Canadian Arabian Nationals

 Char with one of her riders

Chardoney recently traveled to Canada to compete in the Canadian Arabian nationals. She brought home two top tens in Sporthorse In Hand. SHIH is a class where the horses are judged for conformation, quality of movement, temperament, and overall suitability as a sport horse.

 Here she is with the whole team in Canada

She traveled with her owner Lynette and Ellis Supreme Arabians. It was a long drive, but well worth it for everyone who worked so hard to get there. All of the horses came home with ribbons.

Smiles all around!

 Congratulations!

Lynette, Chardoney and Kayla

New Friends

Chardoney meets new friends. Star sees a friend, but Tawshi is NOT impressed.

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It happened! She's Here!

Dreams do come true.

Here is the newest member of my horse family. E-Chardoney.

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Chardoney at Sunset

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The Pink Flamingo

It's nearly time for the Pink Flamingo!

This is the ride that started it all for my riding buddy Sandra and I last year. Since then we have each logged 100 LD miles on our horses! We also have logged 25 on Lyn's horses Sam and Tacki. I think we have definitely found a new passion.

This year we will be bringing 4 horses and 4 riders along. Sandra will be riding Tia in her first ever 50 mile ride. I will ride Delight for the 30 miler on the first day and the 25 miler on the second. Katrina will be riding Sam with me on both days. On the second day we will be joined by Nancy, a first timer riding Takima.

Our crew will be headed by the best crew leader ever Lyn. Chase, Cherish and Nancy, will help her crew on the first day and Chase and Cherish will help on the second day.  Lyn has big plans for some yummy food and Sandra will bring her metal fireplace so we will have food and firelight every day.

I can't wait to hit the trail in the cool green mountains of Cascade. We'll have food, fun and friends. I am so blessed!

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Dreams

I was reading a thread on a message board the other day that was titled: "Heart horse or Dream horse, which would you choose?"

When I read it, I agreed with the people who responded "Heart horse". Delight is my heart horse. I have shed many a tear in her mane and many joys too. We both make an effort to know what the other is thinking, often times with hilarious results. She has a heart as big as Texas on the endurance trail. We have had so many adventures. Unlike other horses that I have owned, I will never sell her. She is my friend.

Delight  started out as a Dream horse. I dreamed for 20 years of having a horse. The horse of my childhood was a little red quarterpony mare named "Babe". She was sold by my parents while I was in my teens and I grieved for her for years. Then there came College and Marriage and Kids... and life. To have another equine best friend was just a dream. In 2005 my dream came true when Tom bought Delight for my birthday. She quickly moved from Dream horse to Heart horse.

I now have the opportunity to own a second Dream horse. I'll share more details later, once she is here. I first saw her a couple of years ago as a three year old at one of her first Class A Arabian/Half Arabian show. She was stunning. I couldn't take my eyes of off her. I was blown away by her talent and beauty. I started to watch for her at other Class A shows and I got to know her owner/breeder. At one time I thought about purchasing her, but I decided to put training on Star instead. I thought that this horse was a superstar and way out of my league.

Over the last couple of years she has grown into a beautiful full bodied mare. I have followed her career from afar, asking for updates from her breeder. She was sold once. I never thought I would see her again. I was excited when she came back to her breeder. Then she was sold a second time. I got to meet her new owner and we hit it off. I was very happy that she had found such a kind, loving person.

Now she is for sale again. I am excited because this time I have the opportunity buy her.  Just like Delight, she is a once in a lifetime Dream horse. I have high hopes she will soon become a heart horse too.

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Owyhee Cheap Thrills No Frills

6.24-25.2011

I rode the Owyhee Cheap Thrills No Frills endurance ride last month and I thought I would share a few pictures. It was the first ride of the year for me. I rode Delight 25 miles each day. Sandra was with me riding her trusty steed Tia. On the second day we were joined by Katrina riding Lyn's horse Sam on her first ever endurance ride.

Ridecamp

Chase climbed a nearby mountain to take a great picture of Ridecamp. Or, maybe he was trying to get cell phone reception in order to check his Facebook page? We were some of the first to arrive, so there aren't many rigs in this picture. Lyn's truck and trailer are at the top right hand side. 

A Canyon

 

  Sandra and Tia hightailing it up a hill

 

In spite of being out in the middle of the high desert there were interesting things to see and stunning vistas to explore. On the second day we went straight up and down a mountain gaining about 1000 feet. We walked our horses both ways. Going down was a LOT easier. Climbing back up, Katrina easily rode Sam to the top. Sandra and I wanted to give our horses a break so we chose to hike up. We were gasping for air. We very quickly taught our horses to "tail". We unsnapped one side of our reins and then followed our horses up, holding tightly to their tails. The horses pulled us up the mountain by their tails!

An old dugout

 

 

 

This was where the trail went along the spine of a mountain. It was very rocky. This pic doesn't really show how high or steep it was. We rode all the way to the top in the distance and then down the other side. This part was thrilling to ride!

 

 

 

Katrina and Sam. All smiles.

 

 

 Sandra and Tia. All smiles.

  

 I don't have any pictures of myself from this ride... or any of our wonderful crew Lyn and Chase. They were once again the best crew ever. We had the best support team of all of the riders there!

My view through Delight's eyes. 

It was a wonderful couple of days. The weather was beautiful, the horses healthy and the company the best.