Ze Babies!

Oh look at me.  It's been a month and a half already!  And guess what??!!!  We have two beautiful, healthy, BIG colts from our mares by Ritchie. 

Fancy (DTD Fancy That) was the first to foal, about 8:30 in the afternoon July 14 she produced us a lovely bay boy with 4 socks and a big star.  His name is L'Image SE (Jasper).  I'm ecstatic that the pair actually produced more chrome than either one of them have. 
Jasper is very pretty, just like his mom, and very friendly.  He's a nibbler, but inquisitive and bold - aside from his halter.  He has a serious pout about that. 

A couple of weeks later, Bay Mare (Bardo Bay Barb) finally had her colt.  Another bay with 4 socks, this fella has a small star and a faint strip and he is TAAAALL!!  Although a little more reserved than his brother, LePremieur SE (Sullivan - Sully) is already showing he has the movement to concur any arena (or cross-country course).  We are very excited about the pair of colts and can't wait to see what's in store for next year's breedings! 

I'm very proud to announce that both colts are sold. 

We will be heading south to the RPSI inspection in Okotokes in a few weeks with the colts, their moms and Ritchie.  I can not wait to see how they score. 

Jasper says "Happy Horseing!!!"

Pictures of a Different Flavour - Tastes Like AWESOME!!

Renate, mark this on the calendar.  2 posts on one day! 

There's this incredible photographer.  She's a regular face at horse shows.  Perhaps you have the pleasure of knowing her too - Linda Finstad of A Sharper Image Photography. 

This delightful lady has an imagination rivaled by only the most brilliant and creative.  She has a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh and one heck of an eye for all things equine. 

Several months ago, Linda posted on facebook that she was dreaming up a unique photo shoot where she would be the subject. She would need a cooperative horse and outdoor scenery.  Well I have those so I volunteered my services and those of my ponies.  Last week, Linda contacted me to take me up on my offer!  What a cool opportunity!  She shared with me her vision, using Jose's trick-horse skills and she herself would be the subject (model) in a steam-punk outfit she'd created.  Heck yes, count me in! 

We booked the date and got perfect weather.  My wonderful friend, Susan Scott of Natural Dynamic Photography would arm the camera, I would wrangle the horse and Linda would be stunning.  And so it worked!  Jose was a little unexcited about being told to lay down on very hard ground (it's like cement in places out here!) but did cooperate in the end to facilitate some FANTASTIC images!  Linda said she wanted "quirky" and I think she got that but even more - and I mean that in a very good way.  I love the unique images and the character that speaks through. 

What a fantastic opportunity and I'm so glad to share - compliments of Susan, Linda, Jose and myself!

If you'd like to see more work by these talented ladies, check them out at their websites:
Linda http://www.asharperimage.photostockplus.com/
Susan http://www.naturaldynamic.ca/

Canada Day Celebration at Hawkstone Stables

This July 1, Hawkstone Stables celebrated their first anniversary.  I was very happy to return for this year's "Open Barn" with Jose Jalapeno and we also brought Ritchie with us this time.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity for him to experience more activity, heavy horse wagon rides, all sorts of people and horses moving around and general exuberance. 

Jose came out first to perform his trick-horse demonstration and educate the public on what fantastic horses Standardbreds are.  We were fortunate to have some lovely aspiring young photographers in the mix who were kind enough to share some of their images with us! 

Always the crowd favourite! 











Ritchie came out later in the afternoon for a trip around on the lunge line as he has been on vacation for the past month.  He was happy to strut his manly stuff and we even played with putting him over a couple of barrels! 

 
 

 Yeah... he didn't want to touch those either. 

We played with a bit of tricks as well, haven't done any work on them for a long time.  He stepped up on the box very well, remembered his wave and smiled at everyone.  Once he was out and working, he was quick to focus back on me and enjoyed doing his job.  I think he's about ready to go back to work now, or soon.  Maybe it's me who's not yet ready to go back to work! 

Happy Horseing! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RITCHIE!!!

Today, he's OFFICIALLY 4 years old. 

A friend was talking about the time she was losing not getting her horse to a show she really wanted to show in.  Her horse is no where near retirement.  There is no reason she can't show in that particular show next year.  I thought to myself, my gosh, it's been 6 years, 6 YEARS! to get Ritchie down centreline for the very first time in Training/First level!  That's no where near our eventual goal of Grand Prix!  How many more years will that be??!!!  It's not the time, it's the JOURNEY that keeps us going. 

