A four-year old Bloodhound named “Trumpet” is this year’s top dog after winning “Best in Show” at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
This week, more than 3500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds and varieties competed for top honors, including two newly eligible breeds - the Mudi, a Hungarian herding dog, and the Russian Toy. The annual show runs for several days. It kicks off with the Annual Masters Agility Championship, where performance dogs climb, jump, weave, and sprint their way through a series of course obstacles. Then three days are dedicated to breed competitions. Dogs are exhibited in seven different groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. The groups include Herding, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hounds, Terriers, and Toy breeds. For the second year, the show was held on the grounds of the 67-acre Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, New York. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a wonderful way to learn about the many different types of dogs. I enjoy going to this show every year, especially when my own dogs or their relatives, and dogs I know, are competing.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
This is the statue of “Sensation” – a gorgeous Pointer and the Westminster Kennel Club mascot. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show launched in 1877 and is now one of the longest continuously running American sporting events, second only to the Kentucky Derby.
The breed shows happen in large rings, where the dogs are walked around to display their gaits and overall appearance. Here at Lyndhurst, there were a total of eight rings and each breed class is scheduled a time to compete during the day.
This is the Boston Terrier. Known as the “American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is lively, smart, and affectionate with a gentle, even temperament.
This dog is waiting to go into the ring and working its charm for a treat from its handler.
The Shar Pei is a dog breed from southern China. The breed is well known for its deep wrinkles around the head, neck, and shoulders.
The dogs do not compete against each other, but against the standard of the breed – the dog’s ideal description for appearance, movement, and temperament described by the breed’s parent club. These Airedales may all look the same, but to the judge’s discerning eye, each one is very different.
In the ring, the dogs are asked to line up in a stack, so the judge can easily walk by each one and assess its appearance. I am sure you recognize this breed – the French Bulldog.
Show dogs are very used to all the grooming. Some breeds need more grooming than others – it is important to consider this whenever thinking of adding a dog to your family. The Bichon Frise is a member of the Non-Sporting Group of dog breeds in the US. The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, white powder puff of a dog with a merry temperament.
Here is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the red and white colored variety called Blenheim. Its ears are lightly wrapped to keep them well-groomed before entering the ring.
Owners stay with their dogs in the benching area, so visitors can meet the different breeds. The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The double coat consists of a short dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured longer outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is one of the characteristics of the breed.
These Lhasa Apsos look ready to show. This breed is a Non-Sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred as an indoor sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, to alert the monks to any intruders who entered.
Poodles come in three size varieties: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. This Poodle is shown in the continental cut The Continental cut where the face, throat, feet, tail, legs, and hindquarters are shaved.
The Yorkshire Terrier is another breed that needs a lot of grooming for its silky, straight coat. These small dogs are popular companion animals. Ideally its maximum size is seven-pounds.
Teaching your dog to be still is very helpful when brushing out their coat or trimming hairs on their feet. The Schipperke, Belgium’s “little captain,” is the traditional barge dog of the Low Countries. This breed is curious, lively, fun-loving, intense, and can be quite mischievous.
The Scottish Terrier, popularly known as a “Scottie,” is a small, compact, short-legged, sturdily-built dog of good bone and substance. His head is long in proportion to his size distinctive furnishings at the beard, legs, and lower body.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, hardy, well balanced sporting terrier, square in outline. He is distinguished by his soft, silky, gently waving coat of warm wheaten color and his particularly steady disposition. This dog is cooling itself by spreading his entire body over the grass.
Tipping the scales at no more than 12 pounds, the Brussels Griffon is smart, devoted, and comically self-important. This breed come in four colors including red, black-and-reddish-brown, black and tan, and black. It also comes in a smooth coat, or in a rough coat.
Bull Terriers are robust, big-boned terriers. The breed’s hallmark is a long, egg-shaped head with erect and pointed ears, and small, triangular eyes.
Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog comes in two varieties, with and without hair, which can be born in the same litter.
Juniors are also invited to enter if they have been awarded Best Junior Handler at a number of member shows the previous year and who are at least nine years old and under 18. These talented handlers come from across the country to be judged on their dog handling skills.
And look who else is competing. This is Buddakan – my late G.K.’s son. He is a gorgeous specimen of the breed, and currently one of the top Chows in the country.
