Saddlebred Setting

Today we join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to jump on over to her site http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to check out the other participants.

As I mentioned in my preview, this week at the KY State Fair, the World Championship Horse Show is going on simultaneously. My family has been involved with saddlebred horses for many years. I rode as a child, as did both my sisters, but my youngest sister really had the talent for it. She rode for many years, won many classes and then had a tragic riding accident. Now after several years, she is slowly starting to get back into riding, which I think show tremendous courage.

Today's tablescape is in homage to the World Championship Horse Show. I can think of few sports which combine the elegance and grace along with the athleticism and endurance as this competition.

The pictures show my themed tablescape right down to the tickets from Monday night's show. The plates are from the booth, as well as the napkins and smaller silver plates. I was quite happy when I brought the small silver plates home and realized that they match almost exactly the larger round tray my dear Great Aunt had given me. The wine cooler, posing as a winning trophy here and the mint julep cups, were also gifts from her. The butter dish is Lenox and the silverware is my everyday wear. I had the roses and horses left over from a display I did at the booth for Derby in May. I used the burlap for a tablecloth because it reminded me of the stables. At each place setting is one of the names of the first four Five Gaited Stake winners. The place card holders are from pottery barn, a gift from my family.

Hope you enjoy this little taste of the Horse Show and if you live in the Louisville area be sure to check out the competition, which runs through Saturday night.