Last, but Just Here...

I know, it's been forever!  What's happened with the fillies and the inspection?  What's Ritchie doing?  Where is everyone? 

Well, I'm happy to catch you up on all of our adventures, but it's not going to be here!  The biggest news is that we've re-launched the business under the new name STANDARDS EQUINE.  Find us on blogger at www.standardsequine.blogspot.ca

Cheers!!!!
And Happy Horseing!

Look, Summer Already!

Time just flies!  I've just gotten home after back-to-back weekends doing trick-horse clinics in Grand Prairie and then in Ft. McMurray so I'm exhausted!!!  Jose was brilliant (as always!) and got a brand new Weatherbeeta fly sheet set for his efforts. 

I sure missed my fillies while I was gone.  Princess and her mom, Lana, are with Ritchie at Sawatzky Equine and will come home tomorrow.  Roland let me know that he did get Lana covered on July 1 - the one and only day she would accept Ritchie.  That tells me exactly why I never saw her get covered for Princess.  She seems to be one who has a very short window and doesn't show an obvious heat.  Fingers crossed that they hit the "magic hour" and we will have a foal equally as stunning as Princess next year. 

 

Lana and Princess during filming for her promo video.

 

 

 

Today Chai (Latin Promise SE) got her photo shoot with Susan Scott.  Her images never disappoint me!  Neither does this filly <3

 

 

Happy Horseing! 

All Present and Accounted For

It's not yet June and we're finished foaling already.  And it's 3/3 FILLIES!!!  What a neat year.  Last year, pair of colts.  This year, all fillies - strong, tall, lovely fillies! 

Our first filly, (HRH) "Princess" Leia Organa SE is incredible.  Nothing short of international quality matched with a fantastic, curious, confident and friendly personality.  She loves people, loves to be rubbed and scratched on.  Proud as punch of her, can't wait to breed Lana back this year.

 

Next, Nix foaled her filly one day before her due date.  She was as big as a bus but looked like she could have developed her filly a little better.  10 days later, LaSamba SE is straightening and strengthening really well.  She will be registered with the Canadian Warmbloods and most likely suit a hunter/jumper career.  And yes, that's a buckskin!!! 

And today, only 16 days overdue, Promise finally had her filly.  Of course she did!  I was away in Red Deer judging the regional 4H dressage classes.  These mares really did plot against me!  Anyways, today's filly is one very special little girl.  Her dam is by the same stallion as my favourite gelding (currently anyways...) Jose Jalapeno.  My last favourite gelding before JJ was a half-Standardbred x warmblood gelding named Sam.  I very sadly lost him to a serious lower-leg injury 5 years ago in July.  This filly ties together all of my favourite horses.  "Latin Promise SE" has a lot of growing and strengthening to do but, no doubt, in time, she will be strong and probably taller than I'd really like! 

In the next couple of weeks, the mares will be arriving for breeding with Ritchie and we will start the process all over again.  One of my mares is already with an outside stallion.  Can't wait for the fun again next year.  In the mean time, I'm going out to play with my ponies!!! <3

Happy Horseing!

The Princess Makes her Apperance.

This weekend found me in beautiful British Columbia having a fantastic opportunity to work with several incredible horse people from very diverse and mixed backgrounds.  You know I've said it so many times before, but I'll keep saying it, I have the BEST job in the world.

Unfortunately, the timing was such that I had some serious (and well-founded) concerns about our maiden warmblood mare, Lana (Lilyana) foaling while I was away.  She just couldn't wait for me to come home and on Monday, May 4th, she gave birth to a beautiful, big, strong and LEGGY filly. 

I had a name picked out, but the fact that she was, in fact, foaled on May the 4th, it occurred to me that she may just want her Jedi name instead... The flights home took FOREVER, or so it felt, but I finally met our little girl this morning and my first words to her were "Well hello Princess!" and I think that sealed it.

We're so very proud and excited to announce the arrival of (HRH) "Princess" Leia Organa SE

Happy Horseing!

SPRING!!!!

