Handsome Pants and His Herd!

Here he is, my little Renny. He enjoys his life, his girlfriends, his aunt, his mama, his grandma, his equine barn managers. He has a rich full life. And he is an important part of the Sanchez family! His first year has been wonderful and I am writing this on January 1st! Renny's transition from weanling to yearling!

Chicago and Edvard Munch

As part of our reunion trip to Chicago, Winnie and I went to the art museum to view an exhibition of Edvard Munch entitled Influence, Anxiety, and Myth. The exhibit was very interesting and showed that while he struggled with alcoholism and anxiety in his life, he also based his work on the art and technical skills of his artistic peers and on his commitment to contributing to his Norwegian culture by painting their myths. I enjoyed this exhibit and think the art museum does a beautiful job of showing us the life of the artists -- they had done a spectacular job with the Toulouse Lautrec exhibit, for example.

My Winnie in Chicago!

Here is a photo of my best friend from high school, Winnie. She and I knew each other from 9th grade on, including living in the dorms together, joining the same sorority, sharing an apartment in our later university years, and, on the odd occasion, being able to compare the kisses of the various boys in our social networks!

We went to Chicago this past weekend for a reunion and it was just wonderful. On our first day, on Friday, I arrived late in the afternoon and Winnie had made reservations in The Drake Hotel, a beautiful hotel right off Michigan Avenue by the lake. We walked to Il Mucino, this absolutely fantastic restaurant where we had just the perfect dinner for catching up. My dessert was without doubt the best I've ever had, with a mix of different sorts of berries in this wonderful wine sort of froth. Loved it.

Early November Fall Outing!

Here are a photo and video from November 6th, a beautiful Fall day. My boy is out with his herd of girlfriends. The girl on the far left just left this week to go into training to become a racehorse filly. We are going to miss her because she is a real wild firecracker and sweetheart!

Fat Happy Furry Baby!

Here is a photo of my very fat foal, all furry and happy and eating, on a beautiful, gorgeaus early November Fall day with his girlfriends. Peace, Peace, Peace.

Fall for the Expectant Mamas!

Here is an early November photo of the expectant mamas, taking a nap underneath a tree in the cool day. Such beautiful girls.

The Girls like Renny's Rear!

Here is a photo of Sedona and the Bowman's Band filly having a chat over Renny's cute heinie!

Meeting Sofia, Two Wonderful Ladies

Here is my dear Aunt Mary Jane, holding her granddaughter, the charming adorable clearly intelligent Sofia!

Peeking over a Log!

Shalom, Shalom, Shalom!

Meeting Sofia, My Wonderful Uncle Carlo

Uncle Carlo is one of the best people on the face of the earth. He is a great man. You can't imagine how great it was to see him so happy with his grand-daughter. He was filled with love, care,and joy.

My Rainy Day Family!

Well, it's Wednesday night and today has been very nice. On Monday and Tuesday, Violet did a tremendous amazing job pulling her cart -- cheerful, cute, athletic, sensible. She was charming, even in the cold Spring weather and wind. Today, though, the weather was rainy, so I snuck out to the stable and put out the "baby herd." And here is my group of horses, hanging their heads over the gate in the arena to say "hey" to me, their mama and grama. What a beautiful herd of horses! After visiting them in the arena while listening to the rain and wind, I went and bought seeds at Bostdorf's, including beans, peas, carrots, okra, sunflower seeds, gourd seeds, and nasturtiums. And then I got a nice bagel at a store on Main Street after picking up the New York Times, and then picked up a book on art and a children's book on Abe Lincoln at our town library. It was a wonderful morning, followed by a quiet rainy grey day of reading academic articles and thinking about research. Then after that work, I went to give some clothes to Goodwill and shop for art supplies at Joann's. Then I cleaned my whole house and ate some of the food I processed last year! So, from the very start of my day, waking up with the cats, walking Zelia and visiting this gorgeaus herd of funny hilarious sweet-natured horses, I have had a wonderful rainy day! Namaste!

Renny and His Girl in the Arbor!

