My Riding Buddies

Here are my riding buddies, the lovely ladies of Showgate, Karla and Lexie, and their mounts, Taz and Sam, the most loyal, talented and intelligent companions available! Namaste.

My Pride and Joy

Namaste.

Lexie and Sam

Here's a photo of a young scientist-in-the-making, Lexie, and her beautiful mare, Sam. She's taking lessons from Coy and Barbie and through those lessons and her own good heart and hard work, she and Sam are becoming a great solid team of friends! She brings out the best in that mare!

Miss Thing Casually Shows her Altogether

Here's a mid-June shot of my girl. I had just taken her halter off to take off her copper nametag. It was early in the summer and the flies and noseeums were driving all the horses a little nutty, but my herd was especially loud with their shaking...you could hear their little tinkling nametags. So, now those three rings hang on my key hanger in my kitchen. My happy little herd. So, anyway, here's a shot of Violet, looking as beautiful as G*d intended.

My Halloween Peeps

Christine and Jorge hosted a Halloween party which was so fun and nice. I had such a great time. And I was impressed beyond all description that Danielle and Todd went as Nancy and Sid. Honestly, all night long, I was slightly freaked out by Todd talking his usual talk -- of film, cultural criticism, politics and art -- and all the while he just looked exactly like Sid! And Jorge was eerie too -- he went as one of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz and so it was just strange to see his face painted and acting so goofy -- though of course sweet. Anyway, we stayed until after 2am! Thank goodness for the fall back gain in hour! Christine and Jorge hosted the most charming party with great food, drinks, company and laughs, laughs, laughs. They are really dear people!

My Big Red Girl Grazing!

I love this girl more than I can say.

Breaking News! Mike Gifts Hamlet to Karla

Part of what was great about Halloween this past Saturday is that Mike, Karla's husband, gave Karla the surprise of her life by giving her the gift of Hamlet by The Invitation out of True Blue Love. He came with her mother and had a very warm pie ready and lots of wonderful coffee. The man really knows how to brew coffee. He is such a nice person. Anyway, after our lesson, we had a little treat and then he surprised her by giving her a halter which had a copper tag announcing her as Hamlet's owner. She cried and cried and was overjoyed. We really had a nice time and Lexie and Barbie and Mike and I were so pleased for her. She and I joked that we would have to confer now because we both have herds -- we'll have to exchange ideas about "herd management!" We are the luckiest ladies I know!

Congress 2009! Showy Halters!

Montgomery took this photo of some of the many lovely show halters you could purchase for your equine companion. You could really outfit your horse with the finest of leather and silver goods. But the thing that I would have bought for my herd was three little black halters decorated with candy corn for the Halloween season!! They were cute and absolutely adorable!

Ren's Cute Butt June 18

Here's a photo taken in mid-June of my little Renny's tushy. I am writing this in mid-July, after an exciting day -- some good, some bad. I got up early and called the hospital and found out dad passed a restless bad night and needed a sedative. Then as I drove in the grey humid early morning to Farmers Market, I talked with mom. I got to the Farmers Market and my blueberry cherry man had my flats ready and carried them to my car. I went and packed them for the freezer and then visited Danielle and Todd and then went to Jorge and Christine's and helped them move, along with a big group of their friends. Barbie texted some ideas for a book about horses and girls' body and self-image. I went out to the stable and because it had been raining, no one was out. But the weather was gorgeaus, so I let Ren graze out back by the round pen and took him off the line. He grazed beside me and around me and was so good that I let the girls out too. That worked for awhile until Hailee instigated pandemonium. She talked Violet into running across the muddy outdoor ring into the mushy straw-ridden field where the manure is dumped. They were up to hijinks, so I put Ren away and then took a few minutes to catch the wild girls. Vi kept cantering away and Hailee was high-stepping everywhere. They enjoyed their naughtiness and then ran into the stable. When I finally got there, I saw them standing by the whiteboard, happy that they were naughty but wanting the excitement to end. So, the girls got a bath and Ren got to walk into the washrack. And then I went home and found that I had lost my check card. So, I searched everywhere and finally cancelled it. I hope no one stole it. I knitted and then I took the family rosary and Bible into the garden and prayed. I prayed that my dad would be okay. It's been a hectic tiring upsetting day. I am trying to be a good person, but am having mixed success.

Breaking News! Halloween 2009 with My Herd!

This past Saturday, Karla, Lexie and I met Barbie out at the stable for a riding lesson. Coy and Nikki were there, Lisa and Angie showed up. And Karla's husband, Mike, and her mother arrived too, bearing hot apple pie and really yummy rich dark coffee! We had a great Halloween celebration. Our riding lesson was good -- Violet behaved beautifully in lesson and then worked at long-lining and even had a showmanship lesson with Angie. Taz seemed to be responding very well to his injections and had a big relaxed canter. Sam was cantering in a relaxed fashion with Lexie. We all did great! And I even had a chance to spend silly time with my herd, celebrating the spooky day! It was really a nice day out at the barn.

Congress 2009! Competitors for Queen!

Montgomery took these photos of some of the contestants for Quarter Horse Congress Queen! You cannot imagine how lovely and detailed and artistic these outfits are and how accomplished these young women are. We watched their horsemanship class and some rode their patterns flawlessly and some ahd mounts that balked or caused trouble. But in either case, these sharp women kept their poise and calm!

La Touissaint!

From my home to yours, may you feel the presence of your dearly departed on this All Saint's Day!

Luxurious Girly Tails

Here are the feminine back ends of my girls with their luxurious pretty black and red tails!

Congress 2009! 9889

Okay, here's just a single example of the beautiful elegant show creatures at Congress. This grey calm gorgeaus steed is probably on his way to win a pleasure class or perhaps horsemanship class!