Ali got to go for her first ride of the spring.  She was in need of something fun and decided a ride on the Buckster was just the thing to put her in a good mood.  He was more than happy to oblige and really enjoyed walking and jogging her around the arena.  They really enjoyed the first ride of the season.  Now I want to go ride!!! 

Hope this nice weather keeps going!  I've got 2 days off and 3 ponies to work. 

In other news, Sawatzky Equine Services is now up and running and they've had their maiden rides in their brand new arena.  I'm so excited for my good friends in their beautiful new arena and barn and I was ticked to see Roland's choice for his first ride was Ritchie boy!  They've been doing so well together.  Again, I'm so grateful for Roland and Cindy's excellent care!

And one month from today, our first mare is due to foal.  I'm so excited about the beautiful baby bellies baking out in the foaling pen. Another reason for the weather to continue to be nice <3

As always, happy horseing!

Meet Brenin! Wanna take him home?

I know an incredible lady, she's the reason I have Jose, her name is Karin.  She runs Sulky 2 Saddle, she is one of the biggest Standardbred advocates I know.  Recently Karin let me know about a pair of geldings who weren't making it on the track.  We always try to network these horses into new homes but sometimes they need some extra time in a safe home to adjust to life off the track.  Well, Karin's heart is endless, but unfortunately her pastures aren't.  So I offered to take the older gelding (older as in coming 5) as a foster pony until he finds a great new home.  Today, I brought Brenin home! 

He's a lovely, cooperative and friendly fella!  Just a bit under 16 hh, but could still make it, he's got lovely weight and muscling, good bone and is happy to hang out with people.  He was in the barn for 3 to 4 weeks so being outside in his pen seems to be right up his ally!  Right now he has racing shoes on so he's in solo quarantine but, as soon as we can get them off, he'll be in with Jose and Legs in the big paddock to run and be a pony! 

Karin's priority is to have him evaluated by a vet to ensure that he is sound.  He'd had a little bobble on the track, part of the ground wasn't where his foot thought it should be and he stumbled.  Didn't come up lame or with any swelling anywhere, but seemed to have shaken his confidence and his heart wasn't into pushing for speed after that.  Lucky for him, we're totally happy to have him, fast or not! 

Interested in joining the Standardbred owner's club?  I'd love to introduce you to this sweet boy and to the most wonderful Standardbred advocate I know, Karin.  <3

This February Business

I actually have very little news to report - if any.  But I know it's been a couple of weeks since a posted and I don't want Renate to start giving me heck for not posting ;-) 

Having a Standard Poodle is just about the most fun I think I could have with a dog.  I've had her to work a few times to have baths, brushings and little hair cuts.  She's very cooperative. 

Ritchie's still hanging out with Roland at the barn.  I haven't been out there near as much as I'd like to be, but this being a grown up and working really gets in the way of having fun!  The RPSI stallion auction is now underway and there has been a good amount of activity on its first day!  Check it out at http://rhpsi.hibid.com/catalog/54741/2015-rpsi-stallion-service-auction?tab=0

I went to introduce Amy to Jose a few days ago.  She was so afraid of the gigantic, black dog that she yelped when he sniffed her, and he was so gentle!!! 

Spring can't come fast enough.  I don't have any firm plans for this year except getting to Brooks in August for the Medieval Fair.  Can't wait to do something completely different. 

Anyways, I have a nearly 6-year-old kiddo to read a Frozen story to.  Have a wonderful night and, as always, happy horseing! 

Making Things a Little More "Standard"

I'm so excited I finally get to blog about my most exciting adventure - well maybe adventure isn't quite the right word for it although I know it will lead to several...

We picked up our Standard Poodle puppy
 yesterday!!!!  I've been a huge fan of Standard Poodles since I became a dog groomer and have been thinking lately that I'd like to add a dog to my pony show with Jose.  So my ideal dog for this is a white/cream poodle.  Now, the whole idea is a lot easier said than done!  I looked into 3 top S-Poodle breeders in Alberta, all breed for Black.  Now I know a black dog would be just as lovely but my big black horse already gets washed out in pictures.  A big black dog would get lost just as much if not more!  So I went on the hunt for a white S-Poodle and found ONE!!! 

