Since showing in California stops the last weekend in November, the horses and trainers get time off to rest and lead a normal life (if such a thing is possible anymore). As far as I know, this is unique in our country, but it’s one of our Pacific Coast Horse Show Association rules.

I love it and hope they never change it, no matter the pressure. There are some interscholastic and intercollegiate and non-recognized shows for the die-hards or for those bringing out young or very green horses, but they’re usually small.

This regulation gives professionals a chance to vacation, to go horse shopping, or to do clinics either at home or away. It’s amazing how bringing in another trainer or coach, who spots the same mistakes or bad habits that one’s own trainer has constantly been nagging about, changes the students’ reactions. Sometimes it’s as if they’ve never been told before.

Over the years I’ve had so many pros say in awe, “How did you get him/her to do that?” Sometimes it’s just a new voice saying it just a little differently, because we all want the same thing’good habits and basics.

I got to judge, do a clinic and vacation during the holidays, the most important by far being the vacation. After this tumultuous year, going back to Maine and my New England roots to celebrate the Christmas holiday has never been so meaningful, so important, and so enlightening. Seen from an altered perspective following the Sept. 11 tragedy, renewed appreciation for family and friends made this my best Christmas ever. And best of all, I was able to see this holiday season through a child’s eyes.

My two oldest grandchildren are now the perfect ages to really enjoy and be overwhelmed by the season. Being 9 and 7, they industriously made Christmas presents by hand (an old family tradition) for all their relatives. Never has this tradition seemed more precious.

My oldest granddaughter baked cookies for Santa and left them by the fireplace with care. Accompanying these treats was a very long letter asking some pertinent questions and also apologizing for having thought of running away (going to stay at her best friend’s house, permanently).

Decorating the tree was a weeklong ritual, and each day the kids planned what would go where. Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole Christmas music played in the background to maintain the spirit.

People dropped by with gifts, mostly homemade, and visited for a while, contributing to a wonderful New England tradition. The ruralness of the countryside, a half-hour away from town and suburbia, means the stars seem so much brighter and bigger, especially because there’s no smog. I’d often find myself staring up at the stars in the evening with one or all three kids, spinning yarns or reminiscing. (The 15-month-old listens intently but gets very vocal if kept sequestered for too long.) The sky is so wonderful to teach time and history and relating them to the Christmas story.

Singing Christmas carols is also an old family tradition, and both in church and at home it’s always a delight for me to listen to my two sons, my daughter-in-law, who is gifted with the purest and roundest voice in the choir, and the two oldest grandkids singing away.

Getting lost in the joy of Christmas and sharing it with beloved family seemed even more important this year than it ever has.

And it snowed the day after I arrived. A traditional white Christmas seemed almost a necessity to put everything back in order after Sept. 11. We left the eggnog, the cookies, and the letters to Santa by the embers in the fireplace and retreated to bed. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” was read and the children were reminded that no one was allowed into the living room until 7 a.m. Nonetheless, I heard lots of scurrying and many queries of “What time is it?” from the kids throughout the night.

How lucky I am, and we are, that there is nothing terrorism can do to eradicate such wonderful traditions and spirit. I feel so sorry for those who don’t have these things in their lives.

I hated to leave, yet I looked forward to going by bus (infinitely easier than two planes) from Portland, Maine, to Connecticut to Jane Dow’s Westbrook Hunt Club for my annual clinic and one day of judging at an unrecognized show. I’ve known Janie since she was 14, and it has been such a treat to watch her mature into a beautiful lady, a good professional with an outstanding work ethic, and a very good show manager and judge.

Another wonderful tradition for me during that time is to dine and spend time with two very dear friends, Terrie Cadley and Holly Ford, who have also been in the horse business for as long as Jane. What a wonderful time we always have, and I look forward to it more than I can say.

The only bad news of my whole vacation was hearing of the passing of Emerson Burr, truly the dean of ponies and much a Santa Claus in his own right, on Dec. 17. I was told it was right after a show and very quick, the way we all want to go. I was amazed to hear he was in his 80s; he was always so youthful and full of life.

His expertise and dedication to “his kids” and ponies never waned over the 50-odd years we knew each other. I truly respected him and his work ethic, and his smile and humor will be a long-lasting memory. He will be missed by many people, but never forgotten. I send my deepest condolences to Jane and Bruce.

Judging the show was a revelation to me. Seeing kids moving from short stirrup to the children’s division, adults moving to new heights (never did 3 inches seem so huge), and new devotees at all levels was a joy. Smiles predominated, repetition made for improvement, and analyzing the judge’s cards after the show answered many questions and brought on many more. The day flew by.

I chose to fly back to warmer California on New Year’s Eve morning. I was snubbing the terrorists in my way, plus I thought it would be less crowded. I could not have been more wrong. All the planes were jammed full and security heightened, yet everyone was patient, smiling and truly in the holiday spirit.

The plane ride brought me back to reality, although with a smile because people are learning to think of others besides themselves. And isn’t that refreshing? Let’s make that a New Year’s resolution for everyone.