Welcome to my new follower, Mary Engle. Actually though Mary is not a new follower. She has been following for awhile. I think she reads each and every post I make, "because," she says, "I want to see what Mom has been up to" So as you have guessed now, Mary Engle is my daughter. She has good reason to wonder what Mom has been up to. Every time she comes to the farm, there seems to be a new horse here.
I hope you have watched the video of the recent horse show that Vera has posted on their web page. It has yours truly in it. I am the one in the blue jeans standing by S T Tipton. We were having our pictures made with Flair for Fury. She had just won the yearling filly class. Thank you S T for the fine job you did of showing her and thanks to Van Bert Farms for the first class job of training for this class. I am still excited to have such an outstanding filly. She is a Venture's Black Fury filly. I have bred one of my mares to Fury and we are excited about the prospect of a Fury baby next year. We even have the name already selected.
Spring on the farm is such a great time. It is also a very busy time. We have a garden on the farm this year for the first time in several years. I have not wanted a garden is recent years but since I have children who did, we now have a garden. I forgot how exciting it is to find the vegetables starting to grow. We planted our first garden early So we have peas, potatoes, lettuce, radishes, onions and beets already up. We also have tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers out. Next time out will see us putting corn in the ground.
We have already enjoyed lettuce, radishes and onions from the garden. In addition, while bush hogging the fields last fall, I found a bed of asparagus. It is growing wild and since we have no cows in that field, it has really produced a nice bed. I have been back there cutting it every couple of days.
It will soon be hay time. It comes around quickly when we have as much rain as we have had this year and the sun shines pretty often too. The yard has kept me busy this year as well. I have mowed at least three times already plus the once that Mike and Mary mowed.
My new neighbors moved into their new home this past week end. They are my son Mike and his wife Natalie. So it is new and strange to have someone live so close to me after all these years of this being the only house on the farm and my nearest neighbor being a mile away. It is nice to have them close.
Mike is a great help. He stays busy fixing what I break. We have pretty good program going. I break it, he fixes it. Welcome to the neighborhood, Mike and Natalie.
I hope you will all be able to come to one of the horse shows this year. I am always eager to see the new horses coming in each year. I like seeing who is bringing last year's yearlings in under saddle this year. It is great seeing the yearlings in the early part of the year and the weanlings as the year progresses. I look forward to seeing friends I have made from previous years and hope to see new faces as more people catch on to Rocky Mountain Horses. If you are a new owner, I hope to meet you at one of the shows. If you spot me, come up and introduce yourself. With Rocky Mountain Horses in common, we will have a lot to talk about as we each sing the praises of our own horses.
Later everyone.
God bless you and keep you in his loving care.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Winchester
Upon arrival at the show grounds, Eleanor (my sister) and I went to the barns to see the horses. Eleanor has her favorites. Rocky Top Rebel, my black 4 year old mare is one of them. She is sure that Rebel knows and remembers her from the first time we saw her in a large pasture with a large herd of horses. And maybe she does.
Another of her favorites is Toco Dawn. She is a beautiful mare with a way of placing in the ribbons in classes she enters. Eleanor is drawn to Toco Dawn because she is especially friendly and loves for her to scratch her in all of her itchy places. She comes up to the door and Eleanor scratches one side and then she turns to the other side to be scratched on that side too. Eleanor admires her too because she has such a nice disposition.
Of course the first horse I looked for was my bay filly, Dock's Velvet. She was looking very beautiful with the shine her coat had taken on since I took her to Cool Shade in Stanton. She was ready to go. She had the look of a winner in her eyes and since I raised her from a weanling, she is a winner in my eyes.
The show grounds were already busy with riders exercising their horses and grooms giving baths. Trucks and trailers were still coming in with loads of horses. The barn were beginning to get filled with horses. There is a friendly atmosphere at the shows even though when the classes start every one is giving it all they have to win the class. No one gets a charity win from the other riders.
Soon the show began. If you have never attended a Rocky Mountain Horse show, you may not know this but the flag is presented on horse back by a rider especially selected for this honor. This year a young lady presented the flag from horse back that had been severely injured in a car accident 4 years ago. She was led in on the horse and someone on foot carried the flag. This may not sound like a big deal but it was because, the doctors told her she would never ride again. The miracle of medicine in our time is awesome but it often does not account for God's hand in healing. So while the doctors may say "It is not possible" with God nothing is impossible.
So congratulations to this lady for her faith in the way God can work in our lives and her stubborn determination that gave her the courage it took to come back from a tragic accident. I know she is not where she wants to be yet and I am eagerly anticipating the day she rides in with the horse under her full control.
I am always thankful that prayer is said before the horse shows. I appreciate the prayers for our military. I am a military mom and I can tell you that our military needs to stay in our prayers. I am pleased that God is asked to bless our efforts and to keep horses and riders safe. And that thanks is always given to him for these remarkable horses that we are privileged to have in our care. All shows where Rocky Mountain Horses are shown start this same way.
The first day, I had two horses that showed. One in Country Trail Pleasure, Dock's Velvet and one in Trail Pleasure, Rockin Andi. Both did me proud even though we did not take home the blue. Velvet placed third and Andi placed fourth in a large class of 13 horses. And it was her first time in the arena to show. She is an awesome filly and I liked her the first time I laid eyes on her. She was one of those horses that I just knew I would love. Unfortunately, there are too many that I fall in love with. But I made no mistake in buying this mare.
The second day, my yearling filly, Flair for Fury (a Venture's Black Fury filly) placed first above another very nice filly. She was well behaved and S T Tipton did a great job of showing her. I was very pleased to take home the blue from that class. Rocky Top Rebel showed in a very large class and gave a remarkable performance although she did not place in the ribbons. Still I was happy with the way she showed and I thank Jamie Derickson for the wonderful job he has done in training and showing her.
As the day progressed I saw Cool Shade Mountain Horses come out of the arena with several blues. One outstanding stallion they were showing kept that kept winning is Heart of Motion. He is owned by Dick and Margaret Baker. They were especially pleased with his showing. He is a fine young stallion that is coming into his own. They also own Toco Dawn that is a well trained and well performing mare. She gets noticed in almost every class in which she is entered. Eleanor and I noticed her at a show in the Kentucky Horse Park and she soon became a favorite of ours.
Again Van Bert Farms took home a load of ribbons and trophies for their farm and their clients. I as one of their clients appreciate the way my horses always look whether they are working on the farm in training or showing in the arena. Everyone at the Van Bert Farm works very hard to keep the horses in top notch condition. They do not take horses to a show that doesn't look like a winner and perform like one too.
During the morning before the show started on Saturday, Eleanor and I went to the farm to visit. We first went to the field to check in on my new baby and his momma. I was amazed at how much he has grown since last week when I saw him. He and Magic Rhythm came running up to me. He stayed around for some attention. He already loves the attention. His momma is looking great, thanks to the good care she has gotten there. She has completely shed her winter coat and is shiny as a new dollar.