The litter was in Red Deer, so not too far away, and I extensively interrogated the breeder.  The bitch is papered but the stud is not - not that it really matters to me.  They've both been vet certified for health and conformation.  I went and met them after a few weeks, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the stud dog.  He is such a sweet suck <3 The bitch is quite lovely too. 

So I decided it would be a great opportunity to create a surprise for Ali and we had a "girl's day" of lunch at Tony Roma's in Red Deer, a stop to shop at Pet Land after and then off to visit my "friend's Poodle puppies". 

At Pet Land, Ali got to meet 3 Ball Pythons, see a bunch of different fish and reptiles, some birds and hold a Guinea Pig.  We found a toy to take for the puppies too. 

We got to the breeder's and Ali immediately fell in love with all of the puppies.  They were all playful and snuggly.  The bitch dog was good with Ali and enjoyed her antler that I'd brought for her.  The stud dog was away as he is just a little too protective of his pack with new people yet and for Ali's safety, we just took that potential out of the equation.  I had the breeder take video on my phone as I sat our puppy on my lap.  I told Ali this was "Amy" and I had a leash and collar for her.  Ali liked the idea but I could see that she wasn't understanding the implication.  So I told her that this was "our" puppy, that we were going to take her home with us today!  That was much bigger!  She was pretty enthused and has been ever since. 

So now the great adventure begins.  I can teach my horses to do all sorts of behaviors, I'm excited to learn how to train a dog to do them too!!! 

Happy Horseing (and Poodling!!!)

Why We Do What We Do!

Got word yesterday that, after a long day's travel, little man Jasper (L'Image SE) made it safely to his new mom in Spokane, Wa.  His new mom says she's so happy with him and just loves him. 

This smile is why we do what we do!

 

 

 

He got on the transport trailer at 3:00 in the morning to get to the boarder south of Cranbrook, BC before 3:30 pm.  I was really glad to hear that he ate, drank and slept really well once he got to his destination. 

The last special boy, another half Arab x warmblood gelding, Encore Performance SE, has made us nothing less than proud as punch with his owner, and my friend, Heather.  She has had him down to Scottsdale, AZ for Arabian Sport Horse Dressage. 

Lord knows they don't get much prettier than this pair! 

Can't wait for the 3 foals we're expecting this year to show up.  Making people's dreams (and really, our own as well) come true is the reason we breed.  <3

Happy horseing!

Merry Happy Hoho and a Happy New Adventure!

Greetings all!  Hope your festive season has been treating you well.  Mine has been lovely, aside from a stomach flu going through the house.  The husband is home with me for a while :) and the kiddo's been learning the fun of skating.  My first Christmas concert experience was awesome!  I seriously have the cutest kid in the world.  No, mine is cuter.  Seriously, don't even try ;-)

So!  What are your plans for 2015?  I was looking at renewing my memberships today (oy vey!) in preparation.  My priority is going to be getting miss Tex out in the show ring to promote her until she sells and Ritchie, of course.  On Thursday, I'll be taking Mr. Man back to the barn to spend some quality time with his favourite person (second to myself of course).  Roland will have Ritchie has his personal riding horse for the next year or so.  We'll see them (and me on my pony too!) out in the show ring among other places, no doubt.  While my family and I prepare for a move south, having Ritchie with Roland takes a lot off my plate.  He'll still be standing for breeding (Ritchie, not Roland) this summer. 

In the mean time, Miss Tex... Amberlea's got shows starting soon but we're looking at March to get in.  There's also Ponoka.  I guess it all depends on when we can get the girlie back to the barn and work. 

So no big decisions today. Tomorrow I get to go out to dinner with one of my favourite people in the world.  Can't wait to see what adventures she's got lined up. 

And to you, as always, happy horseing!

Baby Ritchie and Baby Tex
 

Recovery Monday

What a weekend!  I had the immense pleasure of meeting 29 new equine first-aid certified horse lovers in Wainwright, Ab and Macklin, Sk.  It was a weekend of fairly terrible weather with freezing rain around Edmonton and east on my way out and heavy ice fog from Macklin to Tofield on my way home!  But I'll be honest, the company, enthusiasm, energy and experience was totally worth it! 

