Horse Affairs 2009

I took several photos today with my cell phone at the Horse Affairs that I thought I would share.

9 month old Gypsy Vanner colts. Only 7500.00!

Cody with Richard Shrake

One of the most exciting things that happened was that Cody and I had several minutes with Richard Shrake before the Horse Affairs even opened. We were just walking down the aisle, and I was wearing an exhibitors badge (I was helping with the Arabian horse exhibit) and it caught Richard's attention. We stood and talked to him for a long time and Cody shared about starting and training his horse Speedy. Richard shared some of his first training memories, from when he was about Cody's age.

Later Cody and I attended some of his seminars and Richard kept talking to Cody. "Cody do you hear I am saying? Do you understand what I mean Cody? You have to...." He was very grandfatherly to him! He signed a book for him saying, "See you in the winner's circle Cody." What a nice guy.

I introduced myself to Julie Goodnight before the show opened too. I was so surprised to see her there and not a crew setting up for her that my mind went blank. I meant to tell her a few ways that her show had encouraged and helped me... but all I could stammer out was, "Hi Julie, I love your show. Welcome to Boise."

I felt like a pimply teen aged boy trying to ask his first crush to the dance. Gah.

I did shake her hand, however. I don't think I will ever wash it again.

Julie Goodnight teaches about Horse Psychology

Here's a candid cell cam pic of Stacy Westfall. I choked so badly when I introduced myself to Julie Goodnight that I didn't even speak to Stacy. I hope tomorrow before the show opens I have the nerve. I need one of my B(r)itches friends to egg me on I guess...

StacyWestfall

Here Cody points out some really cool longhorn horns for his Dad. I had my eyes fixed on the chinks below the horns. Wow I really want a pair of those!


And last but not least, (although probably the smallest), there was a baby service monkey being cared for in the booth across the way from the Arabian horse booth where we were.

As a rule I don't like monkeys, but this tot was so very, very cute!

What are those beady little eyes planning?

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I'm BAaaaaaAAaK!

On the day after the kids 4h fair back in July I had to leave on an emergency trip to Ohio to care for my mom... I ended up spending the whole summer there with a few quick trips back home. I didn't have much time for blogging or for spending much time with my beloved horses. My dear husband was a real hero, taking care of the business, the kids, and all of the (other) animals on the farm.

When I was in Ohio I found my new favorite tack store. It's called the Painted Cowgirl. I was able to get a really great deal on a used trail saddle. I rode Delight in it yesterday and it fits me wonderfully and seems to fit her as well. I'll be getting an expert opinion on it before I take her out on a long ride, but for now I am in love! Here is a picture from the store (taken with my cell phone):


It is so comfortable and secure feeling! If it turns out not to fit Delight well enough, I will definitely be looking for a similar saddle to replace it! When I was a kid English was my favorite way to ride and I feel like I am being pulled back to my roots. It remains to be seen if this old lady body still has the muscle and balance to ride in an English style saddle. I sure hope so!

I really missed Delight and the other horses this summer. The first thing I did (after hugs and kisses all around for my family, of course) was to go out back and greet the horses and then bury my face in Delight's mane. I am so very blessed to have horses in my life.

Here are couple of pictures from a trail ride last summer...



I hope there is time to squeeze a few more trail rides in before bad weather sets in this Fall....

Another milestone for me

This weekend I threw some English tack on Delight and went for a ride. Last time I rode English was oh... well, lets just say over a quarter of a century ago!

All the riding I have been doing has been helping my balance. It was really fun, and just as comfortable as I remember it was. I really like all of the leg contact. Delight isn't used to that much leg, so she thought I was wanting to "go". I love my Lil Red Sports Car!

I know there is a lot "crooked' in this pic, but I just had to have a picture to remember this ride!