We then went over to the office where we found Larry and two of my favorite friends, Stephanie and her mother Cheryl Moore. Stephanie owns a mare named Mercy Me and I love the spunk of that little mare. She is a small mare but she has a gear that is hard to believe on such a small animal She does the Classic Gait but is just as good when asked to perform at the Park Gait. I love to cheer for that mare.
It is a treat to visit the barn at Van Bert's Farm. It is always friendly and feels so much like home. I looked in on my yearling colt that was not ready for this show but will likely go to the show in Middletown early next month. He is taking on weight and is shedding off and getting a beautiful shine to his coat. He is out of my mare LS Mountain Wind Socks and by Sudden Impact.
Sudden Impact foals are really nice babies. They don't know how to do anything but gait. I have a Sudden Impact yearling here on the farm that is stunning in the way he moves. He is well grown out. A beautiful chestnut color. I just have to stand back and admire him every time I am around him. He almost parks out naturally like he is in the show ring. And he looks very alert with his ears straight up.
But back to the show. I look forward to the days when every barn and every stall is filled to capacity in this new and awesome facility. Although it is still a work in progress it is a great venue to gain attention to Rocky Mountain Horses. These horses are such a blessing from God. I can't say enough good about them. And I just want everyone coming to the shows to enjoy watching them and bringing their horses back to complete.
So congratulations to all the winners. Believe me there were no losers there. The horses all looked great and performed really well. They showed the tremendous work that goes into the training and grooming of these horses. If you have never been to one of the shows where Rocky Mountain Horses are shown, you must make it a point to attend. The more you see of them, the more you will love them.
Later everyone.
God Bless and keep you in his loving care.
Another of her favorites is Toco Dawn. She is a beautiful mare with a way of placing in the ribbons in classes she enters. Eleanor is drawn to Toco Dawn because she is especially friendly and loves for her to scratch her in all of her itchy places. She comes up to the door and Eleanor scratches one side and then she turns to the other side to be scratched on that side too. Eleanor admires her too because she has such a nice disposition.
Of course the first horse I looked for was my bay filly, Dock's Velvet. She was looking very beautiful with the shine her coat had taken on since I took her to Cool Shade in Stanton. She was ready to go. She had the look of a winner in her eyes and since I raised her from a weanling, she is a winner in my eyes.
The show grounds were already busy with riders exercising their horses and grooms giving baths. Trucks and trailers were still coming in with loads of horses. The barn were beginning to get filled with horses. There is a friendly atmosphere at the shows even though when the classes start every one is giving it all they have to win the class. No one gets a charity win from the other riders.
Soon the show began. If you have never attended a Rocky Mountain Horse show, you may not know this but the flag is presented on horse back by a rider especially selected for this honor. This year a young lady presented the flag from horse back that had been severely injured in a car accident 4 years ago. She was led in on the horse and someone on foot carried the flag. This may not sound like a big deal but it was because, the doctors told her she would never ride again. The miracle of medicine in our time is awesome but it often does not account for God's hand in healing. So while the doctors may say "It is not possible" with God nothing is impossible.
So congratulations to this lady for her faith in the way God can work in our lives and her stubborn determination that gave her the courage it took to come back from a tragic accident. I know she is not where she wants to be yet and I am eagerly anticipating the day she rides in with the horse under her full control.
I am always thankful that prayer is said before the horse shows. I appreciate the prayers for our military. I am a military mom and I can tell you that our military needs to stay in our prayers. I am pleased that God is asked to bless our efforts and to keep horses and riders safe. And that thanks is always given to him for these remarkable horses that we are privileged to have in our care. All shows where Rocky Mountain Horses are shown start this same way.
The first day, I had two horses that showed. One in Country Trail Pleasure, Dock's Velvet and one in Trail Pleasure, Rockin Andi. Both did me proud even though we did not take home the blue. Velvet placed third and Andi placed fourth in a large class of 13 horses. And it was her first time in the arena to show. She is an awesome filly and I liked her the first time I laid eyes on her. She was one of those horses that I just knew I would love. Unfortunately, there are too many that I fall in love with. But I made no mistake in buying this mare.
The second day, my yearling filly, Flair for Fury (a Venture's Black Fury filly) placed first above another very nice filly. She was well behaved and S T Tipton did a great job of showing her. I was very pleased to take home the blue from that class. Rocky Top Rebel showed in a very large class and gave a remarkable performance although she did not place in the ribbons. Still I was happy with the way she showed and I thank Jamie Derickson for the wonderful job he has done in training and showing her.
As the day progressed I saw Cool Shade Mountain Horses come out of the arena with several blues. One outstanding stallion they were showing kept that kept winning is Heart of Motion. He is owned by Dick and Margaret Baker. They were especially pleased with his showing. He is a fine young stallion that is coming into his own. They also own Toco Dawn that is a well trained and well performing mare. She gets noticed in almost every class in which she is entered. Eleanor and I noticed her at a show in the Kentucky Horse Park and she soon became a favorite of ours.
Again Van Bert Farms took home a load of ribbons and trophies for their farm and their clients. I as one of their clients appreciate the way my horses always look whether they are working on the farm in training or showing in the arena. Everyone at the Van Bert Farm works very hard to keep the horses in top notch condition. They do not take horses to a show that doesn't look like a winner and perform like one too.
During the morning before the show started on Saturday, Eleanor and I went to the farm to visit. We first went to the field to check in on my new baby and his momma. I was amazed at how much he has grown since last week when I saw him. He and Magic Rhythm came running up to me. He stayed around for some attention. He already loves the attention. His momma is looking great, thanks to the good care she has gotten there. She has completely shed her winter coat and is shiny as a new dollar.
We then went over to the office where we found Larry and two of my favorite friends, Stephanie and her mother Cheryl Moore. Stephanie owns a mare named Mercy Me and I love the spunk of that little mare. She is a small mare but she has a gear that is hard to believe on such a small animal She does the Classic Gait but is just as good when asked to perform at the Park Gait. I love to cheer for that mare.
It is a treat to visit the barn at Van Bert's Farm. It is always friendly and feels so much like home. I looked in on my yearling colt that was not ready for this show but will likely go to the show in Middletown early next month. He is taking on weight and is shedding off and getting a beautiful shine to his coat. He is out of my mare LS Mountain Wind Socks and by Sudden Impact.
Sudden Impact foals are really nice babies. They don't know how to do anything but gait. I have a Sudden Impact yearling here on the farm that is stunning in the way he moves. He is well grown out. A beautiful chestnut color. I just have to stand back and admire him every time I am around him. He almost parks out naturally like he is in the show ring. And he looks very alert with his ears straight up.
But back to the show. I look forward to the days when every barn and every stall is filled to capacity in this new and awesome facility. Although it is still a work in progress it is a great venue to gain attention to Rocky Mountain Horses. These horses are such a blessing from God. I can't say enough good about them. And I just want everyone coming to the shows to enjoy watching them and bringing their horses back to complete.
So congratulations to all the winners. Believe me there were no losers there. The horses all looked great and performed really well. They showed the tremendous work that goes into the training and grooming of these horses. If you have never been to one of the shows where Rocky Mountain Horses are shown, you must make it a point to attend. The more you see of them, the more you will love them.
