Summer ends, School Starts

Here we are at the end of September and much has been happening since the last time I was here.  First, one of our visitors deciphered the t-shirt.  I  sum 8 pi (I eat some pie).  Great shirt for the match geeks among us.

So what has happened since then.  When last I left you, White Olympics were underway.  Well, Kumi's whip team, White Belle Star, won best ground specialty and the sportsmanship award.  They did a great job.  Here is Kumi and two of her teammates doing a pyramid.

Summer Time

What the heck happened to summer!? I find it a bit hard to believe that the last time I posted was on June 2nd and it is August 9th. Its not like nothing happened, I just don't know where the time went.

Random Picture - What does it say?

So, what has happened since Interclub?

In June Kumi had her first show as a Crimson Ranger. It was a two day show (almost) and I don't have a single picture. You see, I was flag dadding and barn dadding. I was so busy that I did not get to take any pictures. I did see her ride and her team did a great job. Rumor has it that the director of Westernaires said the Crimson Rangers put on a better drill than the Precisionettes. Pretty cool.

Westernaires Interclub 2012

Here is Kira, ready for Interclub!

Westernaires is big on shows. And they should be. The kids work hard to learn to control their horses and learn the drills. Tenderfeet, the first year kids, do not have any drills. So how does an organization that specializes in mounted drills get their first year riders into a show? Interclub.

Seaarching for Treats

Conventional wisdom says that giving your horse treats directly from your hands teaches your horse that you are nothing but a large flesh colored treat bag. I am here to confirm that that is true.

Kumi was standing at the trailer and Beamer and Mariah started checking her for treats. They wouldn't leave her alone so she finally had to leave. But only after she had some fun with them.

Mariah Almost Killed Carly and I Today

Mariah. She is the sweetest horse you have ever seen. See how good she looks in her sweat blanket? All the girls are Westernaires love her big brown eyes and the fact that she has no problem if lean against her or wrap your arms around her neck. And then you get on her back.

News Flash - Cityboy wins 3rd place!

It is okay to laugh at this picture. I did not know my shirt had come untucked and looked so dorky but hay! Its is my first ribbon on my horse! And as everybody in the horse world knows, its all about the ribbons! Or the occasional saddle. And sometimes a really big belt buckle.

We had a very busy and very fun weekend. Saturday was, as always, a Westernaires Saturday. Kira rode in her tenderfoot class and all went well for her. Ebony was well behaved. (Ominous for shadowing for later).

Two of our friends from Westernaires did not have their horses. One is dealing with some colic issues (but he is doing better this morning) and the other hurt a tendon in his rear leg (but laser treatments are improving his condition greatly!). We offered to let them ride Ebony and Mariah. They accepted so off to Dressage they went. Here are the three horses in the same class. I took this picture because this may well be the only time it happens. I only had my cell phone with me so the pics are not the best. I have really got to start bringing my good camera with me every time. You never know when something cool is going to happen.

Been a while

It has been a while. It always seems like this time of year, between New Years and spring, is a kind of slow time of year. There is not a lot going on. Not much for holidays, the weather is cold and the days are short so there is not a lot going on outside. We get up, got to work or school, come home, make dinner and work on home work and watch TV. Repeat ad nauseum. I'm not complaining, it has just always been a slow time of year. But, there is always a little something going on.

Breaking News: Kumi gets call up

Hot off the press! 10 minutes ago Kumi got a call. See that smile on her face. Well, its a big smile because Kumi is no longer a Nighthorse Ranger, Kumi is now a

The Mystery of the Pasture Chase

It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a kick rang out. Well, it wasn't night and it wasn't stormy but it was a kick. Doesn't work for the start of a horse story, does it. Lets try this again.

My name is Dweeb, Doofus Dweeb. I'm a Private Eye. When you have questions, I find answers. On a good day, your questions get answers, on a bad day, my friend Jack Daniels answers my questions. Or at least makes me forget them for a while.

Ebony goes to Class

Kira and Ebony at their first ride together in Westernaires.

As you know, Ebony has been is school, ground manners school. We have been working with her on walking calmly and not trying to get ahead or around whomever is leading her. We have had great results around the house but we still have some work to do around Westernaires. She still gets a bit nervous. But we decided to try her out in a class and see how she did.

Christmas Break

I had some time over Christmas break to play. Yes, old guys like to play. Its just that our toys are more expensive than when we were younger. My game is Pen Turning. It involves a lathe, some chisels, a few pen kits and some pen blanks that can be either wood or plastic. Or, as in the picture above, a laser cut kit. I would like to say that I cut the laser kits myself but alas, that is not the case. Try as I might, I just cannot justify the $10,000 initial investment in a laser to get started.

Happy New Year

My, how time flies. Is it really January 11th. I keep promising myself to post at least weekly and I never quite seem to. Ah, well. Maybe I'll add that to my list of New Years resolutions. So, where to start...

A Girl and Her Horse
Kira has been working with Ebony. We took Ebony for a long walk by herself and she was just as calm as you could ask for. When we took her to Westernaires she was less calm but better. We walked her all the way to the arenas and she didn't start to get nervous until we asked her to stand calmly. Kumi rode Ebony in a ride last week and she did okay. A bit stubborn and a bit dancy but she didn't kick or bite the other horses. Looks like Kira will start riding Ebony in Westernaires this weekend! She's excited. I think it will be good for both of them.