tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10724791540742144752024-02-18T21:37:30.938-05:00Always There Are the Horsesjacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-16626271997940219022014-03-19T04:54:00.002-04:002014-03-19T04:54:31.117-04:00As Much As Things Change....They Don't Stay the Same At All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really haven't thought much about this blog lately, and I now realize just how long I've been away from this world as I started to upload a couple of photos. Shoot, lots of the interface has changed, and it will take me a bit to figure out how to navigate and place pictures. It seems like some nifty new shortcuts have been added, and that's going to be cool once I figure it out. Or so one hopes. So, I think the last time I was on here was 2011! Crazy. So much has changed. So much is still the same. I'd say much, much, much of my life is for the better. I still have Jackson, (who very much deserves his own post, that rascal!) and my girlfriend and I essentially rescued this gal, who as you can see, is brimming with personality. We named her Shanith, and we believe that she is somewhere between twelve and eighteen years old. We (yes, it was a rescue) rescued her in September of 2012 from the town of Bell, Florida, and if you've never been there you probably wouldn't be sorry. Podunk is about the extent of it. Shantih is a TB/Perch, and she loves hugs. She has to make you part of her family first, but once you are in, she's your girl. Her are my GF have bonded trememdously, and you can watch the two of them and see how much they enjoy each other. When we "rescued" Shantih, her feet hadn't been done in two years (or longer..), she was being fed generic sweet feed for "livestock", and the owner told us, that she really does not like to be fly sprayed. EVER. Yeah, the horse who practically carries the fly spray bottle over to you so you can keep those pests away. I took her for a ride, and I could feel that she knew a few things. And then the previous owner pitched in that she had bought her from a lady who evented her locally, but had been forced to sell due to breast cancer. Any further information was certainly not obtained that day. Nor did we take her home that first day either. She was no fan of trailers. Interesting. An eventer to a trailer chicken? Weird. And despite two hours of trying, we did no bring her home until the next weekend.</div>
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jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-85393030167642697312011-02-09T12:50:00.010-05:002011-02-10T11:21:01.061-05:00Birthday Horse Weekend Day #1~ACTHA Passionately Pink Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuMUnIBdmr_AlqS184aLuAsWGG5tX07UGU8HKrOduY2n5JvZB15kXR_Oh6Y0ACpiVxctB49wC78Ucyom8QggsgV20iRXRoZOPCbC6i5oSd6nFu6wZh91hlKHLi_9FKdQbVS8kRm3NMJWW/s1600/180290_1663261334542_1027483720_31425878_676697_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuMUnIBdmr_AlqS184aLuAsWGG5tX07UGU8HKrOduY2n5JvZB15kXR_Oh6Y0ACpiVxctB49wC78Ucyom8QggsgV20iRXRoZOPCbC6i5oSd6nFu6wZh91hlKHLi_9FKdQbVS8kRm3NMJWW/s320/180290_1663261334542_1027483720_31425878_676697_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>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 <em>most likely</em> 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!!! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cash feelin' THE PINK!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For those of you who have asked about the tattoo on my arm, and aren't on my FB, here it is...<br />
Fortieth birthday present to myself, I had it placed on my upper left arm. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up camp... Kathy with Amber who was "helping.."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Yummy chicken wings--Rick is such a great grillmeister!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasi holds dogs under her spell with her special hand motion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amber at seven months...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harley at one year...</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Cast of horses:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs The Morgan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pokey The Paint-QH</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Jackson :) --AngloArab</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajm1f5PyjXLxhQAjynOqIxAzDiCSy1wsYs8roTwB9gPd5-7skm3_boxvCEb2L7cgfaZexFH2Olws_l2M-rLtU1Oo7KkLwvuseyYBuzSV984I7a-FZDxLExzxH-NWdo_d7_CHgoadMoohk/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajm1f5PyjXLxhQAjynOqIxAzDiCSy1wsYs8roTwB9gPd5-7skm3_boxvCEb2L7cgfaZexFH2Olws_l2M-rLtU1Oo7KkLwvuseyYBuzSV984I7a-FZDxLExzxH-NWdo_d7_CHgoadMoohk/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breeze-QH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIepQIaeJvGlAx2ayRhOqHuXxSIIXWI3ub6LKzICbBbMO4pzKKI5rnvb0mQicJULU-STZZIeiT2XQYpnNN3hBXvX8rB1wtNcMJAuIYxSQvVmkPjhvuBWfvqya7ndrBnhkPuXSJ0MbjCRa/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIepQIaeJvGlAx2ayRhOqHuXxSIIXWI3ub6LKzICbBbMO4pzKKI5rnvb0mQicJULU-STZZIeiT2XQYpnNN3hBXvX8rB1wtNcMJAuIYxSQvVmkPjhvuBWfvqya7ndrBnhkPuXSJ0MbjCRa/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Monster--QH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmoBiy3KFCeIWYC03iPiRkrM8LkMyEomARA4q-NtKjh3NVAXkUIgbyjOOb-PTz6Vn1N1H3nu7yc4hjbp0VNIYxFN-xxdEFcj93MovmxE1N1DZBy2KVLoNPsGh0_rqxuKKdjyXDtfwJ7sj/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmoBiy3KFCeIWYC03iPiRkrM8LkMyEomARA4q-NtKjh3NVAXkUIgbyjOOb-PTz6Vn1N1H3nu7yc4hjbp0VNIYxFN-xxdEFcj93MovmxE1N1DZBy2KVLoNPsGh0_rqxuKKdjyXDtfwJ7sj/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cash-Clydesdale/QH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST7ynJ1AVTYr3jcNHFJXPzGfW9RYzzayN8tfnKWJtfDcR-LLesM459-AaQ6oYGbJwu_gIGJVsgxuqgZ692wlr1G4puaZV5aApqrIDcaz1BHSdGNDH4XQlh5UtJPExpStyyIZn_lVoi4ox/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST7ynJ1AVTYr3jcNHFJXPzGfW9RYzzayN8tfnKWJtfDcR-LLesM459-AaQ6oYGbJwu_gIGJVsgxuqgZ692wlr1G4puaZV5aApqrIDcaz1BHSdGNDH4XQlh5UtJPExpStyyIZn_lVoi4ox/s320/IMG_0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVA8gK6vnMbVcUDC3l7sZt1CdR3mgrfAa12zsdkLxFLJ0wlCMlK03e2tfVKI3MhFAk-6-l9tfRaeg0XqhxzQPmUmz5XITQ6eS7srit6urAf8S2Y1h9Eiy-WBRgdSgkQ-xrk9QrqiVR6Vf/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVA8gK6vnMbVcUDC3l7sZt1CdR3mgrfAa12zsdkLxFLJ0wlCMlK03e2tfVKI3MhFAk-6-l9tfRaeg0XqhxzQPmUmz5XITQ6eS7srit6urAf8S2Y1h9Eiy-WBRgdSgkQ-xrk9QrqiVR6Vf/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night fall on our "camp"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7sIBHLb3qAAKqTe_faTzRmkbtgqIV1Z6YbRNzfB3Eo8XAb5sT1MOcFxncyOQ-NhTewnm-lwuQmj2lcB-JK4AyNWN02YMboc3s1sY9RVEpvvta6iOTyLnH-GRr6DCRJCYpS5ArRqvRsML/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7sIBHLb3qAAKqTe_faTzRmkbtgqIV1Z6YbRNzfB3Eo8XAb5sT1MOcFxncyOQ-NhTewnm-lwuQmj2lcB-JK4AyNWN02YMboc3s1sY9RVEpvvta6iOTyLnH-GRr6DCRJCYpS5ArRqvRsML/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made sure my boy was settled in for the night... then</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tFx-gwYxgckpaobVV3niKq0-Lk_zx-gvaxibdMQnPEbpB4PPtTaCLIomNp3NBeXq0wwnF4eq0MhVuIHTYXS4ksNyn-kFWKwFQWkwWCaVihzmiKUG3zHwHCIB3X6HqqpDDpEwsgGJyIM9/s1600/166444_1876045982688_1287375819_2229054_1133880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tFx-gwYxgckpaobVV3niKq0-Lk_zx-gvaxibdMQnPEbpB4PPtTaCLIomNp3NBeXq0wwnF4eq0MhVuIHTYXS4ksNyn-kFWKwFQWkwWCaVihzmiKUG3zHwHCIB3X6HqqpDDpEwsgGJyIM9/s320/166444_1876045982688_1287375819_2229054_1133880_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I imbibed on Patron and Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila...<br />
Drink the good stuff and you will not suffer ze hangover!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day #1 Dawned bright, early, and beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-qlx_YUFl0uuUykpoOXq_4VTRKhetSr191qaoxkoOR1Bfv6Cm6AV5eIRFs161-MORegXe1xDbLYnYgQeX-MkVHiIZy_U9O1uLq3ysn29kxYSclODPOz6e_5g11RUUrY8edhw9OsRZSSg/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-qlx_YUFl0uuUykpoOXq_4VTRKhetSr191qaoxkoOR1Bfv6Cm6AV5eIRFs161-MORegXe1xDbLYnYgQeX-MkVHiIZy_U9O1uLq3ysn29kxYSclODPOz6e_5g11RUUrY8edhw9OsRZSSg/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasi and Cash </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c6GRfCIzbqonCo63prmkY7KRh_DeRcJqEBYEc02eIK4RR6CZ5O23aEtMShtCBOmIWpPffPAER7Cmw5L-HtHkEcxLlZkIQYLNsvLzsRqPcHue3aZIlLM9s50fayVQfySTn326xeI0Tem_/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c6GRfCIzbqonCo63prmkY7KRh_DeRcJqEBYEc02eIK4RR6CZ5O23aEtMShtCBOmIWpPffPAER7Cmw5L-HtHkEcxLlZkIQYLNsvLzsRqPcHue3aZIlLM9s50fayVQfySTn326xeI0Tem_/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trail, making our way to the next judged obstacle...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe6RgGz7NjWl1uDprWMN9lSOzzwR1PWJFXT7Ac2FLo0a_IjNy3NtTI6l0NVAvrcHHCbgHztwbIPWBYc9oMolchpw5J_N3XpF-l2Hep5XcaISDN8eER5Qa-H-sFmg-jcSGMmyp-kvu-3mf/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe6RgGz7NjWl1uDprWMN9lSOzzwR1PWJFXT7Ac2FLo0a_IjNy3NtTI6l0NVAvrcHHCbgHztwbIPWBYc9oMolchpw5J_N3XpF-l2Hep5XcaISDN8eER5Qa-H-sFmg-jcSGMmyp-kvu-3mf/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susie on Breeze</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbSULlYEVa7nhMqOlb714mG76GmQFY4BaUKVqqgN1QqFQTqy2EQr9PyQIEkU9jLT_YmR7ujxBpQWmk4kx6GFvAYzS5WJ6RHnorsW9IPYH7yvxoPyZh_WgKhP2JxfxlMdWUe97P8CD5Xr7/s1600/162659_1526376683738_1364288804_31155443_5495824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbSULlYEVa7nhMqOlb714mG76GmQFY4BaUKVqqgN1QqFQTqy2EQr9PyQIEkU9jLT_YmR7ujxBpQWmk4kx6GFvAYzS5WJ6RHnorsW9IPYH7yvxoPyZh_WgKhP2JxfxlMdWUe97P8CD5Xr7/s320/162659_1526376683738_1364288804_31155443_5495824_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanne and Quinn on Tequila and Kahlua<br />
I especially think Tequila the grey is one gorgeous horse, I love his coloring! OH. And his name.... ha!<br />
Their horses weren't in the barn so I didn't get up close shots, but they are gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt-4y1vDSX6fB8HOHPm7EcvdPjVisRAFc4JeR0mepyy_GyM2l9ODHYyvhDzS8MyDAb1l4tua3F6u4RDijtOkazsROCdOopLHCCu5Y2uu5ToTsYv0jHdDc22HrLzB57VpZ3mnc-UNwR8_G/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt-4y1vDSX6fB8HOHPm7EcvdPjVisRAFc4JeR0mepyy_GyM2l9ODHYyvhDzS8MyDAb1l4tua3F6u4RDijtOkazsROCdOopLHCCu5Y2uu5ToTsYv0jHdDc22HrLzB57VpZ3mnc-UNwR8_G/s400/IMG_0292.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elise on Bugs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlKFA8N_1Ig40rI8IEe1ErNyGhEAFf3CoGhC6GWOcOe_uLOxl9AxZ8QMI7PK1WSACMn1YFoNfYilRevcSrRUzlbRADwKYsrL2vkF4II3aB4iC_30h5F_8VQInMHInpyJ085MVjSO-rdab/s1600/181305_1607373660004_1106040247_31381257_4427998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlKFA8N_1Ig40rI8IEe1ErNyGhEAFf3CoGhC6GWOcOe_uLOxl9AxZ8QMI7PK1WSACMn1YFoNfYilRevcSrRUzlbRADwKYsrL2vkF4II3aB4iC_30h5F_8VQInMHInpyJ085MVjSO-rdab/s400/181305_1607373660004_1106040247_31381257_4427998_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson and I</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick and Monster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj331mz0S39zAoTyAElrZ5zVc235hYULKaNgtN1RY2maHRXpbYCjeCgGSzmKXBaVm-7tEkIIyX6tpMVmY2ozL9__SIEOhaksEtUo8lWJBca2HeJC1P23YorIAEv5yHgIwup17A5M1jwHbQ/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj331mz0S39zAoTyAElrZ5zVc235hYULKaNgtN1RY2maHRXpbYCjeCgGSzmKXBaVm-7tEkIIyX6tpMVmY2ozL9__SIEOhaksEtUo8lWJBca2HeJC1P23YorIAEv5yHgIwup17A5M1jwHbQ/s320/gate.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obstacles were really easy on Day #1... or we are getting better? :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8OSDJs5eZ5iaqnPh4P-7RXlGQtop5rllr9mMZYgUs834WHgvaE48hNdHZI1mBZlCvMWsu1OABy00__sHqplR8ZtpjtfcIZqDlohqFCcHDwlCCgQmH46LGfMUJ0TbodXTRfrPFatBvbGU/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8OSDJs5eZ5iaqnPh4P-7RXlGQtop5rllr9mMZYgUs834WHgvaE48hNdHZI1mBZlCvMWsu1OABy00__sHqplR8ZtpjtfcIZqDlohqFCcHDwlCCgQmH46LGfMUJ0TbodXTRfrPFatBvbGU/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0S5OK6V2zQ9xEXE1NNrpjm79ckOAf7XDkaAhtOOtCBoW6-D9E-rnKkn_2l36Fd3wnaEAcnmMKdygMUwNz3LmEor2KbLgX-kZNX2zCM3qOLwHqpnU_s92PpGOYoCCNcRnpOlcz1PK2Eyd/s1600/168966_1607384220268_1106040247_31381272_2870292_n_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0S5OK6V2zQ9xEXE1NNrpjm79ckOAf7XDkaAhtOOtCBoW6-D9E-rnKkn_2l36Fd3wnaEAcnmMKdygMUwNz3LmEor2KbLgX-kZNX2zCM3qOLwHqpnU_s92PpGOYoCCNcRnpOlcz1PK2Eyd/s320/168966_1607384220268_1106040247_31381272_2870292_n_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijig8nPWygVqBOHmOhabRoZ_WAakUBh3nuZn2HdaY9IiOf_EzIZ9_bHADOH68tclllOM-l4ONSxFb-Q11E5xx12sLJ9GThn1pm2dLQ8h4BaT8lk9_mCT1LvH-FFUESFtyIMQwrK6_kNku/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijig8nPWygVqBOHmOhabRoZ_WAakUBh3nuZn2HdaY9IiOf_EzIZ9_bHADOH68tclllOM-l4ONSxFb-Q11E5xx12sLJ9GThn1pm2dLQ8h4BaT8lk9_mCT1LvH-FFUESFtyIMQwrK6_kNku/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy won Fourth Place on Day #1, and the Pinkest rider too!<br />
Kathy and Pokey were so awesome! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20xRp6vRzJqcD8oiOwU6g_xAXMCBGx43oEZuPEgUz4KM9CD3UDC4s5Mdl37z3ljn0Ihi5N-BEamNAQPA4NyHmTgNbu-T0EJ8b2ftTkAy2eAZBWPIW4vHxW6hyyPNXwV-9ZynTwyXq-I-Q/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20xRp6vRzJqcD8oiOwU6g_xAXMCBGx43oEZuPEgUz4KM9CD3UDC4s5Mdl37z3ljn0Ihi5N-BEamNAQPA4NyHmTgNbu-T0EJ8b2ftTkAy2eAZBWPIW4vHxW6hyyPNXwV-9ZynTwyXq-I-Q/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cash's breastcollar for Day #1... I LIKE!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div> Stay tuned for Day #2: "Still Chillin' at Suwanee".....<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-34141408513091164942011-02-02T12:42:00.000-05:002011-02-02T12:42:35.070-05:00Always There Are the Horses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnqt1zi3-XtuxM5MJ5IAFZGP6Gea1Zlw4kvJ9fGVXsKRcd6ZP8aKda6B07DYoCC2sKxMhqCo9c2WR2w9-8FwAbXHTVHooSO_1rL-Kb6LnSb9azoLCCgyuBkLBUzULxE7_aFhIAA7s-Agh/s1600/JAX4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnqt1zi3-XtuxM5MJ5IAFZGP6Gea1Zlw4kvJ9fGVXsKRcd6ZP8aKda6B07DYoCC2sKxMhqCo9c2WR2w9-8FwAbXHTVHooSO_1rL-Kb6LnSb9azoLCCgyuBkLBUzULxE7_aFhIAA7s-Agh/s320/JAX4.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>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!<br />
<br />
Always…. <br />
<br />
<br />
I ride because I rode as a child when life was<br />
simpler and somehow more complete. Only the whiff of a<br />
clean horse is needed to remind of days gone by.<br />
<br />
<br />
For always there have been the horses.<br />
<br />
<br />
I ride because of all the great horse souls who have<br />
shared their lives with me and taught me more than I<br />
can say. Their names and faces flash before me as old<br />
friends. I ride because of all the horses I shall<br />
never ride. Those I have watched and marveled at from<br />
afar for all their grace and beauty. This, the stuff of a<br />
child's dream, the kind that doesn't die with time.<br />
<br />
<br />
Always there are the horses.<br />
<br />
<br />
I ride because the seasons call to me. Each unique in<br />
its appeal and all quite frequently best viewed from<br />
the back of a favorite horse. I ride because of all<br />
things; horses are my passion. They inspire and<br />
encourage, energize, and challenge in ways I cannot<br />
explain to the uninitiated. I ride because of the<br />
rush of stretching oneself just a bit farther today than<br />
before, both mind and body.<br />
<br />
<br />
Always there are the horses.<br />
<br />
<br />
I ride because of those briefest of spans when the<br />
partnership comes to full promise. When the path<br />
twists and barriers fall, each footfall is measured<br />
and balanced between the two as a dance.<br />
There are no others, only this moment and this single step to ride.<br />
The memories of those times stand vivid in my mind to<br />
be recalled with all the freshness of the day at will<br />
and in times less grand.<br />
<br />
<br />
But if I must choose, I ride because I have dreams<br />
yet to live. I ride because I have dreams yet to have;<br />
and what exactly they will be tomorrow I cannot say,<br />
but always there will be the horses.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
WORD.jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-54280440326877340522011-01-21T04:16:00.005-05:002011-01-21T06:07:59.385-05:00Parelli Parade of Preposterousness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E0r_B_EP7VXxcR-hBOuQi3O0pO-aUcY0IQb5t21aYeLiMnDDkrTMqmJXgdBPBZ_V1spch-0zGFXpkZKgx3bFRI1dGs5ecYLlE5x_Jh0iC6e1He9dhGlZ_GL2oUvcIqHL3se6zJNj8XKB/s1600/Linda-Parelli+bareback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2E0r_B_EP7VXxcR-hBOuQi3O0pO-aUcY0IQb5t21aYeLiMnDDkrTMqmJXgdBPBZ_V1spch-0zGFXpkZKgx3bFRI1dGs5ecYLlE5x_Jh0iC6e1He9dhGlZ_GL2oUvcIqHL3se6zJNj8XKB/s320/Linda-Parelli+bareback.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> I found this hanging at the barn the other day, and wanted to share. Now I don't know about all of you. I have never had many opinions on Pat Parelli or his methods. Since meeting and attending dressage great Walter Zettl's clinic's a couple of summers ago--as he was on tour with them--I tended to be more of a fan than not, and do still believe some of the things Pat teaches regarding the horse work. But, heck folks, let's be realistic, once you learn what he is doing I, YES ME, could teach you some of those things. It's the way of horses, and heck just sit on a fence post and watch them, and you will figure out quite a bit. He's a showman, and people want a quick fix. An "Ooh" and an "Ahhh". An, "Oh, I wish I could do that with my Stormy, or my Beau!" I am not saying that his methods don't work very well for the dedicated person training in this way. BUT, this little bit I'm about to share with you has un-Parelli'ed me.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>This was found on an equestrian forum by an Austrian dressage instructor at my barn:</em></strong><br />
<br />
I am sending this to a couple of different groups as I feel it is important to get the word out to potential Parelli followers. As many of you know, I am currently recovering from a brain injury from a fall from a horse this summer. This was a green horse, but he spooked while I was getting off, something ANY horse could do, and the odds of a serious accident on a horse finally caught up with me. One thing I have noticed is an ad for Pat and Linda Parelli jumping a horse bareback with no helmet. Also, while I was bedridden, I watched a couple of Pat Parelli's episodes, and he had a young person who was <strong>physically disabled</strong> riding without a helmet, and it was obvious her balance was not good. I sent a letter to the Parelli's asking them to please advocate the use of helmets. This is their reply, which I think is totally STUPID coming from professionals.<br />
<br />
~Patti from W.Va<br />
<br />
<strong><em>The Parelli Faculty's Response:</em></strong><br />
<br />
Hi Patti,<br />
<br />
Thank you for taking the time to write us. We understand your views and concerns. As quoted by the faculty at our ranch:<br />
<br />
You are quite right--helmets are fabulous things, and they save many lives. Tragically though, people who ARE wearing helmets also die or suffer serious head injuries with horses.<br />
<br />
Our program is intended to address the safety problem at its root--which is behavioral--rather than address the symptoms of it. Our message is about developing the relationship with the horse, and the savvy level of the rider, so that unsafe behavior is addressed long before the rider gets on the horse--rather than allowing the unsafe situations to occur and hope that the helmet, body protector, etc. will protect us from the consequences.<br />
<br />
The reason you do not see our people wearing helmets is because we try to teach people that rather than be brave because they are wearing a helmet to protect them, they would be better off not riding until their horse is behaving safely. <strong><oh lord="" my=""></strong><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><br />
People have called us brave for not wearing helmets, but we say they are a lot braver than we are. We could not get on their horse until we have addressed the issues that cause it to behave in unsafe ways.<br />
<br />
We hope this helps,<br />
From the Faculty, <br />
Parelli Centers<br />
<br />
In July 2009 The Parelli Savvy Club put out some information on Linda taking a FALL....oh my. A 'misbehaved' horse?!<br />
<br />
"Linda was cantering her horse Remmer in a field when he tripped and stumbled approximately twenty feet trying to regain his balance. At the end, he pitched on his nose. Linda was KNOCKED OUT for a few minutes, and under his feet when he tried to get up. She is recovering well at home and has four broken ribs."<br />
<br />
I'm willing to wager a head injury too, if she was knocked out for several minutes....uh duh? But, no, that won't be mentioned.<br />
<br />
<br />
For real? Do I need to expound on this insanity? A well-behaved horse is a very desired and necessary thing. So is a helmet in many (and in my honest opinion, all) instances. Let's see. I've been riding since I was six, and am bringing up my green horse to be a jumper. Last week I went off when he popped a jump set at 2'9 at about 4 feet. I guess my horse is misbehaved, and I'm a bad rider. <strong>MY GAWD, I HAVE NO SAVVY!!!</strong> I do know one thing. Even if either one of those things is true, my GPA helmet saved my lil' butt. And the butts of more than a couple of friends. Working in a hospital on the pediatric side I have seen more than my share of head injuries in children due to falls and horse accidents, and sadly, heard of some deaths too. Perhaps the U.S.Eventing and Showjumping Teams should stop wearing helmets as well. I mean, they are only jumping giant objects that make my mouth drop open in wonder! I went down to the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, (the USET winter practice grounds) and those jumps will amaze, astound, and yes, frighten the HELL out of you up close. But again, if their horses were trained correctly..... <br />
