I Ride My Wonder Pony at Lieway!

On the Friday when we arrived at Lieway, Kelsey schooled Renny first and he was perfect.  She even jumped him over some fussy flowered obstacles.  And then Sarah rode him and he was quiet and sure of foot.  And then it was my turn.  Michelle snapped a few pictures and I am so grateful that she did.  I am riding my little pony, my wonder pony.  And I am riding him in the same arena where I used to show his mother, Docs Unspeckled Rock.  When he was first born, I was hoping and praying that I might eventually have the courage to just sit on him once before selling him.  But look at us now. He's my true blue sweet faithful darling pony.  I could not be more happy.

First Times!!!!

So, here's what I know about Renny's second show experience and his first time in 2012.  We took him to the show grounds while he was under the weather.  All three of his rode him in the schooling session, including a young rider who had only a single lesson on him.  He was mellow and calm about everything, including arriving, schooling, getting a bath, walking the show grounds.  He was happy.  And on the morning of his show classes, he just strode purposefully toward the arena, happy to be with everyone.  The only thing he looked at, and not in a worried way, was the judge climbing into her tall booth!  And so by the time little Sarah and Renny walked into their first class, she had ridden him once when he was 2, once that week in a lesson, and twice in two very brief schooling sessions.  And then they went into their first class with 22 other horses.  The class was so large, they had to split it.  Renny was in the first split and made his cut.  And he was adorable and perfect for the final rounds.  And he won SECOND place out of 22 horses in his very first class of the year.  Here you see them coming out of the arena with their ribbon!  He went on to get another ribbon before he was retired for dehydration.

So, in Renny's brief show life, here's how he stacks up -- two shows, four classes, four ribbons, including a 4th place out of 17 in his first class ever at a rated show!  2 4ths, 1 2nd, and 1 1st!!!

I was so proud of how beautifully Sarah rode him.  They looked happy together.  You can see here that Renny knows he did a good job with his young friend!

Team Renegade Holding a Pre-Show Meeting

Here is Team Renegade, holding a little pre-show meeting.  You can see that Renny's Show Rider is giving him encouragement and a pep talk.  And you can see that he's eating it up!  LL Cool Renny!!!

Team Renegade!!

In this photo, we had just arrived at Lieway Show Grounds and Kelsey had taken off his shipping wraps and readied him for his schooling.  Here's his team -- Kelsey his trainer, Sarah his show rider, Michelle, his groom and barn mom (legs behind him), and his Grama his personal photographer and assistant.  We are all happy at this moment because Kelsey, Sarah, and I will all soon be riding this wonder wonder WONDER pony!!!

Renny's Show Rider

Here's a photo on Friday before the show.  It was a beautiful day.  I played in my garden, relaxed, went to Tractor Supply for last minute show supplies.  I listened to the news that I'll Have Another was scratched from The Belmont.  And then I went to the barn.  I walked out to Renny's pasture and, as usual, he walked cheerfully right up to me!  Then I gave him a big bath.  He got bathed along with Max and Molly.  And then his show rider showed up, Sarah!  In these photos, you see her giving him some love and affection as he stands ready in his shipping wraps before getting on the trailer!  So cute!

Renny's Clover (Mis)Adventures!

So, the week of Renny's first show of 2012 was hectic, let me tell you.  He was in his 5th week of antibiotics for his nose infections.  He just started prednisolone on Monday again. He moved to a new rich pasture.  He got a really bad case of diarrhea beginning on Tuesday.  He had his first riding lesson with Sarah to get ready for his show and his stools were so loose that he had to poop while being ridden -- which he NEVER wants to do.  He had a terrible time getting loaded onto the trailer and so was stressed out when we arrived.  He got ridden by 3 people, starting within 20 minutes of his arrival at the show grounds.  He decided that he didn't like their water and began a drinking strike.  So, drinking less in combination with his really loose diarrhea resulted in a dehydrated pony.  He only got to show in two of his classes -- which he did beautifully in.  And we had to spend the time feeding him gatorade soaked apples, giving him electrolytes.  He had lots of great friends.  Stacey found a giant syringe to force water in him, electrolytes, and even a very nice visiting vet.  Amy gave him 5 full syringes of water which Renny meekly swallowed entirely.  Sarah A. loved on him and fed him peppermints.  And Sarah S. checked his gums for signs of improvements.  He had lots of loving hands and eyes on him.  He was cared for by Ricky who kept telling me kindly that many of the young horses had developed diarrhea that week because of getting on new pasture.  

I was so relieved when we got him home on that blazing hot Sunday.  I put him in his stall and he seemed visibly more relaxed.  I gave him more electrolytes and fed him more apples soaked in gatorade.  And then I went out to the barn early on Sunday morning and was greeted by Ricky who told me to look in his stall -- in his stall he had a giant lake of pee right in the middle and then regular brown full-formed nugget poops.  He wanted his automatic waterers back. I got a text from the owner of St. George who was so delighted that he was better and had been following closely his progress.  And when I saw her again, she gave me advice about how to manage Renny's show travel stress.

I told her that on Wednesday when I pulled him out of his pasture he just looked circular to me -- bloated.  And he was ouchy and cranky.  And she said that it was flowering clover time and that that's what happens to young horses who eat too much flowering clover.  He got diarrhea from his treat.  She gave me advice about how to care for him.  And all I could think is that I'm so very happy to be at St. George where I feel my animals are safe.  

Anyway, this photo is Renny's new travel kit that I've made based on this experience.  It's in a bright red heart-shaped bucket.  And in this bucket you will find a thermometer, a giant syringe, peppermints, probiotic and electrolyte pastes, probiotic treats, and his favorite flavor gatorade for soaking apples.  If you're going to expect great things from a great pony, you've got to manage his game day stresses!  Love my pony.  Love his people.

Rory's First Days!

Here is a January 26th, 2008 photo of Rory, in the very first few days when she arrived.  What a busy year we had!  We got a wonderful new kitten and a wonderful new foal!  Namaste.

Baby-Making Blues

Here are photos that were taken on April 15, 2008, two days before Renny's due date and almost three weeks before his relaxed arrival.  You can see that Hailee was thoughtfully resting and getting ready for motherhood.  She was round and plump and ready!

Spring Kittens!

Here are photos taken on April 22, 2008, in the weeks before little Renny was born.  You can see the beauty of Spring just bursting in the days leading up to his birth.  And here are my happy little home kittens, relaxed and satisfied overlooking their world!

A Mouthful of Hay

Here is an August 2008 photo before Renny was weaned.  He is having a relaxed happy meal with his mother, Hailee.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, February 26th, 2012.  And right now, I have to share a barn with the person who drove Hailee to an auction house.  I made a terrible mistake and Hailee suffered.  So, this photo breaks my heart.  Hailee looks so happy and satisfied with her job as Renny's mom. May she be safe and loved at her new home.

Curlin's Beauty

Here is a photo by Timothy Clary for Getty Images, of Curlin in a fabulous win before heading to the breeding shed!

Bird in a Tree

Here are July 2009 photos of a bird's nest on a small tree on the corner of our block.  Zelia and I would pass this tree each day on our happy walks.

My Beautiful Jackass

Here is a March 20, 2008 photo of Jackass, relaxing in the months before my darling Renny was born.  He's such a solid strong presence.  He's the very best companion animal a girl could ever hope to share a home with.

My Home Team

Here are the two cutest boyfriends ever...happy little guys.