Harold, Jenn and baby William Chopping

Erin and Howard Walsh III were married secretly (or so they say) and then honeymooned in Italy

MUTTOFTHEMONTH Flossie is looking for a forever home. If you can find room in your heart, and on your couch or her, please contact Ron or Danny at SaveRStrays@aol.com

Catching up:

Some of the property owners in Grand Prix Village in Wellington, Florida, tell us they had a meeting recently and one of the biggest topics was whether to grant the Littlewood complex access through "The Village." The answer to the additional traffic? Um, 'NO!!!" was the vote. Ouch!

The Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue Group has really garnered some great support. Some very prominent equestrians have stepped up the plate and adopted a large group of horses. We hear the Bruce Duchossois and Scott Culp, Michele Carolli and Jane Forbes Clark collectively have taken home a total of over 20 horses. Well done guys! Let's hope there are plenty more of you out there who will step forward and help this worthwhile cause.

Will Mario Deslauriers change his citizenship? It seems that this is a distinct possibility so stay tuned and we will let you know just as soon as we hear something concrete.

Michelle Carolli went down to Florida from Canada for one week to move into her home and ended up staying three weeks, working full-time/seven days a week with her friend, Paulette (also from Canada) helping with the horses. And if that wasn't enough, Michelle shipped home with 12 of the horses.
Andrew Welles' hotel room got ripped off recently in Spruce Meadows. The only thing taken was some cash, fortunately.

You go Leo! It is nice to see Leo Conroy back at ringside. It is even nicer to see Leo's wife Samantha riding in the Amateur/Owner division. "Sam" has a wonderful new hunter and has been winning everything. Just in the last two weeks, she has been champion at the Atlanta shows. Sam is racking up points and plans on heading to indoors, so watch out all you amateur riders. Samantha is coming on with a vengeance.

Jack, Lisa, Hardin and Liza Towell finally had a week off and there wasn't a horse in sight! While Liza was able to escape to open water and actually lounge on a boat with her husband, her star student Sarah Ward (who placed second to her trainer in the Atlanta Hunter Classic on her equitation mount Voltaire) celebrated her 18th birthday with a big party with friends...then it was back to the ring, humidity, heat and hunt jackets, at the gorgeous horse show grounds in Atlanta.

Congratulations to Louisa Davidson, whose photo of Laura Kraut has been picked for a Dover Saddlery catalog cover. For a change of pace, Louisa is also official shooter at Cheyenne Frontier Days and also covering the Extreme Rodeo in Big Horn.

New Baby Department: Congratulations are in order! Canadian Grand Prix Rider Harold Chopping and Jennifer Johnston welcomed a baby boy into their family on June 22. William Richard Chopping weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces, and all are fine. Sleepless, but fine.

Todd Minikus and wife, Amanda, are expecting, and so are David and Sharon Distler whose new addition is due sometime in the fall.

On the Move: Jennifer Reid has been accepted to Cazenovia College starting Fall 2008. She will be pursuing her degree in Design.

Susie Morrissey and Betsy McKenzie have started a horse show secretarial service. Theses girls have been behind the desk at so many shows, they really know their stuff. They are now available to handle all your horse show entries, declarations and hotel reservations. Track them down if you need their services.

The Aiken Scene: Dawn Beckering has been assigned "secretary" for the Aiken Hounds, and has been showing her new friend John the "ropes". Gerry O'Bierne has changed his tune when it comes to volunteer work, his favorite expression used to be: "I don't volunteer, and I hire staff for that." Maybe he has decided to work on his "colors"? Joint Masters Linda McLean and Lellie Ward have no complaints re: his enthusiasm.