Later everyone.
God Bless and keep you in his loving care.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Home from Winchester
First I want to welcome a new follower to my blog. Welcome Jessica P. Jessica is new to Rocky Mountain Horses. And a new follower to my blog. Thank you for joining my list of followers. Yes, Jessica these are marvelous horses and congratulations on your purchase of Twister. From the accounts I hear of him at Van Berts, that is a wonderful horse. I can see you are hooked on Rockies. Welcome to that club. It is getting larger all the time. They are very addictive.
We just came home from the Carson Masters Show at our new UMH facility in Winchester. I can only say it was a great show. There were many fine examples of the Rocky Mountain horse at this show and I hope the number of horses and the crowds continue to grow as more people learn about these horses that are treasures of a not so distant past. They represent a way of life that America has left behind as the country moved quickly into the machine age. But there is such an innate love of horses in the hearts and souls of so many people all over the world, that we just can not get over the need for horses. Although we love our cars and all the other machinery that has made our world more comfortable, we still long for that relationship with a horse. And many of us have discovered that the Rocky Mountain horse really fits that desire.
All you Rocky owners out there and the wanna bes have learned about the attributes that make this breed so beloved. They win our hearts from the warm and loving response to us as we live and work with them. They have that gentle disposition that allows us to get on a stallion and take him on a trail ride or into a show arena with mares. Many of the stallions can be ridden by the most novice of riders. And the young ones are so lovable. It is hard to not spoil them. My colt born on 3/31/09 is a fine example of their loveability at an early age. He comes gaiting up to me in an open field for some scratching in those itchy spots. He has no fear of me and I think maybe views me as just a funny looking horse.
In the show arena, I am amazed at the skill of the younger riders Coby Tipton is 7 years old and he was in the arena on a nice mare during the recent show in Winchester. But at 7, Coby is an old hand riding in the show arena. He has been riding from a very early age. Coby is not a large child for being 7 but he was able to ride very effectively and the apparent ease of handling his horse was a testament of not only his training but the easy temperament of Rocky Mountain Horses. As with any breed there are horses that are more suited to age and skill of a rider. And parents still needs to know the horse and what a child is capable of doing.
Coby's grandparents are Vera and Larry Patterson and great grandson of the Wilda and H T Derickson of Van Bert Farms. His father and mother are Brook and Derick Tipton of Rockin Ridge Stables.
So Coby has a deep roots in the Rocky Mountain Horse industry and is very capable of handing many different mounts. But still as with any horse I am sure his parents choose wisely when putting him on a mount. But this is not only what Coby's parents should be doing but what we all should be doing Not every horse (even Rocky Mountain Horses) is suited to every person. And although the really good riders can ride almost any horse, those of us who are novices to horses need to choose wisely until we gain the necessary skill, knowledge and confidence to ride a wider variety of horses. One area that makes it easy to choose the perfect Rocky Mountain Horse is the choice of size. The Rocky Registries reconize a size from 14.2 to 16 hh. I like to 14.2 and 14.3 sizes. I am short (plus not as agile as I once was) and they are easier for me to mount and dismount from.
The size of the Rocky Mountains and their nice dispositions have made them an even more attractive horse for people of all ages but increasing in the senior citizen age group. I am 67, and have not ridden in years. I don't need a horse that will put me on the ground, is hard to mount and has a mean temperament. I don't think most people need or want that either. Many people my age want a horse they can ride that has the easy gait due to aches and pains of growing older. We don't need a horse that will bounce us up and down or that we have to learn to post on.
And then there is the many choices in color. Although that is not relevant to ridability, it is nice to be able to choose a color that suits our personal preferences.
I had a young filly that I was absolutely crazy about that was chestnut. I also have a chestnut colt right now. Both are outstanding examples of Rocky Mountain Horses. Some people only want Chocolate with a white or flaxen mane and tail. Some people like bays or blacks. There are some really beautiful silver colors. There are also palominos and buckskins. Whatever the color one likes the best when you take a Rocky Mountain on a trail ride your mount gets noticed.
So enough for this posting. I really meant to write about the horse show from over the past week end but it seems that I got off on a side trail in discussing the Rocky Mountain Horses. It is certainly easy to do.
One final thought for today.
My one disappointment in the show was with the yearling classes. There are a number of us who would love to see more of that age group in the show ring. They are the future of our breed and we would all be interested in seeing what the future of the breed holds. Those of you with yearling should consider showing more of them. Do you have an idea on how to get those with young horses interested in showing them? We also have the weanling classes that will come up later in the summer. Send any idea to me at marifranie@aol.com. I am not the official spokesman for anything or anyone but I would be happy to pass any suggestion along. May I invite you to brain storm with us on this issue?
Later everyone!!
God bless and keep you in his loving care.
s
We just came home from the Carson Masters Show at our new UMH facility in Winchester. I can only say it was a great show. There were many fine examples of the Rocky Mountain horse at this show and I hope the number of horses and the crowds continue to grow as more people learn about these horses that are treasures of a not so distant past. They represent a way of life that America has left behind as the country moved quickly into the machine age. But there is such an innate love of horses in the hearts and souls of so many people all over the world, that we just can not get over the need for horses. Although we love our cars and all the other machinery that has made our world more comfortable, we still long for that relationship with a horse. And many of us have discovered that the Rocky Mountain horse really fits that desire.
All you Rocky owners out there and the wanna bes have learned about the attributes that make this breed so beloved. They win our hearts from the warm and loving response to us as we live and work with them. They have that gentle disposition that allows us to get on a stallion and take him on a trail ride or into a show arena with mares. Many of the stallions can be ridden by the most novice of riders. And the young ones are so lovable. It is hard to not spoil them. My colt born on 3/31/09 is a fine example of their loveability at an early age. He comes gaiting up to me in an open field for some scratching in those itchy spots. He has no fear of me and I think maybe views me as just a funny looking horse.
In the show arena, I am amazed at the skill of the younger riders Coby Tipton is 7 years old and he was in the arena on a nice mare during the recent show in Winchester. But at 7, Coby is an old hand riding in the show arena. He has been riding from a very early age. Coby is not a large child for being 7 but he was able to ride very effectively and the apparent ease of handling his horse was a testament of not only his training but the easy temperament of Rocky Mountain Horses. As with any breed there are horses that are more suited to age and skill of a rider. And parents still needs to know the horse and what a child is capable of doing.
Coby's grandparents are Vera and Larry Patterson and great grandson of the Wilda and H T Derickson of Van Bert Farms. His father and mother are Brook and Derick Tipton of Rockin Ridge Stables.
So Coby has a deep roots in the Rocky Mountain Horse industry and is very capable of handing many different mounts. But still as with any horse I am sure his parents choose wisely when putting him on a mount. But this is not only what Coby's parents should be doing but what we all should be doing Not every horse (even Rocky Mountain Horses) is suited to every person. And although the really good riders can ride almost any horse, those of us who are novices to horses need to choose wisely until we gain the necessary skill, knowledge and confidence to ride a wider variety of horses. One area that makes it easy to choose the perfect Rocky Mountain Horse is the choice of size. The Rocky Registries reconize a size from 14.2 to 16 hh. I like to 14.2 and 14.3 sizes. I am short (plus not as agile as I once was) and they are easier for me to mount and dismount from.