Renny and his girls in the Arbor. He is butt to butt with a TeAwa baby and the girl with the long black legs is a Bowman's Band weanling. Lucky little weanling!

Meeting Sofia, So Beautiful!

My cousin Jane has a beautiful darling daughter. She was spectacular. I so enjoyed hugging and holding her on that lovely Friday afternoon!

A Happy Fall Day!

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Meeting Sofia, What a Cutie Pie!

Here she is, a little bit of beauty, taking a nap and knowing that the world is in order and that when she wakes up, she'll have her grams, gramps, and mama! Namaste!

Enjoying the Fall Leaves!

Namaste.

Meeting Sofia, The Happy Family!

My beautiful cousin, Jane, had her first baby this past Tuesday. I drove up on Friday to meet little Sofia Maria Jane. In this photo, you see Sofia with her grama and grampa, my Aunt Mary Jane and Uncle Carlo, and Janie. They are all so very happy and the baby is just wonderful, a real beauty. It was an amazing day!

Renny's Herd in Fall!

A photo of a slice of heaven, my little guy in the foreground with his three girlfriends, and the herd of broodmares in the far pasture. Many blessings to you and yours!

My Fall Girls!

I am the luckiest girl I know. Here is an early November photo of Violet and Hailee. And I am writing this entry on November 30th, Sunday evening. I work with Hailee on desensitizing her to touch and lunging. But I am getting ready to work on Parelli with her. She is still a very fear-based mare, so she poses fun challenges for me. Violet, on the other hand, is rock solid and a true intelligent joy. She wants to very much to please and to get things right. I can just feel her anticipating what I want and reading the social scene. She looks for commands and she just wants to leap into the work. She's good at everything -- lunging, Cavesson work, Parelli, low-level dressage. She's my blessing and good intelligent lovely patient girl!

Renny's New Herd!

Here are an early November photo and video of a slice of heaven on earth. In the far background, you can see a pregnant broodmare in the back pasture, and in the foreground my darling Renny and his girls. And then there is a video of my mares. I am writing this entry on November 30th, a Sunday closing a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I spent Thanksgiving day with Aunt Mary Jane, Uncle Carlo, Janie and her friend Sherry, Cathy, Shawn, Ian, Nora, Christopher, and Lenny. And then I spent time at our BGSU hockey game and an evening out with Annette. But mainly, I spent wonderful early morning adventures at the stable, as Barbie and Tom cleaned and prepared their stable to perfection. This morning, I had a rainy day of lunging, Parelli, and riding. Violet was wonderful. And why shouldn't she be. The day before she had been let out in the back far pasture with the broodmares, Hailee, and Sedona and she was proud of herself because she was able to stay out a long time by escaping capture! Naughty girl! Naughty beautiful girl!

Tall Girl and Fat Belly!

I am writing this entry on November 30th and here is a beautiful early November photo of my little fella and his big thoroughbred girlfriend. She is just all legs and cuteness and liveliness. She's forever in front of the pack and bossing around. And she likes my little handsome boy! He's lucky. He's had many girlfriends in his young life!

Renny and his Track Girl!

Here are some early November shots of Renny with his gorgeaus thoroughbred girlfriend, the unnamed Tea. They are both adorable and bright and sweet!

Baby Shower, Two Sisters

Namaste.

Driver Training, Taking the Show on the Road

Here we are! We are driving our cart outdoors in the beautiful spring morning air! Today was awesome. I arrived at the stable early, and lunged my sweet girl. She was happy to be outdoors in the sun and well-behaved. But when we went to hitch her into the harness, Roo gave out a warning snort, telling her to look out for the cart, and she did a dramatic little jump, so she had to be worked some more! My Violet was lunged and lunged and lunged in big cantering circles up and down the outdoor arena until she was good and blowing like Curlin after the Dubai World Cup -- okay, maybe not that tired! But she was winded a bit! When we harnessed her after that workout, she was happy to walk and trot as cute as you please. So, here in this photo, you see my beautiful darling with her great trainer, getting ready. And then in the other photo, you see me, Barbie and Violet taking our little spin. Yes, the world looks brown in these photos, but it's a rich, wet, fertile brown -- the world is *this* close to bursting into a world of green! Yah, Violet! Happy St. Paddy's Day, all y'all!