I have it! We should all train our cars correctly, and stop wearing seat belts! I am SO smart! To me, that is EXACTLY what that reply said. So my Parelli disgust is largely, (OK, completely) due to that PREPOSTEROUS reply!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile--My Parelli video is for sale. <em>'The Seven Games of Parelli Natural Horsemanship' </em>Twenty bucks is the going rate plus s&h of oh...3 bucks? Email me at <a href="mailto:pinkcurlytail@yahoo.com">pinkcurlytail@yahoo.com</a> with the moniker 'Parelli' if you want it.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgpkjXKCaJ7DnbZia7s60UZ-lYacuPcMtu_crIvbAcWesFD9ruuH6qqIc82qsoQZDPyuvocYjVgulVF0py9cxIvdlGSQ8gLcgRLB7HEZksNw3CF-lEtoNkEt2mQisP2tz1Z0ErhumU5U9/s1600/2980001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgpkjXKCaJ7DnbZia7s60UZ-lYacuPcMtu_crIvbAcWesFD9ruuH6qqIc82qsoQZDPyuvocYjVgulVF0py9cxIvdlGSQ8gLcgRLB7HEZksNw3CF-lEtoNkEt2mQisP2tz1Z0ErhumU5U9/s320/2980001.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZE new helmet... When you fall you have to have something to show for it!! ;) Supposed to be the 'safest' you can really get without going titanium, which I so can't afford! I also picked up a Tipperary Sportage in cocoa brown for my trailriding. Yeah, my shoulder hurt so bad the following day, I felt I needed two new helmets! :) (Really, just birthday presents to me-self!)<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-42910602707215002442011-01-03T09:00:00.001-05:002011-01-08T13:57:36.185-05:002010 Suwanee River Challenge~ACTHA Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYejIw2Nzz0mXHe063vLu3gfngUO1QxxtBs5T-q4spENCVJ3s5FC5tsmt5zmAKW_6U8HnRxGkFiSo4x2X9Z5pCky3N-eSFyGllLczYjeQtLy3rv5gMkFsflHz6gYt1HHsZw-52a4fDKnr/s1600/%25237B+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYejIw2Nzz0mXHe063vLu3gfngUO1QxxtBs5T-q4spENCVJ3s5FC5tsmt5zmAKW_6U8HnRxGkFiSo4x2X9Z5pCky3N-eSFyGllLczYjeQtLy3rv5gMkFsflHz6gYt1HHsZw-52a4fDKnr/s400/%25237B+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcn8EdBBRvDXTz0aAr8NhDeRa333oNuXy0lWqpZl0bl-x-VVgD__WD0lsLil1pN7uS7gJKTvuURoySyNkLzFdxK4rSG0HBJPQYRDHEBzNsJTl8qg_i_B8Ftht5cSnU-j_C_LgW-xO-66L/s1600/%25231+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcn8EdBBRvDXTz0aAr8NhDeRa333oNuXy0lWqpZl0bl-x-VVgD__WD0lsLil1pN7uS7gJKTvuURoySyNkLzFdxK4rSG0HBJPQYRDHEBzNsJTl8qg_i_B8Ftht5cSnU-j_C_LgW-xO-66L/s400/%25231+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live Oak, Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfQuLRsFhg9q6qBBmHCfTRNczKswajI9-Cw72IDZ_Sfga3KAPzMQKeGgmDmqocVDxEizIsDyS1zlw-Yt7cnoJ8Tw1LYWzOmYGsFfsAd1ihUt_gIU77sRiL6SrSC-pNBeZkYkFWNxkOsCQ/s1600/%25235+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfQuLRsFhg9q6qBBmHCfTRNczKswajI9-Cw72IDZ_Sfga3KAPzMQKeGgmDmqocVDxEizIsDyS1zlw-Yt7cnoJ8Tw1LYWzOmYGsFfsAd1ihUt_gIU77sRiL6SrSC-pNBeZkYkFWNxkOsCQ/s400/%25235+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this mural!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YQZEtTELIWYPNuKL0xqthv1MoQ9vfkTvmIX1KuzRPHc-N33n-QgiKp2iNRj5Rb38jJZugNQInaAHVxtRDxmL8cVoOHHk8mUFkix5Q0lc4cg7-pMhSH68JAif-ECnl8ZGXV-MirWTgJ6d/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YQZEtTELIWYPNuKL0xqthv1MoQ9vfkTvmIX1KuzRPHc-N33n-QgiKp2iNRj5Rb38jJZugNQInaAHVxtRDxmL8cVoOHHk8mUFkix5Q0lc4cg7-pMhSH68JAif-ECnl8ZGXV-MirWTgJ6d/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Brian tells me I am "Brokeback Hilton" camping! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NysHsbE_dFQ1raYTxVjuzYzUy2pdNkRqfgqCCXDK1CxW8xupMElgLK-MU6IvL1gFTEq1oYP82pW5KHWaZJmdQF39T1J8Ly1-FACu_wD79cQHCwAiNmrxz9FbZGVTc4-9B-RK6BzlbwwM/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NysHsbE_dFQ1raYTxVjuzYzUy2pdNkRqfgqCCXDK1CxW8xupMElgLK-MU6IvL1gFTEq1oYP82pW5KHWaZJmdQF39T1J8Ly1-FACu_wD79cQHCwAiNmrxz9FbZGVTc4-9B-RK6BzlbwwM/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our horses stalls were about 250 feet from our campsite! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKCSsjjnHuYYT_BBbIZ0r2XfGCFswG0VZKx5hfbQclk9F-8whVY5XD0td5OfVDkMV4P0LWJL9vn_qYhx7onlSE9ykxqQoXMigRK3buR6NoBxjhmgF2iL4UrfRtheh_59AbH57znMdpNVh/s1600/%25234+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKCSsjjnHuYYT_BBbIZ0r2XfGCFswG0VZKx5hfbQclk9F-8whVY5XD0td5OfVDkMV4P0LWJL9vn_qYhx7onlSE9ykxqQoXMigRK3buR6NoBxjhmgF2iL4UrfRtheh_59AbH57znMdpNVh/s400/%25234+Suwannee+River+Front+Gate+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the campgrounds....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fglk5PWw_BW_riNkUGyvJ5puNCjpjMTS3ZF1iJMMIYKeLAXqJgJ0Wa9m2M-LLDG9igDn9Kzz78wd7_sDTggj8BlHnGEfRPo-PiuWzf9u-gLnO2bHvsdqLWpPPXqik_toglOzqm89yrO5/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fglk5PWw_BW_riNkUGyvJ5puNCjpjMTS3ZF1iJMMIYKeLAXqJgJ0Wa9m2M-LLDG9igDn9Kzz78wd7_sDTggj8BlHnGEfRPo-PiuWzf9u-gLnO2bHvsdqLWpPPXqik_toglOzqm89yrO5/s320/056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And what fun is camping without dogs? This is Harley at 10 months..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIVK2oUfLb5zb_EEDY6nKoi3S6-0YgHqy4xJO05CX1L_Vnseuo_LYsfbUAh4z6hZkSKDV5MX-FNxsNgZQbPkRXYinVZIQu0DDNPIe-WY6iUNnoTDS8NYShsgZ6g7ro83P5L8z6GBX-lXQ/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIVK2oUfLb5zb_EEDY6nKoi3S6-0YgHqy4xJO05CX1L_Vnseuo_LYsfbUAh4z6hZkSKDV5MX-FNxsNgZQbPkRXYinVZIQu0DDNPIe-WY6iUNnoTDS8NYShsgZ6g7ro83P5L8z6GBX-lXQ/s320/091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Amber (3 months) totally crashed in the bathroom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdR4W9mLNY7XQbMBesTrOh150HiMDWGOiLJdH5GhqcexrxP33h-MTBHoN5JbgKwUF_xq1ert3anK551kq6Y8HnxPyazFlnHanZtDHLNEQBsE2gNiDX5XhYQHLtswft0ZfOcD0rE5mfuU/s1600/%2523602+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGdR4W9mLNY7XQbMBesTrOh150HiMDWGOiLJdH5GhqcexrxP33h-MTBHoN5JbgKwUF_xq1ert3anK551kq6Y8HnxPyazFlnHanZtDHLNEQBsE2gNiDX5XhYQHLtswft0ZfOcD0rE5mfuU/s400/%2523602+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cast of characters from left to right: Kasi on Cash, moi on Jackson, Susie on Dakota, Rick on Monster, Kathy on Elmo. : Not pictured: Babette on Cutter, Suzanne on Kaluha, and Quinn on Tequila</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQL6yWhyphenhyphenz8liS-uERr_WAqQ8gPpEyg_0xr3-ocFYBcgy2wo5phY2iIsjgX4KihUrlwuKAybSDnoxxtgTbSh2I7yX4NtJcxiIgzq7hZtsXvkX5kiP4r_q3mToSdrB1jTNwC9R4kP7eBjVe/s1600/%2523123B++Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQL6yWhyphenhyphenz8liS-uERr_WAqQ8gPpEyg_0xr3-ocFYBcgy2wo5phY2iIsjgX4KihUrlwuKAybSDnoxxtgTbSh2I7yX4NtJcxiIgzq7hZtsXvkX5kiP4r_q3mToSdrB1jTNwC9R4kP7eBjVe/s400/%2523123B++Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) ride ever! I decided not to compete, just to "ride" and have Jax and I both get some learning in! He was SO great!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWsvKiWc398a1aN4FQ3qlZ4F3wPv1P-V5ArbQSveX5Z8KPY3t-w620aL9khWDL1Q_BxKCJ3YAaSmOpJBfMwggZrls2A9LLyZ7t-ulyhOX7YMuesqvQIKX-TovDCgLdGK3l6nR0ZilcKRR/s1600/%2523418+Riders+Info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWsvKiWc398a1aN4FQ3qlZ4F3wPv1P-V5ArbQSveX5Z8KPY3t-w620aL9khWDL1Q_BxKCJ3YAaSmOpJBfMwggZrls2A9LLyZ7t-ulyhOX7YMuesqvQIKX-TovDCgLdGK3l6nR0ZilcKRR/s320/%2523418+Riders+Info.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuLnthUpvexKiwyvUmhdDdoM7qCIfHx8gP2h93TzGNq_FWRyeifm8GtePhhk9IGNzCJ6lyzHKZYRx05NaDSJ1lwj22RBZxeC1dSEXCmuburSn58oNeXovhpFwnCLvyFtZGJYXT6sOB6rH/s1600/%2523463+%2523125+Rick+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuLnthUpvexKiwyvUmhdDdoM7qCIfHx8gP2h93TzGNq_FWRyeifm8GtePhhk9IGNzCJ6lyzHKZYRx05NaDSJ1lwj22RBZxeC1dSEXCmuburSn58oNeXovhpFwnCLvyFtZGJYXT6sOB6rH/s400/%2523463+%2523125+Rick+Brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick and The Monster -- a.k.a. 'Mr. Ed!'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_OCun8sIvcZIGTsnszBZTC6rnFGvwjOgDMj_D-Y3jGh1pJsTVM1Ow_7mM-PCqSUWUpdaKCjrfKaW4QXtmbejRNOPsyyL3GAGbN258mf973FrhwNw9zCTNYDa9-Td9vPganu5Jk7HGkeW/s1600/%2523298+Riders+Info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_OCun8sIvcZIGTsnszBZTC6rnFGvwjOgDMj_D-Y3jGh1pJsTVM1Ow_7mM-PCqSUWUpdaKCjrfKaW4QXtmbejRNOPsyyL3GAGbN258mf973FrhwNw9zCTNYDa9-Td9vPganu5Jk7HGkeW/s400/%2523298+Riders+Info.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rocked our emergency dismount at a trot, good deal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UvC5ycQ3eSU08l1Tp6Y7Fr0YA6NendsZR12mhyphenhyphenEbP4JVTGaJ-Af2hIC8zySs60oL1H79_5bM5HT1DWURj3y5cV0LjtuKscb_MjxFLnuWTjrQvHJORZKTkluXMX3m-0H9SRnJj7HT5od-/s1600/%2523272+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UvC5ycQ3eSU08l1Tp6Y7Fr0YA6NendsZR12mhyphenhyphenEbP4JVTGaJ-Af2hIC8zySs60oL1H79_5bM5HT1DWURj3y5cV0LjtuKscb_MjxFLnuWTjrQvHJORZKTkluXMX3m-0H9SRnJj7HT5od-/s400/%2523272+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susie having FUN!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedQXxFqKOkxhZbpzU5RL2fv0lJHze_9oo3r0IHzNRCXWqblDAxNjBrQvHUCs9fRFfwdKnz7QWBrGV5U3lXDqULbKMRmjFJ2E97f2grIJy04OdYny-B5Jj-PiXs9mnIcSDDqQ_vSo8efpi/s1600/%2523223+%2523118+Kathy+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedQXxFqKOkxhZbpzU5RL2fv0lJHze_9oo3r0IHzNRCXWqblDAxNjBrQvHUCs9fRFfwdKnz7QWBrGV5U3lXDqULbKMRmjFJ2E97f2grIJy04OdYny-B5Jj-PiXs9mnIcSDDqQ_vSo8efpi/s320/%2523223+%2523118+Kathy+Brown.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy my Barn Owner.... lookin' good on Elmo!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A5ceb_U5UnwiAIBGLJ6p54oHSJyF9jNNApFmI78pX-q29Ty4pTpCbZl0-M_9ztEjd5LFHq8rMHT-qcGtHkJo3bXxy5AktNZwUSN9FnSHD0TuY_JiJqiuBOB-327SJNdWaP7-fsfXCZvb/s1600/%2523616+Riders+Info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A5ceb_U5UnwiAIBGLJ6p54oHSJyF9jNNApFmI78pX-q29Ty4pTpCbZl0-M_9ztEjd5LFHq8rMHT-qcGtHkJo3bXxy5AktNZwUSN9FnSHD0TuY_JiJqiuBOB-327SJNdWaP7-fsfXCZvb/s320/%2523616+Riders+Info.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQW4aVZ6nhFUurZPNkf4yrDwx-aQY7TSSJsEZddXwRa6sQlYJN0LUzI73-15FVhq7aLslCmf3oBFm0txv1eg0FuFfyUt55Fa-7pZhB0tsBCuwM8mySL61bnpdSMWwkXtPjPMIVT8ryA8L/s1600/%2523796D+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQW4aVZ6nhFUurZPNkf4yrDwx-aQY7TSSJsEZddXwRa6sQlYJN0LUzI73-15FVhq7aLslCmf3oBFm0txv1eg0FuFfyUt55Fa-7pZhB0tsBCuwM8mySL61bnpdSMWwkXtPjPMIVT8ryA8L/s400/%2523796D+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are BOTH looking and thinking about this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP7buXERdUbL3AshtFylYeICHFVpV1USkxcMBKjZQO-1Ho9D_anv7srXx5fV854gGhyphenhyphenIL0qHyc1yaRZAtoMtAFe2cEEykJMy-w7JC_lX1uC8KxHh5Lr_vWi0-f-SItNKA1X4kOJOEJJn6/s1600/%2523796E+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP7buXERdUbL3AshtFylYeICHFVpV1USkxcMBKjZQO-1Ho9D_anv7srXx5fV854gGhyphenhyphenIL0qHyc1yaRZAtoMtAFe2cEEykJMy-w7JC_lX1uC8KxHh5Lr_vWi0-f-SItNKA1X4kOJOEJJn6/s400/%2523796E+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The approach...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmqsUO3gYD520i8uvTJ2Cih52ATblK2j7uyhaYpkJp_grS9yN3sksNDdEWiQrvcPD5s0FD7m94TIQykeYCuLNm4AYBVgYDPY4dU1hf5gzP3dbUfcrYGDMRSOA7rDJOGL-Oe-_5PTK5aY_/s1600/%2523796G+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmqsUO3gYD520i8uvTJ2Cih52ATblK2j7uyhaYpkJp_grS9yN3sksNDdEWiQrvcPD5s0FD7m94TIQykeYCuLNm4AYBVgYDPY4dU1hf5gzP3dbUfcrYGDMRSOA7rDJOGL-Oe-_5PTK5aY_/s400/%2523796G+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reach for it, REAACHH for it...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ28JeWeklEizr4rRWfsBrHBv0RG4ccd1Jskf4sA0xrr37KMfDlQ10kpHxNEfXgad1AepA_tstabhWi5OPC5y66d5waPkXsWT8cNBVzMY2Bo2Jr95r3WMyeM8jUVxxs1GDc64bGo37W25h/s1600/%2523796H+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ28JeWeklEizr4rRWfsBrHBv0RG4ccd1Jskf4sA0xrr37KMfDlQ10kpHxNEfXgad1AepA_tstabhWi5OPC5y66d5waPkXsWT8cNBVzMY2Bo2Jr95r3WMyeM8jUVxxs1GDc64bGo37W25h/s400/%2523796H+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got it! Right before Jackson wheeled around into a major 360! I never lost the hat though, and even got some applause!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iVSPmBTSDXnAIZ3nnQmqXhCJRJjO1-RNT9uD3YwLPmIdj97Q6GUZnzYI_eEBqw5yBoAPmDeIHGzEkaUWnJ8VrDFOzNlqxxUSskh9R0hjXmF9NPyMepsKbnYNFkhjQZv-5zzOVsAvQMPG/s1600/%2523794+%2523+Out+Riders+Man+%2526+Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iVSPmBTSDXnAIZ3nnQmqXhCJRJjO1-RNT9uD3YwLPmIdj97Q6GUZnzYI_eEBqw5yBoAPmDeIHGzEkaUWnJ8VrDFOzNlqxxUSskh9R0hjXmF9NPyMepsKbnYNFkhjQZv-5zzOVsAvQMPG/s400/%2523794+%2523+Out+Riders+Man+%2526+Woman.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanne nails it in under a minute!! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexOOfUzdOWQjio90160Rlrn5DY4SqIHOnX4ZwCl6G-L6s0XMVtDuV40QEEYVTccEvLP6yN_SAgpzuE3btsCFphgqGcMFmY3-FIgZuWxxw-980YLICa1CyS93lwKt3mm-UdqBegeAUBOOP/s1600/%2523797+%2523103+Beverly+Foster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexOOfUzdOWQjio90160Rlrn5DY4SqIHOnX4ZwCl6G-L6s0XMVtDuV40QEEYVTccEvLP6yN_SAgpzuE3btsCFphgqGcMFmY3-FIgZuWxxw-980YLICa1CyS93lwKt3mm-UdqBegeAUBOOP/s320/%2523797+%2523103+Beverly+Foster.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE TARP with a sprinkler spraying across it... Some had to walk across...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEqp5br3dvpobMzDuGI2RGIMdtownOBzXCCcBs3Bc6FuNsk_Zlx7HjLB8NzsvgsWQkrfG_gHZ7zH2ZuvfwGuhfTNzStlB6bblN5AWsEoOCvjw4N75jvMg4T5aNTvbdryUQi6PeNuvjC3v/s1600/%2523849D+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEqp5br3dvpobMzDuGI2RGIMdtownOBzXCCcBs3Bc6FuNsk_Zlx7HjLB8NzsvgsWQkrfG_gHZ7zH2ZuvfwGuhfTNzStlB6bblN5AWsEoOCvjw4N75jvMg4T5aNTvbdryUQi6PeNuvjC3v/s400/%2523849D+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And some of us had a steady Eddy like Cash to walk us across! Good BOY Jackson!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKOMDh-8XOWHYkiQjoFhWVPtyRQ7YNcgQ1DiCCIQB9MKb4NOhldiNZs5bvLaVErPw94RCORT-j9yDJ0iu7e24r57z-9bppkHZCblAe6A2FBeqcCMapBEwtASQ6b66W7Zck9BVJOXRIY3o/s1600/110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKOMDh-8XOWHYkiQjoFhWVPtyRQ7YNcgQ1DiCCIQB9MKb4NOhldiNZs5bvLaVErPw94RCORT-j9yDJ0iu7e24r57z-9bppkHZCblAe6A2FBeqcCMapBEwtASQ6b66W7Zck9BVJOXRIY3o/s400/110.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showoff..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l_i-L9col2uZUZmQ0I6iw7F1xqZvMD8fdSZpJkwVs4u81U68Gk1TQ_UxLwq0hQ3LGLjTeHg6WniHWVAkkbIGxnhr2PqpRfECZ9VCfw9FbDPH_PxhxC3TfNxVtCXcGiv-uyvsfJkPybtO/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-l_i-L9col2uZUZmQ0I6iw7F1xqZvMD8fdSZpJkwVs4u81U68Gk1TQ_UxLwq0hQ3LGLjTeHg6WniHWVAkkbIGxnhr2PqpRfECZ9VCfw9FbDPH_PxhxC3TfNxVtCXcGiv-uyvsfJkPybtO/s400/122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great scenery, eh? The river is RED from the tannic acid in the the trees! It's so beautiful and odd... </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidEjwwuUTcwQAKZd6h8RjMzgf-8GOS9kkCQWjxSQur5cF330JnpSDZRwyObpuqYO3ilW9i2KhMxZdUrSQHaFSD6zmu9lyaAXhau6A4p36e2GYqGYHn984kp1iFa-42bSoXaq39lX48YDJ/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidEjwwuUTcwQAKZd6h8RjMzgf-8GOS9kkCQWjxSQur5cF330JnpSDZRwyObpuqYO3ilW9i2KhMxZdUrSQHaFSD6zmu9lyaAXhau6A4p36e2GYqGYHn984kp1iFa-42bSoXaq39lX48YDJ/s400/067.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great pic of Kathy and Elmo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<blockquote> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic71RfJcOqfkKjrpz6TWfzTHpoQFrSVEAflGxMfJF2vvhq3RLN2eoyUOicUk5dbJUP2qsR9qTgvZokefowR9hrxwg9t2PHt7Ru7G_lbh182hSlK0KQhLXoqL81k1-E4tC2wv-RHvSvWAjQ/s1600/%2523300+Riders+Info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic71RfJcOqfkKjrpz6TWfzTHpoQFrSVEAflGxMfJF2vvhq3RLN2eoyUOicUk5dbJUP2qsR9qTgvZokefowR9hrxwg9t2PHt7Ru7G_lbh182hSlK0KQhLXoqL81k1-E4tC2wv-RHvSvWAjQ/s400/%2523300+Riders+Info.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*GRIN*</td></tr>
</tbody></table></blockquote><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkyFMCkU0DghOb4l6PjflKBBfPZ6PhnD5wJRTpl_CwK4fCVt-PRHSkjMwRQbvMJ5zipfwgt60s1yOY0UmGKPcJ2ZIpWlBYGVQFAeUh8T-oHokctd7VgWwMqTrT0Iw3Eyo-8BN4M6r1XWL/s1600/%2523299C+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkyFMCkU0DghOb4l6PjflKBBfPZ6PhnD5wJRTpl_CwK4fCVt-PRHSkjMwRQbvMJ5zipfwgt60s1yOY0UmGKPcJ2ZIpWlBYGVQFAeUh8T-oHokctd7VgWwMqTrT0Iw3Eyo-8BN4M6r1XWL/s400/%2523299C+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awww! Love this pic of Jax!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uUgHEScsyDdZlaiNBs30EkzsQJY5_Hu4-2zLS2rd5F_YNHH1T5NFJRYPd6rKqKy4M4_OcDd7O8MTfYbXkUy7u3ySEziRbZH7TSst66Cm9tWHr9swN-psag87V8ipMAw99CcphHoG3Kl4/s1600/%25238a+Obstacle+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uUgHEScsyDdZlaiNBs30EkzsQJY5_Hu4-2zLS2rd5F_YNHH1T5NFJRYPd6rKqKy4M4_OcDd7O8MTfYbXkUy7u3ySEziRbZH7TSst66Cm9tWHr9swN-psag87V8ipMAw99CcphHoG3Kl4/s400/%25238a+Obstacle+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecNv6Ndhpo4HuFcobHjsmJYlUD3iX3cCuERI8jUSWwKGDxyayOf6sBOfzhpHPIsY5V0CvBmurBfymZEw7w7mu2kmbd1L9rhu3c86UKSuuMdLznadOv1KpcdBFOAJGH3-Gd0Rwqo7JW7t0/s1600/%2523538+%2523108+Kathy+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecNv6Ndhpo4HuFcobHjsmJYlUD3iX3cCuERI8jUSWwKGDxyayOf6sBOfzhpHPIsY5V0CvBmurBfymZEw7w7mu2kmbd1L9rhu3c86UKSuuMdLznadOv1KpcdBFOAJGH3-Gd0Rwqo7JW7t0/s400/%2523538+%2523108+Kathy+Brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathy my Barn Owner (and schlepper of Jax and I to awesome rides, and shows! THANKS! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXDgz1eINjmKq2MsIvh58ARxIDCe9fLzjurUC4obb3fPyqtCZyBRG2aQRm_l4ZF0f1B-573hkMsj8wCuXMpTJj82goi7jimR8XwKu19cQQu7O8NvWIQRO3SZqXoa7B1qU-GRSV0YQtuYM/s1600/%2523601B+Riders+Info+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXDgz1eINjmKq2MsIvh58ARxIDCe9fLzjurUC4obb3fPyqtCZyBRG2aQRm_l4ZF0f1B-573hkMsj8wCuXMpTJj82goi7jimR8XwKu19cQQu7O8NvWIQRO3SZqXoa7B1qU-GRSV0YQtuYM/s400/%2523601B+Riders+Info+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL0cQdHQVgusvgQ-HsOKVuljaMxQiWUghNMLo19m4SlmdisDBduRYLxUSbU2-ZtPJmd3fu-GKoUQF6hH9LdqpRUAklCVfmr5Mm3z3QMi1YwNSm-YGNhyphenhyphenzn8BWAxDajYqGQFY34QWLiqPE/s1600/%2523605+%2523107+Kasi+Farrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL0cQdHQVgusvgQ-HsOKVuljaMxQiWUghNMLo19m4SlmdisDBduRYLxUSbU2-ZtPJmd3fu-GKoUQF6hH9LdqpRUAklCVfmr5Mm3z3QMi1YwNSm-YGNhyphenhyphenzn8BWAxDajYqGQFY34QWLiqPE/s400/%2523605+%2523107+Kasi+Farrell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasi and Cash<br />
High Point Winners!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FivNGjbXvnmHhwOGUnVI40jZToGfs8mwv83tPStl7GIjv2qA5nBXIqKb8Nw4pC6_Qdv8PRLv4QVCoQE_-BIBP2zqfeINXPwY5wp6VQpiLgjG7liqJbNUPI88jk3JL6pJGYGPXg-DNv0/s1600/%2523602a+%2523101+Babette+Willams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FivNGjbXvnmHhwOGUnVI40jZToGfs8mwv83tPStl7GIjv2qA5nBXIqKb8Nw4pC6_Qdv8PRLv4QVCoQE_-BIBP2zqfeINXPwY5wp6VQpiLgjG7liqJbNUPI88jk3JL6pJGYGPXg-DNv0/s400/%2523602a+%2523101+Babette+Willams.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babette and Cutter<br />
2nd Place Winners!<br />
YES, our group rocked it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd0AWgk3vE8HHIlwgVswqFNLhAQ_53_jEL4ezlH-trmhJa_YBfVkzAYLoDhla0b-vgCJrvxUBzmXup-PewZoBAVyGMnoMhs-jX3ZrBbxvzVpdgF43OiQ250R4rvlIlGc05HUp-p0jMm5G/s1600/%2523270+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd0AWgk3vE8HHIlwgVswqFNLhAQ_53_jEL4ezlH-trmhJa_YBfVkzAYLoDhla0b-vgCJrvxUBzmXup-PewZoBAVyGMnoMhs-jX3ZrBbxvzVpdgF43OiQ250R4rvlIlGc05HUp-p0jMm5G/s400/%2523270+%2523129+Susan+Barg.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susi & Dakota making the hill look like cake!</td></tr>
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</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKiezf85_n9pRpFr1WQpGM9MZ7OF6BR3PLuw9tNfHe4eq5PndVVmyIlq2bzCAoochZZzX5h-3w5wsUVy-c4x2iNVDas3tV2hTFpgfHb0jb56j8EZNWrxKueEo-2SK6-VY3YvDTDXdme0P/s1600/%2523850+Riders+Info+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKiezf85_n9pRpFr1WQpGM9MZ7OF6BR3PLuw9tNfHe4eq5PndVVmyIlq2bzCAoochZZzX5h-3w5wsUVy-c4x2iNVDas3tV2hTFpgfHb0jb56j8EZNWrxKueEo-2SK6-VY3YvDTDXdme0P/s320/%2523850+Riders+Info+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ncy9Y3vNYyJSIM2kMF4HY9FwoinSa3tHIDVhyphenhyphen5uC7oGHJGv2_TeUprcV6smVZoV0L0q8nuKyx_XcIOujOiYjUBAYLQ57Q5Ny9OWi6vcGSupf7DybKyzaf-wyUzao38t1JKUaxGWQ1eZ3/s1600/%2523874+%2523107+Kasi+Farrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ncy9Y3vNYyJSIM2kMF4HY9FwoinSa3tHIDVhyphenhyphen5uC7oGHJGv2_TeUprcV6smVZoV0L0q8nuKyx_XcIOujOiYjUBAYLQ57Q5Ny9OWi6vcGSupf7DybKyzaf-wyUzao38t1JKUaxGWQ1eZ3/s400/%2523874+%2523107+Kasi+Farrell.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTGLczN-ioh1iQ-hEyap0zTPxV-S1I450xTEi7TXN5uUsfzqoG2ZMfGeQ0j6wNiMLaD5LdSPhh4IJvnnRQE2XvlKwIXxhdl-SsFZzA30RHb4_qRnZhhRr1ryXrHQAQg6qlQ-21zEGevLR/s1600/%2523976+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTGLczN-ioh1iQ-hEyap0zTPxV-S1I450xTEi7TXN5uUsfzqoG2ZMfGeQ0j6wNiMLaD5LdSPhh4IJvnnRQE2XvlKwIXxhdl-SsFZzA30RHb4_qRnZhhRr1ryXrHQAQg6qlQ-21zEGevLR/s400/%2523976+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, I'm deep in thought about <em>something </em>here, Lord knows just WHAT! Yes, I promise I'm not about to cry! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinb_Df5wa9q1xfXAK-AHdESD7xLjIBsiSa1xMXanaYg110XQvBqSEhyGy6PZW2caM7rDiBKPvHGDfQn8H29bHg5mx-erly6_NnLnM5pMX7BkvY1gQq7k1FYrgATdvMZSQHMF5G6wuh1M0/s1600/%2523984+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinb_Df5wa9q1xfXAK-AHdESD7xLjIBsiSa1xMXanaYg110XQvBqSEhyGy6PZW2caM7rDiBKPvHGDfQn8H29bHg5mx-erly6_NnLnM5pMX7BkvY1gQq7k1FYrgATdvMZSQHMF5G6wuh1M0/s400/%2523984+%2523+Mindy+Walsh+Audit+Rider.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick (Kathy the barn owner's hubby!) and I contemplating cantering the trail-- then all eight of us in our group did! ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest pic from the entire weekend!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW1CAEeHdowjnqqCWvA9cr-c_WUng0X8ElZ9AT7EvqbykDV_xmlQnUTtPtLrQvc3Pu8NDrWOB3zdPtQNw9CxAqpSo7xr3O19YDOkgjlNelWb7epXfN1K9t-320U4mdbxNle57n0fS9fpz/s1600/%2523969B+Riders+Info+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW1CAEeHdowjnqqCWvA9cr-c_WUng0X8ElZ9AT7EvqbykDV_xmlQnUTtPtLrQvc3Pu8NDrWOB3zdPtQNw9CxAqpSo7xr3O19YDOkgjlNelWb7epXfN1K9t-320U4mdbxNle57n0fS9fpz/s400/%2523969B+Riders+Info+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasi and Cash took the OVERALL Champion for BOTH days! --Deserved!!!-- The first pic is just a little part of her leg, that is how far down she had to reach off his hugeness!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-36190295176609923132010-12-17T08:32:00.000-05:002010-12-17T08:32:51.950-05:00Is Zat YOU Santa Claus?I plan on a couple of killer posts to come back from my bloggy hiatus SOON! I have been having a BLAST with Jackson! Wait till you hear all we are doing NOW! I think with over 1,000 pics to weed through, I have become overwhelmed! Until then, myself ,and MY special Santa--who brings me all of life's greatest gifts-- wish you a simple, peaceful Christmas with your loved ones-- furry and human!<br />
