Tuesday, June 26, 2007

The Horse Show

I want to thank the following for all their help at the pleasure show. Without them - we couldn't have got it done - and we had many compliments on how well the show was run and organized. So hat's off to all of you!

Carol - our awesome announcer!
Cindy - "announcing assitant"
Tracy - Ring"woman"
Kathy - announcing & entry stand
Dee - awards presentation
Darcy & Mark - Gate handlers
Shyla - Gate handler
Tom - announcing assistant and clean up.
Jackie - my mom - entry stand
Shelley - entry stand & trail class
Paul - trail class
Chuck - trail class

We ended with 347 entries. Our cost to put on the show was $1,255.00 We made $987.00 - so the farm is in the hole $268.00 to put on the show.

It was alot of fun to do, and I glad of the experience - but until BHSA will let the clubs/individuals raise the entry fees - we will not do it again.

Friday, June 22, 2007

We're Parents!


Aren't they cute! Thanks to Kathy for gettina great shot!

Bo made the improvement honor roll for the 4th quarter. YEAH!
His reward is to get up at 4 am and go fishing with Grandpa this weekend.

Randy was high point at Red Ridge last weekend with Gus - there is improvement there and he's starting to ride a little more during the week. I usually groom, and saddle Gus and hand him the reins!

Charisma received a 2nd place at Red Ridge in her 1st ever 3 Gait class. Even though she'd had a "learning" set-back this past couple of weeks, we seem to have gotten over the hump, and made it through the show. She doesn't go out again until July 1 - at Portage.

We got a swimming pool for Kara last week - she seems to be enjoying that! Myself, I need it to be warmer water and hotter days!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Waiting to work




Charisma & Sammy - waiting their turns today.






And Griffin - catching some shade!

Tack Room Pictures
















Here are some pics of the new tack room - it has a full sized door so I can keep the kitties OUT!








And here is the bridle rack Randy built - it's cool and probably so much better than the one in the catalog!

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

I think I FORGOT I had one of these!!! Oooops!

Ok - so I've pretty much ignored blogging/writing anything of late. Shame Shame Shame!

Newsworthy items:

Charisma won her 1st class Memorial Weekend - class size of 12, and though only a walk/jog - it was impressive to me - as it was only her 2nd time in the show arena. Lots of buzz about her after her win - so as I've "matured", the decision to take her and hide at the trailer until next time - was a wise one... it's best to go slowly with these young horses, and have LOW expectations! So when something really GREAT happens - don't try to do it again in the same day YET!

At the same show, Gus & Randy won their showmanship class, and he took 3rd with Gus behind "me"...(evil laugh he he....) in one class, and then things fell apart rapidly, and I ended up "schooling" Gus in a few classes, then competing again to win 1st in a class (I also won the trail class), and we put Gus away after all that too.

Gus is very upset to have Charisma leave him at any time during our stay at the show. This has perplexed me on his attitude until I realized that this is the first year that we have had TWO horses to take to shows....so will have to work through this, just like anything else.

Though Gus has also come up lame since before the show - with a tentative diagnosis of a hoof bruise of some type. It's not gushing Blood - so who the hell knows! That's my take... ANYWAY - he's been resting after having a series of 5 days of bute and foot soaking. He seems better these last couple of days - but will give him the remainder of this week on vacation and bring him out to see if he's going to stay sound to show on the 17th.

Sammy has been running barrels fairly decent this year - this past weekend we won $85 at the NBHA District show - and have even picked up a few points at the BHSA shows we've went to. This might seem funny - but I took him all last year, and never placed at a show.... So we've made improvements - and hope to continue.

Kara won her 1st leadline class of the year - and also took Gus in showmanship - it was very cute, and Mom & Dad were proud. The next show, I think she spent too much time talking to daddy and not being serious enough, but she still received 4th - and Mom really has to chill about these things- as she is only 6.....I will expect more out of my 7 yr old next year...ha ha...

Bo has managed to at least get a C or above in all his classes this quarter! This is a VERY big accomplishment and helpful heading into high school next year. Bo has also been helping do barn chores everynight - and has been a HUGE help to me every night. Why didn't I think of this sooner???? Bo leaves this weekend for his dad's for the summer, and will be missed (and not just cuz of chores).

Randy got his newer and bigger skid steer this past weekend. He's happy with his new toy. So I figure, that frees up about a $4,000 spending allowance for me next year....so I can be happy too!

Unlike my photographer friend, Kathy, I have no pictures to share at this time - I will work on that - and promise to post more often!

Also - remember our show on June 24 at the fairgrounds in Portage - your volunteer help will be MUCH appreciated!

Until next time!