One of the lovely ladies I met in Wainwright had this to tell me today: "Yep one of the horses my boss owns went through a fence and tore up his thigh enough to need stitches. That bandage technique held up right to the Sedgwick vet! Your course was worth every penny!" She's already gotten her money's worth.  This is why I teach first aid.  It's real, it saves lives!

One of the horses that was in to be one of our demo horses in Macklin came out of her stall looking quite uncomfortable.  She had apparently just had her feet trimmed.  Now I'm not farrier but she looked to be a little short on the wall and walking on her sole to me, but again, I'm not farrier and I've often been wrong.  Right away I started checking vitals and condition.  She had feat from all 4 feet, more in her fronts, little bowel sounds, normal temperature and a heart rate of 52 (obviously responding to pain.)  I shared the info with her concerned owners and they opted to give her some bute and put her in the soft footing of the arena and keep an eye on her.  An hour or two later, she looked far more comfortable and relaxed.  She was still tender on the walk back to the stall but not as concerning like she was. 

Merry Christmas to the horses belonging to those 29 people!  I don't know if there's a better present for them. 

Speaking of presents, my best friends have been a little spoiled this year.  The one got enlarged and artistically treated photos of her two horses in custom frames.  I have to say, it's a present I would like to get too!  The second has half her present still to arrive from Europe, but half is with her.  I'd ordered her a beautiful black and white show halter from a company I've dealt with several times before.  I'd gone to my favourite tack store and bought a halter plate for it.  After a couple of months, the halter still hadn't arrived and had somehow gotten turned around at customs.  But while looking again at the halter, I realized that it had SILVER fittings, not BRASS like the halter plate I'd ordered!!  Oh no!  So back to the tack store and order another SILVER plate and then pick up a nylon stable halter (with brass fittings) to put the previous halter plate on.  Le sigh.  The show halter still hasn't arrived, but the company assures me it will make its return shortly, but she's received her "interim" halter.  Hopefully everything will be together for her birthday. 

What do I want for X-mas?  You know, I really NEEEEED nothing.  I'd like a bit for Ritchie with brass rings, but the store I order from is currently out of his size. We could do some monogrammed stable blankets or something?  I don't know.  Next year, I'm going to choose a charity and ask that people donate rather than giving gifts to me.  I like the idea for the whole family (well, aside from the kids really...)

Anyways, happy holidays to all of you!  and, as always, happy horseing!

Shipper Whoas!

With our Jasper boy being sold to a lovely lady south of the border, we now have a new challenge.  We're trying to find a GOOD, experienced shipping company to transport little man down across the boarder to his new mom.  So far, the one shipper I've used before and trust, has responded to my inquiry and won't be available until April to take him down.  We've got word on the name of another shipper who runs the rout regularly but I've not had very good reviews on them recently by my very dearest friend.  And, of course, there is a company that's had several very poor reviews by a number of friends that we just won't entertain.  So we keep looking.  In the mean time, little man is getting ready for his first trim on Friday.  Had to back it up due to the farrier coming down with a flu. 

In this season, I tend to get my itch on for next year's show season.  Little buckskin mare is going to need to get out to a couple of shows, I think.  Not sure if I'm really looking forward to riding her in preparation, again, nothing wrong with her, we just don't mesh, but I am looking forward to getting back into the Arab circuit a little!

After getting my X-mas shopping all done this year, I've come to the conclusion that next year, I'm donating to charity instead of buying presents for my family.  I mean the kids, sure, they get presents, but for the rest of my family, I'm going to donate in their names.  None of us really need anything anyways! 

So there's my ramblings for the night.  Renate, you can't say I'm not blogging.  You can certainly comment on the questionable quality of the content, but at least it's current.  :)

G'night y'all and happy horseing!

Adventures Await!

