Day 1 Under the Saddle

Well, it's been 2 weeks now since we
got Mia. Aimee has been working with
her on the ground and decided today

would be a good day to ride.

I had no idea what to expect and neither
did Mia, but she did great!

Aimee was able to get her to walk, trot,

stop, back up and move her hip and shoulder.
The session only lasted about 20 min.

Manitou Horse Show

Our first horse show of the year, and boy, was it exhausting.
Aimee had been preparing all week, cleaning saddles and
boots, filling hay bags, loading the trailer, etc. The evening
before requires cleaning stalls and bathing horses. The plan
is to be in bed by 10, but that never happens. Up by 5:45 am
to get ready, load horses and be on the road by 6:45am.

Aimee and Quinn in Western Pleasure. Placed 4th!
So proud of Aimee, when I remember that only a year ago,
this was a wild-eyed four year old that we took off
the trailer. She was pushy and had never really been
handled...wow, has she come a long way!!


3 days before the show, we decided to
enter Carl in the yearling/2 year old halter class for
fun. He didn't place, but did great considering
the others were all a year older than him
and this was only the second time he has
been off our farm!


Aimee and Quinn warming up for
the halter class


Two very tired/grumpy girls before the leadline
class. And a bored Skippy.


Quinn with her head up way too high. She could
hear Carl calling out for her and wasn't paying
attnetion to Aimee.

We decided last minute to enter Peyton and Skippy.

We weren't sure how he would react, so we put them
in the leadline class. Well, Skippy surprised us and
was SO well behaved!!! He knew exactly what he was
doing :)

Peyton, killing time between competitors in the
peewee trail class. The had to lead their pony over
a wooden bridge, across 5 poles, into a square and turn
360 then walk to two barrels, take a flag from one and

put it into the second.

Back to the leadline class. The judge walked up to each
competitor and asked how old they were and something
about their pony. Peyton said she was 6 and her pony
was Skippy. She added that he was 'bad' and 'bucked
her off sometimes'. She still somehow managed to place
4th in a class of 12!

Aimee and Quinn

Guess we didn't prepare Peyton for how

to stand during a class while waiting for
the other cometitors to finish. It was a
very large class and she was fidgety.

Six horse hitch - LOVE IT!!!

Waiting for the judge

Getting Ready For The Show

Tomorrow is the Manitou Horse Show. We've
never gone, but have heard it's a nice, smaller
show. Aimee and her friend have been busy all
week getting everything prepared. Tonight we bathed
the horses.


And this is the horse that exactly 1 year ago,
thought she was going to die if we tried to spray
her with fly spray. She stood completely still while
we hosed her down.


Sweet little Carl <3. He's just a baby, and
also stood completely still while he was sprayed
with the garden hose!


Last but not least...Skippy! He seemed to
enjoy his bath too.

Stormy Pine Poco

Today we traded Dazz for Stormy Pine Poco
aka Mia. She's a beautiful little 3 year old
mare that was bred by Sandy Ridge Ranch.
We have 2 of his other horses and they are amazing.
Not sure what exactly we'll do with her, but since we
are trying to downsize, we'll probably get her green broke
and sell her this fall.

Peter Campbell Clinic

Aimee had the opportunity to attend a Peter Campbell
clinic in June. He is an amazing clinician and highly
respected in the horse world. www.willingpartners.com


Aimee and Quinn, trying to figure things
out on Day 1

By the end of the 4 day clinic, Peter told her how proud he

was of the progress she made with Quinn and that they
make a great team.

Swimming Lessons

Peyton successfully completed Level 2 in swimming
lessons today! Yay!

Kingston

Well, this summer has started out with a few changes
at our farm. We decided to sell Babe and Dazz and look for
a high quality riding horse for myself. We purchased Kingston,
a thoroughbred / percheron gelding from Royston Farms in
Russell. He is 4 years old and is currently in training with Sarah,
at Dacotah Performance Horses.

I'm not sure how tall he is, but is at least 16.3hh.

He is big and solid and a graceful mover! Grandfather

was the racehorse Saratoga Six.