Horses Jump Pirateship...
October, 2009
We decided to go to the Whidbey schooling show again.
This time we did not have the time to go to Bellingham.
We got there late Friday night and cooked dinner in the dark. It froze hard overnight and woke up to frozen water hoses!
This time we knew Training starts first and we did our warm up and had nice tests.
The cross country face again Jenny went first, and I was able to see most of their ride.
She did great, until they came into the infield and she looked too late for her next jump and got a terrible line to the open W jump and Dagjeir refused.
She got a better line and they went over. Too bad, because she was leading the class!
Pan Tau's turn, and the minute we went on course something was not right.
He tossed his head, did not listen to my aids and I felt totally out of control!
This is just not like him?!!!
I was thinking at the jumps to come, and decided to stop.
I have never had to do this on course ever before....but I'm glad I did.
I put him back in his corral, and went to see others ride, came back a half hour later, to find a horse had gotten loose, gone to Pan Tau's corral and picked a fight with him, and Pan Tau got his leg badly scraped over the boards!
Since it was right over his tendon and quite bruised, I did not ride anymore, neither the next day!
In the mean time Jenny was getting ready for stadium. She had a great round and finished 3rd.
The next day Jenny had a cross country lesson with Linda Chatfield again. And this time I took pictures since I could not ride.
It was a great way for us to finish the season, Jenny from having never done ANY eventing, or any showing of any kind for that matter of fact, to finish at Training.
And for Pan Tau who has very few shows under his belt.
We are very excited for next year!
In the mean time Pan Tau's leg has healed, and he will be fine.
We decided to go to the Whidbey schooling show again.
This time we did not have the time to go to Bellingham.
We got there late Friday night and cooked dinner in the dark. It froze hard overnight and woke up to frozen water hoses!
This time we knew Training starts first and we did our warm up and had nice tests.
The cross country face again Jenny went first, and I was able to see most of their ride.
She did great, until they came into the infield and she looked too late for her next jump and got a terrible line to the open W jump and Dagjeir refused.
She got a better line and they went over. Too bad, because she was leading the class!
Pan Tau's turn, and the minute we went on course something was not right.
He tossed his head, did not listen to my aids and I felt totally out of control!
This is just not like him?!!!
I was thinking at the jumps to come, and decided to stop.
I have never had to do this on course ever before....but I'm glad I did.
I put him back in his corral, and went to see others ride, came back a half hour later, to find a horse had gotten loose, gone to Pan Tau's corral and picked a fight with him, and Pan Tau got his leg badly scraped over the boards!
Since it was right over his tendon and quite bruised, I did not ride anymore, neither the next day!
In the mean time Jenny was getting ready for stadium. She had a great round and finished 3rd.
The next day Jenny had a cross country lesson with Linda Chatfield again. And this time I took pictures since I could not ride.
It was a great way for us to finish the season, Jenny from having never done ANY eventing, or any showing of any kind for that matter of fact, to finish at Training.
And for Pan Tau who has very few shows under his belt.
We are very excited for next year!
In the mean time Pan Tau's leg has healed, and he will be fine.
September, 2009
My niece Chloe on my brother's side is visiting from France.
We went to the beach and found this gorgeous cedar stump, and hauled it home to make a skinny jump in the pasture.
Chloe hasn't ridden much at all, but Dagjeir is very good to her!
My niece Chloe on my brother's side is visiting from France.
We went to the beach and found this gorgeous cedar stump, and hauled it home to make a skinny jump in the pasture.
Chloe hasn't ridden much at all, but Dagjeir is very good to her!
Whidbey Island Schooling Show 2009
September, 2009
We went to a schooling show with Pan Tau and Dagjeir and moved up to training level.
It was on Whidbey island, close to home!
We left on the 10am ferry and drove to Bellingham to Sunset park to school the jumps there first.
We don't have many Training level or Prelim jumps at home, and no water, so any occasion we get to school those we "jump" at.
We had a great day, then grazed the horses and loaded them back up to go to Whidbey.
We got there just in time to walk our course in the dark, sure sign that summer is over!
The next day all 3 phases of the competition was done in one day.
We were first in the dressage ring, and hadn't seen the schedule prior, so we were late and had no time for warm up.
Still, our horses did well, but we would have done much better if we would have known.
Next was the fun part, cross country.
It was very helpful to have practiced the corner jump and the water the previous day.
Jenny went first and her only trouble was at the trakhener, she came around the corner too fast and didn't balance Dagjeir enough and they had a refusal.
The rest of the course they did great.
Pan Tau was awesome, obedient, and willing, it was like a walk in the park for him.
The stadium went well too. We had a friend taking pictures!
We went to a schooling show with Pan Tau and Dagjeir and moved up to training level.
It was on Whidbey island, close to home!
We left on the 10am ferry and drove to Bellingham to Sunset park to school the jumps there first.
We don't have many Training level or Prelim jumps at home, and no water, so any occasion we get to school those we "jump" at.
We had a great day, then grazed the horses and loaded them back up to go to Whidbey.
We got there just in time to walk our course in the dark, sure sign that summer is over!
The next day all 3 phases of the competition was done in one day.
We were first in the dressage ring, and hadn't seen the schedule prior, so we were late and had no time for warm up.
Still, our horses did well, but we would have done much better if we would have known.
Next was the fun part, cross country.
It was very helpful to have practiced the corner jump and the water the previous day.
Jenny went first and her only trouble was at the trakhener, she came around the corner too fast and didn't balance Dagjeir enough and they had a refusal.
The rest of the course they did great.
Pan Tau was awesome, obedient, and willing, it was like a walk in the park for him.
The stadium went well too. We had a friend taking pictures!
Donida Horse Trials 2009
August 2009
Donida Farms: After driving to Montana twice in one summer, competing at Donida Farms in Auburn, WA felt like we were right in our own backyards! After an amazing summer of schooling & competitions, we were feeling very confident about Donida, and knew it would give us another chance to practice what we'd been learning.
On Friday we experienced some crowded warm-up arenas for dressage. This sometimes adds another element to Amrita's preparation with Pan Tau, though he is usually so well behaved, nobody ever guesses that he is a stallion. This time, however, Amrita decided to cut her warm-up a bit short and opted for a relaxing walk while they waited for their turn to ride their test. Dagjeir, on the other hand, seemed as relaxed and happy as ever.
The crowds didn't seem to phase him much, and in our warm-up he behaved as well as he does at home. With so many competitions under his belt, he has turned him into a seasoned pro! When it came time for our test, the judge's scribe had taken a quick break, so the judge allowed us to circle the arena as many times as we pleased. By the time she rang the bell which signaled us to start, Dagjeir was as cool as a cucumber.
We earned our best score so far at a competition. Amrita & Pan Tau were up soon after. Pan Tau showed a lot of improvement overall, but particularly in obedience and acceptance of the bridle. The judge had some nice comments, and it turned out to be a very nice dressage test.
It's very rewarding to see Pan Tau enjoying his work and developing a more muscled top-line. Dagjeir a 36, Pan Tau 48. To our great delight, we had some visitors on Saturday for cross country. My dad Richard, younger brother Dale, and nephew Simon, made a surprise visit. . .and our friends Bill & Monica, and Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal-Tekes, showed up soon after. We were thrilled!
We made good use of our team, and didn't waste time putting them to work. Simon helped by grooming the horses...while Dad and Dale tied my pinney when I geared up for my ride. Then we doled out the cameras and assigned stations for everyone along the course. We weren't going to miss out on some great photo opts! As usual, cross country was a blast. . .and it was exciting to know we had friends and family cheering us on at every turn.
Donida Farms: After driving to Montana twice in one summer, competing at Donida Farms in Auburn, WA felt like we were right in our own backyards! After an amazing summer of schooling & competitions, we were feeling very confident about Donida, and knew it would give us another chance to practice what we'd been learning.
On Friday we experienced some crowded warm-up arenas for dressage. This sometimes adds another element to Amrita's preparation with Pan Tau, though he is usually so well behaved, nobody ever guesses that he is a stallion. This time, however, Amrita decided to cut her warm-up a bit short and opted for a relaxing walk while they waited for their turn to ride their test. Dagjeir, on the other hand, seemed as relaxed and happy as ever.
The crowds didn't seem to phase him much, and in our warm-up he behaved as well as he does at home. With so many competitions under his belt, he has turned him into a seasoned pro! When it came time for our test, the judge's scribe had taken a quick break, so the judge allowed us to circle the arena as many times as we pleased. By the time she rang the bell which signaled us to start, Dagjeir was as cool as a cucumber.
We earned our best score so far at a competition. Amrita & Pan Tau were up soon after. Pan Tau showed a lot of improvement overall, but particularly in obedience and acceptance of the bridle. The judge had some nice comments, and it turned out to be a very nice dressage test.
It's very rewarding to see Pan Tau enjoying his work and developing a more muscled top-line. Dagjeir a 36, Pan Tau 48. To our great delight, we had some visitors on Saturday for cross country. My dad Richard, younger brother Dale, and nephew Simon, made a surprise visit. . .and our friends Bill & Monica, and Cathy Leddy of Cascade Gold Akhal-Tekes, showed up soon after. We were thrilled!
We made good use of our team, and didn't waste time putting them to work. Simon helped by grooming the horses...while Dad and Dale tied my pinney when I geared up for my ride. Then we doled out the cameras and assigned stations for everyone along the course. We weren't going to miss out on some great photo opts! As usual, cross country was a blast. . .and it was exciting to know we had friends and family cheering us on at every turn.
Both horses jumped clear, but we each had time faults for going past the optimum time. The speed for our course was set at 400 mpm, rather than the usual 350 mpm for Novice level. When we initially walked our course, we didn't factor in the faster time, so of course, when we rode it, we didn't factor it in then either. When we should have been making up time by galloping the long stretches in the beginning, we were staying at a steady 350 mpm canter. It came back to bite us in the end, and proved that even on our wiry Akhal-Tekes. . .we can get still get time faults!
After our cross country rides, we volunteered to jump judge for the Beginner Novice division. Monica, Bill, Cathy, Dad, Dale, and Simon decided to come, too. Amrita was stationed on jump 11, and I was assigned the ditch, which was number 13.
Simon, who is 10 years old, proved to be a natural at jump-judging, and was radioing the competitors like he'd been doing it his whole life! The course proved to be a challenge for many in Beginner Novice, and we didn't see much action because the first four or five riders had already been eliminated in the beginning of the course! Unfortunately, we had our chance to call off a few of them ourselves. We wished them better luck at their next competition! Our cheering squad had to depart on Saturday afternoon, so it was back to the two of us for stadium jumping on Sunday. This time, however, we were in for a fun challenge. The stadium jumping at Donida was set up in their large out-door arena. There is enough room between the jumps for picking up a fast pace, so they assigned each level an optimum time, just like in cross country. We noticed a lot of people getting time faults, in addition to jump penalties for rails down, refusals, etc. Amrita and I vowed not to get time faults in stadium to go with our time faults in cross country!
We really enjoyed the challenge of having to go fast for stadium, and it turned out to be a very fun course. We both made the time. . .but we each had a rail down. Pan Tau knocked a rail when Amrita cut a corner a bit too sharply, and Dagjeir knocked a rail on the last jump, which is very unlike him.
When we studied the pictures later on, we discovered that I was landing in the saddle, rather than landing in my heels, and the pressure must have caused his back end to drop down just enough to nick that last rail. Poor Dagjer--It must have been embarrassing for him to knock a rail because I was plopping in the saddle!
Once again, thank goodness we had photos so we could study our rides. The good news was that my rail in stadium wasn't enough to bring me down in the placings, and I finished in 6th. Amrita and Pan Tau finished 11th. As it turned out, Donida Farms was our last Novice competition with Dagjeir and Pan Tau. When we got home, we decided we would move up to Training Level at our new event. We have been schooling Training and Preliminary, so we felt confident that it was time to be progressive and move on!
Dagjeir dressage 36 cross country 9.6 time faults, stadium 4 total 49.60, 6th place
Pan Tau dressage 48 cross country 9.6 time faults, stadium 4 totoal 61.60 11th place
After our cross country rides, we volunteered to jump judge for the Beginner Novice division. Monica, Bill, Cathy, Dad, Dale, and Simon decided to come, too. Amrita was stationed on jump 11, and I was assigned the ditch, which was number 13.
Simon, who is 10 years old, proved to be a natural at jump-judging, and was radioing the competitors like he'd been doing it his whole life! The course proved to be a challenge for many in Beginner Novice, and we didn't see much action because the first four or five riders had already been eliminated in the beginning of the course! Unfortunately, we had our chance to call off a few of them ourselves. We wished them better luck at their next competition! Our cheering squad had to depart on Saturday afternoon, so it was back to the two of us for stadium jumping on Sunday. This time, however, we were in for a fun challenge. The stadium jumping at Donida was set up in their large out-door arena. There is enough room between the jumps for picking up a fast pace, so they assigned each level an optimum time, just like in cross country. We noticed a lot of people getting time faults, in addition to jump penalties for rails down, refusals, etc. Amrita and I vowed not to get time faults in stadium to go with our time faults in cross country!
We really enjoyed the challenge of having to go fast for stadium, and it turned out to be a very fun course. We both made the time. . .but we each had a rail down. Pan Tau knocked a rail when Amrita cut a corner a bit too sharply, and Dagjeir knocked a rail on the last jump, which is very unlike him.
When we studied the pictures later on, we discovered that I was landing in the saddle, rather than landing in my heels, and the pressure must have caused his back end to drop down just enough to nick that last rail. Poor Dagjer--It must have been embarrassing for him to knock a rail because I was plopping in the saddle!
Once again, thank goodness we had photos so we could study our rides. The good news was that my rail in stadium wasn't enough to bring me down in the placings, and I finished in 6th. Amrita and Pan Tau finished 11th. As it turned out, Donida Farms was our last Novice competition with Dagjeir and Pan Tau. When we got home, we decided we would move up to Training Level at our new event. We have been schooling Training and Preliminary, so we felt confident that it was time to be progressive and move on!
Dagjeir dressage 36 cross country 9.6 time faults, stadium 4 total 49.60, 6th place
Pan Tau dressage 48 cross country 9.6 time faults, stadium 4 totoal 61.60 11th place
Below, Megan on Dagjeir and Pan Tau
Visitor from BC, Canada
June, 2009
My name is Megan and I've been riding horses since I was 7 years old and competed in hunter/jumper on my Appy/QH mare Nutmeg. When I was about 10, I saw the surreal, shimmering picture of Kambar in a breed book and I was hooked on Akhal Tekes! Aside from their glistening coats and exotic looks, I was also interested in them due to their incredible athletic ability in jumping and dressage. I've spent many hours looking up Teke photos and information on the net and the dream of owning an Akhal Teke (or several) once I've finished my Optometry degree keeps me going through tough exam periods. My first opportunity to ride a Teke came in June 2009 at Amrita Ibold's Sweetwater Farm on San Juan Island. I've followed Amrita's horses and news on her website for years and always meant to contact her due to her close proximity to my home on Vancouver Island, B.C. I finally emailed her this summer and she graciously invited me to visit her horses and go for a ride. After taking the Sidney, B.C. ferry to Friday Harbor and making stops at the Whale Museum, Winery and Roche Harbor, I arrived at Amrita's beautiful farm and was greeted by dogs Sarah and Charlie. We went to see the horses and I met the boys first and then the girls. Amrita's horses are all purebred Tekes and all are gorgeous and extremely friendly and gentle horses. My favorite, due to her lovely color and sweet temperament, was Altyn Gush, "Gullie", who is a 3-year-old mare bred by Amrita. After giving the girls some scratches and attention, we said goodnight and went for dinner at Mi Casita in Friday Harbor and then drove to catch a beautiful sunset at Lime Kiln Point Park.
