This past weekend was beautiful as for the weather here in the Northeast!  The leaves are just beginning to show color in our parts on Saturday and Sunday and let me tell you, I came home today and WOW!  The ride home from work seems filled with so much more color since even this morning.

Back to this weekend (I tend to go on tirades).  Let me give a little history. 

Some time ago the folks at my mom’s farm (Just-A-Mere Farm) were in between trainers.  A dear friend of ours suggested we try and work with Tony Mason and his long time student Brenda.  (Tony taught classical dressage.) 

I recall the first time I lessoned with Tony I was really worried!  I could not for the life of me figure out what he was saying thru his heavy accent!  Well, eventually I overcame that.  Thank goodness because it was yet another wonderful chapter in my life.  Tony’s way of teaching was consistently gentle (at least with me).  Yelling and criticism was never necessary for him to get his point across.  He was fun with his lessons!  I recall when lessons were done I was a bit disappointed!  I actually enjoyed myself! 

There was also a time when Tony went out of his way to contact me because of a concern he had for me personally.  I will never forget that.  What I found out this weekend is that Tony was just that way with everyone he came in contact with. 

Sadly, Tony passed away this June (as did an extremely special member of my life which is another post) and this weekend the wonderful people at Holly Bush Farm in Upstate NY where Tony lived held a wonderful memorial service for Tony.  It was, for me and all others in attendance an emotional afternoon but one I am so grateful I attended. 

Tony will certainly be missed but I am grateful for the time, the memories and the lessons (on and off the horse) that I personally have.  They are very special to me!