Take a Nap!

Get some beauty rest!

Renny as a Yearling Again

Here's a photo of my Renny taken June 2009, in the month after his yearling birthday.  You can see his good looks, bright color, and ears forward good spirits and intelligence.  You can see that he's planning on becoming the most wonderful sport pony ever!  It makes me laugh to see his teenage tail in this photo because now he has a nice long mature show tail!  Yah, Renny!

Renny as a Yearling

Here is a picture of my little guy taken at the end of June 2009, the month after her transitioned into yearling status.  He looks small and babyish in this photo, but you can see his intelligence, confidence, reasonable calm.  He's already showing all the amazing dispositional qualities which made his training go so absolutely smoothly in 2010!

Cute Cats

Namaste

More than a Year Ago

Here is a September 3, 2009 photo and video of my little itty bitty Renny.  I am writing this entry on October 5th, 2010 and my guy has matured into a quiet sensible intelligent hard-working show pony who is reasonable about his work and offers his best at all gaits.  He's truly tremendous.  I cannot tell you how I can hardly believe that I am eager to ride him, eager to be with him, eager to climb into that saddle and move off with my sport pony!!!  So, glad that he was trained by Coy at St. George!

Right before the Storm

This photo and video was taken on October 24, 2009, a short week before I discovered something which changed my life.  Here are my girls pictured with Sam and Chippy on a beautiful fall day, almost a year to this date, which is October 5th, 2010.  They look happy and relaxed and comfortable.  But soon after this photo, I moved my horses to St. George.  And I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to take lessons at that facility, to partake in the social life and community, to know my horses are safe and sound and cared for by an on-site trainer and on-site barn manager. 

Violet and I go to New Heights!

Here is a November 5th, 2009 photo and video taken a month before I left a bad situation and moved the herd to a wonderful safe comfortable learning environment.  You should see how happy the herd is.  Violet likes having a job, being good at her work, hanging out in a pasture all day, being carefully taken out after breakfast, having her stall cleaned twice a day, and receiving prompt effective attention for her owies and needs.  And she is responding by turning into the most amazing wonderful little hunter under saddle.  I am writing this entry on October 5th, 2010, and she and I have had days of great riding.  On Saturday, we took a lesson from Kelsey, and Violet and I jumped our first 2'3" jump several times without any problems.  And then on Sunday, I rode in our Sunday ladies' club, and we jumped that jump again without any problem at all.  No fluke!  And then last night, I had a riding lesson with Stacey and we practiced for our first show which will be coming up in mid-October and Violet was responsive to whether I was either riding in equitation versus hunt seat.  And then today, this morning, I went out to the barn for a cool morning ride.  Her big beautiful red ears were forward and relaxed and I set up a course with two diagonals, a straight line and a bending line of 7 jumps with cross-rails and verticals.  And two of the verticals were the 2'3".  We were great and happy over that course.  And so now I've had three days of jumping 2'3" jumps and Violet has yet to knock rails down.  She just "pops" over her course.  She never wavers, jiggles, stops...she just approaches with her ears forward and jumps with enough effort and enthusiasm to clear the rails!!  Such a good rocking lovely sweet responsive hunter girl!!!  I love St. George and Team Tenderness!

Team Renegade Rocks!

Here is November 15, 2009 photos and video of my baby, Renny.  I am writing this entry on October 5th, 2010, so about 11 months later!  And what a busy 11 months.  Soon after this photo, my little guy jumped on a trailer and moved to St. George where he was spoiled and beloved by all.  Then this summer, Beth and Coy said he needed to be trained, so he was the most remarkable good little guy.  He took to riding right away.  And so this morning, I had my 19th ride on the little guy.  It was a cool October morning and the little fella joined up with me and we rode happy circles, figure 8s, turns on the forehand and haunches.  We rode around the pond, around the grounds, into a lesson with a big horse jumping.  He was calm calm calm, quiet calm.  And he was happy to give me a big old trot and a happy relaxed under control canter in both directions.  He is really an amazing joyful pony.  I really love him to pieces!!!

My Catnip Loving Sweetie Pie.

Namaste.

My Summer Hailee

Here's a June 15, 2010 photo and video of my foundation mare and the mother of my favorite sport pony on the face of this earth.

My Little Guy

I'm not sure how to write about this feeling, but I've been feeling the press of mortality and time on me lately.  My beautiful New Orleans street trash cat, Jackass, has been getting skinnier each day.  Now he seems like a bag of bones with very little muscle mass.  But his bloodwork shows that his medications are working and that his thyroid and kidney problems are being managed.  And his appetite is strong and he is sassy and well and active.  But he's just so slight.  I'm worried that my time with him will be short now.  I of course pray for more time with my mean rotten little wonderful cat who is getting sweeter by the minute.  He practically purrs all the time now, even if you just look at him.  But I want to value every moment with him now and give more treats and love liberally. I love you, Jacques Mamou Lagniappe.