--xo<br />
Mindy & Jackson/Santa<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvMXhRpbj7RUSRssUHlX2ImjDBw1guMTqM76L4kcOPi-DPTGYLG0apOnEqZ17_g6YoSmrI8IughUViOMqLJAP6k0wLhyphenhyphen3xmBfWO3gdmGoY0ZNjR9K7CymxLI2l-3EnDhlqSfdQ5egbyLQ/s1600/2007-02-03+02-12-16_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvMXhRpbj7RUSRssUHlX2ImjDBw1guMTqM76L4kcOPi-DPTGYLG0apOnEqZ17_g6YoSmrI8IughUViOMqLJAP6k0wLhyphenhyphen3xmBfWO3gdmGoY0ZNjR9K7CymxLI2l-3EnDhlqSfdQ5egbyLQ/s400/2007-02-03+02-12-16_0040.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHLZWo3suJJIphtbzBIY-wblvbRGx4yf2jvhKkhfgGceP2sHfKKy76bU5HP43OKf04wVS1Fb66HIOHEmoQbBI_VxaNT7B0_4WRZ2CAD4uv-MicFVo_xf9C6jgOt92vQ9iD3r0o92vqWZU/s1600/2007-02-03+02-12-58_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHLZWo3suJJIphtbzBIY-wblvbRGx4yf2jvhKkhfgGceP2sHfKKy76bU5HP43OKf04wVS1Fb66HIOHEmoQbBI_VxaNT7B0_4WRZ2CAD4uv-MicFVo_xf9C6jgOt92vQ9iD3r0o92vqWZU/s400/2007-02-03+02-12-58_0043.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-72648938691351917402010-09-20T09:58:00.000-04:002010-09-20T09:58:45.125-04:00San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLylY3_3aeS5eK8ormc8a77eaSp7l9TWrLCdtFlM40RYX8_4u_hnVR7wRQnu6vH2Bq46NPAsRAQ4Gm64q5Ud8z5z2DgMTIu-EMmGlH5OVNb8hCvpGXLBw5ZVcFNhYTx449aITkBCfzp3A-/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLylY3_3aeS5eK8ormc8a77eaSp7l9TWrLCdtFlM40RYX8_4u_hnVR7wRQnu6vH2Bq46NPAsRAQ4Gm64q5Ud8z5z2DgMTIu-EMmGlH5OVNb8hCvpGXLBw5ZVcFNhYTx449aITkBCfzp3A-/s320/010.JPG" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnp0-MDuzD4f7nEBDwCBOJesvdeFgXOtT6rHEp1YZDPbz1Ytf8Gx1S7S2aYWLOqtv3En4Oxf5nQRuJVtGcq8cDx-dzrEA8cVWA15NY3iQEW-qFDbxX82Mc6eHmU7mNBGh5iuAh0S9wpXh/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnp0-MDuzD4f7nEBDwCBOJesvdeFgXOtT6rHEp1YZDPbz1Ytf8Gx1S7S2aYWLOqtv3En4Oxf5nQRuJVtGcq8cDx-dzrEA8cVWA15NY3iQEW-qFDbxX82Mc6eHmU7mNBGh5iuAh0S9wpXh/s320/014.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking lot of trailers...and two had just pulled out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Four hour ride yesterday. Seriously the longest and most strenuous Jackson and I have done in awhile, we were both beat by the end, but WOW this State Park is to die for! Pretty much attached to Sawhorse Farm it is 7,000 acres of well marked horse and bike trails. And the horse trails are JUST for the horses! Nice. People trailer in to ride here, but we have our own personal gate, how awesome is that? When my friend who I came to stay with here in Florida heard that the farm borders this park, her mouth dropped open, and her comment was just, "Wow, that's incredible." Now I know what all the hoopla is about. It really is! We ambled about, trotting alot, and the footing is great on most of the trails. You can pretty much find sand or grass with packed sand beneath it. We did find probably one of the crappiest trails in the park at one point, and it was loaded with tree roots, but MAN, there is NO rock. My barefoot horse says, "YES!" On most of the trails you can ride side by side. It was kind of funny at one point. Jackson was just doing his ground covering trot, and Bugs the Morgan was cantering beside us at the same speed. I have officially decided that I hate my Australian saddle, and will trail ride in my flat jumping saddle from now on. I can't handle the way the Aussie throws me out of position. It may be my particular saddle, or the fact that I just am an English rider and can't handle the loss of contact either. Anyhow, next ride will be back in my Bates Caprilli. Enjoy the pics, not many great ones, I only took a few. I was quite absorbed in the forest!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE_NK0DmPjC8W-hsT0IB6Wk0XKi_s3DRA23QffSyqbBFgQ5YxcLhAGbdJxoC3z2VIhfZ0ftSgs8DBPudqTyRVy64UodeBVVXOaomgKMFLpiuydE9gV78jBdJs9AfAOrgWctqOXn7F0meH/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE_NK0DmPjC8W-hsT0IB6Wk0XKi_s3DRA23QffSyqbBFgQ5YxcLhAGbdJxoC3z2VIhfZ0ftSgs8DBPudqTyRVy64UodeBVVXOaomgKMFLpiuydE9gV78jBdJs9AfAOrgWctqOXn7F0meH/s320/005.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off-roadin' it on horseback! :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrZp5_nqiR7CoF3gGknnPfS2Sge13mzIvb33bgDvEJ6p34KmALs6rCgdQQEZXloA2jvFdIsHipz3gNoTtcuX5ZGS55Q_zciQ_pSfoKaLvPsc2aiTbsSPHk3LlGzYhZ6gN_gqN-EFgqxim/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrZp5_nqiR7CoF3gGknnPfS2Sge13mzIvb33bgDvEJ6p34KmALs6rCgdQQEZXloA2jvFdIsHipz3gNoTtcuX5ZGS55Q_zciQ_pSfoKaLvPsc2aiTbsSPHk3LlGzYhZ6gN_gqN-EFgqxim/s320/030.JPG" /></a></div> Can you spot the bridge?<br />
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I am looking forward to getting myself in better shape, and I'm actually very surprised that I am not more sore today! I guess riding four days a week is already working on me. The sand and the hills are excellent conditioning for the horses. There are areas of grass with sand underneath, and areas where its ankle deep and white like at the beach. Yeah. Can you tell I'm super excited about the footing? Sorry. Texas rock was harsh! There are going to be many rides in this park, I can't wait!jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-83123855840911749842010-09-18T14:30:00.003-04:002010-12-17T08:16:40.434-05:00Walking the walk...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, I mentioned in my previous post that Florida is going to be more riding, less talk, and I suppose this is applying to my blog too. But really, I'm having so much fun in my little horsey world, I haven't had the time to blog, haven't been taking pictures, nada. Riding? OH YES! Jackson and I are jumping, practicing in the arena, and conditioning for endurance rides on lots of lovely trailrides in some of God's country, no joke. It is so darn beautiful and the footing is to die for! Lots of new cantering, which is our big deal, (or mine) he will still occasionally stop on the forehand and lean on his bit, he isn't sure what's up yet. That is on the flat when we are out with another horse. When we jump, he comes out of the jumps with a beautiful canter that I can ride all the way around the jumping arena with a smile plastered on my face. I figure the bit leaning and the ultra stops on the forehand are due to, (no not me) but the fact that we are riding with a fast (let's race!) Morgan, and they are feeding off of each other. Jackson was bred for speed and gets really mad at me sometimes when I won't let him GOOO! As in racing on the way home, go. Then I have to remind him that he is not the Black Stallion, and I am not his boy! ;) As long as I know what's up, I'm good, but I'm not ready to gallop yet! :) Especially home! Lots of things to do in this area, ACTHA competetive trail ride in the first part of October and in November, little jumping schooling show in October, hunter derbies (which I really am amped about), and at some point, a nice 25 mile endurance ride to enjoy with Jackson's Morgan buddy, perhaps further later on, but we gotta get everyone in condition, including the humans! Kathy, my BO also has lots of obstacles that we've been working at here and there. Yesterday was a big piece of rubber on the ground. The black contrast against the grass was NOT OK. So I got down and led him across it, and it was if he said, "Oh! That's all this is? OK!" Honestly, he is usually like this with most things except for dogs. He had a bad experience in Texas with some dogs attacking him, and the other night did a nice crow hop when the BO's poodle ran right at him. I stayed on, he regained his composure, and all was well. I can't say that I will ever blame him for not totally holding it together with a dog running straight at him, I don't know that I would! I'm still feeding the 28 horses three nights a week-- I truly enjoy it. Too bad real life steps in or I'd never leave the barn! :) The feedings, mucking, and watering has gotten my upper arms pretty ripped really fast! I have definition in my upper body that hasn't (ahem) been there in longer than I will admit. Even the chicken fat under my arms is gone. Downside: the pain in my left shoulder never really goes away, (broke it 3 years ago--cantering my green thing) but I just keep moving, doing, and popping Ibuprofen and an excellent herbal remedy my friend turned me onto. So update. I'M WALKING THE WALK in the riding realm! Next: finding the proper jumping instructor. Interview time! Yesterday one came out who is recommended by an Olympic medalist in the area. She looked to be twelve. But looks can be deceiving. Still. I like older instructors. I just feel like they've been there, done that. By older, I mean my age-ish or greater. But hey. She may work out just fine. I'd rather take the Olympic medalist, but probably couldn't afford her, and where we are now, she would be stupid or desperate to take us on... :O) Happy fall riding everyone! It's going to be SUPERB! Various pics I stole from Kathy my BO cause I've been too focused on feeding, mucking, and riding! Lots of pics of the obstacles she has available, and these are only a few. She has this contraption that you use to teach horses how to push which prepares police horses to become comfortable with pushing through crowds that is really interesting! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc0lpmsyrVs5NBnmQAVMhhPorOU4iaWfdl3TgM_DRhR3oSRf5nW1B8f8fGA51yo_p1sPAUq3dhKHy3MJmKZu0Fd54izqxMf78Y0jBYmGKsIZqiJ2VG6114MorZnAkNlsKV_-xttmZC4Dm/s1600/46806_125493237502021_118834344834577_164247_3074458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc0lpmsyrVs5NBnmQAVMhhPorOU4iaWfdl3TgM_DRhR3oSRf5nW1B8f8fGA51yo_p1sPAUq3dhKHy3MJmKZu0Fd54izqxMf78Y0jBYmGKsIZqiJ2VG6114MorZnAkNlsKV_-xttmZC4Dm/s320/46806_125493237502021_118834344834577_164247_3074458_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I_aHrn48LdXZU4T6YO2o3NO1Lmnw5D-l9VDWJcbwPXLz23Ru_zshvmT9dwKD2ql2I3rQwW4HQCFsvhMBMAFIIeQFHHYuXz948xQqSH5-win3ULk_Gc5eh0IsNrOiIOTDCJxy9xgJdZ8j/s1600/60883_125493357502009_118834344834577_164250_2984485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I_aHrn48LdXZU4T6YO2o3NO1Lmnw5D-l9VDWJcbwPXLz23Ru_zshvmT9dwKD2ql2I3rQwW4HQCFsvhMBMAFIIeQFHHYuXz948xQqSH5-win3ULk_Gc5eh0IsNrOiIOTDCJxy9xgJdZ8j/s320/60883_125493357502009_118834344834577_164250_2984485_n.jpg" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvkz9SupGxOVdLIpFm8LyhqFUzm4o0ufGI-qEXgygdnvvSnZ_FURDV9U0j-Y9nvUd2Fn9QbEoqHZRicIm_JJo01KmLmjxLT1jxapgdThVpuJ2g1GTrqqpXa6Gz_hcK6E_xucAAEtool8G/s1600/32006_1510845612907_1287375819_1414390_8378040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvkz9SupGxOVdLIpFm8LyhqFUzm4o0ufGI-qEXgygdnvvSnZ_FURDV9U0j-Y9nvUd2Fn9QbEoqHZRicIm_JJo01KmLmjxLT1jxapgdThVpuJ2g1GTrqqpXa6Gz_hcK6E_xucAAEtool8G/s320/32006_1510845612907_1287375819_1414390_8378040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote> This is the people mover. (I forget the real name!) This is Kasi and Cash at a State Hwy. Patrol event learning how to effectively push through a crowd! We have one at Sawhorse Farm, I call it the ZAMBONI!</blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuumwMAq6H1R9Yb802QYY5yqdXDFalnPm6DkmuhpmeqNRMxuaOwye-dLqRYQpBrjiSZ1syXd5DOnGR7j5s_ozXGSCUhYIiHwbwmAx2Zw51l-rtuccdQzdfV1LuObg2msidNywrm4pwhLBk/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuumwMAq6H1R9Yb802QYY5yqdXDFalnPm6DkmuhpmeqNRMxuaOwye-dLqRYQpBrjiSZ1syXd5DOnGR7j5s_ozXGSCUhYIiHwbwmAx2Zw51l-rtuccdQzdfV1LuObg2msidNywrm4pwhLBk/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs, Jackson's trail buddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2SnDzXi7Qea44aSfTgaxONZ6pGYDfu6QE1NkIFNwxcoCOSnuv8TKLzzV_XgWepLhF5svdD8zR1vbUQMcTt6qDrObGLkGNZulK4dxly8MjqtV5imtoFpQbNX3JqyTxxkVpwp4npcu4HrC/s1600/trailentrance.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2SnDzXi7Qea44aSfTgaxONZ6pGYDfu6QE1NkIFNwxcoCOSnuv8TKLzzV_XgWepLhF5svdD8zR1vbUQMcTt6qDrObGLkGNZulK4dxly8MjqtV5imtoFpQbNX3JqyTxxkVpwp4npcu4HrC/s320/trailentrance.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailhead..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdou5goxuPmzb4sMW5lVNYWLjS44jATDHOwI55WouYj_fMOnZmXg4CYGU8lgV-kGK3E57XZC-G0DDMh361PiTO3fihQKFxwS0ZUBJTAsE8dzmbCvFBlk-U16SYNenpPmB-ryRIoOe0hsxv/s1600/trail.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdou5goxuPmzb4sMW5lVNYWLjS44jATDHOwI55WouYj_fMOnZmXg4CYGU8lgV-kGK3E57XZC-G0DDMh361PiTO3fihQKFxwS0ZUBJTAsE8dzmbCvFBlk-U16SYNenpPmB-ryRIoOe0hsxv/s320/trail.bmp" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvQ9B0dRBPfBE8pEzEMrn5OR3-46AIhJLa4VccYxuEse13XaxZlzgzbE-KJzuKkWDm5gCc0apHSiWYQylmM_GbugL3fMPeOBAtp_JqFDch5tLFVxdz1nEIQcc8Zx9T8C3WWdVd3T_YSH0/s1600/60883_125493364168675_118834344834577_164252_4524274_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvQ9B0dRBPfBE8pEzEMrn5OR3-46AIhJLa4VccYxuEse13XaxZlzgzbE-KJzuKkWDm5gCc0apHSiWYQylmM_GbugL3fMPeOBAtp_JqFDch5tLFVxdz1nEIQcc8Zx9T8C3WWdVd3T_YSH0/s320/60883_125493364168675_118834344834577_164252_4524274_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My jumping buddies Katie and Sonny<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PW3rQoPKyGpVx_h6BY-16VX6PCjxYzg7n8_L4EORBkV86vtcQ06dAi029H7lLTPPR6jmZtQ5cAVolHr46Ui0I5yokYV44E1s1_wLafAdZGzFq9TEfLbZTDY2bnbgt_Vp_-yHkkMJehtd/s1600/60883_125493367502008_118834344834577_164253_3951703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PW3rQoPKyGpVx_h6BY-16VX6PCjxYzg7n8_L4EORBkV86vtcQ06dAi029H7lLTPPR6jmZtQ5cAVolHr46Ui0I5yokYV44E1s1_wLafAdZGzFq9TEfLbZTDY2bnbgt_Vp_-yHkkMJehtd/s320/60883_125493367502008_118834344834577_164253_3951703_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0rlkqmlhhhgeWYn97fGWiGJJezhSL-JHoIZgAysEdksBxsMbZBPUOxbQGILOikaA4la41e0tWanfNKc36QTC_B3JpXETK3nzgMfV-fLHNIHEMC4_lVlnKZ4_d94i0tVIFgkthKtembMi/s320/61675_125493434168668_118834344834577_164254_6426592_n.jpg" /></blockquote></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-40048214187383969372010-08-22T08:08:00.007-04:002010-08-26T11:11:08.092-04:00Jubilant Are My Feet--He's HERE!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M_bohwXL46JPerBodblOUTPtH7TylRCuKMxsqhyQCq-GU3PUqlUYd_AYSsTZO8gxON2R7Y7gjHxpD1VSGkWEBOqUsOMXpZMQmqkH8b1ZweOpDt3E5YL0u8PYSUBp4zn9Ad8qRKzBU-06/s1600/Sawhorse+Farm.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M_bohwXL46JPerBodblOUTPtH7TylRCuKMxsqhyQCq-GU3PUqlUYd_AYSsTZO8gxON2R7Y7gjHxpD1VSGkWEBOqUsOMXpZMQmqkH8b1ZweOpDt3E5YL0u8PYSUBp4zn9Ad8qRKzBU-06/s640/Sawhorse+Farm.bmp" width="435" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new barn...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwYvE2zhyphenhyphenHdV6VKI6hscBHOQHOBHVYnkcEnNz2iHsh0CVvfoFHTUuDpLJW975YbVQ9EmGti0o6oqzuicIiEwEJhpi-a_b7vQx7eQOt2NLKwbc1upgLDVfIey0Fyu9DBknTshBF4D9JZby/s1600/157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwYvE2zhyphenhyphenHdV6VKI6hscBHOQHOBHVYnkcEnNz2iHsh0CVvfoFHTUuDpLJW975YbVQ9EmGti0o6oqzuicIiEwEJhpi-a_b7vQx7eQOt2NLKwbc1upgLDVfIey0Fyu9DBknTshBF4D9JZby/s320/157.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the gate, giving me the eye. I'm driving the Rhino with dinner. "Mom, WHY aren't I FIRST?"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7MGejTmOUA0Mx3EI1fA5PE1anDy95En08oNS61dSkWFkQ9vYRFbfocZq9A2QRz6QCIcY9i5R1o-8urbMgwLYP9yAm7qQBLM7q85UvQHxw7jnlGqyU-TrXb4IQDvdUh8pyVRvWReVBU_O/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7MGejTmOUA0Mx3EI1fA5PE1anDy95En08oNS61dSkWFkQ9vYRFbfocZq9A2QRz6QCIcY9i5R1o-8urbMgwLYP9yAm7qQBLM7q85UvQHxw7jnlGqyU-TrXb4IQDvdUh8pyVRvWReVBU_O/s320/163.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only locked in to eat. Otherwise he has an open door policy per my request... A horse should be a horse, OF COURSE! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEGHeAY2Zno9dnYq9NLSeUxAfLWpjRqHMnxac5L6e52F7VxORXgcUx7w7nqPc6NtEf9srr4OZruBeUtRLOFsDBN75K4dJ84O5iGaNlfofwydM0LyjEmDvyZ_eF9LatLFjraAXrfoPtZuz/s1600/39902_119228131461865_118834344834577_130583_1284738_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEGHeAY2Zno9dnYq9NLSeUxAfLWpjRqHMnxac5L6e52F7VxORXgcUx7w7nqPc6NtEf9srr4OZruBeUtRLOFsDBN75K4dJ84O5iGaNlfofwydM0LyjEmDvyZ_eF9LatLFjraAXrfoPtZuz/s320/39902_119228131461865_118834344834577_130583_1284738_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumps!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQL7q4dFk4FiL8PrCp6exYIFstHGOs8kVkrunvm7IN2ZxgtpR8b2cbaM9ZmtgSTyi4tAZqyvTZSyc43b1lG8Z5adxVJy9C43HkZe628Meuhm1AHCwyCFmuuLDNThbKCt-36cWwlmdYwtj/s1600/39902_119228144795197_118834344834577_130587_2306327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQL7q4dFk4FiL8PrCp6exYIFstHGOs8kVkrunvm7IN2ZxgtpR8b2cbaM9ZmtgSTyi4tAZqyvTZSyc43b1lG8Z5adxVJy9C43HkZe628Meuhm1AHCwyCFmuuLDNThbKCt-36cWwlmdYwtj/s320/39902_119228144795197_118834344834577_130587_2306327_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tack room and wash rack. One of three.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I promised a post on the new barn, and MOST importantly, Jackson's arrival--here it is! Jackson arrived Monday night around 8:30 pm. Due to the driver thinking my BO had contacted me of his imminent arrival, and vice versa, I was not there! I was so upset, but he was very well taken care of, and the driver was superb. He had been calling me frequently, giving me updates, and was very good with the horses, their care, and his rig was top of the line--this was reported to me by Linda who was there for his pick-up, and Kathy, who received him. Circle S Transport. Would use him again. He stopped to sleep, took the horses out of the trailer to clean it and give them breaks, a consummate professional, for sure. Insured, licensed, with lots of testimonials.... I was surprised not to have heard from him. Mix-up. Oh well. So by 9:30 pm I drove out to the farm, figuring I would catch him as he arrived. Kathy, the owner of the farm, had called to tell me where he would be put for a couple of days, (normal isolation) with a huge pasture and large stall of his own to get acclimated. So, I drug my buddy out with me, and in the pitch black started making my way to the barn with a tiny flashlight until I could reach the barn lights. I just headed for the place she was putting him, and when I arrived at the gate--and, BOY, was I slow to get it--I realized his halter and long lead with the leather popper at the end were hanging there! I did about three double takes, looking at this equipment. I was in shock. The halter is very one of a kind, and there defintely weren't any look alikes at the barn. I knew this for sure, as I had been working there three days a week for three weeks, but my mind was NOT getting it. Until it did. So I tried to open the gate, and despite the fact that they are made for dummies, could not get it open. So I launched myself over it, chanting "Jackson?, Jackson?" the entire time. So, I face planted OVER the gate. The girl who routinely goes over fences and gates rather than bother with the latches and chains, etc., was SO excited, that I totally got over, albeit FACE and right hand first--NICE set of scrapes on the palm that caught my fall. No stopping, already up and running, shining my flashlight. Then I heard his knicker to me. OH JOY! I found him already making friends with his new barn mates over the fence at the far end of the one acre plot. I grabbed him in the biggest hug EVER, and did not let go for several minutes. Ummm. Yes, there were tears--of JOY! He was a bit sweaty, but looked great. Of course, I got his lead on him to show him off to my friend (also a Kathy, not to be confused with the BO)! She seems to have a way with horses, he took to her right away. He can be aloof with strangers! I could tell he was adjusting from the trip, wondering where he was, and relieved to see me! :) He was given electrolytes the day before, and during the trip--he can be a worrisome drinker-- and hay only the day before, during the trip, and that night. The next morning he was started on his feed. He is doing great with the Seminole Feed (a very popular local brand made in Ocala, FL), and is now back on his ground flax seed, along with an added hoof supplement and electrolytes. Tasted the electrolytes. Salt. Apple flavored as advertised? NO, not so much! ;) Kathy uses a bit of corn oil to get it to all stick together, and it works! No more NOT buying what he needs cause it will be found in the bottom of the bucket! I am a strong advocate of ground flax seed, less sure about hoof supplements and the electrolytes. Too many opinions, placating horse owners--and making money off of them--is frequently the basis of the supplement industry. But shiny, shiny, shiny on the flax! One of the things that cemented in just how much Kathy cares about ALL her horses was the fact that they all get a piece or two of carrot with every feeding. Lots of BO's would only be concerned about their own horses, but nope. Each and every horse gets a bit of carrot, every feeding. Pampered? Yes, these horses are pampered.YAY! My boy deserves it, and I couldn't be more thrilled knowing that Kathy is looking out for his well-being when I'm not there! I have already ridden a few times, nothing big, just getting Jacks acclimated to all there is to see. Last night I enjoyed an invite from Kathy to join in on a dinner party, and watching her eight month old Golden Retriever Harley in the pool--which is totally inside a screened in porch, along with a bar--playing with his ball and launching himself into the pool, was the best entertainment. Her husband is a Mounted State Highway Patrol Officer, and seemed to enjoy BBQ'ing--also safe from bugs in the pool compound--and making us all yummy margaritas! I was also able to thank Hailey, the girl who gave me Kathy's number at the local feed store, and to meet Bette who owns a horse she boards on the premises. Kathy has invited me to accompany her and Bette on an ACTHA camping trip in October, and then another in November! The answer was, of course, an emphatic "YES", and I am looking forward to the experience, not to mention the fun and comraderie. I LOVE horse camping! So, enjoy the pics, the jumping arena is not exactly what I envision in the future, (let's hope I get past 2'3!) but for now--and I'm sure for longer than I would like-- is just fine! I say this only because there are not that many jumps--not so much the height, I probably won't ever get super high--but, eventually I will need bounces, a full course, etc. I can keep costs down by building my own jumps when the time comes! (With permission of course!:) And honestly, those of you who know me will be VERY surprised to note that I haven't even been out there to check out the jumps, what is really there, or how high they will go! Not because I don't want to, but it has been SO hot, we have had rain and thunderstorms like CRAZY! Oh, Florida! Not to mention that every bit of energy has so far been expended on learning how to properly take care of 30 horses in the way I would want my own taken care of! Add riding Jackson around the farm to acclimate him to, ummm, LOTS of new horses; the jumping area hasn't been the priority! We were cantering in the round pen the other day, and he actually BUCKED to show off to the others! I just gave him a swift kick, and onward we went, but I was cracking up. <strong>Kind of</strong>. Those of you who know my history, know that cantering has been a big thang--lost my nerve big time after a broken shoulder and lots of internal damage three + years ago!-- so I pulled the big girl britches back up, they had started to melt down to my shins--and kept cantering! I'm a bit proud that this was on our first ride at the farm, but it wasn't a huge workout and we just kind of fell into it in the round pen! :) Tomorrow night's endeavor is the jumping arena, and popping over a couple of lil' uns. I am looking forward to the lessons I will be with Ursula (Ushi), a beautifully accomplished rider from Austria. Jumping. Dressage too, as I need the "schooling" on my greenie. But I do admit it. I just want to jump, and trail ride--had to be perfectly honest--but I know the dressage helps a TON! I don't have dressage aspirations--not really--but I love how much it has helped Jackson and I as a team, (greener than grass to start, and still working...) so half dressage, half jumping lessons at first may be perfect! I just want to be the best rider I can be for my horse, enjoying the ride all the way. I had agenda out the ying yang in Texas--along with a forty minute drive, a fear after breaking my shoulder cantering after I first got him, riding alone, a kiddo, and a full time job too-- I have hereby decided Florida is going to be more ride, less talk. Where is my riding going to go? I dunno. But I bet I have more fun doing it, don't you? By that, I mean I don't have that "Gotta, gotta, gotta, mentalilty. It just will be. So much I want to do. Hunter Derby this fall if I can pull it together, along with the ACTHA camping trips and trail rides spell FUN! And I now have a ten mile drive to my barn! Much betta'! Well, enough babbling. Sorry. I know I'm not that interesting.... But happier than I've been in a long time? FOR SURE! The other day I was mucking a stall, stopped, and said to myself, "Oh, my gosh, I AM HAPPY! This is where I want to be!" It was a great moment. Me and the manure. :)<br />
