Its Almost Christmas!

The whirlwind of the holiday season is in full force but the temperatures have been in the 50's this weekend so Splash got worked two days in a row.  Much colder temperatures and maybe SNOW are  forecast for Christmas Day, so I plan to ride again tomorrow.

Since Pico was a little off last week, we left him home and Ivy took Sister to the party lesson and Alaina took Sunny.  The 007 girls, Sheila and Allison, joined the lesson with Nancy and me.  We did some lateral work and then practiced trail obstacles before we finished with a few roll-backs.  We missed Mallory and Roxy who were looking at draft horses in Antlers.

Ivy and I took the Sunday afternoon ride on Pico and Splash after Ivy worked Sister in the round pen.  Pico was moving ok with only an occasional tiny head bob.   Ivy is looking forward to showing Sister in ground classes and western next year.  Alaina plans on showing English including jumping on her.  Hope that works out with the 4-H rules.

It's official, the New Year's trail ride will be at the Walkerosa on New Year's Day - ride at 2pm and pot luck at 4pm.  Hope for good weather and that YaYa Sisters can start the new year off right.

 

Birthday Girls and ODS/GCC Christmas

The party lesson was on on Saturday and we brought Sister for Alaina and Ivy was working on Pico in order to build up his strength after all his time off.  Alas, he is a little bit off again so Ivy rode Missy in the lesson.  Splash was recovered enough from his shark bites for riding, so we worked on the usual exercises.  Fun lesson followed by Lunch at Graham's including birthday cake for the twins - thanks to the sweet Dilldine girls.

The Annual Christmas Party and Awards Banquet was held on Saturday night at the Eaton Farm in Inola.  Alaina stayed home to hang with Kale but Ivy came with me since she loves to play Dirty Santa (she claims she wasn't raised that way).  Ivy and Alaina had soundness problems with Pico and Sunny so didn't qualify for year-end awards.  But Ivy won the Multi-club Award and Splash and I were Vintage Training Amateurs.  Woo Hoo.

Jaws and Dirty Santa

Just when you thought it was safe to get in the trailer.......  Sunny the Shark got the slot next to Splash.  Bad Sunny, Evil Sunny.....

Mallory and I played with the ponies a bit on Friday followed by lunch at Ron's with Spanish Fries.  We met at the farm where Mallory worked Trooper a bit and I did some Western neck reining practice with Splash.  We we cantering on a long rein through a tight corner when Splash tripped, almost went down and I lost a stirrup, Goosed my mount who bucked in protest and stopped.  I didn't fall off and we continued our ride.  No injury to horse (hopefully) or rider.  Whew.

After weeks of conflicting activities, the party lesson was on - sortof.  Mallory and Kathy were not available and Nancy was waiting to try a new horse.  On the way to Patty's, the truck was lurching badly all the way down 88 and I was worried about a horse down in the trailer or an engine problem.  Neither.  Sunny the Shark was busy biting Splash all the way.  Splash was stressed and sweaty and bloody.  Sunny had red lips.  Splash's injuries included broken skin as well as serious swelling in several areas so no saddle or riding possible.  Darn!  I used the water hose to clean the wounds and cool the swelling and doctored with nitrofurazone.  Sunny will ride in the front slot from now on.

Pico and Sunny got light work during their lessons.  Pico appears to be sound so we will be working him as well as Sunny back into shape. 

Then I saddled up Zoe for a lesson.  She was a little off so we worked on trail obstacles.  Zoe knows what to do, so doesn't wait for direction.  Mary played around on Beau so equine therapy was administered.

Sunday evening, at long last, the YaYa's had their annual Dirty Santa Party.  Delicious food, a little wine, and great friends - oh, and the Dirty Santa made his annual appearance.  I am voting for some sort of dirty Santa party more than once a year.

December Cold Snap - NOT

 

December got off to a fun start with the 4-H Horse Club year-end banquet on the First - that meant mighty preparations the night before doing setup and BBQ lunch (from Dink's in B'Ville), awards, silent/live auctions for the scholarship fund, and the famous wooden nickle auction for the kids.  Alaina spent whatever it took to get the Dawn DiAmaco lesson (what a good girl) but Ivy couldn't face off the 2 little girls vying for the Patty Couch lesson since they were so intensely competing for the honors and she just can't take away the desires of smaller kids.  Alaina managed to get a 4-H Halter and some number magnets as well while Ivy snagged number magnets, a muck bucket, neon green goodies, and a surprise bucket with a Stillwater Milling gift card.  Both girls won year-end buckles for Grand and Reserve classes, Alaina's first championship buckle.  Fun.  Next up?  Quiz Bowl!



The high on Sunday DEC. 2 was 72 degrees with light winds.  Sunny and lovely.  The original plan was to ride at Walnut Creek on Keystone with my friend Amy but since it was the last day of gun/deer season, we opted for Claremore Lake Park instead.  It was Sister's first public trail outing and she did pretty well on the trail (after a bit of crow-hopping and kick-outs during some canter warm up).  To add to the experience, the Santa Toys-For-Tots Runners (complete with Tutu's and Santa Suits) shared the park.  Splash was a good boy although a bit worried about a pair of mules and some horses charging around at the Rodeo Grounds across the fence.  Mallory and Roxy were with us and their mounts were good too.   A lovely way to start December!  Yaya!