The size of the Rocky Mountains and their nice dispositions have made them an even more attractive horse for people of all ages but increasing in the senior citizen age group. I am 67, and have not ridden in years. I don't need a horse that will put me on the ground, is hard to mount and has a mean temperament. I don't think most people need or want that either. Many people my age want a horse they can ride that has the easy gait due to aches and pains of growing older. We don't need a horse that will bounce us up and down or that we have to learn to post on.
And then there is the many choices in color. Although that is not relevant to ridability, it is nice to be able to choose a color that suits our personal preferences.
I had a young filly that I was absolutely crazy about that was chestnut. I also have a chestnut colt right now. Both are outstanding examples of Rocky Mountain Horses. Some people only want Chocolate with a white or flaxen mane and tail. Some people like bays or blacks. There are some really beautiful silver colors. There are also palominos and buckskins. Whatever the color one likes the best when you take a Rocky Mountain on a trail ride your mount gets noticed.
So enough for this posting. I really meant to write about the horse show from over the past week end but it seems that I got off on a side trail in discussing the Rocky Mountain Horses. It is certainly easy to do.
One final thought for today.
My one disappointment in the show was with the yearling classes. There are a number of us who would love to see more of that age group in the show ring. They are the future of our breed and we would all be interested in seeing what the future of the breed holds. Those of you with yearling should consider showing more of them. Do you have an idea on how to get those with young horses interested in showing them? We also have the weanling classes that will come up later in the summer. Send any idea to me at marifranie@aol.com. I am not the official spokesman for anything or anyone but I would be happy to pass any suggestion along. May I invite you to brain storm with us on this issue?
Later everyone!!
God bless and keep you in his loving care.
s
Monday, April 20, 2009
Getting Ready for Winchester
I was remiss in wishing my granddaughter, Andrea Engle a happy birthday by blog on April 17. Ok Andi, I won't mention you were 24 that day. We went to Texas Roadhouse to have supper with Andi on the occasion of her birthday. The food is always good there. And I especially enjoyed being with Andi and the crowd to celebrate her special occasion.
I have noticed I have a new follower that has signed onto my blog. I don't think I know Dolly but I sure thank you for joining. I hope you are enjoying my blog. Dolly and everyone else can also go to my web site at http://www.whisperingoaksfarm-mary.com/ to see more pictures of my horses and to learn about our farm. My family and I are proud of our farm. It has been in the family over 107 years now. It is certainly not the oldest continually owned farm but there are fewer all the time that can boast that it has been in the same family for that long. I hope my family will own and enjoy this farm for many more years to come.
Bill and I bought the farm from my father and the estate of my uncle in 1971. We raised our children here and farmed here until Bill retired in 1996. Since then few crops have been raised here. The internal fences have been taken down. No domesticated animals have grazed the land and no one has really taken care of the farm. Bill mowed it every summer as long as he was able. But as he became more incapacitated by his lung disease, he was less and less able to mow the fields. In the meantime we had moved to a house near Taylorsville.
So the fields grew up in weeds and seedling trees began to spring up all over the farm. We had allowed someone to rent our farm house. After Bill died, I ask them to move, remodeled the house and moved back to the farm. We have had a monumental task of cleaning up all the trash left by the "renters". There was also a trailer on the farm and between the two the trash was allowed to accumulate around the barns, in the barns, in and around the house and shop area. For those of you who have ever had that experience, you know how maddening it is to constantly be picking up after people who are already long gone. My children have been wonderful to help with all the work around here. It is obvious they love the farm too with the hard work they have invested in it.
But enough of that.
We are looking forward to the upcoming show this week-end at the new equine facility in Winchester. I know that most of you who read my blog have been to the facility at one time or the other. It was wonderful having the World Show there last year. It is a first class facility. And it is improving all the time. I have seen plans for the expansions and it is awesome.
It is a place that Rocky Mountain lovers and horse lovers will enjoy showing for a long time in the future. The barns are first class and the surface on the outdoor arena got better everyday of the World Show as it was watered and groomed frequently during the week of the show. Congratulations to all who have worked so hard, donated time and money to make this a facility something of which we can be proud.
I rode in one class during the Ky State Show last year. It was the first show there. The view of the mountains is spectacular. It is easy to forget the competition if one is not careful and just enjoy the ride and look at the mountains in the distance. Of course part of showing is enjoying the ride. But I don't think it is a good thing to get totally distracted by the awesome view.
This show our farm will be represented by 5 horses. Our farm is sending two horses trained by Chris and Stacie Tipton of Cool Shade Mountain Horses. They are WOFs Dock's Velvet and Chocolate Amigo. Amigo is a chocolate gelding. He will be showing in trail pleasure classes. This will be his second time in the show arena. He was shown once last year at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Representing our farm from the Van Bert Farm and their trainers will be Rocky Top Rebel shown and trained by Jamie Derickson and Rockin Andi shown and trained by S T Tipton. I am excited about both of them.
Also making her first appearance under our farm name is a yearling filly that will be showing in conformation, Flair for Fury. She is a Venture's Black Fury filly. The Fury babies all do their Daddy proud in the show ring. I am hoping Flair for Fury will be no exception.
I will looking forward to seeing everyone at the Spring Premier in Winchester this coming week end. I am always happy to see new (old friends) that I have met since joining the Rocky Mountain Horse crowd. I wish all the exhibitors the best of luck and pray for the safety of horses and especially riders as well as all who participate.
Later everyone.
God bless and keep you in his loving care.
Friday, April 17, 2009
A Visit to Van Berts Farm
First I want to offer my condolenses to H T and his family over the loss of his sister. I know they were very close and by all accounts she was a wonderful woman. So the lose is not only personal to the Dericksons but to her Church and community as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
It had been 10 days since I had seen our new foal so Eleanor, my sister, and I loaded into the truck and headed for Stanton yesterday. I was eager to see if Blazin Star still remembered me. He did. We headed out to the field behind Larry and Vera's house to see Magic Rhythm and Blazin Star so we could see for ourselves just how much he had grown. We were not disappointed.
Magic Rhythm and Blazin Star were on the far side of the pasture when we drove up. Larry rattled the feed bucket and I gave a whistle and they came running up to find the feed. She was disappointed and walked away to go back to eating. I walked near to where they were but of course the colt walked closer toward his mother. At that point I used one of the oldest tricks in the book. I acted totally uninterested. I even turned away from him.
Before long I felt him nursling up to my back to check me out. I slowly turned toward him and started scratching all those spots that horses love to be scratched. I scratched his shoulders and then along down his back and finally around his tail. He was loving it. He stood there a long time letting me rub and scratch him all over and pick up his feet. Larry was quietly giving me instructions when he thought I needed them. After several minutes I turned and walked away. He turned and walked back to his mother. Our session was finished. I wanted to stop before he became tired and bored. It was awsome.
