Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Birthday Horse Weekend Day #1~ACTHA Passionately Pink Ride


ACTHA ride number three, and this riding weekend started on my fortieth birthday, January 28th! I almost didn't get to go thanks to Jackson setting back and pulling a hitching post almost the size of a telephone pole straight onto my shoulder, chest, and face! OH OW! Usually I just jump up after I fall off, and get right back on, but I actually laid on the ground for about five minutes with this one. My mouth was full of blood, and it was hard to breathe. I spontaneously started crying, which I normally would NEVER do. So, I laid there and analyzed my injuries, and finally sat up with a wince (I called out to Rick who was working on fences not far away, but I think I was croaking his name, not my usual bellow:) deciding I was going to most likely live. Jackson was standing over me the whole time with a concerned look, as if to say, "Mom, that hurt? I'm sorry, but you were putting that Veterycin spray in my face; yes mom, I know we've done it 75 times, but this was the 76th time, so I really had to sit back. OK? Mom?" I went home, rested up, took all the Ibuprofen my kidneys could handle, and packed for the trip the next day. My birthday ruined by a pole? NOT. Thank goodness, it could have been BAD. We arrived at Suwanee Music Park in Live Oak, FL at about 11am, settled the horses into their stalls, and set up camp. A few people decided to go on a trail ride, but I was SOME hurtin' so I opted to chill and save it for the two days of riding that were coming! Thanks so much to my friends who helped me celebrate my birthday, took me on this fabulous trip, and put up with my debilitated, slightly grouchy (pain does that) self all weekend! It was a blast! All proceeds from Day #1 of the "Big Chill at Suwanee" went to benefit the Susan G. Komen fund in support of breast cancer. Luckily, we weren't chilly, it went into the 60's every day!!! :)
Cash feelin' THE PINK!

For those of you who have asked about the tattoo on my arm, and aren't on my FB, here it is...
Fortieth birthday present to myself, I had it placed on my upper left arm.


Setting up camp... Kathy with Amber who was "helping.."


Yummy chicken wings--Rick is such a great grillmeister!
Kasi holds dogs under her spell with her special hand motion.

OOPS! I started to cut it before I was reminded we needed a pic. I wanted that buttercream icing and white cake, MY FAVORITE birthday cake! I received bubble wrap from Kathy and Rick....after going off at a couple of big jumps (minor), and then the hitching post (hurty), I cracked UP! My real present was an eventing vest I had been wanting from Kathy and Rick. It fits PERFECTLY and the navy blue is one of our colors! :) Elise got me a neon orange hat cover to inform hunters NOT to shoot, and a beautiful horse picture frame. Thanks guys. 



Amber at seven months...

Harley at one year...




 Cast of horses:
Bugs The Morgan


Pokey The Paint-QH

My Jackson :) --AngloArab


Breeze-QH



Mr. Monster--QH
Cash-Clydesdale/QH





How camping with a few cops is different... Elise was told to go ahead and start the fire with a police flare...it looked like a stick of dynamite, not the safety ones you get in your car kit.... LOL. 





Night fall on our "camp"



Made sure my boy was settled in for the night... then







I imbibed on Patron and Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila...
Drink the good stuff and you will not suffer ze hangover!





Day #1 Dawned bright, early, and beautiful!



Kasi and Cash

On the trail, making our way to the next judged obstacle...
Susie on Breeze
Suzanne and Quinn on Tequila and Kahlua
I especially think Tequila the grey is one gorgeous horse, I love his coloring! OH. And his name.... ha!
Their horses weren't in the barn so I didn't get up close shots, but they are gorgeous!


Elise on Bugs

Jackson and I



Rick and Monster

The obstacles were really easy on Day #1... or we are getting better? :)



Cash

Two Lil' jumps as one of the obstacles. Kinda fun watching Western riders jump! Not that many of them can't, some better than myself. It just never looks right, and of course, you can't jump too high without a horn impaling you! ;) There was a major accident from what I hear, a woman went off, and then her horse kicked her. NOT cool...


Kathy won Fourth Place on Day #1, and the Pinkest rider too!
Kathy and Pokey were so awesome!

Cash's breastcollar for Day #1... I LIKE!




 Stay tuned for Day #2: "Still Chillin' at Suwanee".....



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Always There Are the Horses

Periodically, I run across this poem, yes, the one I got my blog title from, and reflect on its greatness. So, while I am certain I have posted this three years ago, here it is again!

Always….


I ride because I rode as a child when life was
simpler and somehow more complete. Only the whiff of a
clean horse is needed to remind of days gone by.


For always there have been the horses.


I ride because of all the great horse souls who have
shared their lives with me and taught me more than I
can say. Their names and faces flash before me as old
friends. I ride because of all the horses I shall
never ride. Those I have watched and marveled at from
afar for all their grace and beauty. This, the stuff of a
child's dream, the kind that doesn't die with time.


Always there are the horses.


I ride because the seasons call to me. Each unique in
its appeal and all quite frequently best viewed from
the back of a favorite horse. I ride because of all
things; horses are my passion. They inspire and
encourage, energize, and challenge in ways I cannot
explain to the uninitiated. I ride because of the
rush of stretching oneself just a bit farther today than
before, both mind and body.


Always there are the horses.


I ride because of those briefest of spans when the
partnership comes to full promise. When the path
twists and barriers fall, each footfall is measured
and balanced between the two as a dance.
There are no others, only this moment and this single step to ride.
The memories of those times stand vivid in my mind to
be recalled with all the freshness of the day at will
and in times less grand.


But if I must choose, I ride because I have dreams
yet to live. I ride because I have dreams yet to have;
and what exactly they will be tomorrow I cannot say,
but always there will be the horses.




WORD.