb of
Memphis, TN. We got to Memphis by way of Virginia, Ft. Collins,
Colorado, New York City, Monroe, CT, Atlanta, GA, St Thomas (USVI) and
Memphis. We don't want to die here - but it is where I work. I was a
banker that went to work for a great guy ... Today, I work
for the widowed wife (also a great lady) managing her estate and we also
have an investment company, but spend a lot of time in court over the
estate. It is fun and never dull. Ginger has a PhD in horse nutrition;
we met in graduate school been married 29 years - but no kids. However,
her mom died a couple of years ago and Gingers sister Jeanie moved in
with us, Jeanie has Down Syndrome so I guess I have a kid now. I wish I
was the person she and the dog think I am. Ginger has her own consulting
company and has crossed paths several times over the years with Jeanie
Waldren. Ginger started her company when we moved to New York City. I
still travel to Northern Va. several times a year to see my Dad, mom
died about 18 months ago. At this age you hesitate asking about parents
so I apologize if you have sad news.

Great to hear from you, is the Saturday you are looking at Oct 25th?
Send a few more details.

More later

Steve

Here is a post that Anne sent in...

The blog is a great start. Here's more; that big gray mare
of Susan Robinson's was Honey Bun, and another school horse,
a wider than tall bay mare was Tally(ho). I remember her
very smooth trot was one I could actually sit to.

Weren't riding lessons great then? No helmet, bareback
sitting backwards... and we can't forget the infinitely long
sitting trot with exercises. The lessons I've watched lately
are a cake walk... no pain and no gain. It's all about what
feels good and there ain't much that feels good about
posting bareback for five minutes or trying to touch your
toe at a trot.

But then there were the precious memories of all afternoon
trail rides to distant neighborhoods. Of course no parents
were in attendance when we made potentially life altering
decisions like whether to jump that giant log (no helmet of
course) or ride along the highway. Not a cell phone among
us. And I could swear I heard that sticker patch laugh at me
every time I successfully rode past without being tossed
into it.

I can't help but think of the kids today as they play in
their yards in their posh suburb. They have no idea that
those were once fields and woods perfect for galloping free.
Uh oh, Ladybug is getting her head down...

And don't tell me animals don't go to heaven because I know
Eastie is up there with no splints and a kind, patient
caretaker.

That's right...ten bucks baby. Look at Saladin's tail, he was ready to rock.

OK wait, Not Debbie LipTON, but Debbie LipSEY... and I'm not sure she is the one that had Syd... Help?

And who could forget...

Bob Gibbons, Libby Gorman, Ceil Stien and the Ungers?

Another name

One of the refugees from Thurmont...Ichabod Crane

Peanut

Just need to add Peanut to the list of school horses. Good ol' Peanut

Remember when Will Barcelli took us to O. Roy Chalk's "Walnut Hill" to ride and swim in the pool shaped like the capital building?

Steve's wife

Google Dr. Ginger Rich to read some of the interesting articles Steve's wife has written regarding equine nutrition.

I also remember the Blum Sisters. I remember thinking Sybil Blum was my idea of the perfect woman; smart, beautiful, owned beautiful horses, nice...

What was the name of that little dark gray pony that Terry rode?

Does anyone remember Bubba? ... or the little appaloosa that drowned in the creek at Gail's (Glacier)? ... I thought he was the coolest thing going. Would have been my next horse if he had not had the accident.

The name of the other original mare besides Living Well (Easy)... she was a chestnut?

The name of Sandy's little gray horse?

Sally's last name?

The name of Susan Robinson's big gray mare?

Doc Mouser and Izzy?

Anne's Off-Spring

Anne's oldest son "Jay" and friend

Janeas and Suntime

J and Lonny... I had owned ST for one month











Janeas and Suntime at the International
1968












Janeas and Suntime at Quailwood

Barn Nick Names

Anne - Rose
Janeas - Genevieve
MM - Pam Pam
Eddie - Frrrrreddy
Mr. Munden - Big Kid
Mrs. Munden - Alice

do you remember any others?

Proud Mom

Here is a precious picture.

Equitation Class

I'm guessing this is an equitation class. That little yellow blur must be Kathy and Honey... and Sally and Scout behind her...?

MM and Chutney

Pam Pam and Chut-ley all dolled up!

OK, Gail in the foreground... Anne says that is "Barbara" from the television show that came out to do a program on us? (Anyone remember that?)

Anne and Easter...
Steve and Gabriel

MM's Daughter Emily

Eddie and Saladin, champions in everyone's hearts.

Anne and Easter flying... and bareback! Look ma, no helmet.

Janeas and Suntime, Anne and Easter

(Brooke's mom in foreground)

Ed Munden (Big Kid) and Delores
Eddie (Freddie) and Saladin
Janeas (Genevieve) and Suntime
with Chopper, Prince & Bitsy
Dottie Munden (Alice) holding
Ladybug and Lonnie














Janeas and Skip at the International