The next morning I arrived at the farm excited to ride. I met Amrita's friend Jenny, who is a Natural Horsemanship trainer and has been competing with Amrita's Teke gelding, Dagjeir. Amrita showed me her cottage which contains antique saddles and bridles as well as all sorts of Akhal Teke treasures. We chatted about the breed and got Dagjeir ready for me to ride in a lesson.
Just as I thought the day couldn't get any better, Amrita offered to take me on a trail ride! I was surprised when she said I'd be riding Pan Tau, her Akhal Teke stallion, since I'd never ridden a stallion before. He was very sweet and fun to ride on the trail!
Thanks so much to Amrita for a wonderful experience with her gorgeous horses on her picturesque property! I will be returning later in the summer to watch the Whidbey Island Horse Trials and to spend some more quality time with the horses!
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June, 2009 Report by Jeny:
In June we had some of our greatest adventures yet. We competed at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA, on June 12, 13, and 14th. Neither of us had been to Aspen Farms before, so we were very excited to arrive on Thursday and get the "lay of the land." We were in for a pleasant surprise! All of the cross country jumps were new and beautifully designed. There was even a pirate ship with two big fir trees for masts, and wooden waves that lapped all the way around. The detail and construction was amazing, and Amrita got lots of great ideas for building new jumps at home. We took pictures while we walked our course so that we could remember what they looked like. Dressage took place in four well-groomed sand arenas, and there was a covered arena for warming up. The stadium jumping was set up in a grassy area surrounded by woods. There were a few trees on course, and lots of ferns, so it almost seemed like you were riding cross country.
The competition began on Friday with dressage. The entries were running a bit early, and unfortunately, Amrita and I were running a bit late. We got to the warm-up arena and discovered that Amrita was already "in the hole," which meant she was next in line to perform her test! Even though they only had a few minutes to warm up, Amrita and Pan Tau had one of their best dressage rides yet. Pan Tau was relaxed and responsive, and he never threw his head. . .Amrita was so pleased!
There was a few competitors between us, so I had plenty of time to get really nervous for the judge! I wasn't focusing enough on what I needed to do before entering the arena, so I only had time to make one lap in front of the judge's car before we started. Luckily for me, Dagjeir was more relaxed than last time--phew! Our test showed much improvement--I remembered to use my outside rein, and Dagjeir decided my nerves were something through which he might possibly survive. I have come a long way in such a short time, but too much tension is still effecting my scores, so I am going to have to learn how to relax!
Amrita and I had stadium jumping on the second day, instead of the third, since there were so many competitors. Unfortunately, I spent too much time chit-chatting during my course walk, and it came back to bite me during my ride! I went off course and jumped 6a and 6b after the third jump, instead of doing a switch-back to number 4. I realized what I had done immediately, but it was too late. The jump judge blew her whistle to let me know I was eliminated. I was devastated. . .but at least I know I'll never do that again! I put in a request to ride cross country, and much to my relief, it was granted. Not finishing my stadium course is one thing, but having to leave without cross-country would have been pure torture!
Amrita and Pan Tau had a beautiful stadium round. They jumped clear with no time faults, and Pan Tau was going steady and jumping round. Amrita was on Cloud 9. Finally she has a horse underneath her that is a true partner...what a good boy!
Cross country at Aspen Farms was amazing. Our course had 17 obstacles, and included the pirate ship, an up-bank and down-bank, a ditch-to-a-coop, and the water complex. We knew the water would be a challenge because it was dyed, and had an unnatural blue-green look to it that really spooked some of the horses. I was a bit nervous about the ditch-to-the-coop because I had never done that combination before. We were BOTH wondering about the pirate ship!! In addition to all this was some pressure that was mine alone--after being eliminated in stadium, the show office required that I get no refusals in cross country in order to be able to complete the whole course. If I got just one stop or run-out, I would be asked to leave. Darn--it was looking like I was going to have to grow a spine after all!
As it turned out, an un-assuming black coop on the back forty gave Dagjeir the jitters, but he jumped the pirate ship like he'd been sailing over galleys all his life. The ditch-to-the-coop was a breeze, and the fluorescent water did not turn his socks blue as I had at first suspected. We had a clear round with no time faults.
Except for some hesitation at the water, Amrita and Pan Tau galloped cross-country without missing a step. Pan Tau was his usual confident and courageous self, and Amrita reported that it was one of their best rides. They stayed at a steady 350 mpm pace, but had 0.4 penalties for being one second over the optimum time. For someone who was riding WITHOUT a stop watch on a fairly long course, she was certainly precise!!
Here are our results:
Amrita: 52.1 Dressage Penalties, Clear Stadium, 0.4 XC Penalties--12th Place
Jenny: 45.8 Dressage Penalties, Eliminated Stadium, Clear XC--TE
After competing at Aspen Farms, we went straight to Kalispell, Montana for the Olympic Experience Event Camp with David and Karen O'Conner, Amy Tryon, and Cathy Wieschhoff. After a fun but exhausting weekend, we decided to give ourselves some time to rest before heading out, so we stayed Sunday night at Aspen. We got up at 5:00 the next morning, loaded the horses, and were all ready to leave when we discovered that the truck battery was dead. (This was probably due to the fact that I spent too much time looking at my face in the illuminated visor mirror). Fortunately for us, there were some other campers getting ready to leave, too, and we were able get a jump. We hit the road and were on our way to Olympic Camp by 6AM.
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May, 2009 I went with a friend to Nick Holmes-Smith Camp at Chase Creek, Canada.
I had a great time there with Pan Tau last year, and hoped to build on that experience.
Well, little did I know things would not work out that way.
The first day we started in the arena jumping a grid, and Pan Tau just wanted to rush. He was unpleasant to ride, and Nick was not impressed...
We moved on to the cross country field, and same thing, rushing to jumps, jumping poorly.
He wasn't listening to my aids, jumped hollow...
We jumped in the water, and when we went to jump out he somehow missed and we both fell.
Neither of us was hurt, and I had a talk with Nick about our poor performance. All we could think of is perhaps he's not paying attention bacause of breeding season, or hurting somewhere.
I must say our fall rattled me.
That night he had a warm hoof, I iced it, packed it, gave him bute.
The next day I gave him the day off, and iced it 3 more times.
The 3rd day of camp I rode again, if he would feel off I'd stop riding. I put my renegades boots on, and he felt good, jumped a little better, but I did not have my confidence back in him.
We rode half of the 2 hour lesson.
The last day we rode again, and this time I had my old horse back! He was obedient, enjoyed the jumping, we both had fun, things flowed.
I rode in the renegade boots again, but in the water they would fly off.
So I finished the lesson without them, and he was great.
Also the Renegade boots are far too slippery on the grass. As much as I like having my horses go barefoot, it doesn't mix with eventing.
As soon as we get home I'll put shoes on him.
Nick thought that the mares coming in heat may have taken his mind of his job while riding.
We can do a good job...
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May, 2009 Stadium went well with no faults in jumping nor time.
Cross country goes by too fast..the most fun part of the weekend...we had a great ride trough the water, never missed a canter beat!
No faults on cross country either! And made it close to optimum time.
Jenny riding by the judge
Jenny and Dagjeir had a clear cross country time and no time faults.
Jenny and Dagjeir jumped a clear stadium round, no time faults.
They finished on their dressage score of 43 and took 11th place, me and Pan Tau finished on our dressage score of 50.5 and finished 15th.
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May, 2009 We went to our first horse trials of the year at Yelm, the NW Mother's Day Horse Trials.
This was Jenny's first competition ever besides having ridden in our local fair as a teenager.
We are both doing the Novice class. Since it is her first horse trial, and Pan Tau's 3rd.
We arrived on Thursday and rode around, our horses being settled in and obedient.
On Friday we didn't ride till 5 in the afternoon, we spend the day watching Amy Tryon doing her dressage test on her Olympic horses and had plenty of time to braid our horses.
Jenny did a fabulous job on the tails!
Warm up for our tests went great, horses were relaxed and going well.
Jenny was in first, and from where I was they looked great, but Jenny said Dagjeir was spooked by the large tractors in the woods along side the arena and the people shoveling gravel.
Since the first water complex had too much water in it, the course got changed, and gravel had to be brought in to cover the mud.
She got a score of 43 faults due to Dagjeir being tense.
Jenny going in at A
Jenny doing her serpentines.
20 meter canter circle
Pan Tau and I going around the outside of the arena, and he just wanted to take off! Behind the bushes is the crew working on footing shoveling gravel.
Still tense starting our test
Getting ready to go to trot
Canter 20 meter circle
Jenny and Dagjeir over jump 15 going to the water complex
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May, 2009 We have been giving cross country classes at the farm.
We have a big response!
Jenny and Dagjeir going thru the shallow part of the seasonal pond...aiming for..the canoe!
Followed by Meagan
Robyn over the fruit stand
Candice thru the water over the canoe
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May, 2009 Jenny is helping me to develop Pan Tau's top line and lower his head. In 3 days he's improved tremendously already.
She calls it "hill therapy".
Eventually he'll figure out it is easier to travel up hill with his head low. As soon as he does it...
He gets rewarded with a break.
And over poles on the ground.
The result has been a lower head carriage and stepping more under himself.
I am so relieved!
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April, 2009 Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Jenny and Dagjeir did well.
We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for pictures
On the weekend we rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course.
We also jumped training jumps, the next level up, because eventually we'd like to move up that level.
We both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
And thanks to Krista Davis we have some nice pictures of the event, she was the professional photographer there www.Equine-Reflections.com is her website.
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April, 2009 Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Jenny and Dagjeir weathering the cold and wet.
We especially had fun looking at the future jumps, and took pictures so we can make some at home to practice
We came upon the "jump hatchery"...at least that's what we called it.
To give an idea what kind of dimensions, Jenny is 6 ft tall.
This one in particular I want to make at home, just smaller for now.
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March, 2009 I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
She is a bit skinny, but that's an easy fix.
She is smart, and introducing her to the herd the next day was easy, not too much running.
She has a gorgeous trot!
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March, 2009 March 4th - Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Where we are allowed to ride is a park, and we have to go over the road from where we are trailered to the beach.
We lucked out with the weather, it didn't rain, and it got more and more sunny!
We actually had a little trouble finding acces to the beach due to the large stacks of logs whased up on the shore, but we found a spot the horses could walk over the log maze.
The view is spectacular...
Ak Pashildi had never been to the beach, and got over his fear of waves pretty fast.
We had a great time, it was hard to leave, but we had to make it home to give the horses a rest before the afternoon lessons.
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March, 2009 Kitchi is Jill's favorite this time.
Born to be a barn bum....
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March, 2009 The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap we jump over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
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February, 2009 Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily.
Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
We can now put a saddle on and off with him standing free and calm.
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February, 2009 And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
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February, 2009 Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half.
Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth.
And they are well on their way.
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February, 2009 Jill is also learning worm counts and how to apply wormer.
And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
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February, 2009 I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up.
They are wonderful, and easy to use.
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February, 2009 Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite when she was here, and too young to ride.
Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses.
Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
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February, 2009 Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
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February, 2009 I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
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January, 2009
You mix the manure with Fecasal, and use the syringe to squeeze it on the slides.
Then you count the eggs, each grid has 6 columns.
Then you add all the eggs you found in both grids, and multiply by 25, that is how many worms your horse has.
This is what the strongyles look like.
A friend let me use her microscope and showed me how to do my own fecal count on the horses.
It is really interesting, and the results are fun to compare with previous years when I had the vet do it.
It is pretty consistent with whom the Stongyles carriers are and who is pretty much immune.
And Jenny recommended a place that sells organic wormer that is non toxic, and really works.
You can find it right here.
I'll be doing my own worm count from now on!
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January, 2009
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
Ak Pashildi going for walks The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
So she got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
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My name is Megan and I've been riding horses since I was 7 years old and competed in hunter/jumper on my Appy/QH mare Nutmeg. When I was about 10, I saw the surreal, shimmering picture of Kambar in a breed book and I was hooked on Akhal Tekes! Aside from their glistening coats and exotic looks, I was also interested in them due to their incredible athletic ability in jumping and dressage. I've spent many hours looking up Teke photos and information on the net and the dream of owning an Akhal Teke (or several) once I've finished my Optometry degree keeps me going through tough exam periods. My first opportunity to ride a Teke came in June 2009 at Amrita Ibold's Sweetwater Farm on San Juan Island. I've followed Amrita's horses and news on her website for years and always meant to contact her due to her close proximity to my home on Vancouver Island, B.C. I finally emailed her this summer and she graciously invited me to visit her horses and go for a ride. After taking the Sidney, B.C. ferry to Friday Harbor and making stops at the Whale Museum, Winery and Roche Harbor, I arrived at Amrita's beautiful farm and was greeted by dogs Sarah and Charlie. We went to see the horses and I met the boys first and then the girls. Amrita's horses are all purebred Tekes and all are gorgeous and extremely friendly and gentle horses. My favorite, due to her lovely color and sweet temperament, was Altyn Gush, "Gullie", who is a 3-year-old mare bred by Amrita. After giving the girls some scratches and attention, we said goodnight and went for dinner at Mi Casita in Friday Harbor and then drove to catch a beautiful sunset at Lime Kiln Point Park.
The next morning I arrived at the farm excited to ride. I met Amrita's friend Jenny, who is a Natural Horsemanship trainer and has been competing with Amrita's Teke gelding, Dagjeir. Amrita showed me her cottage which contains antique saddles and bridles as well as all sorts of Akhal Teke treasures. We chatted about the breed and got Dagjeir ready for me to ride in a lesson.
Just as I thought the day couldn't get any better, Amrita offered to take me on a trail ride! I was surprised when she said I'd be riding Pan Tau, her Akhal Teke stallion, since I'd never ridden a stallion before. He was very sweet and fun to ride on the trail!
Thanks so much to Amrita for a wonderful experience with her gorgeous horses on her picturesque property! I will be returning later in the summer to watch the Whidbey Island Horse Trials and to spend some more quality time with the horses!
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June, 2009 Report by Jeny:
In June we had some of our greatest adventures yet. We competed at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA, on June 12, 13, and 14th. Neither of us had been to Aspen Farms before, so we were very excited to arrive on Thursday and get the "lay of the land." We were in for a pleasant surprise! All of the cross country jumps were new and beautifully designed. There was even a pirate ship with two big fir trees for masts, and wooden waves that lapped all the way around. The detail and construction was amazing, and Amrita got lots of great ideas for building new jumps at home. We took pictures while we walked our course so that we could remember what they looked like. Dressage took place in four well-groomed sand arenas, and there was a covered arena for warming up. The stadium jumping was set up in a grassy area surrounded by woods. There were a few trees on course, and lots of ferns, so it almost seemed like you were riding cross country.
