Gracie's evaluation...

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a one time World Show Hack Champion Brenda Bureau. She came out to look at Grace and give her opinion on her potential in the Show Hack Ring.

She had lots of great advice.

She thought Grace had the body type and mind to do extremely well in the show ring. She watched Kim ride her under saddle and suggested that we lunge her for 15 to 30 minutes before she's ridden using draw reigns and get her to move forward using her hind end better. This will help her relax more under saddle and teach her how use her hind with ground work. This will also help with our bonding...

I'm really looking forward to learning how to use these new tools. I'm always excited to learn something new when it comes to horses and working them. I''m new to the English discipline so this will be fun.

After Gracies ride we let her loose in the arena so Brenda would be able to see her natural movement. She has a natural extended trot a that is to die for and has such natural movement. We just need to capture that movement and teach her how do do them on cue. If she does the SKY'S the LIMIT!!!

Grace and her imitation of Silver

So Thursday night Kim was going to ride Grace she was tacked up and ready to go. The weather was COLD 36 degree about. Kim hopped on and did a lap around the arena and right away I could tell it was going to be interesting.

Grace was extra spooky. Spooking at the gates and at the tractor at the cows at all the things she's seen a million times. Kim asked her for a trot and came around the corner and my girl bucked...I have never in her riding career seen Grace buck with a rider. She would not relax about the 6th time around the arena she spooked again Kim pushed her forward and UP she went. Doing her very best unwanted impression of Silver....

We checked her for saddle pain or back pain. But I think her teeth were still tender from her visit from the dentist.

Kim rode her Friday morning and she was fine.

I have never seen my Sweet, Sweet Mare behave this way. Totally out of character for her.

Grace-y Goes to the Dentist.

If Gracie could talk this is what she would have sounded like after Dr. Ron was done with her.

Poor baby tells me when she needs to have her teeth looked at. She puts up a minor fight with the bridling. It comes from nowhere. One day she bridles fine the next she is all high headed and will back up eventually giving in...she's fine once the bridle is in. She's pretty good at expressing herself.

She had 6 ulcers on each side of her poor mouth. She's been needing a float about every 6 to 8 mths. I hope this goes down to at least once a year soon.

She's very expressive about other things as well, she hates back straps on her blanket and isn't fond of getting her hooves picked out, but she loves her grain, and kickin' up her heals on a sunny days.

Anyhoo, she had yesterday off and will be back to work tomorrow.

My God has it really been since Sept..

Has it been since Sept that I have posted on this blog..I was bugging JP about her blog and realized I really have no room to be giving her a hard time. So much has happened since Sept.

Gracie is getting ready for her first Breed show. It's the AIM sport horse show. She'll be riding in 3 classes. 2 Hunter under saddle classes and 1 show hack.

She had her first ride tonight in a double bridle (Full Bridle) and she looked amazing. She still takes my breathe away. I should have taken pics but I was so fascinated with her that I completely forgot.

She has transitioned out of a snaffle and is riding in a shank for western. She actually looks really cute. At least cute enough for open shows...I have a goal to win at least one ribbon this year in a Walk/Trot/Canter class...

In June there are a couple of open shows that we are hoping to compete for High Point. Things are really coming together. Super busy show schedule this year.

The Picture above is from our first show this year my friend Kim rides her English (and will be riding at AIM) She had a second and a third placing at this show.

I hope all is well out in blogger land....I promise myself I will keep up more as I really want a diary of Gracie's progress. Boy has she come a long way!

Thankful for a good barn...

I am so thankful that I have a barn that I trust implicitly with Grace. My life has been beyond hectic the past month or so...I have not been able to get out to the barn to spend time with Grace let alone ride. I think I've seen her maybe 3 times, but I know she's in good hands. Thank you "R"!!

I miss her terribly. I'm going to try my best to make some time hopefully this weekend.