My Boy before I Changed Our Lives

Here again are some photos and videos taken just an instant before I found out information which changed my life forever.  I love these photos because they show baby Renny with his baby herd of weanlings.  And in the video, you see him running happily and sweetly toward his Grams.  He trusts his Grams to take care of him, keep him safe and happy.  And he wants her happy too.  And so I'm so glad that within a short month of this photo, Renny jumped on a trailer and embarked on a new life adventure!

A Different Time

Here are my girls on November 5, 2009, almost a full year ago.  This photo and video was taken just right before I spoke with the person who told me something that changed my life and changed my relationship with a network of people.  I'm glad about what I learned.  I'm glad about the pain and hurt that I experienced.  I'm glad the betrayals provided me the opportunity to change my life and take some risks and make things better for myself.  I can barely remember these days right before the Great Fall.  But I sure remember the days immediately after, as I prepared to up and out.

Arcangelo and Orangeina

Here they are, the two prettiest kitties in my family.  And they know it.  They are pretty satisfied with themselves in this photo.  And why shouldn't they be!

Grams and Renny in our First English Riding Lesson!

Here's a photo from August 2008 when Renny was still a weanling.  I am writing this entry on Friday, September 24, 2010 and Renny is now a working pony.  Last night, he and I rode in our first group lesson together and we were with Eclipse and Ellie and for awhile with Elliott too.  We had an audience of people in the stands and Stacey calling instructions.  And my little guy handled everything beautifully.  He just loves his Grandma very much.  He's very relaxed about his job and happy to be with the other horses.  He's secure in his surroundings and just takes peeks at every one every once in awhile.  My friend made a video and you could see that though he was quick about his trotting, he was responsive about slowing down and wanting to figure out what I wanted and he was surefooted and forward without any nervousness about him at all.  It was super great to see that video. I am so proud of my wonderful adorable pony.  And he fits me perfectly, I might add!

A Teensy Bit of Fluff!

Here is a January 4, 2008 photo of little Rory, otherwise currently known as Orangeina.  Look at that face.  That kitten drove me crazy.  I was feeling overwhelmed because I was getting ready to have three horses and had so many home companions and then found this scrap in the snow just belting out whining complaints.  I picked her up, but then found the Humane Society an absolutely inappropriate place for such a treasure, so brought her home. And look at her.  Who the h*ll could get rid of a little face like that one!  Namaste.

Violet's Handsome Cousin

Here is a photo of Violet's  handsome cousin, Secretariat, with his team leader, Ron Turcotte.  I shall label them Team Big Red!

My Sleepy, Possibly Under-the-Weather Baby

Here are photos of my little Renny in August 2008.  I thought at the time he was just adorably taking a nap, but these photos were taken during a week in which I saw him out at pasture looking droopy and I took his temperature and discovered he had a fever that needed baby aspirin.  So, though he is adorable in these photos, I think they are photos of him feeling droopy and sad and sick.  What a mean Grama!

My Baby Running in September 2008

Here's a photo of my darling little suckling in September 2008, charging up the hall like an adorable little shiny red rocket!

My August '08 Baby!

That previous day's photo was from October 2009, and now here's a photo from a year earlier in 2008 when my little guy was still a suckling, little little happy charming annoying silly handsome boy! 

 

My Fall Baby!

My gorgeaus October 2009 baby!  Namaste.

Renasus

So, I'm writing this entry on September 17th, and I have to say that I am still on such a high from my ride with Renny yesterday that it got me to thinking how perfect he is.  Tammy and I were joking at work about him.  I told him I was so pleased at cantering with him that I ended the session by sitting on him mounting and crying . And she said that she felt bad for Renny because he was probably wondering, "Geez, Grama.  How perfect do  have to be?  Here I gave you my best and you're still crying."  We laughed and laughed, and I joked he probably thought he had to sprout wings and fly.  But now that image is stuck with me.  Renny is such a good boy that I believe that he could sprout wings and become a little Renasus if the ocassion called for it!  Such a good boy!

Happy Morning

Here's an October 27, 2009 photo of Renny running with a friend while Coy brings the first of the mares across to the far pasture.  He looks just lovely and goofy and happy.  This photo was just days before my life changed forever because of information I overheard.  That world you see in this picture is not even in the rear view mirror anymore.  It is gone.  But we have moved on to happy adventures and good friendships!  Namaste.

Renny's Backup Dancers

I like this photo.  I am writing this entry in September 2010 and this photo is from September 2009, showing my Renny with his weanling backup dancers.  And in the distant background, across the way, you can see Violet and Hailee, happily together.  I am truly blessed.  Anyway, this pony is now much stronger and more mature and he is giving his best heart to being a good riding pony.  And I have to say, I'm being a little reflective today because I am thinking about all the friends Renny has shared pasture time with -- Ruthie, B, Teawa and pals, Sedona, his mom and Aunt Violet, the four weanlings, including Ziva, and many different permutations of buddies at St. George, including Elliott, Budha, Georgie, Parker, Jimmy, and others.  This boy has never wanted for company, friends, family and the love of good farriers, veterinarians, trainers, and barn managers.  He's one well-loved little guy!