The competition began on Friday with dressage. The entries were running a bit early, and unfortunately, Amrita and I were running a bit late. We got to the warm-up arena and discovered that Amrita was already "in the hole," which meant she was next in line to perform her test! Even though they only had a few minutes to warm up, Amrita and Pan Tau had one of their best dressage rides yet. Pan Tau was relaxed and responsive, and he never threw his head. . .Amrita was so pleased!
There was a few competitors between us, so I had plenty of time to get really nervous for the judge! I wasn't focusing enough on what I needed to do before entering the arena, so I only had time to make one lap in front of the judge's car before we started. Luckily for me, Dagjeir was more relaxed than last time--phew! Our test showed much improvement--I remembered to use my outside rein, and Dagjeir decided my nerves were something through which he might possibly survive. I have come a long way in such a short time, but too much tension is still effecting my scores, so I am going to have to learn how to relax!
Amrita and I had stadium jumping on the second day, instead of the third, since there were so many competitors. Unfortunately, I spent too much time chit-chatting during my course walk, and it came back to bite me during my ride! I went off course and jumped 6a and 6b after the third jump, instead of doing a switch-back to number 4. I realized what I had done immediately, but it was too late. The jump judge blew her whistle to let me know I was eliminated. I was devastated. . .but at least I know I'll never do that again! I put in a request to ride cross country, and much to my relief, it was granted. Not finishing my stadium course is one thing, but having to leave without cross-country would have been pure torture!
Amrita and Pan Tau had a beautiful stadium round. They jumped clear with no time faults, and Pan Tau was going steady and jumping round. Amrita was on Cloud 9. Finally she has a horse underneath her that is a true partner...what a good boy!
Cross country at Aspen Farms was amazing. Our course had 17 obstacles, and included the pirate ship, an up-bank and down-bank, a ditch-to-a-coop, and the water complex. We knew the water would be a challenge because it was dyed, and had an unnatural blue-green look to it that really spooked some of the horses. I was a bit nervous about the ditch-to-the-coop because I had never done that combination before. We were BOTH wondering about the pirate ship!! In addition to all this was some pressure that was mine alone--after being eliminated in stadium, the show office required that I get no refusals in cross country in order to be able to complete the whole course. If I got just one stop or run-out, I would be asked to leave. Darn--it was looking like I was going to have to grow a spine after all!
As it turned out, an un-assuming black coop on the back forty gave Dagjeir the jitters, but he jumped the pirate ship like he'd been sailing over galleys all his life. The ditch-to-the-coop was a breeze, and the fluorescent water did not turn his socks blue as I had at first suspected. We had a clear round with no time faults.
Except for some hesitation at the water, Amrita and Pan Tau galloped cross-country without missing a step. Pan Tau was his usual confident and courageous self, and Amrita reported that it was one of their best rides. They stayed at a steady 350 mpm pace, but had 0.4 penalties for being one second over the optimum time. For someone who was riding WITHOUT a stop watch on a fairly long course, she was certainly precise!!
Here are our results:
Amrita: 52.1 Dressage Penalties, Clear Stadium, 0.4 XC Penalties--12th Place
Jenny: 45.8 Dressage Penalties, Eliminated Stadium, Clear XC--TE
After competing at Aspen Farms, we went straight to Kalispell, Montana for the Olympic Experience Event Camp with David and Karen O'Conner, Amy Tryon, and Cathy Wieschhoff. After a fun but exhausting weekend, we decided to give ourselves some time to rest before heading out, so we stayed Sunday night at Aspen. We got up at 5:00 the next morning, loaded the horses, and were all ready to leave when we discovered that the truck battery was dead. (This was probably due to the fact that I spent too much time looking at my face in the illuminated visor mirror). Fortunately for us, there were some other campers getting ready to leave, too, and we were able get a jump. We hit the road and were on our way to Olympic Camp by 6AM.
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May, 2009 I went with a friend to Nick Holmes-Smith Camp at Chase Creek, Canada.
I had a great time there with Pan Tau last year, and hoped to build on that experience.
Well, little did I know things would not work out that way.
The first day we started in the arena jumping a grid, and Pan Tau just wanted to rush. He was unpleasant to ride, and Nick was not impressed...
We moved on to the cross country field, and same thing, rushing to jumps, jumping poorly.
He wasn't listening to my aids, jumped hollow...
We jumped in the water, and when we went to jump out he somehow missed and we both fell.
Neither of us was hurt, and I had a talk with Nick about our poor performance. All we could think of is perhaps he's not paying attention bacause of breeding season, or hurting somewhere.
I must say our fall rattled me.
That night he had a warm hoof, I iced it, packed it, gave him bute.
The next day I gave him the day off, and iced it 3 more times.
The 3rd day of camp I rode again, if he would feel off I'd stop riding. I put my renegades boots on, and he felt good, jumped a little better, but I did not have my confidence back in him.
We rode half of the 2 hour lesson.
The last day we rode again, and this time I had my old horse back! He was obedient, enjoyed the jumping, we both had fun, things flowed.
I rode in the renegade boots again, but in the water they would fly off.
So I finished the lesson without them, and he was great.
Also the Renegade boots are far too slippery on the grass. As much as I like having my horses go barefoot, it doesn't mix with eventing.
As soon as we get home I'll put shoes on him.
Nick thought that the mares coming in heat may have taken his mind of his job while riding.
We can do a good job...
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May, 2009 Stadium went well with no faults in jumping nor time.
Cross country goes by too fast..the most fun part of the weekend...we had a great ride trough the water, never missed a canter beat!
No faults on cross country either! And made it close to optimum time.
Jenny riding by the judge
Jenny and Dagjeir had a clear cross country time and no time faults.
Jenny and Dagjeir jumped a clear stadium round, no time faults.
They finished on their dressage score of 43 and took 11th place, me and Pan Tau finished on our dressage score of 50.5 and finished 15th.
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May, 2009 We went to our first horse trials of the year at Yelm, the NW Mother's Day Horse Trials.
This was Jenny's first competition ever besides having ridden in our local fair as a teenager.
We are both doing the Novice class. Since it is her first horse trial, and Pan Tau's 3rd.
We arrived on Thursday and rode around, our horses being settled in and obedient.
On Friday we didn't ride till 5 in the afternoon, we spend the day watching Amy Tryon doing her dressage test on her Olympic horses and had plenty of time to braid our horses.
Jenny did a fabulous job on the tails!
Warm up for our tests went great, horses were relaxed and going well.
Jenny was in first, and from where I was they looked great, but Jenny said Dagjeir was spooked by the large tractors in the woods along side the arena and the people shoveling gravel.
Since the first water complex had too much water in it, the course got changed, and gravel had to be brought in to cover the mud.
She got a score of 43 faults due to Dagjeir being tense.
Jenny going in at A
Jenny doing her serpentines.
20 meter canter circle
Pan Tau and I going around the outside of the arena, and he just wanted to take off! Behind the bushes is the crew working on footing shoveling gravel.
Still tense starting our test
Getting ready to go to trot
Canter 20 meter circle
Jenny and Dagjeir over jump 15 going to the water complex
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May, 2009 We have been giving cross country classes at the farm.
We have a big response!
Jenny and Dagjeir going thru the shallow part of the seasonal pond...aiming for..the canoe!
Followed by Meagan
Robyn over the fruit stand
Candice thru the water over the canoe
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May, 2009 Jenny is helping me to develop Pan Tau's top line and lower his head. In 3 days he's improved tremendously already.
She calls it "hill therapy".
Eventually he'll figure out it is easier to travel up hill with his head low. As soon as he does it...
He gets rewarded with a break.
And over poles on the ground.
The result has been a lower head carriage and stepping more under himself.
I am so relieved!
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April, 2009 Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Jenny and Dagjeir did well.
We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for pictures
On the weekend we rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course.
We also jumped training jumps, the next level up, because eventually we'd like to move up that level.
We both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
And thanks to Krista Davis we have some nice pictures of the event, she was the professional photographer there www.Equine-Reflections.com is her website.
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April, 2009 Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Jenny and Dagjeir weathering the cold and wet.
We especially had fun looking at the future jumps, and took pictures so we can make some at home to practice
We came upon the "jump hatchery"...at least that's what we called it.
To give an idea what kind of dimensions, Jenny is 6 ft tall.
This one in particular I want to make at home, just smaller for now.
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March, 2009 I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
She is a bit skinny, but that's an easy fix.
She is smart, and introducing her to the herd the next day was easy, not too much running.
She has a gorgeous trot!
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March, 2009 March 4th - Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Where we are allowed to ride is a park, and we have to go over the road from where we are trailered to the beach.
We lucked out with the weather, it didn't rain, and it got more and more sunny!
We actually had a little trouble finding acces to the beach due to the large stacks of logs whased up on the shore, but we found a spot the horses could walk over the log maze.
The view is spectacular...
Ak Pashildi had never been to the beach, and got over his fear of waves pretty fast.
We had a great time, it was hard to leave, but we had to make it home to give the horses a rest before the afternoon lessons.
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March, 2009 Kitchi is Jill's favorite this time.
Born to be a barn bum....
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March, 2009 The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap we jump over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
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February, 2009 Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily.
Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
We can now put a saddle on and off with him standing free and calm.
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February, 2009 And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
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February, 2009 Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half.
Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth.
And they are well on their way.
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February, 2009 Jill is also learning worm counts and how to apply wormer.
And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
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February, 2009 I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up.
They are wonderful, and easy to use.
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February, 2009 Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite when she was here, and too young to ride.
Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses.
Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
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February, 2009 Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
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February, 2009 I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
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January, 2009
You mix the manure with Fecasal, and use the syringe to squeeze it on the slides.
Then you count the eggs, each grid has 6 columns.
Then you add all the eggs you found in both grids, and multiply by 25, that is how many worms your horse has.
This is what the strongyles look like.
A friend let me use her microscope and showed me how to do my own fecal count on the horses.
It is really interesting, and the results are fun to compare with previous years when I had the vet do it.
It is pretty consistent with whom the Stongyles carriers are and who is pretty much immune.
And Jenny recommended a place that sells organic wormer that is non toxic, and really works.
You can find it right here.
I'll be doing my own worm count from now on!
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January, 2009
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
Ak Pashildi going for walks The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
So she got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
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The Olympic Experience
Event Camp with David and Karen O'Conner, Amy Tryon, and Cathy Wieschhoff
We arrived at Rebecca farm in good time, settled the horses in and set up camp before dark. The next morning we all met and got our schedule for the week. We all got handed a Pareli rope halter, rope, neck rope and carrot stick. Karen and David showed us in a crash course how to use them, then how to apply it to our riding. In the mornings we would show up in rope halters, ion the afternoon we would ride and apply the technique on the horses. And we had many lectures, some from Max, The O'Connor's lead groom. We took in so much information, and were so busy all day long, we barely had time to take notes, but we did digilently.
We did a lot of pole work, ground work and in the end a little cross country jumping. Since we were both always riding at the same time, we have very few pictures. We learned a lot, and are excited to come back in a month to compete.
We did a lot of pole work, ground work and in the end a little cross country jumping. Since we were both always riding at the same time, we have very few pictures. We learned a lot, and are excited to come back in a month to compete.
Aspen Horse Trials 2009
In June we had some of our greatest adventures yet. We competed at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA, on June 12, 13, and 14th. Neither of us had been to Aspen Farms before, so we were very excited to arrive on Thursday and get the "lay of the land." We were in for a pleasant surprise! All of the cross country jumps were new and beautifully designed. There was even a pirate ship with two big fir trees for masts, and wooden waves that lapped all the way around. The detail and construction was amazing, and Amrita got lots of great ideas for building new jumps at home. We took pictures while we walked our course so that we could remember what they looked like. Dressage took place in four well-groomed sand arenas, and there was a covered arena for warming up. The stadium jumping was set up in a grassy area surrounded by woods. There were a few trees on course, and lots of ferns, so it almost seemed like you were riding cross country.
The competition began on Friday with dressage. The entries were running a bit early, and unfortunately, Amrita and I were running a bit late. We got to the warm-up arena and discovered that Amrita was already "in the hole," which meant she was next in line to perform her test! Even though they only had a few minutes to warm up, Amrita and Pan Tau had one of their best dressage rides yet. Pan Tau was relaxed and responsive, and he never threw his head. . .Amrita was so pleased!
There was a few competitors between us, so I had plenty of time to get really nervous for the judge! I wasn't focusing enough on what I needed to do before entering the arena, so I only had time to make one lap in front of the judge's car before we started. Luckily for me, Dagjeir was more relaxed than last time--phew! Our test showed much improvement--I remembered to use my outside rein, and Dagjeir decided my nerves were something through which he might possibly survive. I have come a long way in such a short time, but too much tension is still effecting my scores, so I am going to have to learn how to relax!
The competition began on Friday with dressage. The entries were running a bit early, and unfortunately, Amrita and I were running a bit late. We got to the warm-up arena and discovered that Amrita was already "in the hole," which meant she was next in line to perform her test! Even though they only had a few minutes to warm up, Amrita and Pan Tau had one of their best dressage rides yet. Pan Tau was relaxed and responsive, and he never threw his head. . .Amrita was so pleased!
There was a few competitors between us, so I had plenty of time to get really nervous for the judge! I wasn't focusing enough on what I needed to do before entering the arena, so I only had time to make one lap in front of the judge's car before we started. Luckily for me, Dagjeir was more relaxed than last time--phew! Our test showed much improvement--I remembered to use my outside rein, and Dagjeir decided my nerves were something through which he might possibly survive. I have come a long way in such a short time, but too much tension is still effecting my scores, so I am going to have to learn how to relax!
Amrita and I had stadium jumping on the second day, instead of the third, since there were so many competitors. Unfortunately, I spent too much time chit-chatting during my course walk, and it came back to bite me during my ride! I went off course and jumped 6a and 6b after the third jump, instead of doing a switch-back to number 4. I realized what I had done immediately, but it was too late. The jump judge blew her whistle to let me know I was eliminated. I was devastated. . .but at least I know I'll never do that again! I put in a request to ride cross country, and much to my relief, it was granted. Not finishing my stadium course is one thing, but having to leave without cross-country would have been pure torture!
Amrita and Pan Tau had a beautiful stadium round. They jumped clear with no time faults, and Pan Tau was going steady and jumping round. Amrita was on Cloud 9. Finally she has a horse underneath her that is a true partner...what a good boy!
Cross country at Aspen Farms was amazing. Our course had 17 obstacles, and included the pirate ship, an up-bank and down-bank, a ditch-to-a-coop, and the water complex. We knew the water would be a challenge because it was dyed, and had an unnatural blue-green look to it that really spooked some of the horses. I was a bit nervous about the ditch-to-the-coop because I had never done that combination before. We were BOTH wondering about the pirate ship!! In addition to all this was some pressure that was mine alone--after being eliminated in stadium, the show office required that I get no refusals in cross country in order to be able to complete the whole course. If I got just one stop or run-out, I would be asked to leave. Darn--it was looking like I was going to have to grow a spine after all!
As it turned out, an un-assuming black coop on the back forty gave Dagjeir the jitters, but he jumped the pirate ship like he'd been sailing over galleys all his life. The ditch-to-the-coop was a breeze, and the fluorescent water did not turn his socks blue as I had at first suspected. We had a clear round with no time faults.
Except for some hesitation at the water, Amrita and Pan Tau galloped cross-country without missing a step. Pan Tau was his usual confident and courageous self, and Amrita reported that it was one of their best rides. They stayed at a steady 350 mpm pace, but had 0.4 penalties for being one second over the optimum time. For someone who was riding WITHOUT a stop watch on a fairly long course, she was certainly precise!!