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<strong>BUT!</strong> I do want it said that Texas has been the impetus for any future I have with my horse. Mainly due to a couple of very good friends--you know who you are!-- and an excellent instructor. Please don't think I am not aware of where OUR roots were started, and the love and encouragement I received! <u><strong>Never</strong></u> forgotten, my friends! And Texas won't be forgotten either--good and bad--but mostly, just cause ya'll were in it, and our paths crossed..... xo....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chariot. Bugs, the Morgan checking things out--wondering if I remembered his feed--of course I did, Bugzy!.... I took the Rhino up to 34 mph the other day. Bad idea. I removed bugs out of my eyes for an hour afterwards!! :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZhal_ZZTWj8I1DWnBKBfTuoRAaMWwAouX4VjhslZ5Re57tkYHlTjbSpkKRs31SemCISUZa6zorbDU2UMOUmqnVy6myn6CCL8vnynNNbQWx_GHkYhqY6s2wq58WmpOkE8PIEmOPqwg1T6/s1600/45617_118846271500051_118834344834577_128839_6498293_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZhal_ZZTWj8I1DWnBKBfTuoRAaMWwAouX4VjhslZ5Re57tkYHlTjbSpkKRs31SemCISUZa6zorbDU2UMOUmqnVy6myn6CCL8vnynNNbQWx_GHkYhqY6s2wq58WmpOkE8PIEmOPqwg1T6/s320/45617_118846271500051_118834344834577_128839_6498293_n.jpg" /></a></div>I never liked paints that much until I met this absolute Sweetheart. Her name is Pie. I just found out she is for sale. I want my roomie/friend (also Kathy) to buy her! She is INCREDIBLY sweet, and awesome in too many ways to go into here. I think I NEED her! Gotta ride her now. This could be bad.... I have never automatically fallen for a horse like I have for her....<br />
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</tbody></table>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-90201243480588189602010-08-16T08:35:00.002-04:002010-08-20T10:20:52.844-04:00Destination Destiny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</tbody></table>Gainesville, Florida. YES, I made it! For those of you who may not have known about it--perhaps wondering about the blog, and where I've been--the move and all it entails have been occupying every thought, idea, and ounce of energy I may have had for the past few weeks! I have moved in with one of my best friends who I've known since my Key West days--which is a bit of time--she is such a great gal! AND, I totally lucked out with my new barn. I had been to two places, liked one, and not the other, but the one I really liked had no openings! I got my friend to drive me to the nearest feed store, oftentimes there are bulletin boards with all kinds of listings. Not so here. All AA circuit barns. And none of them as close as I wanted my barn to be.... I walked back into the store and announced to my friend (who knew one of the employees) that all I could find were super expensive barns, mostly in Ocala which is a 30-40 minute drive. Had I put him in Ocala, I would have boarded him at Karen and David O'Connor's boarding barn! Now that is a neat place! But I want my horse closer than that!!! The young girl behind the counter perked up, and told me about her friend Kathy, who is now my new BO! Her acreage backs up onto State Park land, 7,000 acres worth of riding available! She also is very involved in ACTHA--American Competitive Trail Horse Association-- activities and competitions, and has lots of obstacles set up to practice with. Her husband is a mounted Highway Patrolman and she is very involved in search and rescue which I have wanted to start doing since I GOT Jackson! And, yes, there is a jumping and a dressage arena! Hooray! I have already met the barn instructor a few times--she is from Austria--and she teaches it all. Jumping, dressage, you name it! The best part of this, is the fact that I am totally working Jackson's monthly board off by doing the feeding for all 30 horses three evenings a week. I absolutely LOVE it. <br />
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<u><span style="background-color: #990000; color: magenta;">Jackson will be here TODAY</span></u> (Monday) barring unforseen complications, I am SO thrilled about that I was up all night as if awaiting Santa again when I was five! It is only when I see him getting unloaded from the trailer that I am truly going to believe it though!<br />
I will take you through a limited picture montage here, just the house, and it's surrounding environs, and --of course-- my pets! The new barn pics will come in the next post after I get my boy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piper P. McPiperson enjoying the Italian couch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlFrz2qSxCuc7QMWP1cy31Codvuro7Z5BdwFFKvv07l4gY6OIuOXrgutqFE56p0NOR4G3XKajXRqeBkvHELzMbntMAIa-p2W5T0c5-vQUmsFEZSk4W97eJYzk-8i0M1U-j8r1FK4ronRa/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlFrz2qSxCuc7QMWP1cy31Codvuro7Z5BdwFFKvv07l4gY6OIuOXrgutqFE56p0NOR4G3XKajXRqeBkvHELzMbntMAIa-p2W5T0c5-vQUmsFEZSk4W97eJYzk-8i0M1U-j8r1FK4ronRa/s320/031.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar with her "baby"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5W9_k9tX0JfFLSZkI5MaWq7NiODRFlbYwgSGohyphenhyphenWrdoIlhonBqDN7D3qgYSTG_wh07imPgD4WbR8qeHtBbjjOGKik_pkv3beHO3npXaHzQyq-On6DxalmjtW0l8KqvJi5OVpS8ytFFPy/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5W9_k9tX0JfFLSZkI5MaWq7NiODRFlbYwgSGohyphenhyphenWrdoIlhonBqDN7D3qgYSTG_wh07imPgD4WbR8qeHtBbjjOGKik_pkv3beHO3npXaHzQyq-On6DxalmjtW0l8KqvJi5OVpS8ytFFPy/s320/018.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 1/2 mile away from the house...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond with algae bloom and lily pads!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNphKN31jS93SyDSPKCudsmkE_V4Zz4snZ8wOb2nIpD5K802mBac6IbUApcMqXsDRPIYIWWcoL2fBmcKKH4ZX5owgIqJRxKzR4DgQWxNZibvV0ZuPIsQz_qvGzjCtaCFmjDh0Y1I1eVl/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNphKN31jS93SyDSPKCudsmkE_V4Zz4snZ8wOb2nIpD5K802mBac6IbUApcMqXsDRPIYIWWcoL2fBmcKKH4ZX5owgIqJRxKzR4DgQWxNZibvV0ZuPIsQz_qvGzjCtaCFmjDh0Y1I1eVl/s320/011.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp with alligators in it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8csZVa39h3wvPlIferEuhWUTuvGh6k51SI4MF30u1PxnUppLNc1RtZ0fULhibPTNE_xLI7qSiW5gEDKLwX4WW5WuavccMdfErzbNRhYvLl29ooJEypvIqoMe3KY3zulEWGENvP5tl9qi/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8csZVa39h3wvPlIferEuhWUTuvGh6k51SI4MF30u1PxnUppLNc1RtZ0fULhibPTNE_xLI7qSiW5gEDKLwX4WW5WuavccMdfErzbNRhYvLl29ooJEypvIqoMe3KY3zulEWGENvP5tl9qi/s320/080.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portion of my room...love the ceilings. I detest low ceilings!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uUrEYEnz_Va4nbeWacEdKHNRiv8NqNGyfVWNpZ3Jn1X3O7JVhBimvikP4CITBDFb3GlkgCuAsl5eiu7WMt8ha78WiFS2BA5EHxPE6okc56u6jFEOXOUwDpa9KnHeBwpjAFBiRmHDn9Io/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uUrEYEnz_Va4nbeWacEdKHNRiv8NqNGyfVWNpZ3Jn1X3O7JVhBimvikP4CITBDFb3GlkgCuAsl5eiu7WMt8ha78WiFS2BA5EHxPE6okc56u6jFEOXOUwDpa9KnHeBwpjAFBiRmHDn9Io/s320/066.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does anyone know what type of spider this thing is? Bleeeccchhh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my mushroom montage. Fascintating to take pics of them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNqkCNHxMVsmZ86pgundPVPP4MGB8TtkZi4H__LaGPZ3XxflVj3e7vIXfEwKJMkYEep8jsWkab63i93hy62qGl9B7u4k8D-5RiG4U-k6ZdLnNl56SGKbb3vUS-_k9_2UuIZ-VapHfONjF/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNqkCNHxMVsmZ86pgundPVPP4MGB8TtkZi4H__LaGPZ3XxflVj3e7vIXfEwKJMkYEep8jsWkab63i93hy62qGl9B7u4k8D-5RiG4U-k6ZdLnNl56SGKbb3vUS-_k9_2UuIZ-VapHfONjF/s320/057.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View in yard when you look up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYYn-pgTCNfkvZJZlQ59kXvwzLO0DJHKmt7GI2WeRRqqA-DcUcwXpzLM1CCxTmPfkOlYDQk8fYv_wSGOxT0qtGvhuNyfZ01rCJNTs-66uHrvB4_qKUlYi37QVetjMZsXMonjJMEEbhFOC/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYYn-pgTCNfkvZJZlQ59kXvwzLO0DJHKmt7GI2WeRRqqA-DcUcwXpzLM1CCxTmPfkOlYDQk8fYv_wSGOxT0qtGvhuNyfZ01rCJNTs-66uHrvB4_qKUlYi37QVetjMZsXMonjJMEEbhFOC/s320/103.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of my new residence--typical Florida house. Circa 1955!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vIFiT-RWpyNu2987fWUJEY9IlUm6NEKMiWOCQN8wvdc8WOeHDRMMfU1r_2rvlOY9qfQEONLEs0DbzFjOog-58G9N4sxB_TCUAci3qJ9rQ2UEWk6Zt-a2cQ1BqqoQJmEkuUdJiCnGVWl-/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vIFiT-RWpyNu2987fWUJEY9IlUm6NEKMiWOCQN8wvdc8WOeHDRMMfU1r_2rvlOY9qfQEONLEs0DbzFjOog-58G9N4sxB_TCUAci3qJ9rQ2UEWk6Zt-a2cQ1BqqoQJmEkuUdJiCnGVWl-/s320/073.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Homegrown Frangapiani. You may know it as Plumeria!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriqe31UX1m64uNvz7_OSnl0gnwLeqd6jdy0vchxkuvSw4pxvnjLLSlf_oi7P5-0f0Ae10GORSE2LX6Grt7KueyHeCCV9nLeWJaz8aWRBqOdxo83QQv4kWcDQtJGioZpVWas792tbAEkZa/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriqe31UX1m64uNvz7_OSnl0gnwLeqd6jdy0vchxkuvSw4pxvnjLLSlf_oi7P5-0f0Ae10GORSE2LX6Grt7KueyHeCCV9nLeWJaz8aWRBqOdxo83QQv4kWcDQtJGioZpVWas792tbAEkZa/s320/081.JPG" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-6351586674433466102010-07-18T08:24:00.000-04:002010-07-18T08:24:53.241-04:00Toasted with A Side of Laughter....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXNqq5z0dbMamqC26VIvgSIXZlfZY0AfrP2re5UmN8rv9lwY0FvOdnNCOHWGNs4dS2JRjBkUEt-InDEenchWf_3mRDCPZ-0Sz9_CKseP8-5pDA_qBdxtHGkYKRBS1aQ9g7Nq9jVwSpbgq/s1600/laughfornoreason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXNqq5z0dbMamqC26VIvgSIXZlfZY0AfrP2re5UmN8rv9lwY0FvOdnNCOHWGNs4dS2JRjBkUEt-InDEenchWf_3mRDCPZ-0Sz9_CKseP8-5pDA_qBdxtHGkYKRBS1aQ9g7Nq9jVwSpbgq/s640/laughfornoreason.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yesterday Linda and I set out early to load up our horses, food, and necessary items to go on an early morning trail ride with our equine club <a href="http://hillcountryequinefriends.com/">Hlll Country Equine Friends</a> . Since my son's father was in Iraq for ten months and I was the sole caretaker, I haven't been available to participate in all of the cool activities this club has had to offer! Also, my time in Texas is drawing to a close, so I was really looking forward to this one! It was supposed to be a camping weekend getaway, and then when folks were not RSVP'ing--due to vacations, a broken arm, and (I personally think) the heat-- it was cancelled and turned into an AM trail ride. Wusses! Just KIDDING! Well, only the true die-hard ride in the heat like I do (Linda too!), I suppose! Bring on the heat! I would've camped anyway! I love camping! We got there, checked in, and preceded to the three campsites that we had reserved. I found out on the way to the Park, that the only OTHER person coming was another woman that I had actually met before. I was happy, she is a cool gal! In fact, my Stubben breast collar used to be hers! I was also hoping our vet and his wife might make it. Our vet = one cool dude. I love that he NEVER minds all my questions, paired with the fact that he is a wealth of interesting knowledge and HELP. So strike the camping trip, AND THEN, our group trail ride! Argh.! The gal who was coming left us a message. She had had a blowout (on her property, thank GOD) and was not going to make our ride time. Our good friend Lorri--who isn't a heat wimp, and was MISSED by Linda and myself-- had gone to Houston to pick up her new Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named COPPER! BTW: WELCOME TO THE FAMILY COPPER!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Linda and I tacked up, locked up-- *important to note for later*, put the cooler in the shade, and headed out. There were lots of people on the in the park. On the more popular trails. Since Linda helped build the trails (on 5,000 acres!) some thirty years ago, she knew right where to go---shade, shade, and not a lot of rock for my boy's back feet--we need boots--no more rock bruises! It was also one of the paths not as "known about". YEAH! Luckily, we only ran into two groups on our 2 hour trail ride. SWEET! I love navigators who actually know where they are, and what they're doing. So we had some great areas to look at, LOTS of shade, and cantering, trotting areas on some really nice soft ground. Side by side much of the ride! We didn't do TONS of MOVIN', due to the heat of course, but enough to satisfy the itch! We did lots of cooling them out in between, so they were hot, but never panting. Sweaty, but never scarily so. There was a breeze as well, OH HAPPY DAY!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP71QufC_r5PWxgerzt9u3hOFsGVOQNTIauiKIZQ6LJhBSWn7JqWp7-cSqXUbuOUr2TrblkEZrOIphy7_2dCpmbqkgRZQxaAkq3TeSl50JuRZbubttmReyPdRjLK1H3KUTAvwVG_g_meIo/s1600/2007-01-01+00-00-40_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP71QufC_r5PWxgerzt9u3hOFsGVOQNTIauiKIZQ6LJhBSWn7JqWp7-cSqXUbuOUr2TrblkEZrOIphy7_2dCpmbqkgRZQxaAkq3TeSl50JuRZbubttmReyPdRjLK1H3KUTAvwVG_g_meIo/s640/2007-01-01+00-00-40_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyua43wXNHeyIlGfJkkimtifLCVtOjOm9Tw01uR98HWZVTSaPKAds2_T40-t0jYKBC02p8ZnVxu34lRLirVqjnuBMgXOfAAWy58-rg6yfIjSlRB8jXIECxi8NnY88dn9opI0vYl-J1YhXL/s1600/2007-01-01+00-00-05_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyua43wXNHeyIlGfJkkimtifLCVtOjOm9Tw01uR98HWZVTSaPKAds2_T40-t0jYKBC02p8ZnVxu34lRLirVqjnuBMgXOfAAWy58-rg6yfIjSlRB8jXIECxi8NnY88dn9opI0vYl-J1YhXL/s640/2007-01-01+00-00-05_0003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Views in the distance...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFGIEk_z-8efccNUy-UWLebkpjfOpqwdDICUukNLpTGiIr7L0NLxh6dETWTu_qbARQg1iEHwwBr6LhWiJjinJhSRnhOvBW683xIL6o-QIgQdLrW6z13mtPPhCiTclj-N3pzYJro0YXe3z/s1600/2007-01-01+01-27-28_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFGIEk_z-8efccNUy-UWLebkpjfOpqwdDICUukNLpTGiIr7L0NLxh6dETWTu_qbARQg1iEHwwBr6LhWiJjinJhSRnhOvBW683xIL6o-QIgQdLrW6z13mtPPhCiTclj-N3pzYJro0YXe3z/s320/2007-01-01+01-27-28_0013.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGMa0MnLRKerW9xhQkwakJb9qyKQI-F9BxvU6FXWUIT7HsfzEUCKg_MnRVsPg4DGpK5oe0ER5ldoM5csL0EwGJHljz6T8eWJgzQVSOVaJylKWwmRiMpBoyBZcSQTY_l9wmZ7ey4ZWUxpo/s1600/up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGMa0MnLRKerW9xhQkwakJb9qyKQI-F9BxvU6FXWUIT7HsfzEUCKg_MnRVsPg4DGpK5oe0ER5ldoM5csL0EwGJHljz6T8eWJgzQVSOVaJylKWwmRiMpBoyBZcSQTY_l9wmZ7ey4ZWUxpo/s320/up.jpg" /></a>She's going up! Tiny hill to get to a photo op....</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oXXnQ-QksnBpfYzSX7d19kjKk4CtpgyfEX4AW_zquafvJ6yvse8UauQQ2QKlDHEAQm6dPp52VjX3t-U3s56zmPwiPnDp1Rm0fYgoUBCjrTS2MO1VLZf-mH6oXu76tRRAsSjC33bM9vT_/s1600/2007-01-01+01-27-57_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oXXnQ-QksnBpfYzSX7d19kjKk4CtpgyfEX4AW_zquafvJ6yvse8UauQQ2QKlDHEAQm6dPp52VjX3t-U3s56zmPwiPnDp1Rm0fYgoUBCjrTS2MO1VLZf-mH6oXu76tRRAsSjC33bM9vT_/s400/2007-01-01+01-27-57_0020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-u22MNK3l-h9lQ7-6s5KoRr_Wv5LsHYwU8RSeBz5avwiNyEBZ-w14WvC0uURs6Z63Kn9f2t55OlA1AjQ6tWxwznhNJJ9mAErXwNC1tRpMEXyqutXFCOxT-PjlRDpQm6YLJyeAGZgR9YL/s1600/2007-01-01+01-29-48_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-u22MNK3l-h9lQ7-6s5KoRr_Wv5LsHYwU8RSeBz5avwiNyEBZ-w14WvC0uURs6Z63Kn9f2t55OlA1AjQ6tWxwznhNJJ9mAErXwNC1tRpMEXyqutXFCOxT-PjlRDpQm6YLJyeAGZgR9YL/s400/2007-01-01+01-29-48_0031.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linda on Red (the Growth, as I call him....:) He was really nice to Jackson yesterday, Thanks RED!</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPOi6XNhpX11RsRKaHeaVhebZKjtpcjquKXFKPVi_zJzcxR76DI0_Cw0gCEIqcgpjaJRupY4R4cNmCkyV4BA-e3TmJQKH3dYfBtoDTq1khk0jwsGGSTIaQa0eBRlmE_xjjnJfWkXUzUST/s1600/2007-01-01+02-18-19_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPOi6XNhpX11RsRKaHeaVhebZKjtpcjquKXFKPVi_zJzcxR76DI0_Cw0gCEIqcgpjaJRupY4R4cNmCkyV4BA-e3TmJQKH3dYfBtoDTq1khk0jwsGGSTIaQa0eBRlmE_xjjnJfWkXUzUST/s400/2007-01-01+02-18-19_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">RED caught in a compromising position...Honestly, for some reason, neither one of us realized he was peeing, WE DO get up off of their kidneys for that! We cracked up when we realized we had caught this later, RED is now humiliated viva la Internet! ---BIG SMUG GRIN on my face---</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Why the dislike? He runs me down if the mood strikes him (to get out the gate!) ohhhhhhh....bad, bad bad..., and he IS MEAN TO MY HORSE! HE IS A BIG, FAT, growth of a Missouri Foxtrotter...I tease about him, but I guess I grudgingly admit a "certain" fondness for him. Every few months or so... :)</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLoJ_T7xS03gdEfxDCzoKHjC57ipiz42yrVQgjdXwJh8ViPQccG3GQ6r8DPZDndYTqUEUboXVrBNoLMzR2Qh_-kiqWIZcXIPKIn1k7-jEzNz6AshAi_4H0XEH4kFVdMNjVtpcSo8PVwxU/s1600/2007-01-01+02-18-24_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLoJ_T7xS03gdEfxDCzoKHjC57ipiz42yrVQgjdXwJh8ViPQccG3GQ6r8DPZDndYTqUEUboXVrBNoLMzR2Qh_-kiqWIZcXIPKIn1k7-jEzNz6AshAi_4H0XEH4kFVdMNjVtpcSo8PVwxU/s400/2007-01-01+02-18-24_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">COOL looking dead woods...</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUSod0tX4gLZzXz3ghFGPAYyY3ZbedVexaAMTxbmaP6xoj9_sxiC-wXwyLOTpgJn1dRtCGBQhJlGNQr-DuW33hTlEqai9ot-zfkVtaLK4Esyg63s_3gPaVDOEsno94oAaAcHexy77j6SE/s1600/2007-01-01+02-19-52_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUSod0tX4gLZzXz3ghFGPAYyY3ZbedVexaAMTxbmaP6xoj9_sxiC-wXwyLOTpgJn1dRtCGBQhJlGNQr-DuW33hTlEqai9ot-zfkVtaLK4Esyg63s_3gPaVDOEsno94oAaAcHexy77j6SE/s400/2007-01-01+02-19-52_0053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Mom--Listen. I am quite sure there are EQUINE EATING MONSTERS </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">in them thar' woods." Me: "Chillax. Let's GO!" So he did (after a nice firm kick!:).</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3a1KVdmpWMEr7yUjC4_-2bySBbLvInMac30b_i62ZOe0-ULtevs77WOW-N7ZKErBRzQt5Zs7LHi3ViPj7HRDMGI9wXKxHDDljvyq1uRHSBtURV4PTJKxaimKwuZTaaslT0eYxaAc4wA/s1600/230000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3a1KVdmpWMEr7yUjC4_-2bySBbLvInMac30b_i62ZOe0-ULtevs77WOW-N7ZKErBRzQt5Zs7LHi3ViPj7HRDMGI9wXKxHDDljvyq1uRHSBtURV4PTJKxaimKwuZTaaslT0eYxaAc4wA/s640/230000.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Made it...phew!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEFQiMUH70jTXpdAoDsTv99gl2yVf8Nm9IClQ3QWjnfC1GADWeCI0Yae0buUjSsfx34e1g0lblon1ZpXHhpFacviV4qfcLTg2nVNUBTsgPAKgj8FPy_IECgeSACnOV2qr8n_2zxE-97LU/s1600/likeit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEFQiMUH70jTXpdAoDsTv99gl2yVf8Nm9IClQ3QWjnfC1GADWeCI0Yae0buUjSsfx34e1g0lblon1ZpXHhpFacviV4qfcLTg2nVNUBTsgPAKgj8FPy_IECgeSACnOV2qr8n_2zxE-97LU/s640/likeit.jpg" width="627" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Almost perfectly square! </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I apologize for the multitude of Mindy and Jackson pics. I have none of us since I hit my goal weight, and Linda shot some GREAT ones (of Jackson anywhoo!), and I wanted to share! Yes, I know his mane still needs pulled properly. I'd rather ride than stand in the heat and play with a mane! It's on my TO DO list. At the bottom. Really, I'm ashamed at my horridness. REALLY. Oh God. I can't live with it... I AM a bad mom, I guess! :) I do know how to pull a mane. Three different (correct) ways, in fact. I have no pride. LOL!</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And then...suspenseful music begins to play...DA DA <strong>DUMB DUMB DUMB</strong>....we got back to our camp, and Linda realized she had brought the ignition key, but not the key that unlocks the truck doors! DOH! I am truly bad luck, this is the third time in 1 month or so that she has lost a key (tubing), locked it in her car (lunch at a restaurant), or forgot it (yesterday)! Seriously. I just shook my head. I should know at this point to A)have copies of all her keys, and B) remind her about any and ALL keys. I just laughed and got on top of the truck cab to get reception via cell phone. I then called MY insurance companies roadside assistance--guaranteed in 90 minutes--WORD. When the tow truck driver arrived to unlock the door, we got him to show us the tool. NOT a slim jim. He showed us how to make it. It involves a long slim piece of thin flexible plastic folded in half with sandpaper at the crease. You can make it for less than $1.50. Cool! He got the door open in less than two minutes. WOW. While we were waiting, we had untacked, given the horses a little hay, ate (quickly), and then rode both horses bareback with halters and lead ropes to the wash rack located about a mile down for baths with my rice brush and a bit of horse wash. LORD, I love that rice brush! If you never do anything, spend the money on a REAL (not synthetic) rice brush! It is the grooming brush I love the most, perfect for baths and getting to the root of the problem! We were leading the horses back from their baths when when Mr. Nice Tow Truck Guy showed up and we told him to go on ahead! As mentioned, he had it open in record time, we loaded the horses, and made a slight detour to the leather/tack store to get various items repaired. SUPER reasonable and great work! We were in there 10 minutes tops and parked in the shade! We made it home, safe, alive, and TIRED! Good times, good times.... </div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-40661200308629018252010-07-13T13:37:00.003-04:002010-07-14T19:47:04.545-04:00Blog Winners--Finally Announced....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId02KD31BhioU7jjSpTuGv9MOsOEBNP11pVxMQOXXiVwvyBJyR8_dFH6X8EQKA5bGGTbjNDUUpJQ60YVPNuNjfiKGiilwBfZK0VsbpRNTpfbKOjDVWcjWS42F8QjbEs0mTSf6YtSiT_oB/s320/2007-01-08+16-16-22_0152.JPG" /></div>YEAH. Sorry 'bout that. I did, however notify the winners on the specified day!! Congrats to Pru over at <a href="http://www.bigredhorse.blogspot.com/">BigRedHorse</a> on winning the horsehoe of her choice, she has chosen red and black which are her and Olly's eventing colors. Winner #2 was Kristen who owns Laz over at <a href="http://www.sweethorsesbreath.blogspot.com/">SweetHorsesBreath</a> . She now has no excuse not to clean her tack--she won the Leather CPR. I put all contestants in a bowl and pulled out the winners, so I did not even do it like I said I would, making it easier to win! I guess the prize giver can change her mind, eh? :) In case anyone is interested in which of the hay bags I would pick if I were to buy one: I really liked the Tye Dye and the Girrafe Print! They are so quirky and weird--cool! That said, they are mongo expensive in my book. But since when are these horsey hunks of love cheap? Which one would I NEVER, EVER buy? The zebra print! UGH... <br />