Sunday, right down to the wire, the end of the RPSI on-line foal auction's sealed-bid portion.  That's it, the very end of the event.  No solid bids on Jasper.  I'd become quite sure that I'd be working towards showing him on the Arab shows in 2015, even talked with someone on the Aurora show committee and asked them to make the in-hand classes for junior horse for ALL junior horses, not ages 2+.  All of a sudden I get an e-mail from Ann from RPSI.  There's a bid!  Someone is interested in Jasper!  The bid meets our reserve!  Holy cow!  This is real!  The sale closes and our boy is heading to Spokane Washington! 

Today I've had the pleasure of exchanging e-mails and learning about the lovely lady who will be adding Jasper to her family.  I would like to go down with him and give her a hug!  She literally sounds like EXACTLY the home I was picturing for him.  She has been looking for a half-Arab and is involved in showing on the circuit.  He's going to a one-horse home where he'll be loved and spoiled and treated like the special little man he is. 

This is new for me, I've never sold a horse out of country before but I was really hoping he would go down south to continue to promote Ritchie for us. 
Maybe they have a friend who is interested in a half-Arab x QH buckskin mare!!! 

Anyways, huge congratulations to Sharon, and Jasper, you go make us proud buddy!  We love you. 

What's Cookin'?

I guess we haven't really talked about what's in the oven for 2015 foals yet, have we?  Well, I'm expecting 3 foals from my very special mares next year from Ritchie. 

The first bred is my incredible Standardbred mare, Promise.  I had bred her in 2013 and did not have a foal from her this year so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll have something for me in the spring. I love this mare because I love Standardbreds but her specifically even more for a few reasons.  Firstly, she's such quality.  She's beautiful, much like a tall Morgan, over 16.1 hh, patient, so well put together with a huge trot (obviously) she's sosensible and she's from the same stud as my boy Jose Jalapeno.  Having a foal from her is like bringing together both Ritchie and Jose and my lost heart horse Sam all in one. I'm not going to let this foal go easily.
  

 
 
 



Second, I bred our big buckskin QH mare.  Yes, unconventional, but she's produced consistent quality to Arab studs and I think what we're going to have out of this one is a substantial powerhouse of a sweet, kind and level-headed eye catcher.  Something that would look a lot like an Irish Draught.  Nix has produced me two fantastic half-Arab offspring, both buckskins out of Bay (or grey born bay) stallions.  Tex has proven to be a bit of a late bloomer, but at 4 years old, she's certainly coming into her own now.  Unfortunately we'll never know what incredible things Monty would have gone onto. 

Pyrotecnix SE at 4 years

Monty at 2 months

Lastly, I'm expecting our first warmblood x warmblood!  Yes, I did something traditional too!  My Gervantus x Tango Selune mare Lilyana should be producing us her first foal.  Lana is a substantial mare, loves attention, with big jumper lines.  Obviously that foal is going to need to find a home with someone who likes air time!  It's a different sort of Grand Prix!


If you're interested in reserving one of these foals in utero, please feel free to contact me to set up ultrasound and details.  All foals will be registered with the RPSI.  shimmere@live.ca

Happy Horseing!





 

Hallooooo!

Still here!  Yes, yes we are!  How about you?

What's new?  Well, miss Tex is currently at the barn, has been for 4 days getting ready to meet some new people interested in looking at her.  I'm not a fan of Tex on a good day, not because she's a bad horse.  In all fairness, she's a pretty good girl considering her lack of experience and education as a foal/filly.  She and I just don't click. 

Anyways, so she's been at the barn for 4 whole days and I've been riding her getting ready to show her to potential buyers.  And you know what?  I'm actually enjoying her!  Every day she's getting a little better.  Her attitude has been fantastic and she's getting stronger and rounder and more forward. 

This is her 4th ride back with my lovely friend Andie aboard.  She'd never met her let alone ridden her but did me the favour of taking her for a quick round so I could video her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMDU7f83hrA
Here's a clip of her from a month earlier with my good friend Craig Hodgman aboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp1QjA_q6bw  see?  Cute over fences!  Like her as a hunter.