Here are our results:
Amrita: 52.1 Dressage Penalties, Clear Stadium, 0.4 XC Penalties--12th Place
Jenny: 45.8 Dressage Penalties, Eliminated Stadium, Clear XC--TE
After competing at Aspen Farms, we went straight to Kalispell, Montana for the Olympic Experience Event Camp with David and Karen O'Conner, Amy Tryon, and Cathy Wieschhoff. After a fun but exhausting weekend, we decided to give ourselves some time to rest before heading out, so we stayed Sunday night at Aspen. We got up at 5:00 the next morning, loaded the horses, and were all ready to leave when we discovered that the truck battery was dead. (This was probably due to the fact that I spent too much time looking at my face in the illuminated visor mirror). Fortunately for us, there were some other campers getting ready to leave, too, and we were able get a jump. We hit the road and were on our way to Olympic Camp by 6AM.
Amrita and Pan Tau had a beautiful stadium round. They jumped clear with no time faults, and Pan Tau was going steady and jumping round. Amrita was on Cloud 9. Finally she has a horse underneath her that is a true partner...what a good boy!
Cross country at Aspen Farms was amazing. Our course had 17 obstacles, and included the pirate ship, an up-bank and down-bank, a ditch-to-a-coop, and the water complex. We knew the water would be a challenge because it was dyed, and had an unnatural blue-green look to it that really spooked some of the horses. I was a bit nervous about the ditch-to-the-coop because I had never done that combination before. We were BOTH wondering about the pirate ship!! In addition to all this was some pressure that was mine alone--after being eliminated in stadium, the show office required that I get no refusals in cross country in order to be able to complete the whole course. If I got just one stop or run-out, I would be asked to leave. Darn--it was looking like I was going to have to grow a spine after all!
As it turned out, an un-assuming black coop on the back forty gave Dagjeir the jitters, but he jumped the pirate ship like he'd been sailing over galleys all his life. The ditch-to-the-coop was a breeze, and the fluorescent water did not turn his socks blue as I had at first suspected. We had a clear round with no time faults.
Except for some hesitation at the water, Amrita and Pan Tau galloped cross-country without missing a step. Pan Tau was his usual confident and courageous self, and Amrita reported that it was one of their best rides. They stayed at a steady 350 mpm pace, but had 0.4 penalties for being one second over the optimum time. For someone who was riding WITHOUT a stop watch on a fairly long course, she was certainly precise!!
Here are our results:
Amrita: 52.1 Dressage Penalties, Clear Stadium, 0.4 XC Penalties--12th Place
Jenny: 45.8 Dressage Penalties, Eliminated Stadium, Clear XC--TE
After competing at Aspen Farms, we went straight to Kalispell, Montana for the Olympic Experience Event Camp with David and Karen O'Conner, Amy Tryon, and Cathy Wieschhoff. After a fun but exhausting weekend, we decided to give ourselves some time to rest before heading out, so we stayed Sunday night at Aspen. We got up at 5:00 the next morning, loaded the horses, and were all ready to leave when we discovered that the truck battery was dead. (This was probably due to the fact that I spent too much time looking at my face in the illuminated visor mirror). Fortunately for us, there were some other campers getting ready to leave, too, and we were able get a jump. We hit the road and were on our way to Olympic Camp by 6AM.
Chase Creek Camp
May, 2009
I went with a friend to Nick Holmes-Smith Camp at Chase Creek, Canada.
I had a great time there with Pan Tau last year, and hoped to build on that experience.
Well, little did I know things would not work out that way.
The first day we started in the arena jumping a grid, and Pan Tau just wanted to rush. He was unpleasant to ride, and Nick was not impressed...
We moved on to the cross country field, and same thing, rushing to jumps, jumping poorly. He wasn't listening to my aids, jumped hollow...
We jumped in the water, and when we went to jump out he somehow missed and we both fell. Neither of us was hurt, and I had a talk with Nick about our poor performance. All we could think of is perhaps he's not paying attention bacause of breeding season, or hurting somewhere.
I must say our fall rattled me. That night he had a warm hoof, I iced it, packed it, gave him bute.
The next day I gave him the day off, and iced it 3 more times.
The 3rd day of camp I rode again, if he would feel off I'd stop riding. I put my renegades boots on, and he felt good, jumped a little better, but I did not have my confidence back in him. We rode half of the 2 hour lesson.
The last day we rode again, and this time I had my old horse back! He was obedient, enjoyed the jumping, we both had fun, things flowed.
I rode in the renegade boots again, but in the water they would fly off. So I finished the lesson without them, and he was great.
Also the Renegade boots are far too slippery on the grass. As soon as we get home I'll put shoes on him.
Nick thought that the mares coming in heat may have taken his mind of his job while riding.
I went with a friend to Nick Holmes-Smith Camp at Chase Creek, Canada.
I had a great time there with Pan Tau last year, and hoped to build on that experience.
Well, little did I know things would not work out that way.
The first day we started in the arena jumping a grid, and Pan Tau just wanted to rush. He was unpleasant to ride, and Nick was not impressed...
We moved on to the cross country field, and same thing, rushing to jumps, jumping poorly. He wasn't listening to my aids, jumped hollow...
We jumped in the water, and when we went to jump out he somehow missed and we both fell. Neither of us was hurt, and I had a talk with Nick about our poor performance. All we could think of is perhaps he's not paying attention bacause of breeding season, or hurting somewhere.
I must say our fall rattled me. That night he had a warm hoof, I iced it, packed it, gave him bute.
The next day I gave him the day off, and iced it 3 more times.
The 3rd day of camp I rode again, if he would feel off I'd stop riding. I put my renegades boots on, and he felt good, jumped a little better, but I did not have my confidence back in him. We rode half of the 2 hour lesson.
The last day we rode again, and this time I had my old horse back! He was obedient, enjoyed the jumping, we both had fun, things flowed.
I rode in the renegade boots again, but in the water they would fly off. So I finished the lesson without them, and he was great.
Also the Renegade boots are far too slippery on the grass. As soon as we get home I'll put shoes on him.
Nick thought that the mares coming in heat may have taken his mind of his job while riding.
NW Mother's Day Horse Trials
May, 2009
We went to our first horse trials of the year at Yelm, the NW Mother's Day Horse Trials.
This was Jenny's first competition ever besides having ridden in our local fair as a teenager.
We are both doing the Novice class. Since it is her first horse trial, and Pan Tau's 3rd.
We arrived on Thursday and rode around, our horses being settled in and obedient.
On Friday we didn't ride till 5 in the afternoon, we spend the day watching Amy Tryon doing her dressage test on her Olympic horses and had plenty of time to braid our horses. Jenny did a fabulous job on the tails!
We went to our first horse trials of the year at Yelm, the NW Mother's Day Horse Trials.
This was Jenny's first competition ever besides having ridden in our local fair as a teenager.
We are both doing the Novice class. Since it is her first horse trial, and Pan Tau's 3rd.
We arrived on Thursday and rode around, our horses being settled in and obedient.
On Friday we didn't ride till 5 in the afternoon, we spend the day watching Amy Tryon doing her dressage test on her Olympic horses and had plenty of time to braid our horses. Jenny did a fabulous job on the tails!
Warm up for our tests went great, horses were relaxed and going well.
Jenny was in first, and from where I was they looked great, but Jenny said Dagjeir was spooked by the large tractors in the woods along side the arena and the people shoveling gravel.
Since the first water complex had too much water in it, the course got changed, and gravel had to be brought in to cover the mud.
She got a score of 43 faults due to Dagjeir being tense.
My turn came, and Pan Tau was ready to jump out of the arena!
We got a score of 50.3 Ouch!
Cross country goes by too fast..the most fun part of the weekend...we had a great ride trough the water, never missed a canter beat! No faults on cross country either! And made it close to optimum time.
Stadium went well with no faults in jumping nor time. Jenny and Dagjeir finished on their dressage score of 43 and took 11th place, me and Pan Tau finished on our dressage score of 50.5 and finished 15th.
Jenny was in first, and from where I was they looked great, but Jenny said Dagjeir was spooked by the large tractors in the woods along side the arena and the people shoveling gravel.
Since the first water complex had too much water in it, the course got changed, and gravel had to be brought in to cover the mud.
She got a score of 43 faults due to Dagjeir being tense.
My turn came, and Pan Tau was ready to jump out of the arena!
We got a score of 50.3 Ouch!
Cross country goes by too fast..the most fun part of the weekend...we had a great ride trough the water, never missed a canter beat! No faults on cross country either! And made it close to optimum time.
Stadium went well with no faults in jumping nor time. Jenny and Dagjeir finished on their dressage score of 43 and took 11th place, me and Pan Tau finished on our dressage score of 50.5 and finished 15th.
Hill Therapy
May, 2009
Jenny is helping me to develop Pan Tau's top line and lower his head. In 3 days he's improved tremendously already.
She calls it "hill therapy".
Eventually he'll figure out it is easier to travel up hill with his head low. As soon as he does it...
He gets rewarded with a break. And over poles on the ground.
The result has been a lower head carriage and stepping more under himself. I am so relieved!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April, 2009 Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Jenny and Dagjeir did well.
We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for pictures
On the weekend we rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course.
We also jumped training jumps, the next level up, because eventually we'd like to move up that level.
We both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
And thanks to Krista Davis we have some nice pictures of the event, she was the professional photographer there www.Equine-Reflections.com is her website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April, 2009 Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Jenny and Dagjeir weathering the cold and wet.
We especially had fun looking at the future jumps, and took pictures so we can make some at home to practice
We came upon the "jump hatchery"...at least that's what we called it.
To give an idea what kind of dimensions, Jenny is 6 ft tall.
This one in particular I want to make at home, just smaller for now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
She is a bit skinny, but that's an easy fix.
She is smart, and introducing her to the herd the next day was easy, not too much running.
She has a gorgeous trot!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 March 4th - Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Where we are allowed to ride is a park, and we have to go over the road from where we are trailered to the beach.
We lucked out with the weather, it didn't rain, and it got more and more sunny!
We actually had a little trouble finding acces to the beach due to the large stacks of logs whased up on the shore, but we found a spot the horses could walk over the log maze.
The view is spectacular...
Ak Pashildi had never been to the beach, and got over his fear of waves pretty fast.
We had a great time, it was hard to leave, but we had to make it home to give the horses a rest before the afternoon lessons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 Kitchi is Jill's favorite this time.
Born to be a barn bum....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap we jump over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily.
Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
We can now put a saddle on and off with him standing free and calm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half.
Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth.
And they are well on their way.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill is also learning worm counts and how to apply wormer.
And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up.
They are wonderful, and easy to use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite when she was here, and too young to ride.
Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses.
Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January, 2009
You mix the manure with Fecasal, and use the syringe to squeeze it on the slides.
Then you count the eggs, each grid has 6 columns.
Then you add all the eggs you found in both grids, and multiply by 25, that is how many worms your horse has.
This is what the strongyles look like.
A friend let me use her microscope and showed me how to do my own fecal count on the horses.
It is really interesting, and the results are fun to compare with previous years when I had the vet do it.
It is pretty consistent with whom the Stongyles carriers are and who is pretty much immune.
And Jenny recommended a place that sells organic wormer that is non toxic, and really works.
You can find it right here.
I'll be doing my own worm count from now on!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January, 2009
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
Ak Pashildi going for walks The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
So she got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jenny is helping me to develop Pan Tau's top line and lower his head. In 3 days he's improved tremendously already.
She calls it "hill therapy".
Eventually he'll figure out it is easier to travel up hill with his head low. As soon as he does it...
He gets rewarded with a break. And over poles on the ground.
The result has been a lower head carriage and stepping more under himself. I am so relieved!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April, 2009 Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Jenny and Dagjeir did well.
We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for pictures
On the weekend we rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course.
We also jumped training jumps, the next level up, because eventually we'd like to move up that level.
We both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
And thanks to Krista Davis we have some nice pictures of the event, she was the professional photographer there www.Equine-Reflections.com is her website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April, 2009 Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Jenny and Dagjeir weathering the cold and wet.
We especially had fun looking at the future jumps, and took pictures so we can make some at home to practice
We came upon the "jump hatchery"...at least that's what we called it.
To give an idea what kind of dimensions, Jenny is 6 ft tall.
This one in particular I want to make at home, just smaller for now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
She is a bit skinny, but that's an easy fix.
She is smart, and introducing her to the herd the next day was easy, not too much running.
She has a gorgeous trot!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 March 4th - Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Jill's last day here! We decided to trailer to the beach.
Where we are allowed to ride is a park, and we have to go over the road from where we are trailered to the beach.
We lucked out with the weather, it didn't rain, and it got more and more sunny!
We actually had a little trouble finding acces to the beach due to the large stacks of logs whased up on the shore, but we found a spot the horses could walk over the log maze.
The view is spectacular...
Ak Pashildi had never been to the beach, and got over his fear of waves pretty fast.
We had a great time, it was hard to leave, but we had to make it home to give the horses a rest before the afternoon lessons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 Kitchi is Jill's favorite this time.
Born to be a barn bum....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March, 2009 The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap we jump over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily.
Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
We can now put a saddle on and off with him standing free and calm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half.
Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth.
And they are well on their way.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill is also learning worm counts and how to apply wormer.
And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up.
They are wonderful, and easy to use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite when she was here, and too young to ride.
Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses.
Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February, 2009 I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January, 2009
You mix the manure with Fecasal, and use the syringe to squeeze it on the slides.
Then you count the eggs, each grid has 6 columns.
Then you add all the eggs you found in both grids, and multiply by 25, that is how many worms your horse has.
This is what the strongyles look like.
A friend let me use her microscope and showed me how to do my own fecal count on the horses.
It is really interesting, and the results are fun to compare with previous years when I had the vet do it.
It is pretty consistent with whom the Stongyles carriers are and who is pretty much immune.
And Jenny recommended a place that sells organic wormer that is non toxic, and really works.
You can find it right here.
I'll be doing my own worm count from now on!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January, 2009
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
Ak Pashildi going for walks The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
So she got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Krista Davis we have some nice pictures of the event, she was the professional photographer.
Jenny and I both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
We rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course. We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for taking pictures of eachother's rides.
Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Jenny and I both got 6th place in the hunter pace course.
We rode our dressage test for the judges and jumped courses and jumped the hunter pace course.
Since this year the instructor worked more on everyone's position rather than exposing the horses to jumps we don't have at home, Jenny only got to practice the water on her pace course. We mostly rode back to back, so little chance for taking pictures of eachother's rides.
Thursday we had dressage lessons and cross country. Dressage was in the pouring rain. Once you get going, you don't notice.
It was dry for jumping at least.
My big hurdle is Pan Tau still wants to carry his head so high. He is starting to come down and step under, but the moments are still brief.
Adult riders Eventing Camp Area VII
April, 2009
Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Jenny and I went to the Adult riders camp at NW by Yelm, WA.
This is Jenny's first 3 day event ever. We arrived later than we would have liked to due to traffic, but still plenty of time to ride around the property and do a walk to look at all the jumps, water complexes, and choose what jumps we would like to jump, and what jumps will be in our future!
It was stormy and cold, good thing we brought blankets for the horses!
Pallas Athena, Ak Sakal Line Broodmare
March, 2009
I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
I have a new broodmare.