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Congrats, ladies. I do sell the shoes, and for my blog buds will make it very reasonable, but at this time am BACKLOGGED! I really only make them when the mood hits, and custom orders are the hardest. I always worry that they won't be liked and the shoe ends up getting three weeks of thought, and then I do it in an hour! I prefer to go with my gut, make them, and then sell them or give them to friends... That said, I've never done red and black, this will be fun.<br />
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I may be blog-o-cating for awhile, but I will post it all e-ven-tuall-y!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVd_2yYJ3XUWpOA_M_QVCZQpacB6rbiG-1xCEYnL398yEzc8Gq9iv9BuJkfbpvRASOT_K6KbBMeiyWIfeb8tLPaIL2TeGtcqtz5cvLhz4Hy1cKXtzq21yhW87EH5tMIuSdI7vsmCi4abu/s1600/2007-01-08+16-16-41_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVd_2yYJ3XUWpOA_M_QVCZQpacB6rbiG-1xCEYnL398yEzc8Gq9iv9BuJkfbpvRASOT_K6KbBMeiyWIfeb8tLPaIL2TeGtcqtz5cvLhz4Hy1cKXtzq21yhW87EH5tMIuSdI7vsmCi4abu/s320/2007-01-08+16-16-41_0155.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">Jackson says "Congrats gals, now where is MY treat?"</div><div align="center">Don't you love how you think you got a good shot, then realize something like your tack is ahem. not fully latched? argh. It was hot. And this was not taken with my phone even! I got out the darn camera! Points for that at least.... :)</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-59484887655232217882010-07-06T05:33:00.002-04:002010-07-06T05:51:58.921-04:00The Dance We Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3JAz9m-vlKSteMalzj6rCD-GxUoaz10Im-brko1yqc7mACxvE7plcgCjjGoUgBMjPCyrni0fKgCG7_tKkUQ1LnrTsM6uy6L_SBfowq44izpwpDthkCKKTqXUl-eKVjaCrzc7YJZ1cTMn/s1600/Copy+of+IMGP1586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3JAz9m-vlKSteMalzj6rCD-GxUoaz10Im-brko1yqc7mACxvE7plcgCjjGoUgBMjPCyrni0fKgCG7_tKkUQ1LnrTsM6uy6L_SBfowq44izpwpDthkCKKTqXUl-eKVjaCrzc7YJZ1cTMn/s320/Copy+of+IMGP1586.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Miles & Piper P. McPiperson a.k.a. The Mayor of Munchtown (18 lb. cat!!!)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>This pic is almost a year old, thanks to the teenage NO PICS rule that has come down...</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This blog is where I talk about my horse, and this title would have been a rather nice one to illustrate some of my more recent dressage lessons, but I think a post about my first favorite guy (the human one that came ten years before Jackson...) to be a bit more fitting. Rarely do I say much about my son Miles, mainly because I come here to talk about my horse. So. Here we are. Miles is fourteen and has grown to be as tall as me--5'9--maybe taller, and is still growing. Miles also has gingery red hair and a smattering of freckles, and some of the most gorgeous green eyes I've ever seen. I love my son to death, and <em>would </em>gladly die for him in any torturous way you can dream up. It really is true that when you have a baby you reach inside your chest, extract your own heart, and give it away to that little person. Everything changes and nothing will ever be the same. NOTHING. Loving my son as I do, I am SO glad I only had one. <br />
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I get every comment in the world regarding this. "Oh, You'll meet someone and have another one", is my absolute favorite! I think it floors people when I tell them honestly, "You know, some people aren't meant to be parents, they just aren't really that great at it, and I have decided not to perpetuate the species any further." The predictable looks of amazement and shock are a sight to see, let me tell you! My favorite thing is when my reply actually seems to get through to someone, and they GET what I'm trying to say. Instead of having four children (and a mental breakdown), I have decided to stop. I personally think it shows great forethought, fortitude, and genuine caring for all the little potential Mindy's that won't get fertilized and hatched! That's right folks, I'm going to take a LEAP and say it! <strong>"Parenting just AIN'T MY THANG</strong>!" I have no regrets, and I try my hardest, but if you know this about yourself, why would you keep breeding? <br />
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My son and I have been battling it out over where he is going to move now that his Dad took an intelligence job in Maryland--he returned from Iraq after 10 months in May, and subsequently retired from the Air Force. Well, not battling JUST about that, we battle about any and everything! We have been like two storm fronts meeting, and fighting for the very same air in the room. Just the other day I nicely asked him to do something, and he just said, "No." There I am, "What, how dare you?" and go to squawk at him (like the teacher in Charlie Brown) and realized I was looking UP at my little 8 lb. bundle of joy. Wha? It freaked me out pretty badly. It was so VERY weird. Teenager in the house. Time to run. I was a VERY REBELLIOUS teenager...<br />
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So yes, the decision has been made by my son to go to Maryland and live with his father. We have always manage to co-parent somewhat; I have known his dad since we were both fifteen. I have also decided that after following his dad to three different states in order to keep Miles' world intact, he is now old enough to be without me. I sure hope I'm old enough to be without him! I'll go to Florida I hope, and we can start accumulating our frequent flyer points. Oh. And that is an act of love. I don't really like to fly.... Too bad I can't scuba dive or ride to go see him. Hmmm. I'll have to look into some sponsors for those two ideas... :)<br />
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So, the point of this early morning meandering is Miles. And how I think he is the <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">BEST </span></strong>writer. He wrote me the following poem, and I think it's pretty cool. His other writing's are great, but this is a momma favorite. FOLKS! My son can write better than me!!! Oh yeah. Most people can... Well, anyway, enjoy.<br />
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<div align="center"><strong>Where I'm From</strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from nature, from Portal and Half Life.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from a one story house Filled with books and trinkets.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from the oak tree who is strong like my Father, and </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The Daisy, soft like my Mother. When combined </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Making me a leaf. I am from running and wrestling</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And Bright neon Red hair, from Glenn and Mindy.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from laughing often and extreme stubborness.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">From a penny saved is a penny earned,</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And lead a horse with a carrot and stick.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from Christianity and laid back worship.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am from Ireland, and sushi and Payee.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am Miles, and this is where I'm from.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-5147296828806035652010-06-30T09:35:00.004-04:002010-06-30T10:47:08.076-04:00103rd? Blog Post Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KQnNI3G7y-KzCIbcbWo3snxzsyNwga9meAtakPhC7afzaIm8jvU1PhWHcLnJPmdZw4w3J8nY2hGypyHhvRNy7qx2EDIk0LW4G67elXfAe-p61f35WdyBm9s4ulNEMhffLfQZZFKTy50j/s1600/IMGP1712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KQnNI3G7y-KzCIbcbWo3snxzsyNwga9meAtakPhC7afzaIm8jvU1PhWHcLnJPmdZw4w3J8nY2hGypyHhvRNy7qx2EDIk0LW4G67elXfAe-p61f35WdyBm9s4ulNEMhffLfQZZFKTy50j/s400/IMGP1712.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaTHPnfvfXWOuw53oTnjqXHsySSbKWSEuyklGe5zWLKhmAyEaq2sHHLO6cfWAT90wVROPiF69huSxI5_K4CJ68Uc9CgGVEsZV3tQkF6Rb9csx9yeYbyUsikJvn8zlTCys9Y_3nYqv1x5a/s1600/IMGP2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaTHPnfvfXWOuw53oTnjqXHsySSbKWSEuyklGe5zWLKhmAyEaq2sHHLO6cfWAT90wVROPiF69huSxI5_K4CJ68Uc9CgGVEsZV3tQkF6Rb9csx9yeYbyUsikJvn8zlTCys9Y_3nYqv1x5a/s320/IMGP2070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, I knew my 100th blog post was drawing near, but I have decided to be different. I am presenting a 103rd blog post giveaway for your amusement, amazement, and delight. OK. You're right. I forgot to count. Ohh welll. The prize, or shall I say prize(s) are as follows. <strong>1st prize:</strong> One of my homeade beaded horseshoes (made by moi) for the first lucky contestent. Details on how to win to be found below! Please let me know color preferences which I will do my best to honor and get right. If you have a shoe from your own horse, or a horse that has touched your life, past or present that you want me to use, I can do that for you too. Also let me know if you want a used or new shoe. Used will be more rugged and well--used! :) Below are a few examples, but every shoe comes out SO differently! My trainer has the blue one, (my all time favorite!) and our fellow blogger over at <a href="http://www.albigears.blogspot.com/">Wet Reins</a> is in possession of the other two. Other friends have a few, and I even have one hanging out in my laundry room! Luckily everyone seems to like them. I wasn't sure my friends weren't just pretending, but I took a chance and gave my favorite baby blue shoe (mine and Jackson's colors) to my trainer for Christmas. She called me later in the day in delight. I STILL have the message on my phone it was so cute! Instead of ever mentioning the REALLY cool bag from a great artist/photographer I had bought for her, she couldn't stop talking about where to hang her shoe, and where did I get such a neat thing? The next week, when I told her I had made it, she was even more delighted. Vindication for sure! <strong>Prize #2:</strong> This will be a random drawing, and unlike the shoe not based on the feedback you give me at all! But I still want some mail and comments! I.E. if you have never, ever even read my blog you should still enter, because your tack and leather products are cryin' for you to WIN this..............................................................................</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPBCOplIpDo0wkzqElIQBf7LkMwQKejy3E0LkIu5LsEzHuNbS5TBfT6hNuKMEsEGHny4YKQW3kJZCZMdiIhZzsIYUKxL4H6UOrGVj35-68gXx4k7aSOQ_RRv7MFNK4uoBitbmOH18bFGI/s1600/IMGP1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPBCOplIpDo0wkzqElIQBf7LkMwQKejy3E0LkIu5LsEzHuNbS5TBfT6hNuKMEsEGHny4YKQW3kJZCZMdiIhZzsIYUKxL4H6UOrGVj35-68gXx4k7aSOQ_RRv7MFNK4uoBitbmOH18bFGI/s200/IMGP1711.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8C6YA90DzeK_YPLW3ZV-XprV7ccfR61THhyMfu3cLoWUxaErdcBXn9IJetautDQaSW4uyjJHSEG-jKFar6CQFfnsfNKZ0cs-jLiAJi9MFB0-u878C2OnM4_ljpJWfI9HZfmifIk0rTFi/s1600/leather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8C6YA90DzeK_YPLW3ZV-XprV7ccfR61THhyMfu3cLoWUxaErdcBXn9IJetautDQaSW4uyjJHSEG-jKFar6CQFfnsfNKZ0cs-jLiAJi9MFB0-u878C2OnM4_ljpJWfI9HZfmifIk0rTFi/s200/leather.jpg" width="200" /></a> 8 oz. container of Leather CPR Cleaner and Conditioner! Love this stuff, and this one even comes with a sponge! Let us not forget! Leather CPR is ENDORSED by <strong>The Queen of Clean</strong>! :) Strikes me like an as seen on TV type of thing, but I actually OWN a Queen of Clean book, and it has helped me clean things I thought I would never salvage or see clean! So, how do you win? Pretty simple. I am posting two questions with issues I am currently having with my horse that I need some advice on. If you show me a well thought out answer, you will be entered into the <strong>Prize #1 <em>and</em> #2</strong> drawings. If these are things you have no idea about, then tell me something about horse care you think I may not know. Chances are: I may not. If you can't answer a horse care question, WAIT! You can be entered for Prize #2! Just read on, it's really easy. OK. Here are my questions.<strong> Question #1:</strong> I need hoof boots. Specifically, rear hoof boots that won't come off easily. Bruising to my boy's hinds in the wet winter weather= three abcessess! So, it's hoof boots or shoes (nooooo) to prevent bruising on all of our crazy rock. I plan on purchasing two pairs of boots, but hinds are way harder to keep on, so I need to really find some good boots from someone who has experience in this area. And no. My farrier isn't a lot of help. He shoes over 80% of his horses (I'm in Texas!)....help! Although barefoot is not the norm anywhere I guess! <strong>ADVISE AWAY</strong> if you have any answers. <strong>Question #2:</strong> I am planning on moving my horse to Gainesville, Florida in the foreseeable future if life goes according to plan. Huh. Right! Anyway, I need as much information as you may know about long hauls. It is a sixteen hour trip, not that bad, but again, the most I know is that I need to buy some shipping boots and hat, have a health certificate, current vaccine and pyroplasmosis test and Coggins papers in order, and find a company that will actually stop every four hours. He's an easy loader, no problems, but he isn't the greatest drinker which I suppose is my greatest worry. He won't drink the entire trip I am sure, and maybe if I slide the driver a hefty tip they would do a sweet slurry? What about GastroGuarding him for nerves? Again, advise if you are long-distance transport savvy! <strong>Lastly, in order to be entered for the #2 prize at the very least (and you will be entered just for playing:),</strong> tell me which of these absolutely AWESOME hay bags I would <strong><em>NEVER </em></strong>buy. <strong>EVER, EVER, EVER!</strong>? Which one is my <strong>absolute </strong>favorite? (I have two....). It's not that hard, really! Look at my blog and my post styles, the answer will hit you..(maybe? :) Get it wrong, or not, just give it a shot. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Blog winners will be drawn on 10 July, 2010.</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Good luck!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1QPhjsrBLEDRYoULYpbg_iSGOk2YThvzqv6oF8jFC3EOQwCbUWQ4jRl1Inti0BnB2faC_PX1UeW30XU266NbICjR-jXGJ0izQGUOex855ZX-zR_vJNOdPFTofOoijr7xOC2NEHQZ77C5/s1600/kotradinghaybag!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1QPhjsrBLEDRYoULYpbg_iSGOk2YThvzqv6oF8jFC3EOQwCbUWQ4jRl1Inti0BnB2faC_PX1UeW30XU266NbICjR-jXGJ0izQGUOex855ZX-zR_vJNOdPFTofOoijr7xOC2NEHQZ77C5/s400/kotradinghaybag!.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-19646528835928752682010-06-29T01:45:00.003-04:002010-06-29T02:00:46.515-04:00More BANG for your buck!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5byd8xvS8KLdp_H8QmCUT4VfpCaNDh7KdQcmYTu5N4GR5SW9l7Xb2kc3uOG74HiMxp-G68hslNu-UH3URcJFlSneT0qLrwYKKgwMfrd6BXkG9tuQMJ1wAQYVxssEacs06TqYD3n_xToXT/s1600/2007-01-24+07-24-09_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5byd8xvS8KLdp_H8QmCUT4VfpCaNDh7KdQcmYTu5N4GR5SW9l7Xb2kc3uOG74HiMxp-G68hslNu-UH3URcJFlSneT0qLrwYKKgwMfrd6BXkG9tuQMJ1wAQYVxssEacs06TqYD3n_xToXT/s400/2007-01-24+07-24-09_0006.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>Jackson has blown three abcessess in the past month or so, all three in his sensitive white rear hooves. He never exhibits any pain, heat, lameness--- nothing to let me know they are lurking. He had one in 2007 about 3 months after I got him, again, same thing. They blow out right at the coronary band (the weakest spot) and then I have a hole. Or three. After talking to the farrier and the vet I am still not sure what to think as far as a supplement goes. They both pssshhahed my idea pretty quickly. The farrier said to do it if I don't have anything else to spend my money on. Then the farrier went on to tell me how people would pay thousands to have Jackson's feet on their horses. Great. The vet suggested shoeing his back hooves. Um. HELLO? No. Prefer NOT TO! REAR? For real? I'll figure out how to keep rear hoof boots on first. That ougt to be more fun than I'm allowed to have! I suppose this is to be expected after the extremely wet weather we had that went ON and ON, a ride on the rock that we normally eat as a snack could have let in organisms through a crack causing infection. Said infection blew out the area of least resistance, the coronary band. The one thing the vet did recommend was soaking J's feet in an Epsom Salt and Iodine bath in warm water. (Note: IF you wear silver rings, TAKE THEM OFF BEFORE YOU TRY THIS. If you have tan riding pants DON'T WEAR THEM the day you go to soak his little tootsies. The pants ended up being fine, silver favorite Celtic Knot, NO, not so much.) :( After the 10 min. (15 if you can) soak with above ingredients, the holes should be packed with Ichthamol which is a drawing salve. Too me it looks like something used for roadwork, and it doesn't smell much better! He suggested a three day course of this, and tomorrow will be our last. I am torn between using Grand Hoof, SmartHoof from SmartPak, or the Springtime Products which I used on my Dakota who recently passed. I am in the middle of a three day taste test with SmartPak. These are the ones in my price range at the current time. I also want rear boots, and I am defintiely not sure which ones I want yet. UGH. They seem like a pain. I amy be getting to the point of just shoeing. Not yet, but getting there. UGH. If someone actually had advice that I felt was "the advice", it would be so much easier!!! <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gJ4qJcDbtvo-gT6AMCKL0G_wf16CdANqzLd_863R2oFmyYuB01wNraW01mM7t4Aj54PvudRRHryWorpBzlNkMJaLES6fPDFMtrnudmFbpXnMiwYMZlycxIRN-Do4TLMdTLNmsGlZ7YEI/s1600/2007-01-25+02-51-26_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gJ4qJcDbtvo-gT6AMCKL0G_wf16CdANqzLd_863R2oFmyYuB01wNraW01mM7t4Aj54PvudRRHryWorpBzlNkMJaLES6fPDFMtrnudmFbpXnMiwYMZlycxIRN-Do4TLMdTLNmsGlZ7YEI/s320/2007-01-25+02-51-26_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is Jackson with his mane pulled and his tail banged. Even though I pulled it, I need to play with it some more tomorrow. It looks wonky. In fact, it looks like I went at it with a pair of straight scissors, which I didn't! But I bet it is WAY cooler. This is the shortest I've ever had his mane, and the shortest I have ever banged his tail! He loved the attention (and the carrots, apples, and "horse" apple oat cookies I would periodically give him.) The two flakes of hay were a win too.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuntYkyUbnBhDxgkFRJG1KLGI73TmgQaXjnuf8EDmL7BTbSi3JhH3FBJCdvO0kgEacHcs5RJgTKG98cPZg6SEtwIzyczb5un9ARQo60bZCmBW0LaAjCuOWjM_JHeP3mLXjVlgZxzhn6iZO/s1600/2007-01-25+01-44-49_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuntYkyUbnBhDxgkFRJG1KLGI73TmgQaXjnuf8EDmL7BTbSi3JhH3FBJCdvO0kgEacHcs5RJgTKG98cPZg6SEtwIzyczb5un9ARQo60bZCmBW0LaAjCuOWjM_JHeP3mLXjVlgZxzhn6iZO/s400/2007-01-25+01-44-49_0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> BANGED TAIL!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, Jackson. Thanks for being my horse. Having you poop in the bucket as we soaked today made me feel</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">really special! Back for another day tomorrow--Iodine, Epsom salt and Icky Black Tar stuff. Anyone need some? This jar will expire and die before we could use it all! :) </div><br />
