My Review on Cavalia

Under the big top...
Well the show certainly had a circus feel.  All week my friend had asked me if I was excited to go.  I wanted to be, but couldn't really muster "excitement" for something that would likely not hold any mistery to me.  I'm an FEI-trained dressage rider.  I've trained horses to perform tricks.  I've performed at liberty with a young stallion... show me something new! 

Well, the tricks didn't impress me, and the riding certainly wasn't anything to get excited about.  I won't clap for 8 Andaluseans doing leg yeilds at a walk in a row with only 1 on the bridle.  I won't get excited for a bay Spanish stud's "dressage" movements when he can't keep a row of tempis, his pirouettes are very flat, and his "extended" trot is rushed.  His passage wasn't bad though.  The riding reminded me of the "World-Famous Lipizzander Stallion" show I'd seen a few years ago, only slightly less offensive.

But....

There was something so different, so special about this show. 

It gave me something.  Something I'd lost a number of years ago, and I didn't even know I'd lost it. 

It gave me back a dream.
A passion.
It gave me back the spark of magic that is possible with only a horse.  The gift of relationship between horse and handler that isn't for an audience, it's for that connected pair only.  It gave me a glimpse of what will be possible with my own young stallion.  It reminded me of the limitless nature of communication. 

I went and bought myself the zip-front sweater and a key chain from Cavalia.  I spent the money because I will keep them to remind me, when it's really hard and I want to throw in the towel and quit, that there's something beautiful that does happen.  Just keep working.

I have no desire to run away and join the circus, although I may have worked very hard to get in had I known about this when I was much younger.  I do love performance and it can exsist in all of its brilliance and glory outside of the 20 x 60 ring.  When I dance with my horse, on the ground or on his back, it is for me and my horse, not for anyone watching. 

I would go to this show over and over again.  I would love to spend some time with the crew behind the scenes and learn some of their training techniques as the horses were completely oblivious to the crowd just meters away from them.  I love the showmanship that the theatrics encorporated.  The acrobats, the clowns...

True Spectical. 
Thank you for the gift.

Inspection Time, mmm that lovely smell of burning hair!

Yesterday was the annual RPSI inspection, this year hosted by Tami Crane at the beautiful Emerald Equestrian in Calmar.  It was a first for this area of Alberta, but we were quite happy with the turnout.  Two lovely pony stallions came in for German Sport Pony approvals as well as 3 foals, another pony mare and some adult mares.  I took my two mares who I've bred to Ritchie, Stella and Bay Mare.  Unfortunately my mares didn't show as well as I would have liked, they were stressed and herd bound... It's understandable, and they still got their approvals.  My poor Bay Mare, 19 years old and first time ever doing anything like that.  It was even the first time she'd ever had a bridle on her face!  She did look lovely though, all braided up.  Even when she did an impromptu exit stage left, she was still pretty. 

Ritchie got his brand this year finally!!  I guess the irons are now all safe to cross the boarder...???  I'm very glad to report that it was a much calmer ordeal than I'd imagined.  I stayed up front with him, covered his eye a bit and Otto took the iron back to his flank.  He petted him and we talked calmly with him.  He put the iron on and Ritchie jumped away a second later.  We walked off and there were no issues.  No screaming, no losing his mind, just walked quietly and attentively back to the barn with me.  It turned out just lovely too. 

That's the end of my "show season".  Jose's currently out with a trainer for 30 days so I'm looking forward to getting him home to work, Ritchie's booked for April with a trainer, mares are bred, lessons are nearly wrapped up, judging my last show of the year at Maple Leaf Meadows this Sunday and then just continuing to teach the equine first-aid courses throughout the winter. 

Sigh, good year!! :)

I Must Have Sold Some Horses...

Cause I just picked up a new one!

I'd like to introduce the lovely Lilyana!  "Lana" is a 2-year-old Canadian Warmblood filly by Gervantus out of a Tango Selune x T-bred mare.  She's bay, she's very sweet, has incredible shoulder articulation and I think will make one heck of an amazing foal with Ritchie, in the future. 
Right now she gets to grow up. 

What a Weekend!

Just home from an instructor's weekend at the Higher Trails Ranch in Okotokes with Equi-Health Canada.  Met some INCREDIBLE people and had some AMAZING experiences. 

But let me back up a bit. 

Thursday I decided I'd make a travel day so I headed down south and arranged to see a very very dear friend for dinner.  Discussing with her where we were to meet on Wednesday evening, she told me that she didn't get to have a birthday party for her last (50th!) birthday.  So, as soon as I got off the phone with her, I called the restaraunt, talked with the manager and arranged that they'd decorate a booth for her and we'd have a "mini party".

I left home early, stopped at a doller store on my way down for party supplies and made good time to Calgary.  I found the Cactus Club Cafe without issue and the staff there were AH-MAZING!  They took my birthday goodies and did up a fantastic booth!  My dear friend was so surprised.  Just loved it!  Highly recommend them!!