There is always a lot to catch my attention when we are at Van Berts. When we walked into the barn we were greeted with riders on three horses. On two of the horses were Chris and Stacie Tipton. Stacie was on Velvet and Chris was on Chocolate Amigo. He also belongs to me and he is in training for Melissa to ride as soon as they are both ready. Also in the alley way of the barn was Rocky Top Rebel with Jamie aboard. We were soon joined by Rockin Andi. So we had quiet a show with the four horses gaiting around in the barn. I was invited to the outdoor arena to see the four horses train but before I got there, Larry had brought Spirit out for me to work.
We walked out of the barn where there were plenty of distractions for Spirit. There will be no less in the show ring. He will be exposed to other horses, crowds and other noises when he steps off of the horse van to attend his first show. So Larry had me walking him around and keeping his attention focused on me. Then he brought a yearling filly out to simulate him being shown with other yearlings. Next we practiced lining up and parking out for the judges to get their look at each horse. I am not good at this but Larry has patience and the heart of a teacher so I kept practicing and he kept patiencely instructing me on how to achieve the perfect park. And very importantly when to stop working with him.
Then we walked our yearling to the arena. I was practicing staying in line this time. Then more practice for the parking out. That is not easy for me. But it takes practice. Larry and the rest of the trainers at Van Berts have been doing it for years. Even Spirit has more practice than I have and he is getting rather good at it. He is ready for showing training wise but he needs to fill out more before he goes into the show ring.
I am in a constant state of learning. I didn't realize that my yearlings were somewhat under weight coming out of the winter. So I have been throwing the feed to them now. Spirit is getting extra feed at Van Berts. They are all looking better but not show ready. So much to learn about the fine art of horsemanship. I will not take a horse into the show arena that doesn't look its best. We are not there yet with Spirit but we will know when it is time.
Next Eleanor and I went to Cool Shade to visit Chris and Stacie's stable. There we ran into Judy Brummer. Judy, Chris and Stacie are getting ready for the three phase event to be held in Winchester tomorrow and Sunday. I will not be attending that one but will see them all next week end for the Spring Premier that will also be held at the Equine Facility in Winchester.
We checked out Mountain Girl to see how she was doing. I whistled and she and Velvet came running up to the fence for their just due. A good thorough rubbing and scratching around those itchy spots. We gladly gave them the attention they were craving. Each was trying to get the most attention. They are fun to be around.
As usual it was another great day at Van Berts. It is always an instructive day. I am glad to be able to be a part of all of this.
Hope you all have a great week end.
God bless each of you and keep you in his loving care.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Show Season
I finally got a picture to load. I don't know what I had been doing wrong but this time it worked. So now you get to see one of my horses.
We are very excited about this young filly. Her name is WOF Dock's Velvet. She just turned two years old last month. As you can see she is a very beautiful blood bay filly. She won the 2-3 Country Trail Pleasure class in the recent Al Prewitt show in North Carolina. Velvet is a Choco Dock daughter. I bought her from Van Bert Farms when she was just a weanling in the summer of 2007.
As is the practice at Van Bert Farms, Velvet had early training under halter. When I brought her home, she was already loading easily, leading, picking up her feet and just in general a very nice filly to work with.
She is trained by the Cool Shade Mountain Horse and Equine Dental Facility. The owners of this facility is Chris and Stacie Tipton. Chris is the grandson of H T and Wilda Derickson and the son of Vera and Larry Patterson. Chris and Stacy had worked at the Van Bert Farms until just last fall when they set up their own training and equine dental facility.
When I took Velvet to Cool Shade, she was 20 months old and had been on pasture for most of her life. She had a lot of handling however. I had continued to lead her and she had been saddled and even had people laying on her back. So when she got to Cool Shade, Chris was surprised and pleased to find that she was a friendly easy to catch horse. He was Stacie were also pleased to note that she was not a spoiled back yard pet.
I remember their first experience of letting her out of the stall. They related that they had constructed a plan to catch her if she would not let them walk up to her. They let her out for a run and after some time went back to see if they could catch her. They laughed about how she ran up to them at full speed. It was no longer an issue as to whether she would be caught. In fact she loves to be around people and loves to have an interaction with them.
It did not take Stacie and Chris long to put a blanket and saddle on her after her arrival at Cool Shade. Stacie rode her first. As they related the experience to me I could almost see Stacie easing herself into the saddle and not sure how Velvet would react to someone on her back in a sitting position for the first time in her life. Soon after Stacie started riding her, Chris was on the phone with me asking me to come down to see Velvet. They were so excited about her and the fast progress she was making.
I could see a difference in her when I walked up to her stall. Stacie opened the door and led her to the tie rings in the wash bay. She had put on weight, was losing some of the coarse hair and was starting to take on a shine that you can see now from the picture.
My sister, Eleanor, and I have continued to visit the stables over the winter and each time I am more amazed at what I see when I get to Cool Shade. My hat is certainly off to Chris and Stacie Tipton for the training and for the condition of this filly. I was pleased and amazed when I was there early on in her training and Chris got on her and rode her up and down the road. Previously she had been ridden in an enclosed arena. They also told me they had been riding across the fields to the Van Bert Stable and Velvet was just as willing to do that as anything they ask of her.
Velvet may have ruined me. It is like having your first child. Our first was our daughter whom we call Mary Beth. She was the best baby ever. she had no colic, soon slept through the night and seldom cried. A year later we had our oldest son. Mike had colic and of course cried a lot. Poor baby, his belly hurt and he couldn't help it.
But back to the horses. This first one has worked out so well that I may be expecting the same from my yearling class that is coming along now. I don't take much credit for how Velvet has turned out as a two year old. I didn't have any special skill or insight on how to handle a young horse coming up. I did know I needed to teach her to accept new things. I threw ropes over her back. I taught her to be ok with things coming at her. I taught her to let me walk up to her in the field. I continued her training under halter. But I think it is her gentle disposition that has made the difference in her. She has all the best attributes of the Rocky Mountain Horses.
And she is a Rocky Mountain horse after all. So maybe the yearlings coming along now will be just the same. They are also Rocky Mountain horses. And I already see the promise in them too.
Later and may God bless each of you in whatever way that pleases him.
Monday, April 13, 2009
One of My Favorite Things-NOT
Among all of the good and exciting things I get to do everyday, I do have to do things that are not so much fun. Today was one of those things. The Dentist. 'Nuff said. Except that I did have to schedule another appointment. This visit was for cleaning and x rays. Next will be for drilling and I don't mean for oil.
I seem to have more followers on my blog than I had thought. My daughter reads it faithfully, "So I know what Mom has been up to." she says. She actually checking to see if I have bought any new horses since the last one I told her about. My brother reads it too, I have learned. Now I read today that Vera also reads it. Thanks one and all for following my blogs and for the kind words in response to them.