And maybe a bath? :) And some Laser Sheen? Some cookies and hay? More pictures? And no rain please!!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsoKwbfneMj6dKTXbAvzl4xVRZWeyRf6NBrdbp0Oz_Z5ZckB5knjaZ9BAWs8cyMOWx0O3MXklGWRH4rr_4nXNInOCn3DJsWmYQaZCauw0tydDvPo5nG_cPyv5ZoxDG7QAYId0mNfVHUnY/s1600/Fullbodypic+of+mane+and+bang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsoKwbfneMj6dKTXbAvzl4xVRZWeyRf6NBrdbp0Oz_Z5ZckB5knjaZ9BAWs8cyMOWx0O3MXklGWRH4rr_4nXNInOCn3DJsWmYQaZCauw0tydDvPo5nG_cPyv5ZoxDG7QAYId0mNfVHUnY/s400/Fullbodypic+of+mane+and+bang.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-67929747788706383702010-06-27T10:13:00.003-04:002010-06-27T10:53:34.553-04:00Cool AS?I just found the most awesome website and am so excited to try out a few of their products! Living in Texas where, it gets HOT, ahem. (Ya' think?) I was especially excited to find these products in this month's issue of, well, one of my magazines :) Practical Horseman I think! Not very Dressage Today'ish... I am especially excited about the Cool Medics cooling cap which goes right under your helmet! Lots of fun colors, and once I got to the website, well, let's just say I knew where I wanted to do my Christmas shopping, for my buds and myself. IN JULY! ;) The company can be found at <a href="http://www.coolmedics.com/">Cool Medics</a> and has items for anyone doing things in the heat, with a special section for riders and their horses (and dogs) ! They also offer lots of products for your favorite construction worker, military guy, or anyone who spends time outside. They have all areas covered!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhKae9QNazh9mTNPyP9yZ974zQjHv1OmBOAUJQbnjBVQBbYip5R0MbDIF4NDjPZmWLNe_yM4KhgzHczP4mGQ67pTv4ibvDC32pJIP7No83TYM6P95dMC0P8dFYrYZfpW9H_uEVP8Np9Ht/s320/Coolmedics3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The oh, so cool looking Cool Medics Cooling Cap. PLOP this pup right under your riding helmet!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uRPLmUQ5XsEZVHyN6AzuoQafZmhcCT77veErvucdLQp7h4cNDlYTJaAdxb40gDaVBDiPIGjSR5gdxrM_XZT2AIT681mCknIjdKGUGyCYjIR3UdtRhWdJJoHIxjSkeCxWs4vY56XqeRSd/s1600/coolmedics6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uRPLmUQ5XsEZVHyN6AzuoQafZmhcCT77veErvucdLQp7h4cNDlYTJaAdxb40gDaVBDiPIGjSR5gdxrM_XZT2AIT681mCknIjdKGUGyCYjIR3UdtRhWdJJoHIxjSkeCxWs4vY56XqeRSd/s320/coolmedics6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Or this one. Comes in thirteen colors and has a spot to pull a ponytail through! Ideal for some... I am more the beanie type! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD_zc73rK0ei2rBvGRdSIZVZ4QTQ12QnFq0nknIOgMB0VEP32sYsE5x53curkP9Dxm3L-suF7l-MtXNShJfK7njjSy8coR4Abk4Uw5mIR7ksFdkfa2xVI8Vb2H5HP0LodJi-_3BccZh4Z/s1600/coolmedics2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD_zc73rK0ei2rBvGRdSIZVZ4QTQ12QnFq0nknIOgMB0VEP32sYsE5x53curkP9Dxm3L-suF7l-MtXNShJfK7njjSy8coR4Abk4Uw5mIR7ksFdkfa2xVI8Vb2H5HP0LodJi-_3BccZh4Z/s320/coolmedics2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Was especially thinking of a blogging bud who just had issues with her horse's hind after a lil' jumping accident. Why so cool? Because they stay cool, and while they won't eliminate the need for hydrotherapy, I bet they wouldn't hurt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISuO010ib5LCzJ6JNVcP1LWmnxdOLclIhNU3uWF7FFA0usVDNwh1XqGVBed0oOydEb81Q4sOLbwBWuPfr-X0s4lO-dnPTFdNOV3hsSdhY2AD73SVwTjTqCJ-rDYCP9HGH9x6UvEI_DNO0/s1600/Cool+Medics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISuO010ib5LCzJ6JNVcP1LWmnxdOLclIhNU3uWF7FFA0usVDNwh1XqGVBed0oOydEb81Q4sOLbwBWuPfr-X0s4lO-dnPTFdNOV3hsSdhY2AD73SVwTjTqCJ-rDYCP9HGH9x6UvEI_DNO0/s320/Cool+Medics.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hurry and grab these! They are on clearance for $56.00! I want them! WAH!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The cooling fabric in these boots cool the horse’s legs, and are adjustable by hook and loop Velcro elastic for a tight fit. No need to hose down the legs or use icepacks, simply place on horse and monitor every few hours. The boots ensure cooling for a long time period, and are very good for injuries. They were developed to maximize the benefits of hydrotherapy while eliminating the need for constant hosing. This allows the horse to undergo treatment while still having comfortability and mobility. Sold in pairs.These items are limited only the colors and sizes listed below available. These items are non returnable.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B75RG22iAPEOxiq-6NU2GJHBKt7uipKi3NCEHh3CTOBp_DtU4xO9UQZ_3eEtq4CTk5vEscPZxwt_FLDIP3tD3GVjLQqnTl9k0Gex_buqTkij65DlMpwJroR97h4Ch-qugPxCWRnxluz7/s1600/Coolmed4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B75RG22iAPEOxiq-6NU2GJHBKt7uipKi3NCEHh3CTOBp_DtU4xO9UQZ_3eEtq4CTk5vEscPZxwt_FLDIP3tD3GVjLQqnTl9k0Gex_buqTkij65DlMpwJroR97h4Ch-qugPxCWRnxluz7/s320/Coolmed4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And how cool (ahhh...sounds really coool!) is this vest? For someone who shows it sounds like a life-saver under that hot (get out of my life) jacket! Especially when you are last in the line up! I should have pictured the V-necked jacket which is much more appropriate for under a show jacket! They have Western styled things too.</div><br />
I'm gonna start off with the Cooling Cap, if that works well, I will obviously become a devoted customer. After pretty much almost dying while taking dressage lessons at 10 am last summer, (yeah, I went behind trailers to puke a couple of times...) cause either I love riding or I am just plain dumb, I want one, and the sooner the better!!!<br />
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Oh yeah. I'm not getting a thing by doing this review, (but I would love to do reviews of things I have tried!)just want to share a very cool sounding solution to my desert-y life here in the summer and fall.<br />
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TRY a frozen bandana you might say? <br />
Sure, that is 10-15 minutes, tops! Been there and burned (puked and turned WHITE--great!) right through it! Time for something better! The testimonials on the site and satisfaction guaranteed are enough for me to give it a run! At $15.00, for the cap, why not? If it doesn't live up to expectations I won't hesitate to return it! I encourage you to read the product information from the site, it tells you how and why these products work! <br />
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<strong>PRODUCT INFORMATION: </strong><br />
The products we manufacture are constructed from a patented three-layer fabric that by combining hydrophilic fibers into a fibrous batting core and a thermally conductive lining, will provide cooling after allowing the product to soak in water for 10 - 30 seconds. Not longer.<br />
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The water activates the cooling process by charging the fibers with moisture and creating an environment for evaporation. When moisture in the batting evaporates, heat is removed and cools the surrounding area, transferring the cooling effect to the wearer.<br />
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Depending upon the environment this cooling could last up to 8 hours, and can be recharged again by simply immersing the product in water to restart the cooling process.<br />
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We have laboratory tested this cooling process in a heat chamber, bringing the inside temperature to 114 degrees, and placing the dampened cloth in this heated chamber.<br />
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In every test, the fabric, with a separate temperature sensor, has maintained a temperature that is lower by 20 to 25 degrees, for a period of 4 1⁄2 hours, before climbing to the temperature inside the chamber.<br />
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Taking the same cloth and recharging it, by immersing in water for 10 - 30 seconds, and replacing it in the hot chamber, immediately brought the temperature done to the lower 20-25 degree range.<br />
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<strong>ACTIVATION</strong> <br />
A simple 3-step process.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">•Step 1: Immerse the product in water for about 10 - 30 seconds so that the fabric absorbs the water right to the inner filling. The water does not need to be cold water for this activation process to work. WARNING: DO NOT let it soak for longer than 30 seconds as the product will absorb too much water and you may risk permanently damaging the internal fibers </div><br />
•Step 2: Gently wring out the excess water so that the product is wet, but not dripping. You may towel dry the inner membrane if you require.<br />
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•Step 3: Wear the product. You will be pleasantly surprised how cool you will instantly feel. <br />
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<strong> RE-ACTIVATE</strong> <br />
After a period of time if you feel the product is not cooling you sufficiently, simply repeat the 3 step process.<br />
It might become apparent that while you are wearing the product, it starts to feel that the cooling process has diminished, and it is no longer cooling you. Just like a swimming pool, if you get out the pool because it feels warm, and back in again, to a cool pool, the product will perform the same. Taking off the product, waiting a few minutes and then wearing the product again will feel like the product has been reactivated.<br />
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Simple? Are you convinced? I am in LOVE if this product can do this!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-55499525360799652322010-06-22T08:55:00.002-04:002010-06-24T20:30:04.210-04:00In Water We Float..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen5wCsqUGu8BFJJ-KZ-YmrL4KbWmYeQhcbw6LLLiS6Z76qKOAEyIrNnfhRD9Lk8bWnsmrEKmDp_xcv1n0RsvlxamdSGsrhE98klyroQO204Iy_JO0JrtSuLfxxPRB3zeRRkEgDsNYqyXC/s1600/guadalupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphen5wCsqUGu8BFJJ-KZ-YmrL4KbWmYeQhcbw6LLLiS6Z76qKOAEyIrNnfhRD9Lk8bWnsmrEKmDp_xcv1n0RsvlxamdSGsrhE98klyroQO204Iy_JO0JrtSuLfxxPRB3zeRRkEgDsNYqyXC/s320/guadalupe.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We are very lucky to have the Guadalupe River about 15 minutes down the road, and yesterday was our day for fun on the river! This pic I grabbed off the internet as I (sadly) do not have a waterproof camera. I wish. I could have gotten some great pics! We did a two hour "trip" and only ran into a young couple hanging out and talking. We did, however meet the rapids (and then some!) of the type you see here, probably a bit more rapid! <br />
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My friend Linda had been talking about going down the river on inner tubes, and I am always hearing stories from co-workers and other friends about how much fun it is. Last summer, thanks to a big lack of rain, it was NO CAN DO on the river. Yesterday, after getting two tubes patched, and a kind gentleman in Bandera selling us two for $20 each (reasonable when you consider that to rent them, it's $10 each time!), we were ready to hit the river. Linda bought two for herself as we had borrowed the ones that we had patched from our friend Lorri. We took my friend Linda's truck and my VW, that way we could park at the "start" and then have a vehicle right where we wanted to get out. This worked. Mostly. <br />
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We entered the river, and the water felt great! My son Miles was so excited and happy; which was a pleasure to see, we have been having a tumultous time lately. Teenage-hood is hitting, and it is hitting hard and fast, among other things. The water started out slow, and we floated and relaxed. Our first set of rapids were fun "baby rapids" over a really shallow area. I got over them fairly easily, but Bubba Bob may not have! :) We continued on, just enjoying, and then hit an area of faster moving water, which was DEEP! Probably about 8 feet. It scared my son a little bit as he had been loafing along not in his tube, playing with some boat and toy that he had brought along. Linda helped him back onto his tube, and got him settled with that boat of his (not big, probably 12 inches by 8 inches) and helped him tie back up to her tube. After that we floated for quite some time, and then hit some rapids that we all had a blast on, just a little feeling of, "Oh sh**, I really have no control here!" We then had probably 30 more minutes of floating at a decent rate, not skimming along, but not in the doldrums either, just perfect for an enjoyable (AHHH!) float on your back, catch some rays time. <br />
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Then it happened. Major rapids. I did fine, going first, which had nothing to do with it, I just got lucky. Miles got bumped around a bit, and of course now has quite a story. We had gone around a bend, and I couldn't see Linda. People do and have died tubing that river, and while I could hear her voice saying something, I couldn't hear what it was over the rapids. So I waited. She didn't sound distressed. And I waited. Then I freaked. Did she have a broken leg, what had happened? I left Miles with the tubes in the shallows, with STRICT orders NOT to move, and preceded to backtrack THROUGH the rapids (I was thrown backwards and had to start over twice!) before I made it to her. On the way, I retrieved Miles (darn) boat which he had lost, and the truck cable which we had been using as a tube tie. What I failed to retrieve was the KEY to the truck which Linda had had carabined to her tube somewhow. She was looking everywhere for that key (to the side of the rapids), but I convinced her to give it up. We were near the end spot by this point and managed to fit three huge tubes and three people into my VW bug! Yeah!<br />
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All was well, that ended well, sort of, as there is a bit more to the story. The spare key opened the doors to the truck when we got back from driving all the way back to her house, and back out there again :), but would not start it. It had gotten it's steering wheel locked, and the front tire was stuck against the curb. Have you ever locked the steering wheel and it will not start until you have a free moving wheel? Imagine that, with one tire totally using the curb as a brake. We had to get back to Linda's for Shorty's chemotherapy appointment, so roadside assistance was called later, and we both hit the the door at the same time, me to get home, her to hopefully unlock the wheel. Finger's crossed that some BIG MEN or their toys were able to help the situation.<br />
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Of course I saw my boy, and spent some time with him, unfortunately, not nearly what I had planned, and then I JUST HAD to watch Shorty's chemotherapy...get to that in a sec. Tried on Jackson's new Happy Mouth French Link with Dee's, and he was largely unimpressed. Which is GOOD! I will ride it in the next couple days and let you all know. I do know that I shoved it into my mouth (brand new) for at least 10 minutes and didn't detect a hint of apple flavor, which is what is supposed to get them chewing at it and loving it. My trainer is ALL for it, and named off a few top jumpers she has met who use them, so maybe J. will taste something I missed!!! :) I found a bargain on it about a month ago ($25 off!), and being anxious to get rid of the full cheek look, and liking the look of the Dee's, bought it. We are still using a French Link, no plans to fix something that isn't broken. I have NO control issues, stopping issues, and do not need anything stronger, for sure!I certainly don't expect it to fix any of my riding deficits, but Happy Mouth bits have such a great rep., and then when my trainer was all for it, I thought, why not? I got a pic of him on my phone that I really like, but the quality at 5.0 megapixels is a bit sad I'm afraid! But I love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38SpHoPjY5wH8UxbnV-xmnmWnxPpndqx0w3U1rPBTArZ9Hpp-zznN9E5uHmtFbBB7gyq_QmER5-VP8mKWb9Dapl_2gcr6PIBH93JPy1iPbAfcNL0LRAd-1zrnYYdvNg8inOLLHAf9Ufk3/s1600/35816_1373257204620_1027483720_30863712_8329759_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38SpHoPjY5wH8UxbnV-xmnmWnxPpndqx0w3U1rPBTArZ9Hpp-zznN9E5uHmtFbBB7gyq_QmER5-VP8mKWb9Dapl_2gcr6PIBH93JPy1iPbAfcNL0LRAd-1zrnYYdvNg8inOLLHAf9Ufk3/s200/35816_1373257204620_1027483720_30863712_8329759_s.jpg" width="133" /></a></div> Oh...sad. Can't even blow it up! WHY, oh WHY did I have to forget my camera? Jackson was SO cute yesterday too, he came across probably 3-4 acres when he heard me call, (FEELIN' LOVED), and then risked Red, the big BAD Red Horse of Linda's who tried to keep him away from me, JUST TO SEE ME!!! AWWW. God, I love my horse! I gave him tons of carrots later!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">On to Shorty. If you read my blog, you may remember Shorty, Linda's spotted Appy who was given six months to live last September, diagnosed with cancer of the sheath. At the time she had recently had a growth removed, and then when another vet came out to the ranch to do Coggin's, shots, etc. he told Linda that it was already growing so agressively in the ONE month since she had it removed that the prognosis was grim.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> At the time, Linda decided NOT to do anything and to let nature take it's course. The reason behind this was that chemotherapy is EXPENSIVE, usually thousands, and why make him feel like crap from chemo. with such a bad prognosis?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Since I had Karen McLain (fellow blogista) paint his portrait for Christmas, I firmly believe that is why he is doing so well (hee hee).... but on with the tale. By TOTAL coincidence, Linda was out on a trail ride three or so months ago, with our Equine club "Equine Hill Country Friends", and met a vet and his wife from Boerne. This guy is a sweetheart, I was so impressed with him when I met him yesterday. Anyway, she told him Shorty's medical story while on the ride, and he told her about a treatment he does (and he and his friend have had quite a bit of success with) injecting the site (Shorty has carcinomas around his sheath, quite common in a pinkie skin Appy) with a chemotherapeutic agent called Cisplatin, and the hores's own serum (spun down into a liquid form). By using the horse's own serum (a blood product) it helps the horse's body kind of "recongnize" parts of the concoction as his own, and basically more effectively killing off the bad things, and leaving his good things alone. Very basic concept, but I hope you get the picture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday was his last treatment (four in all), and while he was down the vet ligatured the two growths. Now, they really have no blood supply, and the next six weeks should be the tell all. Will it work? Apparently there has been much success in this area, but most of the studies you read you won't find the vet using the horse's own serum. He says this is "his rocket science oncologist vet friend's idea", and really, mixing it with the horse's own serum makes more sense than the agents they say many vets use--like peanut oil!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I really liked this vet, he spent about 20 minutes while we were spinning Shorty's blood telling me all about hoof abcessess (which Jackson has decided to give me FOUR of this spring) and what to do, and what not to bother with. He also spent a good deal of time telling me what to look for in a horse transportation agency when I do move him to Gainesville, FL. He also knew all about the pyrolplasmosis test and all the paperwork I will need to get him from Texas and into Florida!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> He was there for about two hours for the whole thing, start to finish. One thing I did NOT like. Shorty had to be given Ketamine and totally put down for this (understandable given that it is in the sheath area and so extensive), which was really freaky. Shorty started out just by closing his eyes, and then losing his footing (REALLY FREAKY) and then wham! DOWN! I don't think I'd be able to stand seeing this if it was Jackson, (thankfully Linda would help) because just ask Linda or my friend Lorri; I don't know as much about horses and the ownership like they do (both with like 30 years expereince on me), and I am a huge worry wart with Jackson. I think they would both agree that I have gotten better, but it is REALLY nice to have experienced horsewomen like them around to soothe me when I get freaky! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I did take Linda's calm cue from her, even though I was wondering why she was doing all this treatment when he was going to have two broken legs (JK)... The vet did his injections, ligatured the growths, we fly sprayed it, and not five minutes later Shorty jumped to his feet! The vet said Shorty metablolizes it fast, because normally with that amount he could get throught an entire castration on most other horses! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscBk6GSeUtioggiNuXkkp20R-c1Lhn-CwmhBrfpnzx0dJ9EW6qdP7DVognERMlVrPJoc1I1IATvcW28WZirPKniDmVzF0Np6rACUjTNZHHcLJHKNn4163pI5-9vdQETLzprUrHzWX7_aL/s1600/IMGP1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscBk6GSeUtioggiNuXkkp20R-c1Lhn-CwmhBrfpnzx0dJ9EW6qdP7DVognERMlVrPJoc1I1IATvcW28WZirPKniDmVzF0Np6rACUjTNZHHcLJHKNn4163pI5-9vdQETLzprUrHzWX7_aL/s320/IMGP1547.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please think positive thoughts in Shorty's direction, he is one fabulous gaited guy, with a wonderful personality and so much fun to ride! I thank Shorty (Spotty--my lil' pet name for him) for some of the most fabulous cantering, confidence building rides of my life! I want that horse back, as does his mama! We ALL want to ride him again, even Miles who really isn't all that into riding! The pic below is my last ride on Shorty, from early summer 2009, not very long before we found everything out.... I remember being very happy that day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-4319834392235243462010-06-15T02:03:00.003-04:002010-06-15T22:59:08.374-04:00Free to Good Home...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TXIkZahuE7rA4G8sUO7OAJdw3pqSlYTFf337W1IBAlwgYw3qbmSDcMRG7ymgQlBv8IbEHRitUOHo5fAkDP59uINYS0q4U5QWZC4IMiky-NZsoIahIGycMBIDL5Vqkw5YlSrQ0fmWdE25/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TXIkZahuE7rA4G8sUO7OAJdw3pqSlYTFf337W1IBAlwgYw3qbmSDcMRG7ymgQlBv8IbEHRitUOHo5fAkDP59uINYS0q4U5QWZC4IMiky-NZsoIahIGycMBIDL5Vqkw5YlSrQ0fmWdE25/s320/image.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My brother got me a subscription to this magazine, along with Horse Illustrated and Equus for Christmas last year. I read them cover to cover, but I am offering them to the first person who responds who will enjoy and read them! While having plenty of intersting content, I am an English rider and these need to be in a Western home where they belong! I simply have four other magazines to keep up on, and just won't pull them out to read them again! I am also moving so.... There are fourteen issues, from February 2009- March 2010.All in pristine condition. So the information is current and if you are a Western rider, quite a deal! I only ask that you pay the postage which would be Media Mail, easily less than $5, I would imagine! Ok, all. Who wants them????<br />