Pallas Athena, from Wisconsin.
She is sweet natured and will fit in nicely.
It was a bit of a scare picking her up, as the transporter guy let her slip out of his hands by the gas station where we met.
She went trotting off, good thing there was a lot of grass, no cars... I got a hold of her rope soon after that.
The rest of our trip was uneventful, the way I like it!
March 2009
The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks up the driveway to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
In the two weeks that Jill was here, we went on numerous trail rides, trailered to the beach, played with horses... Too bad she has to go back to school!
The next step in training is getting the horse used to seeing people above him, so we use anything handy to stand on. In this case the flatbed of the truck.
Also taking walks up the driveway to the road and watch traffic go by, eventually they have to get used to cars going by while traveling on the road.
Jill's favorite pastime is being itched and itch back. Then she had the great idea to pull the trap over the ground. All the mares had to run and look.
In the two weeks that Jill was here, we went on numerous trail rides, trailered to the beach, played with horses... Too bad she has to go back to school!
Working Student, Fecal Counts & Natural Horsemanship
February 2009
Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite AT when she was here 2 years ago, and he was too young to ride back then. Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses. Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up. They are wonderful, and easy to use.
Among other things, Jill is learning to do worm counts and how to apply wormer. And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half. Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth. And they are well on their way.
And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily. Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
Jill is tacking up Ak Pashildi, he was her favorite AT when she was here 2 years ago, and he was too young to ride back then. Today she get's to ride him. I have a safety ring to tie young horses. Ak Pashildi loves trail rides. And when we come home, he has been trained to just stand, and then to follow back to his pasture.
I got my Renegade boots for Pan Tau while his feet toughen up. They are wonderful, and easy to use.
Among other things, Jill is learning to do worm counts and how to apply wormer. And jumping lessons, trial rides, feeding, all that needs to be done at a farm.
Here Jill and Jenny are working with Paktaly, he is 3 and a half. Jill is learning how to establish aids to Paktaly he can understand.
Then we moved on to putting on the saddle and getting him used to a girth. And they are well on their way.
And lots of riding. Jill doesn't get to trail ride at home.
Ak Pashildi is progressing fast, we can ride by cars now, and had our first truck encounter and he did great.
Paktaly is taking to the saddle easily. Jill and I are taking turns in the round pen.
February 2009
Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
We will use Paktaly who will turn 4 this summer.
It is for a school project.
Here Jill is making our jump poles pretty!
Jill Slinger is back to visit from N Carolina, she was here 2 years ago.
She will be here for 2 short weeks to learn to sack out a young horse.
We will use Paktaly who will turn 4 this summer.
It is for a school project.
Here Jill is making our jump poles pretty!
Barefoot Trim
February 2009
I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
The horses think it's soooo entertaining...
I have been learning to do my own trims. My goal is to keep my horses barefoot on the trail and in competition.
My friend Jenny has been helping me, and here Shelby is getting a turn.
The horses think it's soooo entertaining...
January 2009
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
She got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
We had a white Christmas, and snow and more snow! Coldest temperatures in ages.
The horses did great, except for Shazada who can't get around so well due to her founder a few years back ( she retained placenta and became toxic).
She got a blanket.
I took Ak Pashildi for walks, he will be 6 this summer, and finally I've started riding him.
I have been spreading around hay, not only for the horses, but the quail, I love seeing them, and they are so hungry, they come in the barn!
Snow is fun, but also a lot more work, making sure there is drinking water and plenty to eat to stay warm.
Dutch Endurance Team Goes to Malaysia
September 2008
Back in Holland at Mrs. de Vos farm, she had a press conference for Janet Lam and the Dutch endurance team that is going to Malaysia for the world cup.
Janet bought a TB/AT cross mare Bougainvillia from Mrs. de Vos and made it on the endurance team.
The local news paper came and some of the major Dutch horse magazines.
Mrs. de Vos made a delicious lunch for everyone, and then it was picture time.
I hope they do well in Malaysia, it won't be easy!
Back in Holland at Mrs. de Vos farm, she had a press conference for Janet Lam and the Dutch endurance team that is going to Malaysia for the world cup.
Janet bought a TB/AT cross mare Bougainvillia from Mrs. de Vos and made it on the endurance team.
The local news paper came and some of the major Dutch horse magazines.
Mrs. de Vos made a delicious lunch for everyone, and then it was picture time.
I hope they do well in Malaysia, it won't be easy!
German Akhal-Tekkiner Meeting Polling
September 2008
I went to the Akhal-Teke meeting in Germany in Gut-Ising. I flew to Amsterdam, spent a day with my best friend.
Then took the train to visit Clara de Vos van Steenwijk and her Akhal-Teke horses.
We took her car to drive to Gut-Ising, on the way we stopped and had dinner at the Passigaties.
Then drove some more, got a hotel for the night, and the next morning had a little drive left and made it in time to Polling.
Picture on the left is the opening ceremony.
At least 80 pure bred Akhal-Teke horses were there. And so many people and breeders to meet!
The horses were gorgeous. It was very exciting to see so many beautiful horses, and see who would take first place.
I went to the Akhal-Teke meeting in Germany in Gut-Ising. I flew to Amsterdam, spent a day with my best friend.
Then took the train to visit Clara de Vos van Steenwijk and her Akhal-Teke horses.
We took her car to drive to Gut-Ising, on the way we stopped and had dinner at the Passigaties.
Then drove some more, got a hotel for the night, and the next morning had a little drive left and made it in time to Polling.
Picture on the left is the opening ceremony.
At least 80 pure bred Akhal-Teke horses were there. And so many people and breeders to meet!
The horses were gorgeous. It was very exciting to see so many beautiful horses, and see who would take first place.
1st Rare breed convention, Kentucky horse park 2008
September 2008
The Akhal-Teke Society of America had their first meeting and convention combined with the Equus Survival Trust Festivale of Endangered Breeds, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
This made for a busy weekend, as there were not only the rare breeds (twelve different breeds came), but also a 3-day event on the famous ROLEX grounds.
The ATSA had Sabine Topfer-Gebert fly over from Germany to judge the breed classes, under saddle classes were judged by judges hired by the Equus survival trust
24 Pure and part bred Akhal-Teke horses came for the show.
On Friday the classes were in the big indoor arena, showing horses under saddle.
Also it was the dressage faze for the USEA Horse Trials in wich Kiki Osbourne participated on her gelding Belgar AT/TB cross bred by Phil Case. They finished 6th in dressage at the prelim level. That afternoon they had their jump round, and by then it was pouring rain. They had some rails down, and moved down to 12th place.
Saturday was cross country, and Keke and Belgar had a clear round, but time faults.
Next day cross country it was a though course, but they did well, and ended up only having time faults, they finished 14th.
Meanwhile at the breed display they had dressage and jump classes for all the rare breeds, and the Akhal-Teke outperformed all of them! Not just my opinion, the judges too since the AT's were always at the top. At the dressage ring judge Lendon Grey would comment after each ride and give hints on how to ride better. All my respect went to Kiki as she not only took the advice, but implemented it in her next ride and had a much better dressage test!
In overall, the riding was top notch, with well trained AT's and good riders, a joy to see.
All the show results are on the ATSA website at http://akhaltekesocietyofamerica.com/default.aspx
There was a seperate horse grading of all the AT horses judged by Sabine, it was outside with much better light for pictures and a better atmosphere.
The horses were gorgious, but due to the small classes not always easy to judge.
For example there were 3 colts in the one year class, one was only a few month old, one was at least 11 month old, and the last about 18 month old.
The difference in size and maturity made it quite hard to judge, but Sabine managed.
Even better yet, the next day we all sat toghter and Sabine had each horse come out one by one, and she discussed how she gave such a grade.
It was very fun and informative.
It was a weekend well spend, nice to see everyone that lives soo far away, and understandable many could not come or bring horses due to the distance.
.
The Akhal-Teke Society of America had their first meeting and convention combined with the Equus Survival Trust Festivale of Endangered Breeds, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
This made for a busy weekend, as there were not only the rare breeds (twelve different breeds came), but also a 3-day event on the famous ROLEX grounds.
The ATSA had Sabine Topfer-Gebert fly over from Germany to judge the breed classes, under saddle classes were judged by judges hired by the Equus survival trust
24 Pure and part bred Akhal-Teke horses came for the show.
On Friday the classes were in the big indoor arena, showing horses under saddle.
Also it was the dressage faze for the USEA Horse Trials in wich Kiki Osbourne participated on her gelding Belgar AT/TB cross bred by Phil Case. They finished 6th in dressage at the prelim level. That afternoon they had their jump round, and by then it was pouring rain. They had some rails down, and moved down to 12th place.
Saturday was cross country, and Keke and Belgar had a clear round, but time faults.
Next day cross country it was a though course, but they did well, and ended up only having time faults, they finished 14th.
Meanwhile at the breed display they had dressage and jump classes for all the rare breeds, and the Akhal-Teke outperformed all of them! Not just my opinion, the judges too since the AT's were always at the top. At the dressage ring judge Lendon Grey would comment after each ride and give hints on how to ride better. All my respect went to Kiki as she not only took the advice, but implemented it in her next ride and had a much better dressage test!
In overall, the riding was top notch, with well trained AT's and good riders, a joy to see.
All the show results are on the ATSA website at http://akhaltekesocietyofamerica.com/default.aspx
There was a seperate horse grading of all the AT horses judged by Sabine, it was outside with much better light for pictures and a better atmosphere.
The horses were gorgious, but due to the small classes not always easy to judge.
For example there were 3 colts in the one year class, one was only a few month old, one was at least 11 month old, and the last about 18 month old.
The difference in size and maturity made it quite hard to judge, but Sabine managed.
Even better yet, the next day we all sat toghter and Sabine had each horse come out one by one, and she discussed how she gave such a grade.
It was very fun and informative.
It was a weekend well spend, nice to see everyone that lives soo far away, and understandable many could not come or bring horses due to the distance.
.
Haying on San Juan Island
July 2008
We are haying with our neighbor. This is exciting for us since we will have more say on how it is harvested.
Most farmers here hay to late, the grass is over ripe, seed heads have fallen out. No big deal for cows, but horses need more nutrition. The hard part is the rain..we don't have the security of August where there is a long dry period. But we got it all in dry, all 120 acres of it!
We are haying with our neighbor. This is exciting for us since we will have more say on how it is harvested.
Most farmers here hay to late, the grass is over ripe, seed heads have fallen out. No big deal for cows, but horses need more nutrition. The hard part is the rain..we don't have the security of August where there is a long dry period. But we got it all in dry, all 120 acres of it!
July 2008
We got a new dog from the pound. This is how it happened.., we caught a cat in the barn in the raccoon trap. Sam and I took the cat to the pound. That is where Sam spotted the dog....and begged to take her home.
Sarah is a mix, not sure what the mix is except obviously lab.
The horses imediatly wanted to know who the new creature was, Sarah got a quick lesson in biemh horse savey...we kept a close eye on her, and soon they all got along.
We got a new dog from the pound. This is how it happened.., we caught a cat in the barn in the raccoon trap. Sam and I took the cat to the pound. That is where Sam spotted the dog....and begged to take her home.
Sarah is a mix, not sure what the mix is except obviously lab.
The horses imediatly wanted to know who the new creature was, Sarah got a quick lesson in biemh horse savey...we kept a close eye on her, and soon they all got along.
Whidbey Island Horse Trials 2008
I am competing at the USEA Whidbey Island Pony Club horse trials.
Pan Tau and I are going Novice.
Dressage was better, but still we have to get out more and be more at show scenes, we got 46.3.
I later also realized I rode my circles at the wrong places...I had practiced them that way at home, because my horse trailer was parked in the arena...
Well, guess I have to not let my nerves het the better of me!
The cross country was a blast. Pan Tau could not have been better.
The course was a little tough, every thing at maximum height and with, but as always beautifully done.
He jumped like a pro.
We went clean, steady, and no time faults.
Stadium was not that good. The warm up area was very crowded, so much so that I decided to leave, since people were getting way to close to us and he began to get upset.
After that it was harder to get him to settle, and we rushed through the jumps. We got 2 rails down, and I had to circle once and got time faults.
We finished 17 out of 26 starters.
Pan Tau and I are going Novice.
Dressage was better, but still we have to get out more and be more at show scenes, we got 46.3.
I later also realized I rode my circles at the wrong places...I had practiced them that way at home, because my horse trailer was parked in the arena...
Well, guess I have to not let my nerves het the better of me!
The cross country was a blast. Pan Tau could not have been better.
The course was a little tough, every thing at maximum height and with, but as always beautifully done.
He jumped like a pro.
We went clean, steady, and no time faults.
Stadium was not that good. The warm up area was very crowded, so much so that I decided to leave, since people were getting way to close to us and he began to get upset.
After that it was harder to get him to settle, and we rushed through the jumps. We got 2 rails down, and I had to circle once and got time faults.
We finished 17 out of 26 starters.
Chase Creek Eventing camp 2008
June 2008
This year I am taking Chandra with me to Chase Creek for a week long eventing camp.
Chandra is riding Dagjeir and I ride Pan Tau.
We do this every year, but this is the first time Chandra is also riding.
She did an amazing job..she has a bright future in eventing ahead of her!
This year I am taking Chandra with me to Chase Creek for a week long eventing camp.
Chandra is riding Dagjeir and I ride Pan Tau.
We do this every year, but this is the first time Chandra is also riding.
She did an amazing job..she has a bright future in eventing ahead of her!
May, 2008 The horses are shedding, grass is growing, life is good!
May 2008
We have visitors from France again, my niece Sophie and her friend Pauline are here for 6 weeks to do a study on butterflies.
When they have time, we go for a ride. Pauline has only ridden once before. And Sophie only 2 years ago when she visited here.
We have beautiful trails, and they are young and learn fast.
We have visitors from France again, my niece Sophie and her friend Pauline are here for 6 weeks to do a study on butterflies.
When they have time, we go for a ride. Pauline has only ridden once before. And Sophie only 2 years ago when she visited here.
We have beautiful trails, and they are young and learn fast.
Mother's day classic horse trials
May 12th 2008
Pan Tau's first event!
We did the Mother's day classic horse trials in Reinier, WA.
We entered in Novice.
Dressage was not so good. He was unsettled and we did have some 7's, we also had some 4's!
Next day the cross country was fabulous! He could not have been better. We, jumped clear.
Stadium, I rode the worst round in my life....I did not take in account that my ankle would get so stiff and swollen being out in the damp cold.
I kept loosing my stirrup and I could not get my heal down.
I have to learn to manage my ankle.
Pan Tau's first event!
We did the Mother's day classic horse trials in Reinier, WA.
We entered in Novice.
Dressage was not so good. He was unsettled and we did have some 7's, we also had some 4's!
Next day the cross country was fabulous! He could not have been better. We, jumped clear.
Stadium, I rode the worst round in my life....I did not take in account that my ankle would get so stiff and swollen being out in the damp cold.
I kept loosing my stirrup and I could not get my heal down.
I have to learn to manage my ankle.
Spring Fling 2008
I took Pan Tau to the NW Equestrian clinic.
We signed up to just about everything thanks to Janice Bryant letting me have a spot at the last minute.
I now have a little heater for my trailer, good thing too since there was quite the frost at night.
Pan Tau was terrific. He is such a level headed horse, easy going, and fun to ride.
