Congratulations!

to all the Cheshire County and NH delegates to ESE...you guys were awesome, your ponies were amazing, you demonstrated your skills, sportsmanship, patience, perseverance, knowledge (yay! for the Quiz bowl team and judging scores) , team spirit, and all around horsemanship! A job well done!

Safe and Sound

It was one of those mornings....started way too early with ponies having to have breakfast before it was completely light. But the trip to ESE to retrieve Oliver and Clara began with no adventures. We were almost there and missed an exit - which brought us closer to our destination to pick up the truck and trailer, so that was good. And there it was, just waiting for us. Only the truck wouldn't start. Sigh. Jumper cables, security man, several attempts....still wouldn't start. Then Clara calls and everyone else is gone early, so she and Oliver are the only ones left beside one other girl and horse. Lots of details and phone calls and creativity later, we were fortunate and successful in reaching Deb and her crew who were not very far away and came back for us! Jill and Paul stay to deal with the truck, Clara and I stay with Oliver and make the trip home with the Newport crew...we arrive home, and Oliver is so anxious to be with his buds and hit the pasture. After a quick shower with the hose to get off all the lather, he runs down to see them, Jazz follows him, all have to touch noses and check each other out: Happy Reunion! A while later when I feed the boyz, Oliver resumes his favorite spot outside the door to wait for his friends (reminds me of a boy waiting in the school playground for his buddies to walk home!). Ah, but while he's waiting, that roll in the dirt he never had....all's well and life is normal on the farm again!

PS The truck and trailer are still in MA and will hopefully be retrieved in the next day or two, good as new!

Great Day!

Awesome day with the ponies....first some very fun lessons with folks who are progressing and learning and accomplishing new and fun things! Rachel and Therese came with me to watch two lessons and meet some cool ponies.... Then the most amazing ride, exploring and enjoying the scenery....flushed some birds and startled all of us! It doesn't get any better than this! :)

True beauty

4-H ride

So, today we had a little 4-H activities meeting. I had fun just being at the barn, but it was a little sad not being able to ride! I really miss my pony (and everyone at the barn). Rachel and I are both dying of separation depression.....whatever that is! Well, hopefully I'll get to jump a coarse before the winter! Rachel and I were talking about hunter jumper shows that we should enter in next fall! Wishful thinking.

Anyway, the 4-H meeting was fun and Toby seemed like he had fun too. Rachel looked great on him. Poor Julio, his big swollen eye! Hopefully Julies and Humor will get better soon! Speaking of Humor, he looks so good! His butt is nice and muscular and he has filled in really well!

The cutest thing happened when I first got to the barn today... So I got out of the car and went into the barn and saw Rachel and all that. Then, I went over by Julio's stall and peeked my head out the door. I loudly greeted all the ponies and started talking to them. As I said hello Jazzy perked his ears up and immediately left the pit and came around to the door! It was the cutest thing! I felt like he remembered me! Probably just checking for carrots.

I had a great time seeing everyone and I miss all the ponies so much I'll have to get back to the barn soon.

So cute....somewhat dangerous

Just a whisper....

so Rachel and I just got back from a very fun ride - quiet, but fun, though I did more talking , that is, whispering, than Rachel. :) Anyhow one of the Dads stopped by with a schedule question and after I spoke he also began whispering. I told him that he didn't have to whisper, too, but that it was supposed to help my voice....he said he "liked the quiet around here!" and continued to whisper to me the whole time. It was too cute!
Funny thing is everyone's been whispering to me some and it's been even quieter than usual. But I especially like the horses reaction to my voice (or lack thereof)...all the ears go up, the horse being addressed seems to really listen and they are being so sensitive and responsive to every command...without many words! It's forcing me to really think about communication and I love seeing the results. Even my opinionated boy was tuned in while being led in today...too funny!
So maybe we should become the silent barn! But none of us could do it!

ESE Excitement

Well, ESE is two weeks away and to tell you the truth I am really excited. Oliver and I have been working hard and I think we are ready for the challenge. But Oh My Goodness. There is soooo much to do. My pony and I are going to work on carrying flags because I think it would be really cool if we could carry the NH flag in the opening ceremony. That would be awsome. Next week I will start the cleaning and trimming process. Oh joy!!! Oliver will love that!!! And I will be covered in dirt and hair. Its what I get for being a horse girl though. I think we all know how that feels. I have to make my pre-show visit to Cheshire Horse. That is always fun. Hopefully I won't spend all my money. :) That store is so hard to go into and not spend all your money though. Sigh. Well I'm excited and ready to go show the Big E what me and Oliver have got. Yippee. I'M GOING TO ESE!!!!!!!

Crazy?

The sun is definitely out! My pony and I had the most lovely ride this morning with Clara and Oliver....and I am hoping to approximate that again on Humor with Rachel and Julio....just can't get enough....obsessed, addicted, crazy, call it what you like. But definitely one of the best feelings in the world!

Pony's Day Off

The ponies have been "banned" from the lower pasture all week due to wetness...this morning I went down to investigate, and as I opened the gate, the first horse watched and came...I only had to (hoarsely!) call "Ponies" and Jazz, come" once, and everyone followed Jazz trotting toward the newly open field. Mr. Sharkey was at the top of the hill, saw what was happening and came running, head high and tail up....he does NOT want to be 25! A perfect way to begin a day off for all of them and me