LINKS TO EQUINE, MUSIC, AND FUN SITES:
Just scroll down to the category that suits you and what you're looking for!
EQUINE SITES THE THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION: A non-profit foundation DEDICATED to saving the lives of Thoroughbred racehorses (just like my own) through retirement at their own farms and through adoption.
LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS: A non-profit animal rights organization that Rikki Rockett is affiliated with. These folks do some awesome work. Please support them!
THE EXCELLER HORSE RESCUE FUND: The USDA estimates that over 100,000 horses are slaughtered in the U.S. and Canada each year, and over 1/3 of them are Thoroughbreds that were bred for racing or riding. This is TOTALLY unacceptable. This is an internet group that raises money to rescue those Thoroughbreds who would otherwise be sent to slaughter in memory of Exceller. Exceller was a racing legend on two continents, defeating two Triple Crown winners in the Jockey Club Gold Cup only to meet an untimely, undignified, cruel, heartless, and undeserved death at a slaughterhouse in Sweden. He was inducted into the Horseracing Hall of Fame in Saratoga, NY in 1999, a pitiful and pathetic payback by the human race who so heedlessly threw him aside. PLEASE PLEASE contribute to this group if you can, or purchase their merchandise. They also have some lovely Thoroughbreds up for adoption that would thrive in a loving home environment such as your own. Until we outlaw the barbaric practice of slaughtering horses for animal and human consumption, this is the last best hope of these horses to live out their natural lives in the caring, loving, nuturing, healthy environment they deserve.
STATE LINE TACK: Excellent quality tack for your horse, riding apparel for you (both show and casual barn attire such as sweatshirts, schooling tights and schooling sweats), gifts, books and much more all at extremely reasonable prices.
DOVER SADDLERY: Very high quality tack and a good selection of Horsewear Ireland horse clothing as well as Crosby, Passier, and Courbette tack, first aid items, grooming needs, gifts, books, etc.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS SITES THE BREAST CANCER SITE: My sister is a breast cancer survivor. I CANNOT emphasize enough how important this site is either for yourself or for someone you love. Please, PLEASE take the time to read what they have to say. It could save your life one day.
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION: My trainer/riding instructor has CF. I had no idea she had it until I received a nice note in the mail from her asking if I'd donate to help this foundation. Needless to say I was broken-hearted at first, but after reading the great information on this site, I learned that there is a great deal of hope. Please do what you can to support this organization.
GREAT MUSIC SITES
RIKKI ROCKETT: Absolutely one of the nicest men I've ever met in my life. Rikki's the drummer for POISON! His site has fun stuff, awesome art by Rikki and links to Helen Garber's art, information on animal rights including Last Chance for Animals, and links to his new solo album, GLITTER FOR YOUR SOUL. I HIGHLY recommend the solo album, and highly recommend checking out Rik's site. Don't forget while you're over there to check out his link to the Norton Riders Collective Forum over on delphiforums.com as well as his very own flash animation devoted to waking up the world to the cruelty we as humans can put animals through for our own benefit: Animal Cruelty.com
http://www.glitter4yoursoul.com
http://www.forums.delphiforums.com/nortonriders
POISON: These guys ROCK... I've been a fan since they first broke big in the 80s. I've met all but Bret Michaels, and I must say they're also some of the nicest guys you'd ever hope to meet. Think they haven't put out any new music? Think AGAIN, babycakes. Life went on after the fall of the 80s "hairbands" (though I really don't classify Poison as a "hairband... more a good time rock and roll band) and they released Power to the People, Hollyweird, and my personal favorite, CRACK A SMILE. Please support these guys. I absolutely adore them.