Anyways, for Ritchie's birthday, we gave him his broodmares.  Promise did not carry through :( but she's a maiden mare so we will try her one more time.  My Gervantus II filly, Lilyana, is also in with him, she's 4 as well so this will be her first time being bred. 

He had been standing by the gate for 3 days in his paddock, not playing with the geldings anymore, not very happy.  So we took the geldings out and I went in and took him behind his shelter while my mom and husband brought in the mares.  He perked right up, soooo excited, he knew what was happening, we do this the same way every year.  Once they had the halters off the mares, I unclipped Ritchie's lead rope and he ran over to the girls!  Happy boy!  Promise did not like how forward he was in his introduction and spent the next 2 hours keeping him no less than 20 feet away from her and Lana at any given time.  His expression changed to a big-boy POUT!!!  "You guys aren't supposed to be mean to me!!!" 
By the end of the day, Promise came around and has been following the big boy around like a love-sick teenager.  Lana's still not quite sure what's going on.  I'm not totally sure when she's due to come into heat yet, but I don't think it will be for at least 10 days. 

Ritchie's much more relaxed and happy now having his female company. 

Happy Birthday fella! 

Pretty Ribbons

Oh boy, back to back to back pony weekends!  What a rush!  After Mane Event, we had a few days to recoup and get organized to take Ritchie to Ponoka to our very first show together.  The PAADA hosted an EC-sanctioned sliver rated show at the new facility and boy was it ever fantastic! 

PAADA Ponoka

Originally I'd planned to take Ritchie just down to Maple Leaf Meadows for their schooling show, but they'd cancelled the show on Monday :(  Fortunately I was able to get the boy into Ponoka on very short notice.  I booked my hotel and off we went!  Ritchie was fantastic.  He was a little tense and unsure, but handled the environment exceptionally well for such a young horse.  He didn't even spook at the judge's tables.  We rode conservative tests on Saturday earning a third and fourth place ribbon but Sunday we were ready for more.  We rode solo in our two hack classes, but again, good experience.  When we headed back down centreline for our first-level test 1 after the hacks, he felt relaxed and confident.  We rode to a 66% and FIRST PLACE!!!  I cried I was so excited for him!  A fantastic experience and environment.  I absolutely recommend the PAADA shows in Ponoka to anyone who's looking for a silver or bronze EC show for their horses.  So well run, fantastic!! 





AJYR day 1

Ritchie and I got 2 days off and then straight back to work with a reset of his shoes and off to Red Deer for the AJYR dressage show.  I registered to ride training and first-level tests on Friday and Sunday as I had a first-aid clinic to teach on Saturday.  The weather wasn't in our favour and the entire environment at the Westerner was so overwhelming and BIG that Ritchie and I had one heck of a time finding our balance together.  Thursday's ride actually found a BUCK during our schooling ride!  Fortunately for me, it was one and he stayed under me.  The wind came up, horses were moving around, broken tents were flapping away in the wind and my confidence was seriously shaken.  We worked and worked and finally found a happy place to leave our ride for the night, but Friday saw me back in the same place, feeling unsure on a distracted young man.  The gods, however, smiled upon me and sent me an angel in the form of one of the best friends a girl could ever ask for.  We double checked the rule books with the Steward and show office and Renate got up on the pony for me.  After about 10 minutes of hacking him around, she handed him back to me and we were both way more relaxed and focused.  We had scratched our first 2 classes (training test 1 and our 4 year old Materiel class) because I didn't feel confident that morning, but we were ready for our first level test one.  It wasn't our best ride, but it was consistent and earned us a 67.7%!!!!  HOORAY!!!!

Saturday Renate hacked the boy while I taught my course and I took him for a walk with a few tricks in the evening when I got back to the grounds.  It was so windy, but good for a change of pace.

Sunday was off to a fantastic start and our warm up felt so good that I was sure we could take our training level test, until a gelding walked past us in a 2-tone scrim sheet that Ritchie just couldn't get past.  It was so odd, but he was totally disturbed by that sheet!  It broke his concentration significantly and shook my confidence again.  Immediately we had to go in for our test and our ride suffered.  We came out with a 54%, 2 4's on our score sheet for terrible halts (and they were!) but a 3rd place ride in the end.  He went back to his stall to settle down and get back to zen, which he did, thankfully! 

First-level test 1, two tests, both first

When we brought him back out for our first-level test, I had Mr. Dependable back!  :)  We rode a far more determined test and had some bobbles (but good baby bobbles) in our lengthen trot (canter steps) and our lengthen canter (a clean flying change - totally my fault!) earning us 4's again, but all in all a far better test.  We finished with a 64% and another first-place ribbon!  I'm so glad we got to finish on such a high note. 