LePremieur SE owned by Renate Price

Today, the colts also got gelded!  L'Image SE and LePremieur SE are both now geldings.  The procedure went easy as pie and now the rest of their lives will be too!  I know weaning and gelding is a rough time for the little guys and we always feel sorry for them.  But today, coming out of their sedation, I had to take a video of the boys.  Oh my lord, laughed and laughed! 

I know you'd be disappointed if I didn't share that so it's here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGD1y8sW364

Now, our beautiful Jasper colt (L'Image SE) has been through the RPSI auction and unfortunately hadn't received bids BUT I'm a big fan of what the RPSI does for programs and they have continued with the un-sold colts in a sealed-bid sale this week!  How cool is that?!  Here's a promo I put together for Jasper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRNF9os_ub0
If you're interested in talking with the RPSI about him, please feel free to contact them.  They have his vet paperwork, his inspection scores and comments and bloodlines all available to you there. 
www.rhpsi.com

Now, if you've made it through all of that, then you should have your fill of us now.  Hope you have a great day and lots of Happy Horseing!

Grumble Grumble

I started out with a bad day.  It seemed that today I had more than my fair share of (forgive me) stupid people.  I've had frustrations in selling some of my horses, people being noncommittal, changing their minds last minute or asking questions that have very obvious answers if they just look.  Just argh! 

My little girl had gone to her best friend's for a sleep over last night so I decided to leave all the frustrations at home and go get my girl.  The mom of her best friend is a lovely young lady, she's helped me out having Ali over a few nights so I could work, in addition to sleep overs.  I wanted to do something for her so I stopped in and bought her a Visa gift card to say thanks. 

I've learned that the only thing I have control over in my life is me.  That's it.  On days like today, when I keep banging my head against a wall in frustration, I need to make a change.  The best way I've found to cause change is to create a new chain, one of POSITIVITY!  Doing something small, something kind for someone else changes the "vibration" around me to something positive and usually grows in several directions from there.  And today was no exception.  Although my Ali girl seemed a little over tired, the rest of my day was actually quite lovely and relaxing. 

Never forget, the only one who has control of your life is YOU! 

Happy Horseing!

LICENCED AND APPROVED!!!

Well, the trip to Okotokes for the RPSI inspection at Bri-Mel Farm this September turned out to be a little wetter and a whole lot whiter than we'd anticipated with the area getting over 30 cm of SNOW dumped on them on the inspection date! 

Fortunately the foals were quite easy to load with their moms, once we figured out our game plan.  Renate purchased herself a lovely 4-horse rig and we christened it with taking both broodmares and their foals all the way down to Okotokes for inspection.  They travelled well and Ali, Ritchie and I followed a couple of hours later.  The drive down was quite good, a little wet with drizzle, but nothing exciting.  The horses all settled in well and we were treated to a delicious dinner with top-notch company (thanks Deb!) before heading over to my favourite adopted family's home for the night. 

Up and at 'em early in the morning and the snow had already started!  Heavy, wet snow!  The colts and dams were not happy and were shivering when we got to the farm, but got into the hay well in the shelter once we arrived.  Ritchie's sheet had soaked through so we changed him and fed him up.  They were all a little better with a belly full.  We got registration done in a cold barn as the power had been knocked out at Bri-Mel.  Poor Brian was working his tail off trying to get things in serviceable order with a generator for the registration office.  The hospitality there, as always, was top notch! 

All in all, the horses did well.  Ritchie came in and seemed relieved to be out of the weather for a bit.  He was cold and honestly didn't give me as much movement as he can, but he still did very well.  He went through the jump chute and gave us a glimpse of a brilliant bascule at 3'9".  He scored an 8 for his canter and an overall 7. For a 4-year-old colt in the COLD AND WET, I'm very pleased with that. 

The colts came in and each scored 7.2 for silver premiums.  For half-Arab colts, I'm ecstatic with those results! 

Ali and I ended up staying over another night in Okotokes due to the snow while Renate went home with the mares and colts.  She kept saying something about taking her new horse out cross country schooling... what people do to jump their horses over solid objects...  I will never understand.  But they all went safely, she got to the cross country, bought herself a new mare and today won a championship derby on her.  So all in all, she's golden!