I have been working with one of my yearling colts here on the farm. He had been shown last summer and he really is a beautiful well grown colt. I keep reminding myself that I have a goal in mind by choosing Spirit to show instead of Lucky. Lucky is the colt here on the farm and he is chestnut. I have had chestnuts shown for me that have done exceptionally well and for whom the judges seem to have no bias based on color. Having said that, I think the bias comes from owners on color more than from judges. Everyone wants the chocolate with the white or flaxen mane and tail. Of course that is not the only thing they look for in a Mountain Horse but it seem to be the trump card.
To me it is more about the ride than the color. I have several black mares that would turn any head in the crowd. And my blood bay mare is a real standout in the crowd. I think my chestnut colt, Lucky, is an eye catcher too, though. He is people friendly and the first one to meet me at the gate. He is fairly easy to work with and has a sweet disposition. You know all the qualities we have come to expect from Mountain Horses. I have allowed him to become spoiled and he doesn't respect my space. But thanks to Larry, I have learned how to work on that fault. And he is getting better.
My first chestnut was a weanling filly named Butterfly Kisses. Those of you who know me, also know the "Butterfly Kisses story". I bought her and S T Tipton was assigned to train her for showing in both Conformation and Breeder's Cup. Three weeks later, she walked out with the blue in both classes and then walked out with the Grand Championship Ribbon in the Championship Class. S T did a fantastic job training her. As an encore, S T showed her in Trail Obstacles and placed second beaten only by another weanling he had trained. I sold her at the show that year. But I still like to see her and follow her career. Last year as a yearling she placed 3rd in Conformation at the World Show and had other owners holding their breath for fear she would beat them out of first place. She is a Choco Dock daughter. And she always looks like a Champion like her sire. I am eager to see her under saddle this year. I now own a half sister to Butterfly Kisses. Her name is WOF Dock's Velvet. She was a winner in North Carolina in the 2-3 Country Trail Pleasure Class. More of that Championship Blood from Choco Dock. "Cream," they say, "always comes to the top" and at the top is where you often find the Choco Dock colts and fillies.
The Butterfly Kisses story had a new chapter last year when I bought her mother. She is a mare named Magic Rhythm. Now if you had read my blogs recently, you remember that Magic Rhythm just had a new foal. I now own two babies out of this mare. Kailey's Magic is a black yearling filly and is beautiful and her little brother, just born, is Stephen's Blazin Star. So in my herd I am trying to continue the tradition that the Van Bert's have set forth for the Rocky Mountain Horse industry. A tradition of outstanding breeding, good training and first rate care.
I try to follow in the winning tradition of the Van Bert Farm, by asking lots of questions and learning as much as I can. The Dericksons, Tiptons and Pattersons are very patient with me and seem to enjoy sharing the knowledge they have acquired through their years of working with horses. As I am fond of saying, they have forgotten more about horses than most people will ever know. But they don't forget very much. And what I appreciate about them is they all have the heart of a teacher.
To illustrate their skill and knowledge, let's go back in time to the recently completed North Carolina show. The Van Bert Farm and the Cool Shade Mountain Horse Stable won a line full of ribbons. There was almost no class that their horses or in many cases horses didn't leave with ribbons. And that also included Championship Classes.
It is a testament to their skills as trainers and riders. In the show ring you can see the competition between their riders and horses. I think the horses sense and enjoy the competition as much as the riders do. Often you will see H T or Wilda, the grandparents, Jamie, the Uncle and one or two of the Tipton sons competing against each other. Then there is Chris's wife Stacie who rides and trains as well and she is often in a class against one or more of them. When the class is over there is still the friendly feelings one has in close knit families. That is another reason I enjoy them so much.
I am know whether they go on the rail or on the trail the horses that are trained by these two stables are trained to a highest of standards. The welfare of the horse is always near the top of the list on training next to the safety of the riders.
Later everyone
I hope everyone had a great Easter and remembered why Easter is so important.
I seem to have more followers on my blog than I had thought. My daughter reads it faithfully, "So I know what Mom has been up to." she says. She actually checking to see if I have bought any new horses since the last one I told her about. My brother reads it too, I have learned. Now I read today that Vera also reads it. Thanks one and all for following my blogs and for the kind words in response to them.
I have been working with one of my yearling colts here on the farm. He had been shown last summer and he really is a beautiful well grown colt. I keep reminding myself that I have a goal in mind by choosing Spirit to show instead of Lucky. Lucky is the colt here on the farm and he is chestnut. I have had chestnuts shown for me that have done exceptionally well and for whom the judges seem to have no bias based on color. Having said that, I think the bias comes from owners on color more than from judges. Everyone wants the chocolate with the white or flaxen mane and tail. Of course that is not the only thing they look for in a Mountain Horse but it seem to be the trump card.
To me it is more about the ride than the color. I have several black mares that would turn any head in the crowd. And my blood bay mare is a real standout in the crowd. I think my chestnut colt, Lucky, is an eye catcher too, though. He is people friendly and the first one to meet me at the gate. He is fairly easy to work with and has a sweet disposition. You know all the qualities we have come to expect from Mountain Horses. I have allowed him to become spoiled and he doesn't respect my space. But thanks to Larry, I have learned how to work on that fault. And he is getting better.
My first chestnut was a weanling filly named Butterfly Kisses. Those of you who know me, also know the "Butterfly Kisses story". I bought her and S T Tipton was assigned to train her for showing in both Conformation and Breeder's Cup. Three weeks later, she walked out with the blue in both classes and then walked out with the Grand Championship Ribbon in the Championship Class. S T did a fantastic job training her. As an encore, S T showed her in Trail Obstacles and placed second beaten only by another weanling he had trained. I sold her at the show that year. But I still like to see her and follow her career. Last year as a yearling she placed 3rd in Conformation at the World Show and had other owners holding their breath for fear she would beat them out of first place. She is a Choco Dock daughter. And she always looks like a Champion like her sire. I am eager to see her under saddle this year. I now own a half sister to Butterfly Kisses. Her name is WOF Dock's Velvet. She was a winner in North Carolina in the 2-3 Country Trail Pleasure Class. More of that Championship Blood from Choco Dock. "Cream," they say, "always comes to the top" and at the top is where you often find the Choco Dock colts and fillies.
The Butterfly Kisses story had a new chapter last year when I bought her mother. She is a mare named Magic Rhythm. Now if you had read my blogs recently, you remember that Magic Rhythm just had a new foal. I now own two babies out of this mare. Kailey's Magic is a black yearling filly and is beautiful and her little brother, just born, is Stephen's Blazin Star. So in my herd I am trying to continue the tradition that the Van Bert's have set forth for the Rocky Mountain Horse industry. A tradition of outstanding breeding, good training and first rate care.
I try to follow in the winning tradition of the Van Bert Farm, by asking lots of questions and learning as much as I can. The Dericksons, Tiptons and Pattersons are very patient with me and seem to enjoy sharing the knowledge they have acquired through their years of working with horses. As I am fond of saying, they have forgotten more about horses than most people will ever know. But they don't forget very much. And what I appreciate about them is they all have the heart of a teacher.
To illustrate their skill and knowledge, let's go back in time to the recently completed North Carolina show. The Van Bert Farm and the Cool Shade Mountain Horse Stable won a line full of ribbons. There was almost no class that their horses or in many cases horses didn't leave with ribbons. And that also included Championship Classes.