MICKY DOLENZ: An all around nice guy and very well known for his activism in the area of children's causes. Micky Dolenz has a WONDERFUL sense of humor, a heart of gold with a generous spirit, and an absolutely INFECTIOUS laugh! He definitely has a "presence" onstage.... not so much of an awe-inspiring thing, but a "Gosh I'm glad he's here/it's great to see him" presence and the show is fun, and you absolutely CANNOT keep your feet still! He obviously LOVES to perform! Just a great person with a big heart! Micky Dolenz is most well known for being a member of THE MONKEES, and currently tours solo and as a member of the TEEN IDOLS tour with Bobby Sherman and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits along with touring on the MONKEES 2001 tour! Micky has done several solo projects that sound wonderful, and these projects are available on his web site. His web site also contains the latest information on Micky's personal appearances and concerts, so be sure to check those out! As I found out at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA he puts his heart into his shows and they're absolutely wonderful! The web site is fun, and the flash version is absolutely fabulous! No boring stuff to be found here... fun fun fun and LOTS of good music! RUN don't walk to see this man perform! You WON'T be disappointed!
DAVY JONES: This man is an absolute bundle of energy! Davy Jones is very active in children's causes and is a highly respected member of the Thoroughbred horse racing community. From his farm in Pennsylvania, Davy races and trains his Thoroughbreds and he obviously loves the work. Not inclined to use a farm manager unless he's on the road judging by his comments in interviews, he works hard on his farm, keeping up the place and taking care of his horses in what is not only a hobby, but a passion and judging by his enthusiastic comments about farm/country life, a labor of love on his part. Davy currently performs as a solo artist as well as on the Monkees 2001 tour! Wherever he goes, his fans remark that he is polite, friendly, and has an absolutely INFECTIOUS enthusiasm during his performances. Davy has just released a new CD called JUST ME. His web site, Davy's Dream Web, is very nice, with fan club links, photos of Davy, his horses (including the dearly recently departed Digpast), his cats, merchandise, and many MANY other great things!
THE MONKEES: An all around fun group that began as a television show group that morphed into its own existence and developed a loyal following over the years. The first site listed is their official site for information regarding their 2001 tour. The second site is managed by Brad Waddell, and has lots of great live as well as studio MP3 tracks from all 4 of the Monkees both as a group and solo, interviews, pictures, and all sorts of other great things!
PETER TORK: Very well known for his activism in the area of addiction, Peter Tork is by far one of the most underrated musicians of our day. He plays a multitude of instruments, including the guitar, banjo, bass, and piano. He is most well known for being a member of THE MONKEES, but his solo work is absolutely mind blowing. You can hear samples of it at his official web site, his mp3 site, and you can also check out his Shoe Suede Blues project at the official Shoe Suede Blues web page. Turn down the lights, light a candle, and meditate... or in the case of Shoe Suede Blues, hop up on the bar and dance your heart out! Check Peter's web sites for updates on his appearances and RUN don't walk to see him if you can as from all accounts, a great time is had by all at his shows, especially by the man himself who so obviously enjoys playing for an audience!
JAMES LEE STANLEY: A VERY nice man and incredible musician. Check out his web page for updates on when he will be appearing, and if you drop him an email he'll normally answer back! :) Owns Beechwood Recordings... very interesting person to swap stories with.
http://www.jamesleestanley.com
SAFFIRE THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN: An absolute RIOT to listen to, these gals pack every house they play! Great blues finally told from a WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW! If I had a dollar for every "girls night out" during which I've played their CD's in my car with a bunch of my friends, I'd be a rich woman!
http://www.uppityblueswomen.com
THE DIXIE CHICKS: These girls KICK IT live, and their show brings down the house! Excellent musicianship and incredible vocal harmonies!
FUN LINKS
THE BAD HORSE LIST: Things you'd like to make your horse write on the blackboard a la Bart Simpson when they act like a little STINKER. Great fun, only don't read it at the office if you're a horse person.. your non-horsey people coworkers will start to question your sanity as you roll on the floor laughing!
http://www.jerseyguy.com/badhorse.html
KILLFROG: Some of it is gross, some of it is great political satire, some of it is just downright WRONG but it's still funny. Parental Guidance is suggested on this one, folks. I particularly recommend their parody of that ridiculous singing mounted bass that they sell on T.V.... ;)