One of the big reasons I haven't had time to make it out to the barn is that I've decided to make some changes in my life. In my old age I have become extremely sedentary. I have taken up running, using the Couch to 5K program, and Zumba a combo of dance styles that I have just fallen in love with it is so much fun! I need to gain strength, endurance and reap some of the other benefits that will make me a better rider.

So really this riding hiatus is for both of us. (of course it's going to cost me some training time with our barn owner but it will be worth it!)

WANTED: New BBFF

New BEST BARN FRIEND FOREVER needed. Forever is optional...

I met this girl when I responded to a Dreamhorse add. She had a Black and White pinto that had a trot as smooth as butter.

I remember the first time I went out to meet her at her barn I was so nervous she wanted whoever was going to buy her pony to take a lesson or two with the Barn owner to make sure it was a good fit. She was pretty attached to this pony.

I remember when I left that barn that night I cried because I thought I had found "THE ONE" but buyers remorse had set in a bit even before I decided to buy..then I received an E-mail the next day. I can't remember the wording but I think it was something like....'So Do you want her or not.'

I remember thinking....dang this girl is pushy. But what I didn't know at the time was she was selling "THE ONE" it was her one..and from that day on we have been friends. I have followed her from barn to barn because her research was impeccable and I always knew I could trust my pony anywhere she could trust hers.

But also because I liked her...But now she's leaving not only the barn but going to the Great White North. Alaska.

So I need someone to fill her shoes so if you think you're up for it then these are the requirements

1. Takes no Crap

2. Know's stuff about horses

3. Is always there no matter what with sugar cookies from McDonalds.

4. Answers dumb horse questions without making me feel like a dumb ass. (well at least most of the time)

5. Can gossip without judgement

6. Gets me

7. Plans silly girls night out and is the Designated Driver

8. Can pick up right where we left off after not having time to speak for days/weeks...

9. Will go to a horse shows and cheer me on from the stands or in the ring

10. Will pick me up and take me to the Canby Tack sale for the price of a Mocha

11. Can make unicorn cupcakes with glitter sprinkles...

12. MUST BE FABULOUS!

So if you Think you can fill those shoes then step on up...

Jocelyn, you have been the best mentor a Green horse girl could have. You were there the first time I saw Grace, the first time I sat on Grace, our first show...

I guess this means it's time to put on my big girl panties and head out on my own...begrudgingly.

I hope Alaska brings you all the adventure you can can hadle. Know that you will forever have a spot in my heart...

So here's to you...Ride on Sister, and look out for moose and Grizzly bears.

We are TRAIL BLAZERS...

Good news my hubby ordered a new point and shoot camera for me today. I've been without one for a while and I really could have used one this weekend.

This is the one we bought the Samsung TL220.

I am really looking forward to taking lots of pictures while we are out on the trail.

So on Sat. we trailered out to McGiver State park and met with my friend Julie and her Dressage horse. It was my favorite kind of ride...uneventful with the exception of the momma Deer that was blocking the trail. We stared at her for a bit moved the horses forward and her two little baby twin fawns popped out of the woods onto the trail. The horses did great. Momma Deer moved on and we passed by the twins I'd say within 20 feet or so. It was relaxing and sooo good to get out and ride. Gracie had quite the workout. Being a pasture princess hasn't been very good for her fitness level. We are going to change that if I have anything to say about it.

Oh and I hooked up the trailer by myself and parked it back where it belonged at the ranch in between two other trailers. GOOO me. I can do this.

So today I had heard a rumor that there was a trail ride posse heading out from the ranch today so I called to see if it was still on. It was if I was willing so I threw on my jeans and boots and hit the ranch. It ended up just being another boarder and I but that was fine it was a good ride. About a mile of gravel road and then miles and miles of BLM trails.

The PNW is one of the most beautiful places on earth and my ride today proved that. It was HOT here today but in the forest it was probably a good 10 to 15 degrees cooler. Grace was alert but spooked a couple of times but it was pretty much again my favorite kind of ride uneventful.

I can't wait to share pictures of our rides in the future. It was an amazing weekend of breathtaking scenery and even better company!!