Where in the world is Learning Horses

OK, so I get it, I have been absent from the blogging world. Summer is meant for riding, not blogging and I have been taking full advantage of that.

So, to bring you up to speed:

In early July I went to the Evergreen Gaited Horse Show. Tesoro and I only rode in two classes and I was really pleased with his performance (minus one particular behavior that we will work on), but I came down with a terrible cold, so that combined with very warm temperatures kept me out of classes for the rest of the weekend.

When I came back home from the show I was on VACATION! Shortly into my vacation Lynn Gallup came from North Carolina for the Paso Fino Horsemanship clinic I put on at 4CJ Stables (you could not ask for a better host!). A great time was had by all, including the 1 Rocky Mountain Horse owner. Lynn headed back to her farm in NC fairly unharmed, but already filled with ideas for next year. She is off to Alaska next!

Of course there were some trail rides and lessons thrown in here and there, by the time I went back to work, I was ready for a horse break!

August started off with a bang, I judged the Horse 'n Around Trail Competition and Fisher 4-F Ranch. Tesoro and I did novice, completing only 20 of the 31 obstacles, making me realize all the obstacle work I have done with my other horses, I have never done with him. Zapa completed 30 out of 31, in the in-hand competition, but he didn't place. We did finally get him to do the obstacle he refused, but I ran out of time. It was WATER for crying out loud (something that has not been a problem)! The whole weekend was a blast and Julie made AMAZING prizes. You can still play around on the course for the next month or so, its is only $10 per horse, but please call Julie first to arrange a time. Elisia and I went yesterday and GREAT NEWS-Soda went fairly easily into the water! Look at Soda and Elisia jump!

It was a blast and Craig and Julie are amazing hosts. DARLENE is awesome, she gets so much credit for making it all happen. Here is a video of Precious and I going through the trench. And yes, it is as steep as it looks.

On Saturday I am headed to Reed's Ranch for the Reed's annual Paso Fino Fun Day. After that I am taking Santana home after 1 year. It is hard to believe he has been with me for that long and I am excited for his owner to get to enjoy him. Luckily he will be living at Heavenly Ranch, so I can visit anytime!

Marshall has gotten very big and Jennifer of Spotlite Dals has taken him to show for the next couple of weeks. It is awfully quiet at home, but Steinbeck is getting some good family time.

And, of course, my company has been acquired by Yahoo! and I seem to get busier every day with new customers, but job security is good!

The horses are doing well and I am looking forward to working as much as possible with Zapa over the winter. I will be mostly be riding him and Tesoro and giving Precious the occasional tune up. She is pretty happy as a lesson horse, but did remember some of her teachings when we did a little schooling last week. I am looking forward to just having three!

I also got a new truck, so I am SAFE to trailer again. The gas mileage is terrible, but it is a F250 and I can now go faster than a crawl up a hill. Hooray!

On a final note, we have made an offer on property that includes a barn and an arena. My dream is coming true. We could possibly remodel the stall side of the barn to accommodate 13 stalls, but will most likely use several of those spaces for tack, wash rack, etc. There is still a lot pending, so I'll fill you all in (with pictures) when the deal is final. Uriah and I will still live in town, but it will be great to have our own place AND. . .we can trail ride (for miles) off of the property. You can count on me for more clinics and events.

So that is the Learning Horses Summer. Remember when I told you what I would be doing this summer? A few things have changed, but the theme remains the same. Ride, ride, ride.

I'll be back posting again soon.