We had dressage lessons, cross country lessons, did the schooling shows on the weekend and the hunter/pace trials
We signed up to just about everything thanks to Janice Bryant letting me have a spot at the last minute.
I now have a little heater for my trailer, good thing too since there was quite the frost at night.
Pan Tau was terrific. He is such a level headed horse, easy going, and fun to ride.
We had dressage lessons, cross country lessons, did the schooling shows on the weekend and the hunter/pace trials
April, 2008
Karen lend me her car to drive down and visit Rose whom I sold Shirin Giz and Aktepel to.
It was wonderful to see the girls again, and now there are 3, Aktepel had a filly by Pan Tau.
Karen lend me her car to drive down and visit Rose whom I sold Shirin Giz and Aktepel to.
It was wonderful to see the girls again, and now there are 3, Aktepel had a filly by Pan Tau.
April 2008
My student Chandra and I went to Rolex!
What an amazing experience. To actually walk the course, and see the horses up close.
We did the course walk with Amy Tryon, impressive!
What an unforgettable trip.
My student Chandra and I went to Rolex!
What an amazing experience. To actually walk the course, and see the horses up close.
We did the course walk with Amy Tryon, impressive!
What an unforgettable trip.
Horse Around Days, Mount Vernon, WA
July 2007
With a great team, and thanks to many people helping, we had a great show at the " horse around days" expo.
Since I'm still on crutches, and cast, I still can't ride.
Monica got her husband to ride Pan Tau, and the two looked great. Amelia rode Dagjeir, and well...the pictures will speak for themselves, they all looked great!
They not only rode well, but helped setting up the booth, helped tearing it down, cleaned the stalls, grazed horses, just all the things that need to be done, they did it all!
It was fun, and could not have been done without everyone pitching in!
Thank you!
With a great team, and thanks to many people helping, we had a great show at the " horse around days" expo.
Since I'm still on crutches, and cast, I still can't ride.
Monica got her husband to ride Pan Tau, and the two looked great. Amelia rode Dagjeir, and well...the pictures will speak for themselves, they all looked great!
They not only rode well, but helped setting up the booth, helped tearing it down, cleaned the stalls, grazed horses, just all the things that need to be done, they did it all!
It was fun, and could not have been done without everyone pitching in!
Thank you!
July 2007
Chandra has been riding Olga almost daily.The front pasture has been set up with a pace course, so the girls learn at what speed they canter, as I take their time with a stop watch. And there are some cross country jumps moved in.
On Saturday's Amelia Tritz catches the boat and comes to ride Dagjeir and Pan Tau to get used to them for the upcoming breed expo in Mount Vernon.
Chandra has been riding Olga almost daily.The front pasture has been set up with a pace course, so the girls learn at what speed they canter, as I take their time with a stop watch. And there are some cross country jumps moved in.
On Saturday's Amelia Tritz catches the boat and comes to ride Dagjeir and Pan Tau to get used to them for the upcoming breed expo in Mount Vernon.
Whidbey Island Horse Trials, July 2007
A neighbor asked if I could teach a friend's daughter of hers, who was going to spent some time on the islands for summer vacation. We got along, and Jill returned
from North Carolina,to go evenitng with me. Since she's a hunter /jumper, loves horses, we agreed she'd go to a 3 day event.
Jill was a great help around the farm, and took to dressage like a fish to water.
Cross country she soon mastered too, a little harder to learn to sit up over certain jumps when all your life you've been told to sit forward.
But Jill is persistent, and determined to do it right!
We had a lot of fun, and when the time came to go to the horse trials, she was ready!
She did a great dressage test, especially since this was her first time, and scored a 40.5 and was tied for 7th.
That afternoon she had her cross country course.
She did great, the water was optional, but she went through it!
She had one refusal, no time faults. In fact, she was the closes to optimum time!
Then Sunday came the final test, the stadium jumping.
They jumped clear, but were too slow. she had 9 time faults, and dropped to 8th place.
She did get a huge ribbon, and to finish at your first 3 day is no small feat!
On Monday Jill had to go home, and she was very sad an Akhal-Teke did not fit in her suitcase, although she tried.....
from North Carolina,to go evenitng with me. Since she's a hunter /jumper, loves horses, we agreed she'd go to a 3 day event.
Jill was a great help around the farm, and took to dressage like a fish to water.
Cross country she soon mastered too, a little harder to learn to sit up over certain jumps when all your life you've been told to sit forward.
But Jill is persistent, and determined to do it right!
We had a lot of fun, and when the time came to go to the horse trials, she was ready!
She did a great dressage test, especially since this was her first time, and scored a 40.5 and was tied for 7th.
That afternoon she had her cross country course.
She did great, the water was optional, but she went through it!
She had one refusal, no time faults. In fact, she was the closes to optimum time!
Then Sunday came the final test, the stadium jumping.
They jumped clear, but were too slow. she had 9 time faults, and dropped to 8th place.
She did get a huge ribbon, and to finish at your first 3 day is no small feat!
On Monday Jill had to go home, and she was very sad an Akhal-Teke did not fit in her suitcase, although she tried.....
Chase Creek Eventing Camp June, 2007
Time for our yearly trek to Canada, to the event camp at Chase, except for I'll be taking pictures, and little did Monica know, that when she visited in April, that she'd be riding Pan Tau for me at Chase.
Not only did she ride my stallion, she had to drive us there, and help me with all the things I could not do!
For Dagjeir, Laurel Brock came from Kansas. I sold her Misha two years ago, and Laurel had mentioned she wanted to event.
Laurel had never done cross country, and came a week early to get acquainted with Dagjeir and jumping.
We got ready for the trip, and as usual, Chase was an unforgettable experience.
Not only did she ride my stallion, she had to drive us there, and help me with all the things I could not do!
For Dagjeir, Laurel Brock came from Kansas. I sold her Misha two years ago, and Laurel had mentioned she wanted to event.
Laurel had never done cross country, and came a week early to get acquainted with Dagjeir and jumping.
We got ready for the trip, and as usual, Chase was an unforgettable experience.
May 2007
Little did I know that 2 days after the horse trials I would break my leg....
Helping my vet castrate my 2 year old, he jumped up during the operation, and fell down crushing my leg.
I broke the tibia and fibula, so.. time to get creative and get my horses exercised after all....
Little did I know that 2 days after the horse trials I would break my leg....
Helping my vet castrate my 2 year old, he jumped up during the operation, and fell down crushing my leg.
I broke the tibia and fibula, so.. time to get creative and get my horses exercised after all....
Mother's Day Classic Horse Trials at Reinier, WA
May 2007
I'm signed up for the first horse trials of the year with 2 horses, but Pan Tau strained a muscle running in the pasture, So I will only take Dagjeir and make sure PT is completely healed.
I only rode Dagjeir once, since he's my busy lesson horse, but we had a great dressage ride, and he jumps great with my students, so I felt confident we'd do ok.
We are entered for Novice division this year.
Dressage was our best score yet. We did a lovely test, but I went off course once and got 2 points!
Still we were at 35.5 points, and close to the top!
Jumping was in the afternoon, and we had a clear round. Not only did we go clear, we had a steady rhythm, he was light in the aids, he did his job superbly!
Cross country on Sunday and the excitement was on! It is a big difference, Beginner Novice to Novice, there were 2 water elements, a big ditch with a down hill landing, the ditch was optional. I had decided to jump the ditch, after all, that is what cross country is all about! If I'd have a refusal, I'd do the option log instead....
The water complexes are always unsure. Dagjeir prefers to taste the water first before going in....but with a speed of 400 meters per minute, such luxuries are not permitted!
We rode in the early afternoon. At the start box, the person in front of us had 3 refusals at the first jump and got eliminated! It was in clear sight, and Dagjer was sure that little mare had good reasons for her balking....so when our turn came, he was pretty careful of that tiger in the woods....we came to the coop, and he jumped from stand still!?!
Well, it wasn't pretty, but now we were on our way, Dagjeir now more relaxed, yep, his rider hadn't lost her mind after all, I was not steering him into doom, and we sailed over the next couple of jumps.
Up came the coop in front of the water, and he didn't suck back, so far so good!
We trotted to the edge, and he trotted right in! This is an improvement for us! Back to canter we went thru the water and jumped out over a log.
We weren't even half way yet and having fun!
We had some straight lanes to canter and I let him go, we had some time to make up! We came upon a coop and again he suddenly was not sure it was save, slowed down at the last minute and almost jumped from a stand still!
We came to the log with the steep hill behind it, so I took him to a trot to let him see the situation, jumped it perfectly, down the steep hill, and on to the ditch!
I made sure I was sitting up, rains long, legs on, and sure enough, he jumped it fine, but I could feel his head go down and look under us to see what is was we jumped!
Next came the 2nd water complex, we had gone thru it from the opposite direction last fall when we competed here, but I don't think he'd remember.
This time we slowed down to a trot, and he never hesitated. Made the bend to the left coming out off the water and out over the coop.
At this point Dagjeir got his bearings, and knew where "home" was, and got a little sticky....the last jump was coming up, but he said, hey mom, the trailer is over there, don't worry, I'll show you.....arghhhh, I had to circle to get his attention, and we jumped the last coop and raced to the finish line!
I was happy. We had no jump faults but 13 time faults. We finished 9th overall.
Good for our first Novice ride, next time all we need is more speed!
I'm signed up for the first horse trials of the year with 2 horses, but Pan Tau strained a muscle running in the pasture, So I will only take Dagjeir and make sure PT is completely healed.
I only rode Dagjeir once, since he's my busy lesson horse, but we had a great dressage ride, and he jumps great with my students, so I felt confident we'd do ok.
We are entered for Novice division this year.
Dressage was our best score yet. We did a lovely test, but I went off course once and got 2 points!
Still we were at 35.5 points, and close to the top!
Jumping was in the afternoon, and we had a clear round. Not only did we go clear, we had a steady rhythm, he was light in the aids, he did his job superbly!
Cross country on Sunday and the excitement was on! It is a big difference, Beginner Novice to Novice, there were 2 water elements, a big ditch with a down hill landing, the ditch was optional. I had decided to jump the ditch, after all, that is what cross country is all about! If I'd have a refusal, I'd do the option log instead....
The water complexes are always unsure. Dagjeir prefers to taste the water first before going in....but with a speed of 400 meters per minute, such luxuries are not permitted!
We rode in the early afternoon. At the start box, the person in front of us had 3 refusals at the first jump and got eliminated! It was in clear sight, and Dagjer was sure that little mare had good reasons for her balking....so when our turn came, he was pretty careful of that tiger in the woods....we came to the coop, and he jumped from stand still!?!
Well, it wasn't pretty, but now we were on our way, Dagjeir now more relaxed, yep, his rider hadn't lost her mind after all, I was not steering him into doom, and we sailed over the next couple of jumps.
Up came the coop in front of the water, and he didn't suck back, so far so good!
We trotted to the edge, and he trotted right in! This is an improvement for us! Back to canter we went thru the water and jumped out over a log.
We weren't even half way yet and having fun!
We had some straight lanes to canter and I let him go, we had some time to make up! We came upon a coop and again he suddenly was not sure it was save, slowed down at the last minute and almost jumped from a stand still!
We came to the log with the steep hill behind it, so I took him to a trot to let him see the situation, jumped it perfectly, down the steep hill, and on to the ditch!
I made sure I was sitting up, rains long, legs on, and sure enough, he jumped it fine, but I could feel his head go down and look under us to see what is was we jumped!
Next came the 2nd water complex, we had gone thru it from the opposite direction last fall when we competed here, but I don't think he'd remember.
This time we slowed down to a trot, and he never hesitated. Made the bend to the left coming out off the water and out over the coop.
At this point Dagjeir got his bearings, and knew where "home" was, and got a little sticky....the last jump was coming up, but he said, hey mom, the trailer is over there, don't worry, I'll show you.....arghhhh, I had to circle to get his attention, and we jumped the last coop and raced to the finish line!
I was happy. We had no jump faults but 13 time faults. We finished 9th overall.
Good for our first Novice ride, next time all we need is more speed!
April 2007
Grass is growing fast, days are getting warmer, time to cool off!
Breeding has begun, and life is good! Pan Tau, our breeding stallion enjoying a splash.
Grass is growing fast, days are getting warmer, time to cool off!
Breeding has begun, and life is good! Pan Tau, our breeding stallion enjoying a splash.
April 2007
We had a visitor from the Seattle area, Monica Bretherton. We hid it off right away, went for a trail ride and jumped logs on the trails, and when we came back swapped horses in the arena and she rode Pan Tau some.
We had a visitor from the Seattle area, Monica Bretherton. We hid it off right away, went for a trail ride and jumped logs on the trails, and when we came back swapped horses in the arena and she rode Pan Tau some.
Spring Fling clinic and schooling show
March 2007
We went to our first clinic and schooling show! We went to NWEC in Rainier, WA for 2 days of cross country clinic and 2 days of schooling shows.
It still freezes at night, and on the way down we stopped at the tack store, unloaded and got fitted for a stabling sheet so he'd be warm.
Sure is fun to shop with your horse!
Traffic was terrible and we arrived late.
I have never taken a stallion to a "show", and not sure how he'd behave away from home, but other that the big announcement he made unloading out of the trailer, ( he stopped half way, looked around and made this huge hinny like sound only stallions do, to let the world know he has arrived) he was well behaved like any other horse there. I never needed a chain, hand grazed him on a nylon halter like a pony, I was very happy!
We went to our first clinic and schooling show! We went to NWEC in Rainier, WA for 2 days of cross country clinic and 2 days of schooling shows.
It still freezes at night, and on the way down we stopped at the tack store, unloaded and got fitted for a stabling sheet so he'd be warm.
Sure is fun to shop with your horse!
Traffic was terrible and we arrived late.
I have never taken a stallion to a "show", and not sure how he'd behave away from home, but other that the big announcement he made unloading out of the trailer, ( he stopped half way, looked around and made this huge hinny like sound only stallions do, to let the world know he has arrived) he was well behaved like any other horse there. I never needed a chain, hand grazed him on a nylon halter like a pony, I was very happy!
February 2007
I plan on having a busy show schedule this year, and Pan Tau has never gone to a show as far as I've been told.
So we are hard at work and he is coming along nicely.
We do lots of trail rides, along the road, riding by horses in pastures and alpaca's and he is always very well behaved.
I plan on having a busy show schedule this year, and Pan Tau has never gone to a show as far as I've been told.
So we are hard at work and he is coming along nicely.
We do lots of trail rides, along the road, riding by horses in pastures and alpaca's and he is always very well behaved.
January 2007
We've had one more snow storms, and finally a nice day.
The horses are more playful when it's sunny.
We've had one more snow storms, and finally a nice day.
The horses are more playful when it's sunny.
November 2006
It snowed, and not just a little bit! In one day we have about 6 inches or more.
The unusual thing about this is that the snow is so heavy, the trees can't handle the weight!
It is the eeriest thing I've ever experienced...every minute there is a snap like a gun shot, and a tree branch falls off.
All around us in our little valley!
There is no school, no traffic, no electricity since a tree fell over the road on the power line, we are going to have quite the clean up to do when this all melts!
It snowed, and not just a little bit! In one day we have about 6 inches or more.
The unusual thing about this is that the snow is so heavy, the trees can't handle the weight!