Renny and Sedona

Here are an early November photo and video of Renny and Sedona. He had just recently been turned out with the young herd and this girl was his only true friend. You can see in the photo that she has saddle sweat marks on herself. She was just starting to be broken to saddle, poor thing! Anyway, I am writing this entry on November 30th and things have changed over this month! Sedona is still my little guy's dear friend, but she sure likes to push him around and pummel him too. He is very patient with her biting, rearing, pushing, chasing sort of tough girl ways!!

Scruffy Ren Thinks about his Show Career

Here's the look he gave me, after our first discussion about how he'll eventually be trained as a hunter pony and driving pony. He is certain he can handle the tasks, but wonders when the training will begin and whether he gets to pick his staff. Also, he'll want right to pick out his stable colors.

Baby Shower, Happy People

Here's a photo of two very kind and funny people -- my cousin Sue and Uncle Carlo. You can see their happiness at the baby shower!

Hailee, Violet and Me

Here is a photo that Montgomery took of Hailee, Violet and me on November 2nd. It was a grey but beautiful day and you can see that all three of us are luxurious girls.

Scruffy Ren Waits Patiently for a Hug

What can I say? Every time I see those ears pointed toward me and that expression on his cute little face, I have to kiss that freckle. He's a handsome pony. Namaste.

Baby Shower, The Big Five

Here they are, five wonderful people plus one on the way! Mom, Aunt Mary Jane, Jane Marie, Sue, and Carlo. Rock on, these mavericks could teach wild ones a thing or two!

Driver Training, Team Smiles!

Here is a photo of Team Violet taken by Lisa Busch on March 14th, a beautiful Saturday morning. My lovely thoroughbred is getting ready to trot off in style and her team of handlers are sharing a smile and laugh. Violet displays her calm relaxation and happiness at her work by carrying her ears sweetly, showing a brightness in her eye, blowing softly with satisfaction, and, yes, on occasion, stopping to take a big relaxed poop. This girl knows that she's a great cart horse!

Breaking News! Big Weekend on the Derby Trail!

This weekend was a big one for this year's Derby Trail. Many key races were run to sort out the talents of the top three year-olds contending for spots in the Derby and Oaks. Friesan Fire, Larry Jones' horse, sweeped the Fair Grounds schedule by winning handily the Grade II, $600,000 Louisiana Derby by 7 1/4 lengths. He had won the Lecomte on January 10th and Risen Star on February 7th. He remains an obvious favorite for the Derby. Rachel Alexandra went wire to wire in the Grade II, $400,000 Fair Ground Oaks in a sloppy track, never letting anyone even get close. Pioneerof the Nile won the San Felipe, continuing his train of wins. But the BIG news is that Old Fashioned took his first loss from a 56-1 longshot purchased for $25,000 on the last day of the September Keeneland sale. Win Willy came from 13 lengths behind to just pass Old Fashioned in the Rebel Stakes, turning his 2 out of 3 record into 3 out of 4, and turning Old Fashioned's record from 4 out of 4 wins to a 5:4,1,0 record! This was Win Willy's stakes debut. What makes me super happy for him is that he's Monarchos' kid, a stallion who won the 2001 Kentucky Derby and who I met at Claiborne Farms. Plus, Win Willy is related to Violet through a Blushing Groom connection. In the photo, you see Danny Johnston's Associated Press shot of Win Willy taking the Rebel Stakes.

In a last bit of news, the four yearo-old Macho Again won the $500,000 New Orleans Handicap. Macho Again is also related to Violet via a Blushing Groom connection, and MA also has Shenanigans' kid, Icecapade. You remember Shenanigans as Ruffian's dam.

More updates as the jewel races get closer!

Renny's Elegant Girlfriend!

Here's a November 4th photo and video of my handsome boy and his new beautiful girlfriend, Tea. He's my bright red sweet guy. He'd be a great pony for some prince or princess. But he's going to be the pony of my nieces and nephews, so he'll be part of my favorite little royal family!

Scruffy Ren, 10 Months Young!