It is a testament to their skills as trainers and riders. In the show ring you can see the competition between their riders and horses. I think the horses sense and enjoy the competition as much as the riders do. Often you will see H T or Wilda, the grandparents, Jamie, the Uncle and one or two of the Tipton sons competing against each other. Then there is Chris's wife Stacie who rides and trains as well and she is often in a class against one or more of them. When the class is over there is still the friendly feelings one has in close knit families. That is another reason I enjoy them so much.
I am know whether they go on the rail or on the trail the horses that are trained by these two stables are trained to a highest of standards. The welfare of the horse is always near the top of the list on training next to the safety of the riders.
Later everyone
I hope everyone had a great Easter and remembered why Easter is so important.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Every Day Something New
We are back to the usual routine on the farm. Feed the animals, watch the cows for calves, watch the mare for signs of impending birth etc. But as a break from the routine of the day to day work, I paid a visit to the Van Bert Farm and Cool Shade Mountain Horses this past Monday. I was delivering two mares for breeding. One mare will be bred to an exciting young stallion, Blue on Black. He gave a great performance in the show ring in North Carolina. He has good conformation and a steady gait and personality plus.
The other mare, Mt Girl which was my first horse, will be bred to Ventures Black Fury. He walked out of the Championship Class as Grand Champion Stallion. in North Carolina and had a great season in the show ring in 2008. He has a wonderful personality and an awsome gait. Judy Brummer always gets that "Fury grin" when she rides him and he has show winning offspring on the ground. So we are excited to get to breed our mares to such fine stallions.
This time next year will be exciting as we watch our new foals running in the green pastures of our farm in Kentucky.
But there was also work involved during my visit to Van Bert's. Larry Patterson is teaching me to handle my yearling colt for conformation classes. He is a hard task master but also very patient with me. The Dericksons, Tiptons and Pattersons make it look so easy when they are in the show ring in conformation classes. The colt, Spirit is showing what good training he has had. I on the other hand have much to learn. So I will be in the show ring with WOFs Mountain Spirit. We will see how well I do. I know he will do fine. But the trick is getting us to work together as a team.
I always learn so much when I am at the farms in Stanton. Recently, H T gave a clinic for my sister and me on riding and training. He went through his training session with the mare he was riding and explained why he did each thing and what he was going to accomplish. From the results at the North Carolina show and his rides on Dressed for Success he accomplished all of his goals in an outstanding way.
This past visit, Larry gave us a clinic on showmanship at halter. He went through each step of how he trained to set up for conformation judging. How to get the results he wanted and when to stop asking. When to start asking. And then as a grand finale, he ask Spirit to walk from one end of the barn with him to the other end with the lead line across Spirit's neck instead of in Larry's hand. As an encore, he ask him to walk through the plastic curtains to the assistant who would take him back to his stall. Spirit responded correctly to each thing Larry ask of him.
I hope to do that good when I start actually showing him. This was my second lesson on showing in hand. Larry showed me how to lead Spirit. And always gave me the whys of the way I ask Spirit. By the end of my lesson, I was understanding and trying to make my mind and body work together. In the previous lesson, I learned how to lead him through obstacles.
I am really excited about the obstacle training. I believe that is one of the best tools used to get a horse ready for trail riding. And most of the Mountain Horses that show are also partners on the trail. It is fun to show. But the whole purpose of all of it is to make a great trail partner that one can trust and have fun on. I am now in my late 60s but I hope I never stop learning new things and wanting to do new things. To me that is how the mind stays young and how to slow down the aging of the body.
Later everyone. God Bless you and keep you in his loving care.
Happy Easter. Christ Jesus is risen.
The other mare, Mt Girl which was my first horse, will be bred to Ventures Black Fury. He walked out of the Championship Class as Grand Champion Stallion. in North Carolina and had a great season in the show ring in 2008. He has a wonderful personality and an awsome gait. Judy Brummer always gets that "Fury grin" when she rides him and he has show winning offspring on the ground. So we are excited to get to breed our mares to such fine stallions.
This time next year will be exciting as we watch our new foals running in the green pastures of our farm in Kentucky.
But there was also work involved during my visit to Van Bert's. Larry Patterson is teaching me to handle my yearling colt for conformation classes. He is a hard task master but also very patient with me. The Dericksons, Tiptons and Pattersons make it look so easy when they are in the show ring in conformation classes. The colt, Spirit is showing what good training he has had. I on the other hand have much to learn. So I will be in the show ring with WOFs Mountain Spirit. We will see how well I do. I know he will do fine. But the trick is getting us to work together as a team.
I always learn so much when I am at the farms in Stanton. Recently, H T gave a clinic for my sister and me on riding and training. He went through his training session with the mare he was riding and explained why he did each thing and what he was going to accomplish. From the results at the North Carolina show and his rides on Dressed for Success he accomplished all of his goals in an outstanding way.
This past visit, Larry gave us a clinic on showmanship at halter. He went through each step of how he trained to set up for conformation judging. How to get the results he wanted and when to stop asking. When to start asking. And then as a grand finale, he ask Spirit to walk from one end of the barn with him to the other end with the lead line across Spirit's neck instead of in Larry's hand. As an encore, he ask him to walk through the plastic curtains to the assistant who would take him back to his stall. Spirit responded correctly to each thing Larry ask of him.
I hope to do that good when I start actually showing him. This was my second lesson on showing in hand. Larry showed me how to lead Spirit. And always gave me the whys of the way I ask Spirit. By the end of my lesson, I was understanding and trying to make my mind and body work together. In the previous lesson, I learned how to lead him through obstacles.
I am really excited about the obstacle training. I believe that is one of the best tools used to get a horse ready for trail riding. And most of the Mountain Horses that show are also partners on the trail. It is fun to show. But the whole purpose of all of it is to make a great trail partner that one can trust and have fun on. I am now in my late 60s but I hope I never stop learning new things and wanting to do new things. To me that is how the mind stays young and how to slow down the aging of the body.
Later everyone. God Bless you and keep you in his loving care.
Happy Easter. Christ Jesus is risen.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
First Horse Show
Hi everybody. I am really pumped. So much has been happening this past week. We had our new foal just a week ago today. It is a beautiful chocolate stud colt with a blaze on his face. He has hooked ears and a pretty dish face. He is a son of Sam I Am and a full brother to our yearling filly, WOFs Kailey's Magic. She was named after my Granddaughter Kailey Lipginski. Kailey is a year older than her brother, Stephen. So this colt's name will be WOFs Stephen's Blazin Star. We are so excited here on the farm to have our very first foal born on our farm. And to have such a beautiful foal is a blessing from God. We are so thankful for this wonderful blessing.
Thursday came and we, my Granddaughter Andrea and Great Granddaughter Melissa, headed out to North Carolina and the first horse show of the season. Our farm had two fillies going to the show. On Friday our mare Rocky Top Rebel made her first appearance. On Saturday Rebel went in for her second class and walked out with a ribbon. She did really well. That same day, our two year old filly, Velvet, went in for her first class. She walked away with the first place ribbon. She was steady and relaxed and made a great entrance into the show ring.