It is the eeriest thing I've ever experienced...every minute there is a snap like a gun shot, and a tree branch falls off.
All around us in our little valley!
There is no school, no traffic, no electricity since a tree fell over the road on the power line, we are going to have quite the clean up to do when this all melts!
Fraser Valley Hunt Club
November 2006
It is tirst weekend of the month, and off we go again to the second and last fox hunt of the season. This time I'm taking Dagjeir.
Same as last time, I went to the park and schooled the water and ditch on Friday afternoon. It rained everywhere except at the park!
On Sunday we again had a big turn out, but this time the weather wasn't as nice.
Very stormy...I kept my rain jacket on, but the hunters all stayed in their nice jackets!
Dagjeir got very excited...I have never seen him like this!
He caught on that when the horn sounds, you run! And he was going to run with the dogs...
It took some serious negotiating with him, until we found common ground....I let him run as fast as he wanted, and when it was time to slow down he would finally listen and stay with our group.
This time there were more jumps, and he jumped everything flawlessly, and it was slick and muddy, but he never took a wrong step.
Another great weekend, winter doesn't seem that bad when events like this happen!
It is tirst weekend of the month, and off we go again to the second and last fox hunt of the season. This time I'm taking Dagjeir.
Same as last time, I went to the park and schooled the water and ditch on Friday afternoon. It rained everywhere except at the park!
On Sunday we again had a big turn out, but this time the weather wasn't as nice.
Very stormy...I kept my rain jacket on, but the hunters all stayed in their nice jackets!
Dagjeir got very excited...I have never seen him like this!
He caught on that when the horn sounds, you run! And he was going to run with the dogs...
It took some serious negotiating with him, until we found common ground....I let him run as fast as he wanted, and when it was time to slow down he would finally listen and stay with our group.
This time there were more jumps, and he jumped everything flawlessly, and it was slick and muddy, but he never took a wrong step.
Another great weekend, winter doesn't seem that bad when events like this happen!
Fox Hunting!
October 2006
I am invited to a fox hunt in Bellingham.
It's a drag hunt, no fox involved. The course has been planned, and some jumps have been set up.
This is the first hunt here! I have never done such a thing, but always wanted to! I decided to take Olga (Olimpic Gul) and didn't really know what to expect. The day before the hunt I went with Carry Hopper who had invited me, to a little eventing park just outside Bellingham and we schooled our horses. The next day we went to the meeting spot of the hunt, and at least 30 horses and riders showed up! It even was a nice day, no rain! The places we rode thru were beautiful, and most of the land owners who's land we rode on stood by and watched us. There were a few jumps, mostly just some branches. Hearing the horn, and the bark of dogs, canter to keep up, I was in heaven! Olga did great! And what a nice bunch of people! Afterwards we all had "breakfast" together, although at 2 in the afternoon. Next week I hope to go again....
I am invited to a fox hunt in Bellingham.
It's a drag hunt, no fox involved. The course has been planned, and some jumps have been set up.
This is the first hunt here! I have never done such a thing, but always wanted to! I decided to take Olga (Olimpic Gul) and didn't really know what to expect. The day before the hunt I went with Carry Hopper who had invited me, to a little eventing park just outside Bellingham and we schooled our horses. The next day we went to the meeting spot of the hunt, and at least 30 horses and riders showed up! It even was a nice day, no rain! The places we rode thru were beautiful, and most of the land owners who's land we rode on stood by and watched us. There were a few jumps, mostly just some branches. Hearing the horn, and the bark of dogs, canter to keep up, I was in heaven! Olga did great! And what a nice bunch of people! Afterwards we all had "breakfast" together, although at 2 in the afternoon. Next week I hope to go again....
NW Fall Gala Horse Trials at NW
I went to the NW Fall Gala and Championships horse trials.
I thought I had never been to this place, but 7 years ago I trailered a friend here who took her horse schooling here. It's a nice place, and they had lots of improvements. I was by myself this time, no braiding help or any of the like....
I rode Dagjeir in the afternoon on Thursday. He's getting used to the routine it seems, he hardly needed any time to settle.
Friday our dressage was at noon. I did a new way of braiding since I had all that time, and I thought he looked like a million bucks....
Our dressage went the better than at the last event, and we had better scores.
I made the mistake of thinking we already had to do a canter circle, asked him to canter and immediately realized my mistake and asked him to trot again...but too late,we got a 5 there...my fault!
Next day cross country....
Dagjeir hasn't always been the best on the first jump, and this one was well decorated with fresh flowers....but he jumped it without any hesitation. Great improvement! Jump 4 I had my worries about...right at the take off point the horses would see the water close to the landing. So my strategy was to trot in to give him time to see the situation. We got to jump 4 at a slow canter, and I opted to let him be, he jumped just fine and we came to a slow halt by the water and then went thru. Not bad for Dagjeir! By then the rest of the course was easy, I knew all the rest he'd jump, ditch and all.....
I was celebrating in my mind how we'd have a ribbon again...came up to a log jump that looked sooo small I thought....and at the last minute he went around!
I realized then I had completely stopped riding! I felt so stupid!!! needless to say, there went the ribbon!!!!
We jumped the last of the course in time and had no more faults. Stadium we went clean too.
I met some new friends and got invited fox hunting. I can't wait for next year and do better!
I thought I had never been to this place, but 7 years ago I trailered a friend here who took her horse schooling here. It's a nice place, and they had lots of improvements. I was by myself this time, no braiding help or any of the like....
I rode Dagjeir in the afternoon on Thursday. He's getting used to the routine it seems, he hardly needed any time to settle.
Friday our dressage was at noon. I did a new way of braiding since I had all that time, and I thought he looked like a million bucks....
Our dressage went the better than at the last event, and we had better scores.
I made the mistake of thinking we already had to do a canter circle, asked him to canter and immediately realized my mistake and asked him to trot again...but too late,we got a 5 there...my fault!
Next day cross country....
Dagjeir hasn't always been the best on the first jump, and this one was well decorated with fresh flowers....but he jumped it without any hesitation. Great improvement! Jump 4 I had my worries about...right at the take off point the horses would see the water close to the landing. So my strategy was to trot in to give him time to see the situation. We got to jump 4 at a slow canter, and I opted to let him be, he jumped just fine and we came to a slow halt by the water and then went thru. Not bad for Dagjeir! By then the rest of the course was easy, I knew all the rest he'd jump, ditch and all.....
I was celebrating in my mind how we'd have a ribbon again...came up to a log jump that looked sooo small I thought....and at the last minute he went around!
I realized then I had completely stopped riding! I felt so stupid!!! needless to say, there went the ribbon!!!!
We jumped the last of the course in time and had no more faults. Stadium we went clean too.
I met some new friends and got invited fox hunting. I can't wait for next year and do better!
On Sunday we had the schooling show. All was informal, no braiding, no show clothes! Savannah did 2 rounds of beginner novice on Dagjeir, and I did 2 jumping beginner novice rounds on Olga and a novice jumping round on Dagjeir.
Dressage was first, and Savannah was pretty nervous. She did good, except for being of course in both test at different spots...
That's what schooling shows are for...it was hard for her to get over the nerves! hen her jumping round went great....up to jump 8, a stadium jump facing the water. She fell off on the landing. By then it had been an overwhelming weekend for her and she opted to quit.
They let her jump one jump before leaving. The people helping couldn't have been more supportive and helpful! Olga did great, but lost her nerve when the course went along the fence where the temporary stalls are, with all the horses for the weekend watching her.
She did not pay attention to the jump, and couldn't see a way out of this busy intersection. We had 3 refusals, so I went around and finished the course since it's a schooling show! Then our second run she jumped the fence first go, even though we had caught up to the horse in front of us and he was refusing the same fence. We got a lot of cheering from the ground crew! Then the Novice run on Dagjeir went flawless. I think he's ready to move up a level next year.
What a great experience, and Chandra did a great job taking these pictures!
Dressage was first, and Savannah was pretty nervous. She did good, except for being of course in both test at different spots...
That's what schooling shows are for...it was hard for her to get over the nerves! hen her jumping round went great....up to jump 8, a stadium jump facing the water. She fell off on the landing. By then it had been an overwhelming weekend for her and she opted to quit.
They let her jump one jump before leaving. The people helping couldn't have been more supportive and helpful! Olga did great, but lost her nerve when the course went along the fence where the temporary stalls are, with all the horses for the weekend watching her.
She did not pay attention to the jump, and couldn't see a way out of this busy intersection. We had 3 refusals, so I went around and finished the course since it's a schooling show! Then our second run she jumped the fence first go, even though we had caught up to the horse in front of us and he was refusing the same fence. We got a lot of cheering from the ground crew! Then the Novice run on Dagjeir went flawless. I think he's ready to move up a level next year.
What a great experience, and Chandra did a great job taking these pictures!
Steuart Pittman clink at Donida
September 2006
My student Savannah and I went to a Steuart Pittman clink at Donida.
We arrived Friday afternoon, and Chandra came with us to watch.
This was Savannah's first "event", Saturday clinic and Sunday a schooling show of dressage and cross country mixed with stadium jumps.
Friday night Savannah and Chandra rode the horses in the indoor arena, so nice to have mirrors so they could see instantly how they are sitting and affecting the horse. Saturday morning we were in the first group. Steuart is a great horse man and very encouraging.
Savannah did great, and Olga was very bold.
My student Savannah and I went to a Steuart Pittman clink at Donida.
We arrived Friday afternoon, and Chandra came with us to watch.
This was Savannah's first "event", Saturday clinic and Sunday a schooling show of dressage and cross country mixed with stadium jumps.
Friday night Savannah and Chandra rode the horses in the indoor arena, so nice to have mirrors so they could see instantly how they are sitting and affecting the horse. Saturday morning we were in the first group. Steuart is a great horse man and very encouraging.
Savannah did great, and Olga was very bold.
Peren line stallion
September 2006
had the opportunity to buy Pan Tau, a stallion bred in Germany by Siege-Friede Karras.
I picked him up the same weekend the convention at the Kentucky horse park was going on.
Unfortunately I could not go, but to have this stallion is a dream come true.
I hope to event him in 2007.
He is very sweet, athletic and well mannered.
had the opportunity to buy Pan Tau, a stallion bred in Germany by Siege-Friede Karras.
I picked him up the same weekend the convention at the Kentucky horse park was going on.
Unfortunately I could not go, but to have this stallion is a dream come true.
I hope to event him in 2007.
He is very sweet, athletic and well mannered.
The Akhal-Teke Sheen
September 2006
The foals are growing up nicely, and so are the fillies.
Fall is in the air and they are shedding their summer coat.
It always seems too soon! I'm not quire ready for the cold dark days...
Pictured on the left are Ovazli Gul, Shirin Giz and Ayal Pikira.
Olga is doing great and next year we hope to event her.
The foals are growing up nicely, and so are the fillies.
Fall is in the air and they are shedding their summer coat.
It always seems too soon! I'm not quire ready for the cold dark days...
Pictured on the left are Ovazli Gul, Shirin Giz and Ayal Pikira.
Olga is doing great and next year we hope to event her.
Golden Buckskin
September 2006
I took some pictures of Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer), he's changed a lot over time...sometimes I don't notice since I see him every day.
But when I look at the pictures when I first got him, he's like a different horse!
From ugley duck to golden swan...
I took some pictures of Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer), he's changed a lot over time...sometimes I don't notice since I see him every day.
But when I look at the pictures when I first got him, he's like a different horse!
From ugley duck to golden swan...
San Juan Island Fair
August 2006
It is fair time and Chandra 10, Savannah 13, and Shelby 14, are jumping on Saturday. We have been practicing every day this week.
Savannah went out first and got a 3rd place in her class, then Chandra went, but in her left hand turn she graciously fell of and landed on her feet holding on to the reins, she got a leg up and the judge told her she could jump one jump on her way out.
Savannah went out again and got another 3rd ribbon. Chandra had another turn, and this time she made her left hand turn, but a little later she ended up on his neck in the turn...she halted him and scooted back in the saddle, but no ribbons for her....quite the tough little rider she is! Watch out for her next year! Shelby jumped 3 flawless rounds, and got 2 5th place ribbons. It's the only show on the island...all other shows are a ferry ride away and therefore quite expensive. They rode well, and to me, that is what counts!
It is fair time and Chandra 10, Savannah 13, and Shelby 14, are jumping on Saturday. We have been practicing every day this week.
Savannah went out first and got a 3rd place in her class, then Chandra went, but in her left hand turn she graciously fell of and landed on her feet holding on to the reins, she got a leg up and the judge told her she could jump one jump on her way out.
Savannah went out again and got another 3rd ribbon. Chandra had another turn, and this time she made her left hand turn, but a little later she ended up on his neck in the turn...she halted him and scooted back in the saddle, but no ribbons for her....quite the tough little rider she is! Watch out for her next year! Shelby jumped 3 flawless rounds, and got 2 5th place ribbons. It's the only show on the island...all other shows are a ferry ride away and therefore quite expensive. They rode well, and to me, that is what counts!
Area VII Young Riders horse trials at Donida
We are very sad to see Flynn and Sophie go, but there isn't much time to think about it, tomorrow I go compete at the Area VII Young Riders horse trials in Auburn Washington. I have had little time to practice, and on Thursday upon arriving rode in their beautiful indoor arena with mirrors....Sure helps to see how we were getting along!
Dagjeir went straight to work and was a delight to ride.
Friday dressage went very well. He was steady and obedient, and we finished tied for 8th place.
Saturday afternoon we got our turn on cross country. Dagjeir just flew over the jumps! We finished almost right on the dot to the optimum time!
We had a clear round and no time penalties, and that put us in 4th place.
I got a braiding lesson from the lady stabled next to us, she showed me some tricks I did not know, and he looked like a million bucks on Sunday! We jumped a clean round again, and kept our 4th place. We got to canter the victory circle with our ribbon!
We got many compliments and inquiries about the breed! I couldn't have done it without the faithful help of my students Savannah and Shelby!
Dagjeir went straight to work and was a delight to ride.
Friday dressage went very well. He was steady and obedient, and we finished tied for 8th place.
Saturday afternoon we got our turn on cross country. Dagjeir just flew over the jumps! We finished almost right on the dot to the optimum time!
We had a clear round and no time penalties, and that put us in 4th place.
I got a braiding lesson from the lady stabled next to us, she showed me some tricks I did not know, and he looked like a million bucks on Sunday! We jumped a clean round again, and kept our 4th place. We got to canter the victory circle with our ribbon!
We got many compliments and inquiries about the breed! I couldn't have done it without the faithful help of my students Savannah and Shelby!
Long Horn Bull Chasing!
August 2006
It has been a very dry summer and the horses are in my neighbors field with plenty of grass. However the cows have knocked over the electric fence, and are exploring our farm.... The horses are bossing the cows around, and the kids have gotten their courage up....it's bull chasing time!
It has been a very dry summer and the horses are in my neighbors field with plenty of grass. However the cows have knocked over the electric fence, and are exploring our farm.... The horses are bossing the cows around, and the kids have gotten their courage up....it's bull chasing time!
Visiting San Juan Islands
July 2006
We've had visitors come and see the horses and taken them for rides from as far as New York and Mississippi. And then we had my sisters daughter and son stay for 3 weeks from France. The kids are very allergic, and have no pets at home.