Here is Buddakan in the ring. He is an excellent performer and loves to compete.
His handler is Jan Kolnik. Here she is stacking Buddakan as the judge looks on from a distance – he really likes Buddakan.
And he won! Buddakan is this year’s Best of Breed – a great honor! He moves on to compete in the Best in Group competition. After the breed winners are chosen, they are photographed with their judge. Here he is with Jan and his owner, Trina Rothrock. Buddakan did a great job – I am so proud of him.
In the end, all these dogs are loved members of their families and alway go home winners. When thinking about sharing your home with a dog, always do your homework first and read as much as possible about the breeds and breed mixes that interest you.
If you're ever in or near Westchester County, New York, please take some time to visit Lyndhurst, a magnificent Gothic Revival country estate located on 67 sweeping acres along the banks of the Hudson River in Tarrytown.
Lyndhurst was owned and shaped by three prominent area families - The Pauldings, The Merritts, and lastly, by railroad tycoon and financier, Jay Gould. Purchased in 1880, Jay occupied the home until his death in 1892. In 1961, his daughter Anna Gould donated it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The estate features 16 elaborately decorated rooms - many lovingly restored and including original furniture left in the home. The surrounding park is an outstanding example of 19th-century landscape design with expansive lawns, specimen tree groves, and curved carriage roads. The property also includes a Bowling Alley, a Laundry Building, a Pool House, and the exterior of what was once considered the largest private greenhouse complex in the country.
The mansion was designed in 1838 by architect Alexander Jackson Davis in a romantic Gothic Revival style. The original structure was doubled in size between 1864-1867 to what is seen today.
Lyndhurst is situated beside the Hudson River about a half mile south of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge. On a clear day, one can see New York City.
The property boasts some beautiful mature trees – some planted in stands and some singly.
This is the apple orchard – planted so the family could enjoy home grown fruits in the dead of winter.
The main house has a soaring two-floor Art Gallery, which was once also used as a library and billiards room. Today, the room is filled with 19th century academic paintings along with Tiffany glass windows and other period furnishings designed by Davis.
The walls of the gallery are filled with gilt-framed paintings.
This bed chamber is called the East Bedroom and was the master bedroom of the home. It includes the Gothic Revival oak bed.
In this photo, one can see how the rooms were preserved – looking much as they did in the 1800s.
The Dining Room at Lyndhurst still contains the original Gothic Revival dining table and chairs designed by Alexander Jackson Davis for the Merrit Family in 1865,
This green parlor and sitting room includes something very special. Take a look at the back left corner…
…this antique terrarium is a recent purchase for Lyndhurst. It was bought from my own Great American Tag Sale and added to the room’s decor.
Not far from the Dining Room was the Butler’s Pantry, where the fine china, crystal, and silver were all stored.
This beautiful spiral wood back staircase takes visitors up to the fifth floor tower where one can see panoramic views of the Hudson River and New York City as well as all the way down to the basement kitchen.
This is the cellar, where the family was able to store root vegetables. It is large and cool because of its location underground.
Just outside is where pickling and preserving was done.
And in this ice box – servants of Lyndhurst stored the milk and eggs.
Here is the main kitchen – still decorated with many of the 19th century cooking elements, tools and supplies. This room had great light and ample space – it was a dream to work in a kitchen like this one in its time.
Across from the kitchen, one could also see this building – designated as the Laundry Building.
Inside – large tables for folding, multiple large, deep sinks for washing, and more light and windows.
There were also two large mangles, or wringers – mechanical laundry aids consisting of two rollers in a sturdy frame, connected by cogs and powered by a hand crank or by electricity. I love mangles and have them in every home for ironing sheets and other linens.
The servants’ rooms were also rather spacious. This one was likely occupied by the head of staff – it includes a bed, a small sitting area and a private bathroom.
This outdoor area was once used as the vegetable garden.
And not far from the main house is the Bowling Alley, one of the earliest bowling lanes in the United States. Anna Gould used the bowling alley for visiting soldiers during World War II. Although the structure fell into disrepair in the 1950s, it was restored and opened for public tours. The building was also used as a school where local women could learn sewing and other skills.
This parlor is just off the bowling lanes and was used for enjoying refreshments and socialization. This room leads to a 7000-square foot veranda with views of the river.
