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....

Spinner's 2nd show ever!

This is me and Spinner waiting to get into his second show. My nerves were stretched, but I was really excited.

First entering the arena!!! My head is turned because i was looking for the judge, that is what the gate person I pointing at.

This was at the beginning of the show. I had to throw a smile at mom, that's why I look so dorky =P.



This is in the middle of the show. Spinner was being pretty good, only he kept on stopping in front of the grand stands because he wanted to say hi to the little kids that were right up to the fence.

This is at the end of the show. Spinner was doing fabulous.

This is the shot after the show. I may not look very enthusiastic, but i was soooooo tired, so was Spinner in that case. I was really jumping up and down mentally. I was also slightly surprised too. There was a girl next to me in line in front of the ring steward that also did very well (I don't know who she was), and I thought that I had gotten marked down for getting my reins mixed up when I was backing up. the girl next to me ended up getting 2nd.


On my way to the Shadow Butte Both (about 20 minutes after my show), I heard my name being called from the announcer's both saying I needed to come get my award. Thinking that it was some kind of mistake, I went ahead and bought my Mt. Dew before I went to go clear things up. When I came under the announcers booth, the horse 4-H Super Intendant made me sign a "thank you" note and said that my award was coming (she didn't say what though). Kind of confused, I went back to the trailer and started to drowse in a camping chair. About an hour later, a tall, skinny guy came up and asked "Are you Cherish Armstrong?"
I said yes and he led me under the announcer's booth for my reward. I figured it was going to be a hay bag or water bucket, but then he grabbed up a really nice head stall and said, "Here you go!" Over whelmed, I thanked him fervently and ran to go show it off to mom. You can probably guess how that went.

The bridle is made out of buffalo skin and has no Chicago Screws, so it will last longer. I Also got split reins to match the brow band design. At the end of the day I switched out the bit of my old bridle to my new one and used it in the games after ward.

At Spinner's very first show, this is what he got me. As mom says, he's a Wonder Pony.

And this is what I got at the fair this year all together (I also got a silver meddle for my 4-H record book, but I get a meddle every year so I don't have a picture of it).

Fair Part IV: Katrina and Tawshi Make Great Strides

This morning Tawshi was feeling really good! Seems like she has gotten stronger every day, rather than more tired like the rest of us!

The very first class was right after the flag ceremony, so there wasn't much time for warming up. Tawshi was feeling the best she has felt for 2 weeks and decided to really be "peppy". Her first lope was really a canter, almost a gallop and went diagonally across the arena. Poor Katy!

Last minute pep talk and bridle adjustment from Mom:


It was an equitation class so after the runaway flat work there was individual work.

Getting ready to start the pattern:


Loping to the right:


In spite of the trouble she had, Katrina didn't place but she was awarded a red ribbon. In addition to the top 6 placings, each kid gets a Blue, red or white ribbon which represents what the judge thought of their individual effort. She was expecting a white for sure... but left the ring with red and a big smile.

Her next class was Bareback Equitation. Katrina decided to go ahead and enter inspite of Tawshi's near run away in the first class. She wasn't going to lope and just figured that she would "take" a white ribbon.

A big part of 4H is being brave an trying new things. This was her very first bareback class ever, and she has never cantered bareback before. I was pretty proud of her for going for it.


Tawshi was doing so well, when it was time to lope, Katy really went for it! She loped on her!!! Actually, it was a canter because she was riding English. The other direction Tawshi didn't pick up the correct lead, so she had to bring her down twice and correct it. Remember, this is her first time to lope bareback!

At the end of the class she was rewarded with FIFTH place and a BLUE ribbon!

Fair 08 Part III Spinner takes a Spin in the Arena

Waiting to head in to the show pen for the first time together as a team:



Going through the "In" gate. This is about as excited as he has gotten during the whole show so far:


Each of the horse 4H kids has to set goals at the beginning of the year. Cherish's goals were: #1 "To ride my horse " and #2 (to be filled in... I can't remember...) Then they must have a One On One interview with a judge and demonstrate what they have learned.


Here Cherish is having her One On One. Spinner was a Wonderpony. He was calm cool and collected. He walked into the arena like he has been doing it all of his life.

The judge was really impressed with how far Cherish has gotten with her horse in such a short period of time. She was also familiar with the Blazer breed and was very encouraging.

A beautiful smile on a beautiful girl:

Fair 08 Part II : Speedy Gets Dolled Up

Here Katy is helping Cody and Speedy get ready for their showmanship class. This is the first year that Cody has had to do a pattern.

"Always, always turn your horse away from you. "


Speedy wasn't sure about wearing "makeup". He thought it was pretty funny!


Here is what he really thinks about baby oil.... isn't he coooooote? Is that a smile, or a smirk?



Speedy says, "I get no respect, I tell ya!"

Fair 08 Part I

Fair week is in full swing! I thought I would share some snapshots of the horse show. We still have another day to go, but there are so many pictures!

Here's a picture of the whole crew. We took 4 horses and 4 kids. One of the kiddos isn't in 4H but she should get a ribbon for how helpful she is being! (More on her later...)

Don't worry, all of that stuff on the ground is well away from the horses. There were times when the kids had their stuff strewn every where.... just like at home.

I'll start with Katy and Tawshi. Tawshi has been feeling under the weather lately. She was a real champ though and did her best for her girl. Here they are in their showmanship class.

All smiles waiting for their very first English class together as a team. Tawshi isn't the most photogenic of horses. The ears are floppy when the eyes are open and the eyes are closed when her ears are forward. I don't know why. It's a family joke. She will never be a model!


In the class....


Waiting in the lineup....


And lovies for a job well done:

Another "Speedy" Update

After I finished the last Speedy update I was looking through my other blog entries and I realized I hadn't shared about another important milestone - Speedy's first trail ride!

One of the things our family loves to do... errr I guess I should say- I love to do with my family, and they usually enjoy once I drag them out there is trail riding.

It happened last weekend, on my birthday. Tom went out on his new horse Foxy and I went out on my Delight. It was also Foxy's first time out with us.

OH - it was Cody's first trail ride ever too! So, lots of firsts that day.

I was a little bit nervous as we have never just thrown a saddle on Speedy and ridden. We always have done some round pen work first. Once Cody was aboard his mount he did some hips over and some suppling exercises. Then we were off!

Here Cody is cleaning Speedy's feet. Not a confo shot I know, but you can see the improvement in his body condition. Speedy has a very thick mane that falls on both sides. That's my Delight in the background.

We rode near the area where I took Spinner for his first "spin" (ha ha couldn't resist). It is BLM land. Mostly desert and rolling hills. Not much for a greenie horse to get too excited about.

That's Tom on Foxy up ahead.

We usually take time to stop and allow the horses to graze on the trail while we drink water and have a snack ourselves - usually beef jerky or a power bar. It was really hot on this day, in the 90's.

Dontcha just love those comfy looking jeans?


Speedy acted like trail riding was old hat. He wasn't spooky at all and was a pretty willing partner for his boy. He needs more fine tuning in his "giving" in general, but for where he is at in his training, he was fabulous!

This isn't the greatest picture, but I really like how lightly my son is holding the reins and how Speedy is bending in response. Cody was asking him to stop grazing.

Here is my steady mount Delight with Speedy and his boy in the background:

Foxy did well too! Tom had a great time riding his well trained horse!


It was a great ride. Speedy sailed through it. Cody had a great time trotting him and keeping up with the "big" horses. He even got the chance to lope a little. What a great little horse!