I am interested in having Ritchie approved with a Canadian registry now, but haven't committed to either yet.  I think it will depend on what mares come in next.  In the mean time, I have x-rays and a phenomenal vet report.  I've actually never heard of a horse flexing 100% sound and having flawless x-rays, but Ritchie does! 

I'm off to ride now, happy horseing!

Opportunity of a LIFETIME!



Photo: Cam McGregor cam.mcgregor@shaw.ca
 

 Jose and I had a thrilling weekend with the RCMP Musical Ride at WELCA.  We started out with a trail ride through Edmonton starting at WELCA and ending up at the Cross Cancer Clinic on Saturday morning.  It was the wrap-up ride for the Wild Pink Yonder.  This was Jose's very first trail ride and, although he was a little impatient, he handled the whole experience extremely well!  Lots of media was present and we later saw ourselves on the morning Global news. 

Saturday evening saw our first performance in the ring.  Jose had already had a big day and he didn't give me his all although he did still perform well for me.  The crowd was enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy what we offered. 

Sunday was a fantastic day.  We took extra time to warm up before our performance to make sure all our movements were solid.  A few photographers were behind the scenes and one snapped a few fantastic pictures of Jose and I including the one above, which is on its way to becoming a wall hanging!  I was simply thrilled with how Jose performed for this show, every trick was perfect, people laughed at my joke and cheered well for us! 

Photo Cam McGregor  cam.mcgregor@shaw.ca

 After the RCMP ride, we had a quick photo op.  Unfortunately I had had a nasty cold and laryngitis and I missed the announcement to have him ready and in the ring with the RCMP until almost too late.  Fortunately, we still got this incredible shot:

Photo DevLynn Northy

As for the RCMP horses and riders, they were all just lovely!  I really enjoyed spending the weekend with these wonderful men and women.  They were very similar to the military family that I have learned to love over the years.  We all joked that Jose could fit right in on the trailer with their horses as several members had to take a triple-take when I walked Jose out before they got familiar with us.  One rider had joked that I should upgrade to one of the RCMP horses.  I told him there was no upgrading, this horse is the best there is.  After the second show, he agreed too :) 

All in all, hats off to the WELCA for setting up a wonderful show, to all of the volunteers and other performers who came to the show and to the members of the RCMP musical ride.  Thank you for an opportunity I will never forget! 

Happy Horseing!

Jose Jalapeno and I at the RCMP Musical Ride!

I got some fantastic news today!  I received an e-mail from the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre inviting Jose Jalapeno and I to perform at the pre-show for the RCMP Musical Ride next weekend, August 30 and 31.  Holy Hannah I can't say no to that, what a great opportunity!!!

So with just over a week to prepare, Jose and I will be performing our tricks on both days to provide entertainment and education to the public before enjoying the Musical Ride.  It's such an honour to be invited to participate, it means the world to me to be able to share my special boy in this arena. 

So much work goes into training these horses to perform and Jose loves it.  He feeds off the energy and thrives on it. 

It sounds like the Wild Pink Yonder ride will be making a trek from WELCA to the Cross Cancer Institute on the Saturday morning so we aim to be part of that as well. 

If you're interested in taking in the show, tickets are available at www.welca.ca

We're looking forward to seeing you there! 

Happy Horseing!

And Sometimes Life Happens to Good People

Unfortunately for the lovely young lady who was intent on purchasing our Jasper colt, life has happened and she is unable to commit to him at this time.  I completely respect and understand that. My first priority is our horses and would rather have them with us then sell them to a home that's just not 100% ready for them. 

So, once again, L'Image SE (LaBamba SE x DTD Fancy That) is available for purchase.  He is RPSI (can be inspected for premium status this September and branded or registered and branded next year) and can be registered with the CAHR as well.  I highly recommend both.  My asking price is $4000 CAD with both sets of papers and gelding.  Of course, the right home is my primary concern and I will happily work with the right match.

Please feel free to contact me to come out and meet our personable and handsome little man. 

Happy Horseing!