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No takers yet, for real? Looks like the recycling bin may have a stack o' reading!!!jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-33826521931484598892010-06-11T19:36:00.002-04:002010-06-11T19:56:22.343-04:00Remembering a Heartbeat..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04aZwTSYvG1NoT5Mhy3odU1ljXQXTXRzgEIw1NpcXAZpEmcun-f_aaCWCGVQ2WCJhV-Ts3J3Y410Hl5wxAXtmWifrS3mPJM5QAvnlmz3awfNhrQ0UxINPVZhwqRlG8gSNIBhyphenhyphenHY7NJfh-/s1600/Monsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04aZwTSYvG1NoT5Mhy3odU1ljXQXTXRzgEIw1NpcXAZpEmcun-f_aaCWCGVQ2WCJhV-Ts3J3Y410Hl5wxAXtmWifrS3mPJM5QAvnlmz3awfNhrQ0UxINPVZhwqRlG8gSNIBhyphenhyphenHY7NJfh-/s320/Monsa.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For nothing now can ever come to any good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> --W.H. Auden</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a small part of the incredible poem "Funeral Blues</span>"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After sixteen years my best friend has left me. Dakota was doing worse, and then, still worse, and then she gave me "the look" you had all been telling me about. She also started to whimper in pain, which I could NOT deal with. I precededed to do one of the hardest things of my entire life yet, and took her into the vet on 1 June. I sobbed like a baby all the way there. I wanted to turn around and go home, to YELL at death, "No, she's MINE, you can't have her!" But I thought about how she had whimpered in pain all afternoon, and I kept driving. I got her there and we went for a short walk through some green grass, and spent time together. She was very calm, which I found odd, becasuse she always shakes and just hates the vet. Not this day. Dakota knew, and she was okay with it. I think she did it for me. She was the strong one. The vet came in and the entire thing was very peaceful. Her heart stopped at 1800. Exactly 6 pm. I held her the entire time, my arms wrapped around her neck. Then I sat and just tried to memorize her face, and kiss her nose enough for the rest of my life. I even sort of convinced myself she wasn't gone, even though I have been a vet tech and am now an RN, and knew quite well she was. The staff were incredible and took me out through the back, telling me to settle on the bill another day. I loved them for making this part as easy as they could, and caring about my feelings.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div>The drive home was the most desolate hell I have ever experienced. The world seemed black and pointless around me. The days since have been terrible. My superiors have been cold and not understanding, putting me through far more than deserved, although I thank my co-workers for being supportive and caring. I am truly ready to hit the road for Florida--to live with one of my best friend's in Gainesville--I feel my time in Texas is done. I hate it here, and sadly, always have. I have maybe two friends, which is odd, I've always had lots of friends. (Best friends, just a couple...). Five years of hoping a place will get better is a fair shot. I want to leave nursing as well. To do what, I have no idea, but there sure are alot of beautiful barns with $$$$ where I'm going. Maybe I'll go shovel manure for awhile. The difference job wise between nursing and shoveling would be minute. <br />
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Since 'Kota died, the house is so empty, I constantly perk up when I hear one of the I.D. tags on a cat or my other dog of a few months rattle, I am poised; waiting to jump up and help Dakota with whatever she needs. Then it hits me. Hard. She's not here. I'll never be able to kiss her on the nose again. I feel like I'm in a fog. Can't eat or sleep, on the edge of losing my mind, which I won't but this HAS TO BE CLOSE. I cannot reconcile the little four week old darling I got in Key West and kept for all these years, to this, well, this urn that I have on the shelf. I am having a mahogony handmade box made with a picture and a plaque on it, but it is not here yet. I just got the urn (and it's ugly, plain, and white) back yesterday and have gone and talked to it once or twice, and shook it to let Dakota know we were home, and that I'm here. Her collar and tag, a card a co-worker sent, and some Wildflower seeds are also there on the shelf where I keep the Dresden Angels from Germany that my mom gave me. I had the chance to bury her on my friend's property, but I want to keep her with me to eventually have a small portion go into the ocean in Key West (her favorite beach to play!) and the rest to go with my ashes someday. I also will not stay in Texas and so burying her here was out of the question.<br />
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I suppose one of the hardest things to deal with in not having her here is the "alone" factor. I have been single since my only marriage fourteen years ago. I pledged that I would only be with the right person after that mistake at the age of nineteen, and deal with being alone (if I didn't meet the perfect one) after that. But I always had Dakota. And when that wonderful dog was around, you WERE NOT alone. All the lonely times I would experience were better when she was present. She loved the beach, open restaruants (she didn't need a leash), going for our leashless walks and meeting people, chasing her rope bones (for hours!) and chewing on her rawhides (I had to throw away the Dingo bone bag, it is SO her and looking at it just GOT me), her hanging out of my Jeep or car for "her" rides, and following me for miles on my mountain bike for a trek. She loved horses and trail rides too! I suppose the days will get better, but loss is not my strong suite, I am finding. I will do another post down the road that is a proper tribute to Dakota, and her wonderful personality. Right now I just can't. In fact, right now, the whole front of my shirt is wet, and you'd think I'd never heard of a kleenex. But she deserves some real face time as the amazing, incredible, funny gal that she was, one that will explain why anyone would be so damn sad after having a friend like her around for sixteen years!!<br />
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On the Florida front. I do want to go. Probably more than even I really know. I have always promised myself I would move back, and with my friend losing her husband, <a href="http://jacksonsgrrl.blogspot.com/2009/12/when-sorrows-like-sea-billows-roll.html">When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll</a>, the timing seems right. Scary, but right. Full circle. I think Jackson will love the jumper barn I have already picked out in Florida, don't you? It is 30 minutes away from the Ocala area--HITS, Canterbury--lots of big name Grand Prix shows, so if I play it right, I will receive lots of jumping training, and of course we will continue our trail rides which we both love more than anything! I, myself never expect to be a Grand Prix anything, but I know I'll enjoy the lessons and showing, even if I'm just in baby classes! Honestly, I don't care. So, while I have a barn (or two) picked out, they can't be too snobby, or snarky as they can tend to be at the higher levels. That, I am certainly not, and won't put up with! I want down to earth and also competitive, the ribbons or the barn status should not rule the day. But the beauty of these places leaves me drooling. Bottom lip on the floor drooling. Especially after flat, brown, dry, scrub tree, no real Grand Prix circuit Texas. At least no circuit in my neck of this huge state. No doubt, Jackson will receive the royal treatment and love every minute of it, even if we can only afford pasture boarding if I leave nursing! <br />
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The times they are a changin' as old Bob Dylan used to say, come what may. We never know what is going to come, but it SURE IS going to come regardless, right? Gotta go, gotta move on. Nothin' stays the same.... <br />
Brilliant sentiment. But still scary as hell.<br />
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<strong>And Dakota, I'll be seeing you at the pump.....Mama</strong><br />
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If you are wondering about the comment above, see my post<strong> </strong><a href="http://jacksonsgrrl.blogspot.com/2009/07/when-i-get-to-heaven.html"><strong>When I Get To Heaven.</strong></a>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-42508767518905415142010-05-19T11:51:00.001-04:002010-05-19T13:22:34.027-04:00Last Night.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq7CqwV4BhzyzExH0Fl2e7GGS0xPtk0P-AstBYZYPqY6BGTDl9f3Buhhxnf88mSI2O8an4Q0NiS71vpjw7d5LeZjPseEe5eBvmBegm3hbFoS1imjH9JMeSRxEoCRpctTl6mWOb4IMfotO/s1600/lips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq7CqwV4BhzyzExH0Fl2e7GGS0xPtk0P-AstBYZYPqY6BGTDl9f3Buhhxnf88mSI2O8an4Q0NiS71vpjw7d5LeZjPseEe5eBvmBegm3hbFoS1imjH9JMeSRxEoCRpctTl6mWOb4IMfotO/s200/lips.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last Night....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I lay on my bed, thinking about you, I feel this strong urge to grab you and squeeze you, because I can't forget last night. You came to me unexpectedly during the balmy and calm night, and what happened in my bed still leaves a tingling sensation in me.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You appeared from nowhere and shamelessly, without any reservations, you laid on my naked body....you sensed my indifference, so you started to bite my body without any guilt or humiliation, and you drove me crazy while you sucked me dry.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Finally I went to sleep. Today when I woke up, you were gone, I searched for you but to no avail, only the sheets bore witness to last night's events.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My body still shows your marks, making it harder to forget you. Tonight I will remain awake waiting for you...as soon as you appear I will quickly grab you and won't let you go, will hold you with all my strength so you won't disappear. Won't rest until I squeeze your blood out......you</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Freakin' mosquito.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0N-xIo_NZvtgq8HKh6XDN58o38e-0mEx8qdxEr8nX4qerHDfvUYUifcWt-jrghExqz2CpggVxNqRqU5vTq9S5qTivFa0TK_rs-cgbx3dzKNcEqaLxu78DPxK39NlANBR6ijlUATSRN-GW/s1600/mosquito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0N-xIo_NZvtgq8HKh6XDN58o38e-0mEx8qdxEr8nX4qerHDfvUYUifcWt-jrghExqz2CpggVxNqRqU5vTq9S5qTivFa0TK_rs-cgbx3dzKNcEqaLxu78DPxK39NlANBR6ijlUATSRN-GW/s200/mosquito.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a></div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-60372574923047074612010-05-14T06:15:00.010-04:002010-06-12T16:30:50.596-04:00Up the Downhill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dKbCAiNXR3fQELb2ndbad8uWGHpWsP9P36e9dVT4j-9yeK1mkLcSkIRgU7RoCDrOTyENZp4SLfSzFbb2O0arwEKnrylzDw8n5ex8HbGA7WD3LISYDEJ7yaGdF-bjOEbYHTLEytf0Fmed/s1600/2007-02-08+11-33-33_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dKbCAiNXR3fQELb2ndbad8uWGHpWsP9P36e9dVT4j-9yeK1mkLcSkIRgU7RoCDrOTyENZp4SLfSzFbb2O0arwEKnrylzDw8n5ex8HbGA7WD3LISYDEJ7yaGdF-bjOEbYHTLEytf0Fmed/s320/2007-02-08+11-33-33_0013.JPG" wt="true" /></a>Hello dear readers! Yes, all, (ahem) five of you! Yes, it has been awhile since my last post, and many things have gone on. I will highlight a couple here, but won't bore you with the other tales of woe! First and foremost, I am in the midst of losing my best doggie friend. My right hand girl Dakota turned sixteen in April. I have had her since she was five weeks old in Key West, and she is declining rapidly. She can barely walk, and every few days is incontinent in the house. Sometimes she gets stuck in the dog door in the middle of the night. I am constantly sleep deprived as I listen with one ear open for telltale noises of distress. I give her anti-inflammatories, pain medicine (just in case, although she doesn't seem to be in pain) and MSM, Chondroitin, Vitamin C and Calcium. Easily $200 a month. Not that it matters. Here's the thing. I don't have the nerve to make the appointment to end it. I feel like I should don a black grim reaper's robe and wear that when I take her. And when I think on it too hard, I end up sobbing. It would be so much easier if she were in pain, then the decision would be made because I WON'T endure my baby hurting. I find that so many people while giving lip service to what is happening, are inwardly thinking, "Sixteen years, what is she complaining about?" I know I'm lucky to have been blessed with her for so long, but it makes it almost harder. She is two years older than my son. She has been through EVERYTHING with me....</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lots of other really cruddy things have also been going on, but I won't bore you here. But I am defintiely at an all time low! E-mails are 200+ long, and I just paid the bills, which are (thankfully) not late! A good thing that happened was that I was able to meet our fellow blogger Winter from <a href="http://horsecentric.com/">HorseCentric</a> . Since she came my way for a clinic, I was able to set her up to stay with one of my friends for two nights. Much to my regret, I was only able to have dinner with her the night she came in. My car decided that it wanted to DIE on a hill in the middle of nowhere on the way to said dinner (in the pouring rain)! I had wanted to attend her clinic very badly on the last day, and even though I had my car back, since it was storming and they hadn't found a thing wrong with my car?????, I decided not to chance an hour drive in a torrential downpour not knowing what my car might do! Also, it was not conducted in a covered arena. While I would have liked to have been there for Winter, standing in a thunderstorm auditing a clinic sounded, well, you know, decidedly not fun! Hopefully Winter won't give up on me and we can ride together soon!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggfBAG4wItuS0JobaobKT1FWQ5JkNZmbj982YP00NY-8KyN5rsliaak-M3fJQmtHiRUmlFZrY9YxrmaVDflzWiBIMpQHXCGT3y9VS0S5j-q-MHVj0HtXnInUokgVM7MEiqkCNlnA_WaO9/s1600/2007-01-27+20-21-16_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggfBAG4wItuS0JobaobKT1FWQ5JkNZmbj982YP00NY-8KyN5rsliaak-M3fJQmtHiRUmlFZrY9YxrmaVDflzWiBIMpQHXCGT3y9VS0S5j-q-MHVj0HtXnInUokgVM7MEiqkCNlnA_WaO9/s320/2007-01-27+20-21-16_0006.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div> Sleep. Sounds good.<br />
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On the horsey front. Jackson and I are plugging away at our lessons and working at first level in order to reach that (closer all the time!) goal of making it to a show this year. A few jumps here and there, but I haven't been building them so I've just been practicing lots of two point when I get the chance. My last lesson we worked on lengthening which was pretty cool once I got it! Or the concept anyway! On Tuesday, Linda and I went on a trail ride, and I finally rode her BIG Red Horse, Red, a Missouri Foxtrotter. He is 16.3 and I felt like I was doing a split. It wasn't the height, he is a bit, ahem, FAT. He has lost quite a bit of weight, (he wasn't Linda's main mount until recently) and finally doesn't break into that white frothy sweat between his legs after five minutes! He did break into this really nasty pace that you could not sit or post while riding him. I hated it! It wasn't what you want out of a horse like that, but the Foxtrotter gate is a creature in and of itself, and his owner rarely gets him to do it. It was so uncomfortable, I'm pretty sure he made it up on his own! If you've ever ridden a really nice gaited horse, then you know that it is one of the most sublime do- nothing rides you could have. Post a trot? Why? Canter? Oh. I am? It feels like I'm in a rocking chair. Yeah. This wasn't that! FAR, FAR from that! I could sense immense POWER if he really went, but he was a good boy and his Kimberwick offered comfort, especially when Linda took off at a canter riding Jackson across a big field without us, and he had aspirations of trying a new racing career! So here I am. Getting on with the everyday living thing..... My glass is neither half empty nor half full. Gotta take a big long drink from the hose and <strong>move on!</strong><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWomXdzZGlbxAadU6P1AXYnHWcsatRQEI3XvpOfs9SWaGEzjZRrr9SU_0p8FFB7TveCoDlL22_1Tiv5i79gbJHTlGvI-CpbrjB8Sa92S3FL9VFN9mJEDNNyKrIQg-b873EuDtiGJGG_72/s1600/2007-02-07+00-34-05_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWomXdzZGlbxAadU6P1AXYnHWcsatRQEI3XvpOfs9SWaGEzjZRrr9SU_0p8FFB7TveCoDlL22_1Tiv5i79gbJHTlGvI-CpbrjB8Sa92S3FL9VFN9mJEDNNyKrIQg-b873EuDtiGJGG_72/s320/2007-02-07+00-34-05_0008.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson in his snazzy new halter and Red being nosy (his main job!).....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-35294750529233155762010-04-21T14:12:00.000-04:002010-04-21T14:12:36.903-04:00Come on Mom, Gimme that FUEL...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckP7NSRXhZjHH5xVmO3BnRe83iITsoDciGjlm2t7oYVsQX2rB0O1vS1A5KijuOdL9fFWRY2brwgg3-WU7lP3YqZHNPdLPtsMl8R24zXG_1JEKbyc9C74aVeeBuIerhBkbRD1SMoLYNLpV/s1600/2007-01-17+23-47-04_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckP7NSRXhZjHH5xVmO3BnRe83iITsoDciGjlm2t7oYVsQX2rB0O1vS1A5KijuOdL9fFWRY2brwgg3-WU7lP3YqZHNPdLPtsMl8R24zXG_1JEKbyc9C74aVeeBuIerhBkbRD1SMoLYNLpV/s320/2007-01-17+23-47-04_0018.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGWzUZ_UzEJo6H0rxGcjKBUhQeohKgcLhCWOfekJFITmygviVdNhyphenhyphen6SiAZCLOBAB2XQIlB3ZOgB8CCyLSart61fKYP3ECerdMjOgZ3hRVuxuyQXIMy5oYCem7gNeWh6-oHluPZS3Y-cMU/s1600/2007-01-17+23-47-02_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGWzUZ_UzEJo6H0rxGcjKBUhQeohKgcLhCWOfekJFITmygviVdNhyphenhyphen6SiAZCLOBAB2XQIlB3ZOgB8CCyLSart61fKYP3ECerdMjOgZ3hRVuxuyQXIMy5oYCem7gNeWh6-oHluPZS3Y-cMU/s320/2007-01-17+23-47-02_0017.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikek8_Ou1da5SYir9QckIZmLJolXrNRht-ebOZC-hKUoaZqGkOiBpkYDkTM466xMX0EH5_m8vCCzvReWjSsEpSW1PgmBl9zjIEC6iLyP01Wx5iegRt3UgsxMSNlDpcaNz-mfkaerhnQ4Sv/s1600/2007-01-17+23-47-08_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikek8_Ou1da5SYir9QckIZmLJolXrNRht-ebOZC-hKUoaZqGkOiBpkYDkTM466xMX0EH5_m8vCCzvReWjSsEpSW1PgmBl9zjIEC6iLyP01Wx5iegRt3UgsxMSNlDpcaNz-mfkaerhnQ4Sv/s320/2007-01-17+23-47-08_0019.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrEItVCG2YZRcEUaWdgZMgjoJhtXS5qeFlsSA9CLtGllXPiiFE9vUITET7crINLSEst2ROffoiwmEv5hWXwKw8hUTnlaVdoQajRV5I3aT1aqZBTiCKVNt7EPQqCiEwudmQFa4_evGG7Ui/s1600/2007-01-17+23-47-11_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrEItVCG2YZRcEUaWdgZMgjoJhtXS5qeFlsSA9CLtGllXPiiFE9vUITET7crINLSEst2ROffoiwmEv5hWXwKw8hUTnlaVdoQajRV5I3aT1aqZBTiCKVNt7EPQqCiEwudmQFa4_evGG7Ui/s320/2007-01-17+23-47-11_0020.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lssH3Io8AiDP7fOgjwex7PP6AtyLLQD2GJOt5xZmbWmKFrcOtVDAWrKwrkzRmXuj6VLjrFkawN16PvjdPkOfmTDy_0omMvUL4N60Tyi1UfCiAFNEMfafOHF_mctBjEb5nmecc3aAX7F2/s1600/2007-01-17+23-46-27_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lssH3Io8AiDP7fOgjwex7PP6AtyLLQD2GJOt5xZmbWmKFrcOtVDAWrKwrkzRmXuj6VLjrFkawN16PvjdPkOfmTDy_0omMvUL4N60Tyi1UfCiAFNEMfafOHF_mctBjEb5nmecc3aAX7F2/s320/2007-01-17+23-46-27_0015.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdUWEZUidDRg5icmFQChMnOd4MqF_ljHLbamcVNmuWbKGeiWysUThQntEGfmYYuBsKFgpqZcsrIhuE7dRB9xnpIlixHEjZp-NZn94GqAU2dgrkTlzcOYxXFwRziL18jRnztw1v48Xv5v/s1600/2007-01-17+23-46-49_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdUWEZUidDRg5icmFQChMnOd4MqF_ljHLbamcVNmuWbKGeiWysUThQntEGfmYYuBsKFgpqZcsrIhuE7dRB9xnpIlixHEjZp-NZn94GqAU2dgrkTlzcOYxXFwRziL18jRnztw1v48Xv5v/s320/2007-01-17+23-46-49_0016.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiqxO9jwTXJSsU5AVefxneB3P_pm81k3VxTWO_WPpxPop52gTSU9mpM4cbMMCiiCdZsIXLunZNHnk7-Jq-dslXBuzw9aPrvzVtj2cFgRPwn1-_DMx0-EoNFoh-i483QAE_Gf5g8xXPZIn/s1600/2007-01-17+23-48-13_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiqxO9jwTXJSsU5AVefxneB3P_pm81k3VxTWO_WPpxPop52gTSU9mpM4cbMMCiiCdZsIXLunZNHnk7-Jq-dslXBuzw9aPrvzVtj2cFgRPwn1-_DMx0-EoNFoh-i483QAE_Gf5g8xXPZIn/s320/2007-01-17+23-48-13_0021.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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Just like a guy! Wants to pump up his muscles..... Funny guy, I love you for cheering me up!jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-25765907162993971252010-04-20T08:03:00.006-04:002010-05-01T06:56:36.512-04:00Thee, Thou, Thine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I started a small scale endeavor to find out more about Jackson's ancestory. First, let me start off letting you know that I have an <em>amazing</em> horse. I know this. No piece of paper and whatever it had to tell me would change that fact. And if Jackson had come with no papers, that would be alright too. I am a backyard horse owner who just wanted a good horse to have a fun, loving bond with, possibly (OK, OK, HOPEFULLY) show, and to help me meet new friends with a common bond. It seems I have gotten all of that and more! I set out by contacting his breeder Connie, but after not getting her usual reply (and I must admit I was worried, because I ALWAYS hear back from her quickly!) I contacted MiKael over at <a href="http://www.risingrainbow.blogspot.com/">RisingRainbow</a> who raises Arabians to see what she might know about his lineage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why now? Well, Jackson's Birthday is coming up, and many of you may not know this, but I am adopted. So, bloodlines and family histories hold a special fascination for me. (And YES, I have attempted to find the biological parentals, with no luck...). So...I figured I would try to find out all I could about my horse! No matter what, ultimately, it did not matter to me. If I found out his bloodlines were, well, not good, I just wouldn't care all that much. But it appears that this is far from the truth! Below I will post various e-mails between MiKael and I, and then the one I got from his breeder about two days ago! Now, the information I have so far is strictly regarding the Arabian side of his lineage--his papa's line. The Arabian Horse Assoc. only shows his mother's name (The Thorougbred line), but she is Jockey Club registered. Next, I will need to contact or join the Jockey Club, and then find someone who knows MUCH about TB's. Anyone willing to join in the fun, let me know! Below, you find a sad rendering of his papers, but the big names (if you are an Arab fan, may pop out at you), just click on the certificate if you want to actually read the names. They meant nothing to me, so I was happy for the help from MiKael and Connie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTtzMIpBrE0FhlGVt7nloOJVkBaXkC42Uxpf4TVBA92wsJ1uMfjkmEDqMapAcrP4tZ2yfxPp_srnBsbPYb5rKkkwHRMp_FJ1wF75jD4B9Rnn8LM9b-801DepsLmTn4dDKuttMi_W8U_1X/s1600/Jackson's+Pedigree+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTtzMIpBrE0FhlGVt7nloOJVkBaXkC42Uxpf4TVBA92wsJ1uMfjkmEDqMapAcrP4tZ2yfxPp_srnBsbPYb5rKkkwHRMp_FJ1wF75jD4B9Rnn8LM9b-801DepsLmTn4dDKuttMi_W8U_1X/s400/Jackson's+Pedigree+001.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Reply from MiKael--</strong><br />