Thanks to Stacie & Chris Tipton of Cool Shade Mountain Horses and Equine dentist for an job well done with Velvet. She has just turned two years old and has only been under saddle since late November. We are seeing a great future for Velvet.
Also thanks to Jamie Derickson of Van Bert Farms for his good work with Rocky Top Rebel. She is calm and steady under saddle and she too has a great outlook for this show season.
Both stables came home with a really good show behind them that once again proves the quality of the horses produced on their farms and their innovative training that produces the top quality trail and show horses. We their clients appreciate the quality of training they have given our horses.
I went to visit the foal and his momma as soon as I got home. I could not believe how much he had already grown. He was running around the stall making his legs stronger. When I left home on Thursday, he was still trying to figure out what to do with those long legs.
So it has been a great week. It has been an exciting week. And this is just Tuesday
Thursday came and we, my Granddaughter Andrea and Great Granddaughter Melissa, headed out to North Carolina and the first horse show of the season. Our farm had two fillies going to the show. On Friday our mare Rocky Top Rebel made her first appearance. On Saturday Rebel went in for her second class and walked out with a ribbon. She did really well. That same day, our two year old filly, Velvet, went in for her first class. She walked away with the first place ribbon. She was steady and relaxed and made a great entrance into the show ring.
Thanks to Stacie & Chris Tipton of Cool Shade Mountain Horses and Equine dentist for an job well done with Velvet. She has just turned two years old and has only been under saddle since late November. We are seeing a great future for Velvet.
Also thanks to Jamie Derickson of Van Bert Farms for his good work with Rocky Top Rebel. She is calm and steady under saddle and she too has a great outlook for this show season.
Both stables came home with a really good show behind them that once again proves the quality of the horses produced on their farms and their innovative training that produces the top quality trail and show horses. We their clients appreciate the quality of training they have given our horses.
I went to visit the foal and his momma as soon as I got home. I could not believe how much he had already grown. He was running around the stall making his legs stronger. When I left home on Thursday, he was still trying to figure out what to do with those long legs.
So it has been a great week. It has been an exciting week. And this is just Tuesday
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Heading to North Carolina
I will be heading out to North Carolina tomorrow. I am pleased to have my granddaughter, Andrea and great granddaughter Melissa traveling with me. I am excited to be going to the first horse show of the season. I have two new horses in the show this year.
I am excited to be there when Stacie Tipton shows my two year old mare, WOF Dock's Velvet. She is a blood bay that has us excited for her prospects for the upcoming show season. She is a daughter of the great stallion Choco Dock.
Also showing with Jamie Derickson aboard will be Rocky Top Rebel. She is a three year old Country Trail Pleasure Mare and has a lot of style. She is black and when she goes by it is hard not to notice her. I am excited about both of them and what a pleasure it is to be watching with my two of my granddaughters.
Today was another new day with our little Colt. As yet he is unnamed. We are taking suggestions for names. He is Chocolate with a white blaze down his face. Today I was in the stall with him and his Momma again. He was all over me. He is showing no fear at all of being handled. But he doesn't like his ears touched and didn't the first time I touched them. I can touch him everywhere else with no problems. He lets me pick up his feet and tap on them lightly. I can rub him all over and even lift his tail.
He has a stout looking neck. And funny ears that turn up just a little on the ends. His mother is comfortable with me being in the stall with them although she doesn't like the other horses coming up to the gate to look at them. She pins her ears back and runs at them by the gate. That is her baby and no one else need get close to him. I am happy she doesn't mind my being in there with them.
These are the little things in life that we are blessed with each day. I get to touch and train the new colt. I watch the new calves in the field running and playing together. I watched as the cows came together and ran buzzards away from the new calves a while back. I am in awe of nature. My farm is my little piece of heaven on earth that God has blessed me with. Every day is new all over and the small things add up to a great life. The troubles make us stronger and appreciate the blessings all the more.
Today I had the pleasure of climbing on the tractor and going out to bush hog some fields that I didn't get done last fall. It was a great feeling to look back where the bush hog had run and see the field being groomed and ready for the coming hay crop. The satisfication of knowing I am preparing the way for the mower and the baler to do their jobs is a lot of reward. Often when on the tractor I see a herd of deer or wild turkeys. Today I did not see deer or turkeys but I did see weeds coming down and it was good. Just a little thing maybe but then aren't most of our lives made up of the little things. If we wait for pleasure from the really big things then we miss the best part of life.
I will give a report from the horse show in North Carolina. Hopefully it will involve a lot of blues for Van Bert Farms and Cool Shade Mountian Horses as well as the horses they train for me.
Later everyone. God bless you and keep you in his care.
I am excited to be there when Stacie Tipton shows my two year old mare, WOF Dock's Velvet. She is a blood bay that has us excited for her prospects for the upcoming show season. She is a daughter of the great stallion Choco Dock.
Also showing with Jamie Derickson aboard will be Rocky Top Rebel. She is a three year old Country Trail Pleasure Mare and has a lot of style. She is black and when she goes by it is hard not to notice her. I am excited about both of them and what a pleasure it is to be watching with my two of my granddaughters.
Today was another new day with our little Colt. As yet he is unnamed. We are taking suggestions for names. He is Chocolate with a white blaze down his face. Today I was in the stall with him and his Momma again. He was all over me. He is showing no fear at all of being handled. But he doesn't like his ears touched and didn't the first time I touched them. I can touch him everywhere else with no problems. He lets me pick up his feet and tap on them lightly. I can rub him all over and even lift his tail.
He has a stout looking neck. And funny ears that turn up just a little on the ends. His mother is comfortable with me being in the stall with them although she doesn't like the other horses coming up to the gate to look at them. She pins her ears back and runs at them by the gate. That is her baby and no one else need get close to him. I am happy she doesn't mind my being in there with them.
These are the little things in life that we are blessed with each day. I get to touch and train the new colt. I watch the new calves in the field running and playing together. I watched as the cows came together and ran buzzards away from the new calves a while back. I am in awe of nature. My farm is my little piece of heaven on earth that God has blessed me with. Every day is new all over and the small things add up to a great life. The troubles make us stronger and appreciate the blessings all the more.
Today I had the pleasure of climbing on the tractor and going out to bush hog some fields that I didn't get done last fall. It was a great feeling to look back where the bush hog had run and see the field being groomed and ready for the coming hay crop. The satisfication of knowing I am preparing the way for the mower and the baler to do their jobs is a lot of reward. Often when on the tractor I see a herd of deer or wild turkeys. Today I did not see deer or turkeys but I did see weeds coming down and it was good. Just a little thing maybe but then aren't most of our lives made up of the little things. If we wait for pleasure from the really big things then we miss the best part of life.
I will give a report from the horse show in North Carolina. Hopefully it will involve a lot of blues for Van Bert Farms and Cool Shade Mountian Horses as well as the horses they train for me.
Later everyone. God bless you and keep you in his care.
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