Here is baby Renny on Wednesday morning of Spring Break. His aunt had just completed her vigorous session of lunging, jumping, and squeeze-game cart pulling and he had just finished his own training session of hugs and cuddles, grooming, walking about, going over ground poles, and more hugs. He had just settled down for a nap when I interrupted him. He's giving me a querying look filled with love. So, yes, I know that he's scruffy as can be and looks rough and tumbly. But what you can't quite make out in this photo is that all those lighter patches and scrapes along him are the many bites and injuries his herd of girls gave him. I was trying to decide whether he was unhappy about his rough treatment, but I realized that he's always in the middle of things, he's always with his girls, he's always dishing out nips and wrestling and halter-grabbing, and he knows how to scoot fast out of the way of his fillies, mom, and aunt. So, you see in this photo a satisfied 10-month old American Sport Pony! Rough and ready for his Second Summer of fun!

Baby Shower, Mom and Jane

Two of my favorite ladies on the face of the earth -- one a grandmother of three, and the other a godmother and soon-to-be mom of her own! Namaste.

Driver Training, So Much Fun!

This morning, the Busches, Barbie, Tom and Angie were going to be showing Roo to a potential buyer, so I decided to relax in bed until late and go out to the stable a bit later in the morning. I woke up late, as planned, and then spent lazy minutes with my laptop, reading the New York Times, Daily Racing Form, etc. Wonderful. Then I knitted and rolled yarn for awhile, went grocery shopping and got gas, and went leisurely out to the stable.

And when I got there, boy did I have some fun. Lisa and her mom were there, as was Angie who I hadn't seen in such a long time. Barbie lunged my beautiful thoroughbred and then we hitched her to her cart with no fuss whatsoever and without any emergency ties, and I jumped into the cart and took her for a spin without any assistance except a big audience of friends. Then Barbie and I took her for a spin together, Barbie taking her through her paces. And then I too trotted Violet. I managed to get her to trot around the tight corners without breaking into a walk and we did some really nice diagonals. Both Vi and I are learning a great deal. You can see in these photos, that Vi has relaxed ears and a happy expression. She likes this job and is good at it! She blows with satisfaction when we start out. And what's fun is that you can really see her using her body well. When we take the tight corners, she places her feet and crosses over herself with natural grace and elegance. What a hoot. I couldn't help but laugh at her coolness.

Today was just a big success for us in many ways. First, Vi was hitched in for real and did not take a single mis-step, she just focused on her job. Second, I rode out without any handlers holding onto a safety line. Third, Vi used her body and feet so well -- you could see that she was making decisions about how best to turn that cart. Fourth, I am getting a feel for the lines -- I tend to over-compensate, but today I wasn't too bad. I was especially glad to trot and make those corners.

It was a day where Vi and I enjoyed our partnership. I had total focused confidence in her wonderfulness and she enjoyed working well and solidly for her mom! Namaste from this happy team of two and their great trainers!

The Kiss

A November 2nd photo of Renny receiving his first kiss from Sedona. He's a loving friendly little guy, so I am glad that he's had a foalhood filled with age mates, ranging from these four fillies to Ruthie to Titan, the two-year-old thoroughbred who is in training to be a racehorse. He has these age mates and then he has his sweet Aunt Violet and the kindness still of his mother, Hailee, and her friend, Annie. He's having a rich life.

Gentle Hope

Here is Hope again and her little Skippy Jon Jones. You can see that she feels a little bedraggled after her labors. And you can see that she's still got some edema left from the fluids that built up in her abdomen, during the past few days. But she will bounce back quickly and by this summer, she will be a glossy black wonderful mare with beautiful bright bay foal at side! I really love Hope and if I had a farm of my own would want her to retire with me. She's always been a blessing to her foals and to the horses who are in her herd. She was in the field with Hailee when H was a very young girl of 2 and 3, and I am sure she taught Hailee how to be a sensible and good girl and how to be a solid and sensible mother. Hailee got to learn from the best which is why she is such a terrific mother to our own little Renny!