Think she had a good time? 

Early Friday morning I headed out to Okotokes from Calgary found the "Home Ranch" and took a little nap before things got going.  I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible ladies and got to learn sooo much!  With the variety of different backgrounds and experiences, everyone had a lot to share.  Unfortunately a couple of the horses wanted to see how we worked as a team.  One decided to get cast in some trees, another got some scrapes and cuts after his sulky cart lost a wheel!  Thankfully our team worked very well together!! 

Sunday we assisted in instructing a first-aid certification course and I had to get the traditional rectal-temperature picture...

Oh!  And I had a follow-up on Stella too and she's still holding her foal to Ritchie. 

Yeah, the black blob is the baby...

Incredible experiences all in all, but I'm really happy to be home, in my own bed, with my little girl (and husband too...)
Glad it's going to be a 4-day work week!! :)





On a Roll

Ah late summer... the birds are singing in the trees....
No, the damn magpies and blue jays are fledging their chicks and they won't shut up at 6:30 in the morning!!! Gak.

Sigh, ok, I'm all better.

It appears the horse market is making a come back in Alberta!  Within the last month, I've sold 3 of my 5 sales horses!  Today I will say goodbye to my good friend Khori, BG Khorina.  Khori is a BEAUTIFUL grey purebred Arab mare, 6 years old.  As a child, I always said I wanted a purebred dapple grey Arab mare.  Well she's sat with me for the last 5 years doing little to nothing.  I had her started under saddle with the incredible Katelyn Carter as a 3 year old. You can check for the video on youtube, search BG Khorina.  ...WOW!!!

I bought this princess horse to be my SPORT HORSE/DRESSAG champion!  Her father is phenomenal, talented on all levels and the sweetest disposition!  Her mother is 16 shades of BEAUTIFUL and so light and responsive.  Unfortunately Khori only grew to 14.2 hh and developed movement much more suited to western or hunter pleasure. 

So, my loss is Cathy's gain! 

When I met this lady, I thought "PERFECT!!"  Cathy used to breed Arabs but stepped away from the equine world for a few years.  She called me explaining that she wanted some horsie therapy again, wanted a dependable friend who she could enjoy to the ends of the earth.  Yep, that's Khori.  They seemed so comfortable with eachother when Cathy came to meet her.  It was the right match. 

So now I'll go get dressed as the rest of the famly sleeps, load the good girl into the trailer and deliver her to Beaumont area and have the pleasure of bringing extreme joy to a lady's life.  That is the true gift right there! 

Best wishes!!!

Great News, Congratulations!

Got some wonderful news this afternoon.  My good friend, BG Northstar, has been sold!  Congratulations to Bob and Gail Williams on the sale and congratulations to Betty from Three Hills, AB on her purchase of  the super-talented gelding! 

I had taken "Norton" out last Friday evening for Betty to meet and try out.  They'd seemed to be a really good match.  Betty looked good with him and he was a good, calm (and totally hadsome) partner for her.  She kept him on a trial for a week and I just got word that he passed the vet check with flying colours and will be heading home with her right away!! 


I'm looking forward to seeing the pair in the show ring next year kicking some butt in sport horse and dressage <3  All my best to you both!!

Also!!!  Sumthing Khompletly Difrent SE (Monty) is also sold!  I had a very good friend come out and take some lovely shots with her fancy schmancy camera, put the images up online and by the next morning I had two people ready to pay for him sight unseen!!  Wow! 

Monty will be going home with a good horse family to be loved and adored.  He's been growing like a weed and will be one month on Saturday.  Congratulations to Larry and family from Ardrossan! 

Ritchie has been stood to Bay mare and Stella.  Both foals are reserved!  Got to do a preg-check on Stella in another week.

Now, to get Khori and Tex working and marketed... There is still time this summer!!

Look Who's Here!!!

And now for "Sumthing Khompletly Difrent SE"!!  Monty made his appearance just after midnight June 26.  We got everything we wanted in this breeding.  He's a buckskin SABINO colt (you gotta check out the "lightening strikes" on his front legs!) by the incredible Khartoon Majik CRA (out of our mare Nix).  Monty will be registered as a half Arab with the CAHR.  This boy is TALL and has leeeeegs!  He is going to absolutely ROCK the sport horse divisions. 

This is my favorite picture of Monty's sire "Khenny".  He's owned and trained by the incredibly talented Katelyn Carter (www.shantarabians.com) He made his mark on the Arabian show world with regional and national titles as a 3 year old under saddle! 

See?  Looks purdiful in ribbons and rosettes too!

I'm almost tempted to keep this boy for myself... But this is the same thing I go through every time, there just isn't time for all of them.  Monty is for sale, $1500 CAD; however, if he's not sold by next year, I don't think I'll feel too bad taking him to some arab shows anyways. 

Yeah, someone better come grab him while he's still available...