seen from France
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Netherlands
seen from Russia
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Germany
seen from Australia
seen from Malaysia
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from Pakistan
seen from Philippines
Bello after the Blizzard
My horse Bello and I have been trying to make the most of the massive snowfall in the Ottawa Valley.
He seems to enjoy gambolling in the snow, far more than I enjoy shovelling it or dragging hay to him through it.
🐴❄️ http://via.maharaj.org/belloblizzard
Rex Bellorum
My horse Bello is flourishing in the summer heat, while I melt.
“Bello” is the Spanish word for “handsome”, which I think is doubly appropriate for him: in addition to being (in my unashamedly biased opinion) a strikingly handsome horse, his sire was an Andalusian, a Spanish breed originally reared for the battlefield and mounted bull fighting.
“Bello” is also a natural contraction of his formal name, “Rex Bellorum”, which reflects his having been bred to the standards of a baroque war horse.
Snow Fall
Being snowed-in has some advantages.
I took my horse Bello out for a late bareback ride, confident that if I came off, the deep snow would give me a soft landing.
Bello had plans of his own for the snow, and hurled himself into a drift for a roll, as we trotted along.
🐴 https://twitter.com/AkaashMaharaj/status/1607893197946245120
Merry Christmas from Bello and Friends
Bello and I had a lovely Christmas ride, while the fillies looked on impassively, pawing for their carrot-themed presents.
This has been another holiday season marked by the necessity to care for one another by staying physically apart from one another. But I like to think we can find ways to bridge the distance, and enjoy other happy moments.
We hope you are having a merry Christmas, however you are spending it.
Victoria Day Long Weekend
Bello and I are having a lovely long weekend, gambolling about the farm.
The fillies keep bounding into our path, turning the fields into something of a protean obstacle course.
I am sure Queen Victoria would be amused.
🐴 https://instagr.am/p/CPQ3Z_WpXjn
Canadian Olympic Committee 2021 Session
I participated in the Canadian Olympic Committee's annual Session this weekend, and was elected by the Board to the COC Supporter Category, to 2024.
I retrieved Bello's old Team Canada horse blanket for the occasion. It dates from my past tenure as a COC Member.
I believe passionately in the capacity of sport to bring people together across the divides that beset the human condition. I am no less alert to the hard reality that the power of sport is too often co-opted for venal purposes.
I am honoured the COC has given me an opportunity to contribute to the cause of ethical sport in the Olympic movement.
🍁 https://olympic.ca/
Bello “Helping”
Bello has been "helping" me prepare to launch the University of Guelph's Equine Industry Symposium, by gnawing on my shoulders and blowing raspberries during video recordings.
The Symposium will bring together grassroots horsepeople and experts, on protecting horse welfare and economic viability through the pandemic.
To participate in the week of free events, please register at https://maharaj.ca/2020EIS
Somewhere Under the Rainbow
My horse Bello and I dodged intermittent downpours, darting into his shelter whenever the skies opened up.
It was worth the scramble to see the vivid rainbows between showers.
Bello is still waiting for his pot of carrots, though.
🐴🌈🥕 https://maharaj.ca/rexbellorum