Baby Shower, The Buckler Ladies

Here is a photo of my mom, Aunt Mary Jane, and Sue, a Buckler relative that it was really great to see. Aunt Mary Jane was a perfect hostess, making sure that we were all super well-fed and that we were having a good time. It was such a fun event and Janie got so many wonderful gifts!

Driver Training, Trotting Already!

Here's a photo of Violet, relaxing after her strenuous morning activities. You can see she's quite put out from all her work! I got to the barn at 7:50am and put out the herd for about 45 minutes. I fixed Renny's little things, like his feed and supplement and water. I gathered horse manure for my compost. I chatted up the new baby, Skippy Jon Jones. And then Violet and I went for a ride. She felt lively, strong, fit. She blew in relaxed confidence. We had a blast. And then Barbie, Tom and I hitched her to her cart and she moved out with confidence. Her ears were relaxed, her steps lively, her eye bright, and she even blew peacefully as she trotted on! Barbie trotted her and she was so good about the turns. Barbie practiced nice side-stepping tight turns with her. And Tom even got into the cart and worked Violet at different forms of trots. I never knew that my girl had a lovely floating extended trot in her heart. My girl has bounce and cuteness. And you could just tell that she liked her job. I even got to trot her when Barbie and I were sharing a ride in the cart. I was nervous and told Barbie that I wanted to "sleep on it," but she had smiling confidence in me! That's what's so great about Barbie as a trainer and life coach -- she knows what you can do, even when you don't! She knows how to ask you to unleash your hopes and work on your talents. And let me tell you, it was FUN to trot Violet in that cart for the very first time! I am more lucky than I can say. Both Tom and Barbie are expert accomplished drivers with deep experience. I am learning from two masters with big hearts.

Anyway, I can't say enough how cool this morning was. Violet proved that she has the heart of a big loving confident champion. As I sat in that cart and saw that cute red mare swing on with her ears relaxed, I just felt so much happiness! Namaste!

Boy Running Downhill

Here's a November photo of my little guy jetting down hill as he races around with Taylor, Barbie's dog, and his girlfriends. He is so cute, I just love him. You can see his little flashing white stockings in these photos. This weekend (I am writing on Sunday, November 23rd), I ordered him his own pony surcingle and cavesson, as well as long lines. These are training devices he won't need for another 2 years, at least, but I ordered them with hopefulness and happiness in my heart. I hope I'll be able to keep him until that time and be able to give him some of his earliest training to lunging and long-linining!

Skippy and Hope

Here is Skippy Jon Jones and his mother, Hope, both of Showgate Stables. In this photo, Hope had just given birth to her foal a few hours before. You can see it in her eyes -- she is a happy, but tired mother. She is doing her wonderful best to bring love, nourishment, and instruction to her baby boy. I have known this mare for years, she has lived at Showgate for numerous years now. Meghan first bought her at Congress while she was in foal with the liver dark Faith, an elegant filly. She has had two colts (one who died) and a filly in the space of time between Faith and Skippy Jon Jones in this photo. She's had many foals. And she is nothing but patient, calm, sweet, intelligent, capable, and efficient. She's kind to everyone and rock solid. She is Barbie's daughter's horse now and little KT loves her and her new baby!

Baby Shower, The Buckler Clan

Here is a photo of my cousin, Cathy, her son, Ian, her niece, Allie, Ian's partner, Nora, and one of the newest additions to the family, Brendan. Cathy is a wonderful grandma and Ian has such a happy family.

Driver Training, Hitched and Rolling!

This morning, I went out to the stable very early and let my little herd roam about for 45 minutes and then rode Violet in the cold and quiet for 25 minutes at a brisk trot, circling, serpentining, figure-8ing, extending. She let out these relaxed whickers as we trotted in our peace. And then, when Barbie and Tom arrived, we harnessed her, put her between the shafts, and then we hitched her and took her around the ring several times. I got to sit in that cart and drive my little sweet mare. Violet was wonderful, choosing to be mellow, kind, and careful. She worked with concentration as she placed each foot carefully, feeling for how the cart felt, the shafts, and the turns! Smart brave girl! In these photos, you see Barbie and Violet taking a turn!