I had the pleasure of not only having one of my very best friends come to help me ride, braid and otherwise be mom 2.0 to Ritchie, but Anthony surprised me and came home from work early and spent the day with us at the show!  He even bought the boy a new bridle, which looks just fantastic on him!!!  It mean the world to me to have him there to watch and cheer me on. 

Now, a short week of rest as we take a mini family vacation down south to Okotokes.  It will be great to have some family-focused time together.  I think the next show on the calendar is the bronze show at High Thorn on June 7.  Sounds like a good time! 

Happy Horseing! 

MANE EVENT 2014

Wow what a weekend!  It's so good to be home but I'm a little sad to be away from all of the incredible horse-enthused environment!

Jose Jalapeno and I headed down on Thursday and settled into the barn.  We had a nice ride in the arenas and ended up riding alone in both rings.  No horses anywhere, but a tractor came in.  Jose was great!  We walked through the parking lot and half way down the race track, no issues!  Jose was interested in looking around but had a loose rein and kept to a walk.  My best boy!!!!  He had a bath and snuggled into his stall while I went to see what the CSN team had done with the booth.  WOW!!!  Man alive are those girls talented!!!! 

Friday Jose and I performed a Standardbred demo solo in front of the crowd.  He was perfect!!!  We had rear, lay down, play dead, sit, everything!  Couldn't have been more proud.  Right after, we got tacked up and met Peggy Brown for the Balanced Rider clinic.  What a lovely lady!  It was likely the best clinic I could have picked for the boy and he was fantastic!!!  Energetic, like always, but focused and brave. 

Saturday was less busy for us, we got to do another solo Standardbred demo and Jose was certainly more ramped up with the packed stands and energy from the crowd.  He wanted to perform, for sure, but just a little too excited to stay in his lay down and play dead.  He was still so fun to perform with and the crowd seemed to really like him!  <3

Sunday we got to ride with Peggy again.  By his 4th day in the stall, Jose wanted to go OUT and PLAAAAY!!!  He had gotten a treatment and massage in the morning from the incredible Jody Schulze-McMann of Broken Spur Equine Therapy so he felt FANTASTIC.  Again, he was very energetic and wasn't very interested in standing still and relaxing.  I can't blame him.  Still, he was with me, trying to do what I was asking for, and being a joy to work with.  Peggy said she quite liked him too.  :)

My family had come down to spend Saturday evening and Sunday with me!  <3 It really meant the world to me to have their support. 

In two weeks I'll be back down to the grounds with Ritchie this time to ride in the AJYR dressage show.  Woo hooo!  Better get out to the barn and get on him now. 

Happy Horseing! 

A New Hole in My Head!

But sometimes the universe just tells you something needs to happen and so you throw your hands up, thank your lucky stars your family is so supportive and head off to Grand Prairie to pick up a colt and bring him home. 

Yep, we have a new addition.  Right now we will call him "Eddie" and see if something more permanent sticks.  Eddie came with the name "Sam" but I'm afraid I've already had one heart horse with that name, so it's effectively retired.  "Eddie" came from Pomeroy Arabians, what an INCREDIBLE facility.  It was a true pleasure to be out there. 

I got a call from the beautiful and very kind Jill Jardie about this colt being available to a good home.  He's sound, bred to the nines (seriously, OMG) and all sorts of eye catching.  He just hasn't been worked with and no one has the time to commit to him.  He just needs his own person.  I agreed to bring him home, for whatever purpose, and see what life would have in store for him.  When I met him, the strangest thing happened.  I really felt CHOSEN by this little fella.  I walked into his stall, he looked at me with both eyes and both ears and within 5 minutes, I had his face in my chest and we were hugging.  If I'm outside now, he watches me.  Not with suspicion, but with curiosity. 

I had taken Jose up with me as I knew he would be a very reliable and trustworthy travel buddy for the little fella to bond with.  By doing that, I was able to teach a mini trick clinic/demo with him to 5 wonderful people and their group of supporters.  The team at the Pomeroy barn is just wonderful.  Such an inviting and welcoming feeling. 

We made it home without incident, unloaded and fed up the fellas.  Today is farrier day but we will let the new guy settle in a few weeks before we talk about farrier work.  He'd never left the property before, this is a big deal for him.  Just lots of snuggles and being around him for now. 

Anyways, I am looking for any name suggestions as I will get to register him myself.  He is purebred Arab out of Insinuating HJE (Ffamess x Psyches Seduction and by Jiuliusz De Wiec (Debowiec x Jiullya el Jamaal).

Happy Horseing!