Does this horse have a big trot? Looks like maybe he should. Seems to me The Fireman was either a high powered park horse or a high powered english pleasure horse. The very top of his sire line looks very well bred. I don't remember the specifics on Negatiw but you can't go wrong there. Then that Bask. Bask was an import from Poland. <br />
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The Lamara part looks maybe egyptian to me. Disaan, Rusaan, I think are actually related to one of my broodmares. I'd have to double check but Bey Aana's dam was Rusaana and I believe she was by Rusaan. I been told that part of my mare's pedigree is egyptian.<br />
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Looks to me like he's very well bred on his top side. No slouches in the pedigree that I can see. Although I don't know all the horses, the ones around those I don't know are so well bred, I suspect the unknowns are well bred too. It is just the lower female line I know nothing about.<br />
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Hope that helps. Am curious about the trot. Not all Bask bred horses trot but it's curious to see which ones do and which don't. <br />
MiKael<br />
Rising Rainbow Arabians<br />
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My reply back asked her what exactly she meant by a BIG trot! Not being an Arabian expert, I had questions about that... I sent it from my phone while half awake, and can't access it, but that was what I asked. I did call my trainer Alison, who knows A LOT! She thought MiKael was talking about that big show trot that is used in the VERY Arabian classes. She has no doubt he can do it, but emphasized that in dressage and jumping, that is NOT what we are looking to get. <br />
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<strong>And MiKael's reply to me:</strong><br />
For me a big trot would be a natural thing that could be cultivated into the big show trot the saddle seat horses do on the Arabian circuit if that's what was wanted. While how a horse is shod can affect that, those horses usually have it naturally. Some that have it can't maintain with a rider on their backs. <br />
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Bask was a park horse (the biggest most animated gaits of all saddle seat horses) and as I already told you I thought The Fireman was either park or english pleasure (english would be down a notch from park. The horses from those lines are known for that. <br />
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I would think maybe being crossed with a TB would tone down the natural trot some and add more length to the gait. That longer gait would be more suitable for dressage that's for sure.<br />
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Now let's see if I can define "big trot" for you. I guess the big trotters pick their knees up high, sometimes with knees even chest level or above, rolling their feet underneath and then out in an animated dramatic motion. From behind you get animated hock action as well (height as well as extension). The horses drive underneath themselves deeply enough their front ends lift off the ground giving them more "room" for that big rolling talk in the front end making them look like they are travelling uphill somewhat. The bigger the trot the more uphill the movement. I'm sure those who are experts with big trotting horses would have more to say but that's what comes to mind for me.<br />
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The horses who have this big trot will usually do it loose when they are excited. Most of my horses here can trot level when animated. There is lots of park in my pedigrees. However, that's not what we train for either. And even if we did, most of my horses probably wouldn't qualify for park or english but a handful might be country english. Dressage would be right up their alley as that's more the type of movement I am breeding for. <br />
I'm glad I could be helpful with your horse's pedigree. That's not always the case. There are lots of pedigrees I know very little about. <br />
Good luck in your search with the jockey club. Is your horse Sweepstakes Nominated? If so, there are sport horse and dressage classes on the Arabian circuit that are payback classes that might interest you at some time.<br />
MiKael<br />
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<strong>Me:</strong><br />
Jackson definitely does not do this that I have ever seen. Not even while out trotting about riderless. Could it be cultivated? Maybe. My trainer thinks so. But as I said, I am not going in that direction. I will now be scrutinizing Jackson's trot at liberty to see if I see those movements, but I am pretty sure I have not! So, I guess the TB in him chased it away, perhaps! :) Oh. And I will now REALLY sound dumb. Sweepstakes Nominated? I have heard of this of course, but I don't think Jackson is. But if it's something you would apply for, then he wouldn't be, because he has not been on the show circuit! Those of you who may know, please send me information on this if you have it, I don't want to bug MiKael with my dumb questions anymore! :O)<br />
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And then... YAY! I finally got a reply from Connie which was great, because I was a bit worried! I forgot I had her phone number, or I would have just called!!!<br />
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<strong>Connie's (Jackson's breeder's) reply:</strong><br />
Sorry, I haven't been on line in a while because of the income tax deadline for the business. It's so good to hear from you! Buzzy was foaled 1-13-82, bred by James or Bette Batchelor in Olympia, Washington. By the way, he really likes apples but mostly gets carrots. He's pure Polish. Bask, and the Buzmen were highly popular and expensive imports from Poland. Some of his owners were: Jane Short from Katy Tx purchased him 6-1-84 to breed the half arabian pinto as he is a registered pinto sire; Sylvia Whitmore from Prineville, Oregon purchased him 9-20-82; Deanna Harville from Alvin, Tx purchased him 12-2-88; Jim Hendrickson from Silver Oaks Ranch, Flatonia, Tx purchased him 7-23-95, then we bought him 10-23-95. He has been a very important part of our family ever since and we have about 30 babies or so; 2 we still have and the rest sold. He's still doing great! <br />
Connie<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And now...never before posted picture of....Jackson's Daddy! Lamaras Firebusz a.k.a. Buzzy...<br />
Wow! Look at his conformation! He was 28 this past year, and still a FIREBALL! He is now retired at Connie's ranch, and it is past time for me to go and spend some time with her!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3TeNYSvWHA2VHsH_lOywTUDYhn50kcuKIqAMn7SBgyQ6dl7gU_tvjzuDOzZGwnxRh5B_Zf9rHqaTGkloWZmj-5nCO_hUcC6GUn2c0kt308pM3NPEX9Smb_X67xg3LrpkTPzWM16b41ef/s1600/Buzzy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3TeNYSvWHA2VHsH_lOywTUDYhn50kcuKIqAMn7SBgyQ6dl7gU_tvjzuDOzZGwnxRh5B_Zf9rHqaTGkloWZmj-5nCO_hUcC6GUn2c0kt308pM3NPEX9Smb_X67xg3LrpkTPzWM16b41ef/s400/Buzzy.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div> <br />
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And Jackson and his mama.... This picture has my heart! Thanks for these Connie, they mean so much!!! <br />
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Registered names: IB Jackson and IB Jacks (mama). Not sure what the IB stands for....Gotta find out about mama's side to find out I think!!! Jockey Club here I come!! But bottom line, it looks like my Jackson man is 1/2 Polish Arabian, although MiKael's comments about the Egyptian parts are noted too.... and TB! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRo31GWRP5bFH4w0pDLZbpqn2ivXh1F9hyphenhyphenpMtU8_PwN7Nfr6BsAUYK3P_Mn7EktUBjBeei893czCgkatAsO0d5nlqNqj-rcd-lwk8MxhUBLQPf9Ikk0BznPGoBI-qfKdfIbz2CwxKeFd7/s1600/jacksonnmama.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRo31GWRP5bFH4w0pDLZbpqn2ivXh1F9hyphenhyphenpMtU8_PwN7Nfr6BsAUYK3P_Mn7EktUBjBeei893czCgkatAsO0d5nlqNqj-rcd-lwk8MxhUBLQPf9Ikk0BznPGoBI-qfKdfIbz2CwxKeFd7/s320/jacksonnmama.bmp" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This has been a fun thing to find out about Jackson, and family histories are cool as! I don't have my own, but I am finding my horse's! It would be interesting to find out if there is a service out there that does the family tree lookups for horses, like you can have done on human family names! Hmmm. If not, maybe I can start a business!!! If anyone out there has advice, opinions, or knowledge, don't hesitate to comment!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Late entry</strong>: Thanks to one of my fellow bloggers (and Connie)! for finding and sending Jackson's mama's pedigree for me! <a href="http://equineline.com/">Equineline.com</a> will give you the info. regarding your registered TB for those of you who may want to do your own research! I now know through more research, that he has a pretty amazing bottom side as well! Champions in his background include:<strong> Mahmoud, Alibhai, Bull Dog, Nasrullah, Royal Charger, Princequillo, My Babu, Migoli, Majideh, and Gallant Man!</strong> I have been reading a work of fiction titled 'Horse Heaven' by Jane Smiley about TB racing, and wouldn't you know, so far THREE of the above horses have been mentioned! Quite a little thrill went through me when I found them in print in a (wonderfully entertaining BTW) work of fiction! As soon as I saw each name, I would be like, "Is that?" and run to take a gander at J's momma's pedigree. Then I would do a little dance when my memory did serve me correctly, for no reason other than that is just SO COOL!</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-23629921332197925972010-04-05T12:33:00.011-04:002010-04-05T14:20:21.738-04:00Beautiful Blog? Hmmm. OK.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI7wu2qOqECq2dApMNOhVdZcd4CiEuRa3m0r2VD0drpgAL64tN8PShwNwhhPkVDFRv4WHL922dKhCTrXTtNadY1rlGNg57JCZAwmUDxnIaH6S2fZbE7FXMhJT2FnpYdWlgliiJ0jTfYBN/s1600/2007-01-01+04-34-14_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI7wu2qOqECq2dApMNOhVdZcd4CiEuRa3m0r2VD0drpgAL64tN8PShwNwhhPkVDFRv4WHL922dKhCTrXTtNadY1rlGNg57JCZAwmUDxnIaH6S2fZbE7FXMhJT2FnpYdWlgliiJ0jTfYBN/s320/2007-01-01+04-34-14_0005.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jackson after a RIDE Easter Sunday....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, I just kind of ignored the beautiful blogger award I received a-hem, a few times. It's not that I'm an extraordinarily private person, but seven things about me that aren't known? I blew that off pretty quick, but it did niggle at me. Private personal things on the internet for the world to see? But, after thinking for awhile I think I can certainly come up with things that will amuse and delight without bringing out all the dirt for the internet hounds out there.... They must be out there and totally interested in ME right? For sure. :)</div>So seven things.... oh what to choose, what to choose, there are so many fun, quirky factoids that make up moi, just seven? OK. I shall try! Oh, and I didn't download the actual award pic, or post it to my sidebar, and since everyone did it like two months ago, I just posted a pic of me main man instead! :) I'm just a rebel, eh? Lazy is more like it!<br />
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1. When I daydream it is that I am an Olympic rider taking the gold on a jump course for my team. I am in my mid 30's and I still dream of an Olympic ribbon :) In some ways I have never left my fifteen year old self behind! Dreams are good, I think, not to mention fun! In reality, I would LOVE to be a mounted cop. After being in the military and my experiences with cops, which largely have not been good, I still want to put on a uniform and ride around ALL shift astride a beautifully trained horse keeping the peace! <br />
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2. I rode at Devon when I was fifteen. I worked in a jumping barn, and the snot who was supposed to ride just didn't show. So I had about five minutes to learn the course (I ALWAYS worry about messing it up due to nerves) and get my horse warmed up. My horse Madigan SO took care of me, and we were in the ribbons! I think I was 4th out of 25. Admittedly, it was the horse and not me who won that one.... I hadn't even learned lead changes yet, I was so new to jumping. That horse took total care of me and jumped 3'9 like a breeze...<br />
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3. I lived in Key West, Florida for seven wonderful years. I worked in a group home for the developmentally disabled, and on a dive boat on the side in exchange for lessons. Now that I am here in Texas, and haven't been diving in so long, I'm sure I would need a MAJOR refresher! AND NO! I don't have ANY interest in diving in a Texas lake! I plan on moving back to Florida, and some plans are being tenatively made. I will live in a place where I have ocean access, AND horse access. Ah Florida! Horse country all the way, and my location will put me right where I want to be!!! :) Namely, out of Western land! (Sorry, no offense to you Western folks!!!). It won't be Key West, which is a 3 mile by 5 mile island. In Key West there are no horses to be found, not to mention it is just waaaay too expensive for a single mom; it's a place for the VERY rich these days....<br />
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4. I grew up on a farm in Ohio.We had pigs, goats, rabbits, chickens, sheep, cats, dogs, cattle, a pony named Popcorn and two OTTB's. It was hard work, but I look back at it now fondly. I had a pony cart and a harness and had some fun with that. I never owned a saddle, just a bridle and a bareback pad. The pony was crazy too... Farm life in Ohio HAS cemented in the fact that I will never again IN THIS LIFE live anywhere where it gets cold , or in any way in the negative temperatures on the thermostat!!! But! I can milk a goat and make homeade bread, butcher a chicken and help a critter give birth! I also have lots of fun, sometimes useless hobby farm facts to shower my friends with! ;)<br />
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5. I have always been a rebel. From a very early age if my parents are to be held accountable with their stories. My mom's good friend-- who was my first Montessori school teacher-- still calls me Pippi (for Pippi Longstocking) because she says I am always in a scrape! Some of us just can't help it. Believe me, I've tried. Now, I just work to channel the rebellion into good and not evil! :) Ha ha! Just kidding. But being rebellious makes life hard, I am never the status quo. Sometimes, status quo does sound nice. But, I don't think the rebellion is going anywhere! It is definitely hardwired! I am currently reading a book titled <em>'The Successful Rebel-Getting What You Want Without Losing Who You Are,'</em> by Tracey and Melissa Cox, in hopes of learning how to channel my inner rebel into a more helpful trait in life!<br />
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6. I had many crazy hairstyles as a younger person, one of my favorites was the mohawk I had in high school. I decided to dye it purple, and then (being a stupid 16 year old) jumped into one of my best friend's pools three hours after getting it dyed. His parents weren't too thrilled with the purple water, and I wasn't too thrilled to lose the brilliant purple I would have had! It was still purple, just not as bright as I had wanted.... The purple water was gone in a couple of days...<br />
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7. When I was four years old I told my dad that I thought we all are living on the big toenail of a giant. I asked him what he thought about this. I remember the look of delight on his face and how he just LAUGHED and called me his little philosopher. That memory is a good one. I felt so special. Sadly, these days, my dad and I don't really talk at all.<br />
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There it is. A few random things. Not even close to the whole of who I am, but a few factoids of the many I have stored away....jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1072479154074214475.post-27837724660588310542010-03-28T09:51:00.001-04:002010-03-28T09:59:02.557-04:00A Dressage/Jumping Lesson...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvS3SpjIh43doCYAtNSvuut_g4PmfNveeOXQQGm2va1MNDXNY48vpSYWORb4OBmDN6RoGsFPXz6nAWVJscP47ZqmyNUsDqu9cuVff764u6gh2vJHYTs_O0xgS75hQsKFtka_KD7GH2i7/s1600/2007-02-01+03-04-13_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvS3SpjIh43doCYAtNSvuut_g4PmfNveeOXQQGm2va1MNDXNY48vpSYWORb4OBmDN6RoGsFPXz6nAWVJscP47ZqmyNUsDqu9cuVff764u6gh2vJHYTs_O0xgS75hQsKFtka_KD7GH2i7/s640/2007-02-01+03-04-13_0097.jpg" width="480" /></a>On Wednesday I had a lesson with Allison. I felt like it was a good lesson, we really worked on getting Jackson on the bit and the impulsion from behind. We achieved this perhaps 1/2 of the time, I'd say. I love having lessons. It is so great to get the advice and hear if you are doing something correctly, or if you are just a sack of potatoes riding in circles making no progress.... At times I do get frustrated though! Allison is tough! But she does manage to get the best out of my riding, as rusty as it may be after our SOGGY, cold winter here in South Texas. South. Right. After we worked for at least 45 minutes on dressage, Allison had us work on ground poles, and she found no faults with my position or my handling of Jackson. The new jumps were (kind of) set up, as we only have it up to 12 inches until we get a new drill bit to move the jump cups around. The other day I had taken Jackson over that tiny 12" jump, and he kept bonking the poles. I was anxious to see if Allison had advice on this, because frankly, my fear was that he didn't have the interest or ability to jump anything higher! (OK...the mind does tend to go to extremes, because he has easily taken a 2 foot jump with nary a bump!) But I was concerned. Why was he dragging his feet on this tiny NOTHING of a jump? He does fabulous on cavaletti or a set of 4 ground poles, so what???? After he did the EXACT same thing with Allison I looked to her for advice. And she gave it! "My dear," she drolls. "He is simply SCOFFING at this jump. He is quite bored and wonders why you are insulting him with a mere 12 inches." "We need to start at 2'6 to get any sort of REAL jump practice going for him." Well hog my hooter, as they say! I broke out into a grin accompanied by a huge sigh of relief. She also went on to tell me that this actually shows a great potential for his jumping ability. He isn't doing any more than he has to over what he consider a jump that is BORRRING, but were he overjumping it she would suggest another career for him. Apparently, if a horse jumps three feet over a 12 inch jump you have an over-excitable horse with no mind for jumping. At 80 years old and having extensive eventing and training of horses under her belt, I believe her! Of course, I am sure there are exceptions and I hope I am not offending anyone, because this is certainly not true for every horse, I'm sure! She has promised to ride Jackson during my next lesson, and I look forward to see how he goes for her. Perfectly, I have no doubt. I hope I am riding horses when I'm 80! I did ask Allison if I should send him out to a trainer for training. The answer was an emphatic "NO!" She told me that if I put the work into him, I will get the results without a trainer. According to her, he has my number, so even if a trainer could get him going totally correctly, when I got him back, I would have the same horse whenever I rode him. I agree, but I had to ask! I want us to learn it all together, even if he is at superstar status and I am somewhere lying in the mud!! So, riding, more riding, and then riding some more! And drilling holes at least to 2'3-2'6 into the jump standards ASAP!</div>jacksonsgrrlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702324347419665816noreply@blogger.com3