And just down the carriage road from the mansion is the Lyndhurst Perennial Rose Garden, now in bloom with more than 500 red and pink rose bushes. The garden was planted in 1911 in concentric circles around a central gazebo. The entire Lyndhurst estate is a wonderful and picturesque escape from the busy city – still as beautiful now as it was in the 1800s. Please visit the next time you are in the area. You can learn more about Lyndhurst on their web site at lyndhurst.org.
We now have lots of newly baled hay here at my Bedford, New York farm. This first cut of the season is higher in fiber content and lower in protein and fat - all my horses will love it.
Hay is a harvested plant that’s dried and cured after being cut in the field. In most cases, hay is cut during the late bud or early bloom stage to maximize its nutritional value. Over the last week, my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring, and our entire team worked hard to cut, toss, rake, and then bale the hay in my fields. Ideally, after the hay is cut, it's good to let it dry for a couple of days before baling in order to prevent rot. Chhiring's son, Mingmar, who also works at the farm, took drone images to capture the process.
Enjoy these photos.
This is one of two hay trailers or wagons that I have here at the farm. It is used to catch the bales once they are formed and tied. It’s covered to protect the bales from any unexpected rain and to offer shade to those who are stacking the bales as they are thrown. Fortunately it was a beautiful late spring day with temperatures in the 70s.
And here is the baler. A baler is a piece of farm machinery used to compress a cut and raked crop into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport, and store.
Large rolls of twine are positioned and tied to each other, so they can feed into the baler and secure the hay just before it shoots out into the trailer.
Here is the motor that helps to move and propel the bales into the wagon.
Chhiring hitches the baler to my Kubota tractor. I am so glad I have all the necessary equipment here at the farm. Having the “right tool for the right job” is very important.
Here is a close look at a row of hay ready to bale. I have three separate areas for growing hay. They are all planted with a mixture of timothy, orchard grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and clovers – all great for producing good quality hay.
Chhiring does this process midday when there is the least amount of moisture. The tractor rides to one side of the windrow while the baler passes directly over it to collect the hay.
The hay is lifted by tines in the baler’s reel and then propelled into the wagon by a mechanical arm called a thrower or a kicker.
Here is a bale moving through the machine. The bales are manageable for one person to handle, about 45 to 60 pounds each.
Here’s a closer look as a baled “square” moves up to the arm. A measuring device—normally a spiked wheel that is turned by the emerging bales—measures the amount of material that is being compressed. If the hay is properly dried, the baler will work continuously down each row. Hay that is too damp tends to clog up the baler.
Chhiring goes evenly and slowly over every row of cut, tedded hay.
Mingmar maneuvers the drone, so he can capture every part of the process. Here it is easy to see what the field looks like after the hay is collected.
The hay wagon has high walls on the left, right, and back sides, and a short wall on the front side to contain the bales which are stacked neatly from front to back.
This bale in the tractor bucket accidentally fell out of the wagon and was picked up separately. Each bale is about 15 by 18 by 40 inches large. The number of flakes in the bale is determined by a setting in the baler. Many balers are set for 10 to 12 flakes per bale.
The trailer fills up pretty quickly. Each one can hold about 150-bales. Chhiring drives up and down the windrows of all the hayfields which takes a couple of hours.
Once the hay wagon is full, it is driven down the carriage road through the long boxwood allée to my stable hayloft. Here, one can see the wagon on the left. One of my allées of lindens runs perpendicular to the boxwood.
To get the bales up into the hayloft, a long motorized bale conveyor, or hay elevator, is set up. A hay elevator is an open skeletal frame, with a chain that has dull three-inch spikes every few feet to grab bales and drag them along. It works as a pulley system on a track that moves the bales up to the loft.
The bales are loaded one by one onto the elevator and then at the top each bale is released from the elevator for manual stacking. This process continues one bale at a time from the wagon to the hayloft… until the entire wagon is empty.
In general, a standard 40 lb. “square” bale of hay lasts one horse about three days, but this also depends on the individual horse, the type of hay, and the amount of access to pasture grass.
Here is an aerial view of the middle field. The fields will grow another crop and we’ll harvest the second cut come September. I am so excited to see all these bales of hay made right here at my farm. Do you bale hay where you live? Share your comments below – I would love to read them.
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