Weaning Sucks!

Here's a September 4, 2008 photo of the very first day my little guy was weaned from his dam.  He was not happy.  He was trying to be a good little camper and a brave little boy, but he would stand in the corner of his stall and just look confused.  And he wasn't exactly screaming, but every once in awhile, he would let out a little worried whinny.  And he wasn't exactly off his feed, but he would stop chewing every so often and just give a little sad whinny check -- "mama!"  And so here he is, looking at Grandma, trying to understand why Grama sucks so much!!!  I love this photo even though he looks confused because his coat is so glossy and beautiful and radiant and because it's almost exactly two full years later and Renny is a treasure.  I love this good decent pony.

My Little Slice of Heaven on Earth

A December 20, 2009 photo.  Namaste!

Last Night's Rain

I've been finally working more consistently and better and more efficiently.  And I've been feeling better about myself in many ways.  I am less depressed and I feel like I'm becoming a better rider.  I feel like I'm trying to bring my best to my teaching, research and service.  And so, anyway, I'm writing this entry on September 16th, and last night as I slept, a heavy rain began to fall -- the kind of heavy rain that falls straight down in leisure and that feels like it has fog wrapped in it.  I woke up and it was so nice to be silky with weird dreams, and wrapped in my critters, and happily listening to the rain.  I felt like I would be tired today (which I am), but also very glad about the day, about its possibilities.  And indeed, I cantered my pony for the first time today in both directions...and it was like a love-filled moonbeam.

A Grey Day Look of Love!

Again, here is photo and video from December 20th, 2009 when Renny  was still just a little tiny guy in his big two-tone blue blanket, handsome little fella!  He was busy making friends in his new herd and in the barn.  And he was busy enjoying the life of consistent all-day turnout.  I was still kind of in shock at this point, as I remember.  I felt such stark relief that my horses weren't going to be stallbound all winter or stuck with only a few minutes of arena turnout that I was able to give them.  I was very glad to know that while I was at work, they had been quietly and happily led out to pastures after happy breakfasts and would spend a day goofing off and digging for grass and drinking from their waterers.  But anyway, I digress.  I'm writing this entry on Thursday, September 16th, and while I was riding at St. George this morning, Beth popped her head in and said that she was so impressed by what a good quiet boy Renny is and how certain she is that he's been growing.  We agreed to put a stick on him this weekend and see if he's gained a little more height to add to his new bone and muscle.  My wonderful darling boy!

Team Renegade Rocks it Out!

Here are photos from right before Christmas 2009.  The day was December 20th, so we had spent less than three weeks at our new wonderful safe comfortable home at St. George.  And here's my little guy with his cool winter blanket, all secure with his herd and coming to give Grams a kiss.  I am writing this entry on Thursday, September 16th, and I have just returned from the barn where I rode Renny early this morning.  During the night, we had heavy falling rain and I awoke to dramatic skies.  So, we rode indoors and it was quiet, almost like riding in a cathedral.  We worked for 30 minutes and we trotted big relaxed happy figure 8s and circles, and diagonals.  And we cantered both directions.  I was astonished.  His canter is smooth and even and feels like butter.  I was able to keep my butt comfortably in the saddle and I could tell that everything was going to be okay.  I love this pony.  I sincerely love this pony.  Last night, September 15th, when I was at the barn, Beth came and talked with me about him, trying to figure out how to price him.  She said that she thinks he's just a great terrific pony -- and he is.  She is going to help me find a safe happy home for him where he will be well-trained and productive!  That's all I have to say for now, but let me tell you, when I put my foot in the stirrup and mount, I feel like a queen.  And when I took my foot out of the stirrup and dismounted after our cantering and our sweet communication, I felt like DiCaprio and Winslett in front of that big ol' ship crossing the Atlantic.  Team Rengade felt like the "King of the World!"

Beautiful Boy on a Grey Winter Day

Here's the happiest, most-beloved pony in the Sanchez family!  He's resting on a grey winter day with his buddies.

Hello, Wonderful 2011!

Here are some photos of Buzkashi, an Afghani form of polo taken by Danfung Dennis for the New York Times.  Crazy, right?  I am posting these photos for the first day of 2011 because I want to underscore a sense of excitement and joy and readiness for whatever new adventures present themselves this year.  In 2010, I improved my riding, practiced jumping and dressage, had trained and helped train my pony, started to rehabilitate his dam, and generally enjoyed the equine adventures.  I look forward to bringing a good strong heart to 2011.