They tried horse back riding once, but immediately broke out with a bad rash. Well, I have always heard that Akhal-Teke's are hypo allergic, and they were the proof it is true!
We rode just about every day! On the trails we went, and Sophie also enjoyed some jumping lessons.
We've had visitors come and see the horses and taken them for rides from as far as New York and Mississippi. And then we had my sisters daughter and son stay for 3 weeks from France. The kids are very allergic, and have no pets at home.
They tried horse back riding once, but immediately broke out with a bad rash. Well, I have always heard that Akhal-Teke's are hypo allergic, and they were the proof it is true!
We rode just about every day! On the trails we went, and Sophie also enjoyed some jumping lessons.
July 2006
Paktaly is growing up nicely...
He is handsome and so shiny!
And very well mannered.
Paktaly is growing up nicely...
He is handsome and so shiny!
And very well mannered.
Golden Filly
June 2006
We have a new arrival, Aktepel had a filly.
She is the prettiest thing, and not so little!
Aktepel has big foals, her foal from last year is already as tall as the 2 year olds....
Finally thought of a name too....Altyn Gush, gold bird.
Her sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
We have a new arrival, Aktepel had a filly.
She is the prettiest thing, and not so little!
Aktepel has big foals, her foal from last year is already as tall as the 2 year olds....
Finally thought of a name too....Altyn Gush, gold bird.
Her sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
Chase Creek Eventing Camp
June 2006
We are off to eventing camp in Canada again!
This time I'll have 2 horses and 4 kids along.
The weather was perfect, not too hot and no rain like last year.
Shelby, 14 now, is still riding Dagjeir and I'm riding Olga.
This is her first time, and she is pretty new at jumping.
Shelby really got into the swing of things, they got bolder by the day and jumped and then jumped more.
I took it easy on Olga since I hadn't had the time to condition her properly, but she enjoyed herself.
Everyone was a great help, the boys build a very nice dam to cool the horse's legs in.
We are off to eventing camp in Canada again!
This time I'll have 2 horses and 4 kids along.
The weather was perfect, not too hot and no rain like last year.
Shelby, 14 now, is still riding Dagjeir and I'm riding Olga.
This is her first time, and she is pretty new at jumping.
Shelby really got into the swing of things, they got bolder by the day and jumped and then jumped more.
I took it easy on Olga since I hadn't had the time to condition her properly, but she enjoyed herself.
Everyone was a great help, the boys build a very nice dam to cool the horse's legs in.
Chandra would always groom and ride the horses back to camp. For the first time we were early for every single lesson!
The boys had a fire ready every night, and helped grazing the horses.
We had an unforgettable time!
The boys had a fire ready every night, and helped grazing the horses.
We had an unforgettable time!
A Hernia and a foal
June 2006
Kamiah has a bulge forming in her lower stomach and it doesn't look good. One more month before her foal is due.....
I took her to the large animal hospital on the main land, they ultrasounded her and she ruptured a stomach muscle.
She would probably die in child birth so they said....
I took her to Cathy Leddy who let her stay there and keep an eye on her, she's close to 24 hr doctors. She called me on the 14th, and sure enough, that night her waters broke, and Cathy and I helped the foal out.
Kamiah was fine, was able to push, and is a great mom!
And she had a filly! She was 2 weeks early, but is a healthy little girl. We named her Kitchi Gul, "little flower". She is by Cathy's stallion Astrakhan.
If it wasn't for friends helping out.....thank you Cathy!
Kamiah has a bulge forming in her lower stomach and it doesn't look good. One more month before her foal is due.....
I took her to the large animal hospital on the main land, they ultrasounded her and she ruptured a stomach muscle.
She would probably die in child birth so they said....
I took her to Cathy Leddy who let her stay there and keep an eye on her, she's close to 24 hr doctors. She called me on the 14th, and sure enough, that night her waters broke, and Cathy and I helped the foal out.
Kamiah was fine, was able to push, and is a great mom!
And she had a filly! She was 2 weeks early, but is a healthy little girl. We named her Kitchi Gul, "little flower". She is by Cathy's stallion Astrakhan.
If it wasn't for friends helping out.....thank you Cathy!
April 2006
The horses are shedding and enjoy cooling off in the pond. These are the coming two year old and one year old girls.
Here we have left to right Ovazli Gul and Shirin Giz, both turning 2 and Ayal Pikira turining one.
The horses are shedding and enjoy cooling off in the pond. These are the coming two year old and one year old girls.
Here we have left to right Ovazli Gul and Shirin Giz, both turning 2 and Ayal Pikira turining one.
August 20005
My childhood friend visited from Holland!
She owns a big riding stable in Holland, and her 2 daughters ride too. What joy to see our kids ride together!
We took them on trail rides, our little cross country course, and jumps in the field.
If you couldn't find the kids, all you had to do is look in the pastures, and sure enough, they'd be petting a horse.
My childhood friend visited from Holland!
She owns a big riding stable in Holland, and her 2 daughters ride too. What joy to see our kids ride together!
We took them on trail rides, our little cross country course, and jumps in the field.
If you couldn't find the kids, all you had to do is look in the pastures, and sure enough, they'd be petting a horse.
Endurance ride & Ots Sunrise farm
August, 2005
We are going to Wisconsin to do our first endurance ride ever!
Savannah is going, my student, Sam, my son and I. We flew in and on Saturday we went to Ots Sunrise farm for their open house.
They had a good turnout and a nice program. We had to leave early to fetch the horses and drive to where the ride was.
My Favorite horses where Mamuk, see head shot, and Pan Tau, ridden under saddle.
We are going to Wisconsin to do our first endurance ride ever!
Savannah is going, my student, Sam, my son and I. We flew in and on Saturday we went to Ots Sunrise farm for their open house.
They had a good turnout and a nice program. We had to leave early to fetch the horses and drive to where the ride was.
My Favorite horses where Mamuk, see head shot, and Pan Tau, ridden under saddle.
August 2005
We jumped at the fair again this year.
Dagjeir and Willow did great, and placed from 1 to 3rd in every class.
We jumped at the fair again this year.
Dagjeir and Willow did great, and placed from 1 to 3rd in every class.
Bettina Koehn supplied horses for all of us, and her daughter rode too. I got to ride Bettina's Akhal-Teke mare Annouschka.
It wasn't too hot for us Washington people, and after having to make one saddle change for Sam, we rode the whole 25 miles.
The kids all placed!
The next day we took pictures of Bettina's horses dressed up and rode more horses. She ownes the pure bred ares Galina and annouschka both imported from Germany. And her colt Mukam is by Mamuk.
What a great experience it was!
It wasn't too hot for us Washington people, and after having to make one saddle change for Sam, we rode the whole 25 miles.
The kids all placed!
The next day we took pictures of Bettina's horses dressed up and rode more horses. She ownes the pure bred ares Galina and annouschka both imported from Germany. And her colt Mukam is by Mamuk.
What a great experience it was!
Donida Horse Trials 2005
August 5,6 and 7th Shelby and I competed in the Area VII horse trials at Donida.
The weather was great, the facility beautiful, and we got a great camping spot.
And Amy Tryon and Poggio competed in dressage and showjumping, that caused the necessary excitement!
I was first with dressage, and our stalls were next to the arena....Willow whinnied constantly, and Dagjeir would answer him...
So his concentration wasn't the best during the test. Shelby did better in her dressage, but her scores did not show it.
The next day on cross country the first jump Willow looked at, but then he got going and jumped everything well. One jump was in the shade, and we had a stop. After that we had no more trouble and he seems to get the hang of things! We only had a few time faults and one refusal.
The weather was great, the facility beautiful, and we got a great camping spot.
And Amy Tryon and Poggio competed in dressage and showjumping, that caused the necessary excitement!
I was first with dressage, and our stalls were next to the arena....Willow whinnied constantly, and Dagjeir would answer him...
So his concentration wasn't the best during the test. Shelby did better in her dressage, but her scores did not show it.
The next day on cross country the first jump Willow looked at, but then he got going and jumped everything well. One jump was in the shade, and we had a stop. After that we had no more trouble and he seems to get the hang of things! We only had a few time faults and one refusal.
Shelby and Dagjeir had the same problem, slow in the beginning and then they got going.
The next day showjumping went well. Neither of us had any faults. Still, not good enough to place.
We had a great time, we both felt our horses did better then last.
So we are very happy!
The next day showjumping went well. Neither of us had any faults. Still, not good enough to place.
We had a great time, we both felt our horses did better then last.
So we are very happy!
Grey foals are born brown
July 18th, 2005
Olimpic Gul gave birth in the night to a colt.
Both are doing great. She is very protective over the foal.
We are very happy, and hope he'll stay a dark bay!
We named him Paktaly, meaning cottony in Turkmen..because we know he will turn grey..
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
Olimpic Gul gave birth in the night to a colt.
Both are doing great. She is very protective over the foal.
We are very happy, and hope he'll stay a dark bay!
We named him Paktaly, meaning cottony in Turkmen..because we know he will turn grey..
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
Whidbey Island Hores Trails
July 7th, 2005
We go to Whidbey on Thursday for our first 3 day event of the year.. They had 270 entries!!!!! Glad we came early, the place was a zoo. We got a nice camp spot next to the horses. Rode Thursday afternoon to let the horses get used to the dressage environment and just the fact of being there.Neither one of the horses has ever competed, and Shelby, (13) has never gone to a show. Willow has been under saddle for almost 6 month, he's a Akhal-Teke/Appy cross. Thursday night the wind was hauling, I had put the Turkmen flag on the trailer so people could find our spot a little easier......it was banging on the trailer so loud that I got out and took it down, then tied down the easy up that was about to blow into the horses, they were freaked out. Then an hour later a huge crash, a rotten tree top was blown down and just missed the trailer by a foot.
We go to Whidbey on Thursday for our first 3 day event of the year.. They had 270 entries!!!!! Glad we came early, the place was a zoo. We got a nice camp spot next to the horses. Rode Thursday afternoon to let the horses get used to the dressage environment and just the fact of being there.Neither one of the horses has ever competed, and Shelby, (13) has never gone to a show. Willow has been under saddle for almost 6 month, he's a Akhal-Teke/Appy cross. Thursday night the wind was hauling, I had put the Turkmen flag on the trailer so people could find our spot a little easier......it was banging on the trailer so loud that I got out and took it down, then tied down the easy up that was about to blow into the horses, they were freaked out. Then an hour later a huge crash, a rotten tree top was blown down and just missed the trailer by a foot.
My ride on Friday was at noon, and Shelby at 5. Perfect so I could concentrate on myself, and then on Shelby. The wind was still like a hurricane, and luckily Savannah was there too. One to hold the horse still, one to hold the mane and keep it from flying, and me braiding. Then I went to warm up an hour early. Just didn't know what to expect from Willow....the dressage arena was quite a ways from camp, and he really was upset about leaving Dagjeir. Soon he started bucking and half rearing and squealing...so we trotted and trotted and when that went well cantered and cantered. He settled down, and so did the wind.
was the first one to start in my class, and we did much better than I had hoped for, he actually was more relaxed then I had hoped for.
was the first one to start in my class, and we did much better than I had hoped for, he actually was more relaxed then I had hoped for.
We had 26 entries in our class, 2 did never show, and we placed 14th. Our score was 43.
Then back to camp, eat lunch, and braid Dagjeir. Had the girls finish his braids, was cute to see, 2 little girls standing on chairs concentrating hard!
Then we went early for Shelby's warm up too. Dagjeir I wasn't too worried about, he is so independent. He went well, she had a good warm up. But during her test she did not collect him much, did not ride on the letters too good, but hey, for her first test ever for both of them they did great.
She got a score of 46. The next morning the weather was nice! We got up at 6am, Shelby is not a morning person! Her mom had come the night before. We ate some breakfast, and saddled up.
Then back to camp, eat lunch, and braid Dagjeir. Had the girls finish his braids, was cute to see, 2 little girls standing on chairs concentrating hard!
Then we went early for Shelby's warm up too. Dagjeir I wasn't too worried about, he is so independent. He went well, she had a good warm up. But during her test she did not collect him much, did not ride on the letters too good, but hey, for her first test ever for both of them they did great.
She got a score of 46. The next morning the weather was nice! We got up at 6am, Shelby is not a morning person! Her mom had come the night before. We ate some breakfast, and saddled up.
Shelby's start was at 8.20, me at 8.50. Warm up went well, and I could see Dagjeir go to the start box and the first 3 jumps......he slowed down for the first jump but went anyway, he stopped at the second one, and then jumped and she kept him going, barely...but they went....the 3rd they looked squirmy too...my hart just sank...I thought how on earth can they finish the course!!! Jump the ditch.....the farm house....I thought they'd get eliminated.....
My turn came, and same for me, Willow looked at everything! If he had it his way he would have sniffed every jump first....we made it over every jump, not pretty but we finished....and at the finish there was Shelby!!!! She finished too!!!!!!
I forgot to mention, it was quite the twisty course, many little trails and she had never been here before, she had to walk the course 7 times to remember it!
I'm so proud of her!!!!!!!!
My turn came, and same for me, Willow looked at everything! If he had it his way he would have sniffed every jump first....we made it over every jump, not pretty but we finished....and at the finish there was Shelby!!!! She finished too!!!!!!
I forgot to mention, it was quite the twisty course, many little trails and she had never been here before, she had to walk the course 7 times to remember it!
I'm so proud of her!!!!!!!!
In her class 4 got eliminated on cross country! In my class 5.
Shelby had 100 jump faults and time penalties, I had 60 jump faults and time penalties. A stop and then jump is a penalty.
But we were still in the running!!!!!
Saturday night was party night, salmon dinner, music and dancing.....party animal I am I went to bed at 9.30 or 10.....Shelby's mom was going to wait up, but told the girls to come to bed in a half an hour and they did....
Sunday we rode at the very end....I was worried about the course because jump #2 was a box, like the farm house where most horses in several levels all had refusals....
Shelby was first, remembered her course again, and Dagjeir first did not wanted to jump, she made him change his mind, got him over dreaded #2, and then they got in a rhythm and jumped the rest nicely!
Shelby had 100 jump faults and time penalties, I had 60 jump faults and time penalties. A stop and then jump is a penalty.
But we were still in the running!!!!!
Saturday night was party night, salmon dinner, music and dancing.....party animal I am I went to bed at 9.30 or 10.....Shelby's mom was going to wait up, but told the girls to come to bed in a half an hour and they did....
Sunday we rode at the very end....I was worried about the course because jump #2 was a box, like the farm house where most horses in several levels all had refusals....
Shelby was first, remembered her course again, and Dagjeir first did not wanted to jump, she made him change his mind, got him over dreaded #2, and then they got in a rhythm and jumped the rest nicely!
Willow was very upset in warm up and did not want to leave Dagjeir, jumped the little warm up cross just hugely, and wanted to tear at it!!!!
In the ring he looked at the first jump, #2 he stopped, then jumped, then we got going although he kept squirmy we finished the course. We each had one jump fault due to stand still and then jump.
I am so happy we finished! It was a good experience, now we know what to expect from our horses, they have done it once now, we know what to practice, next time should go smoother....
Our next date is August 5th....
In the ring he looked at the first jump, #2 he stopped, then jumped, then we got going although he kept squirmy we finished the course. We each had one jump fault due to stand still and then jump.
I am so happy we finished! It was a good experience, now we know what to expect from our horses, they have done it once now, we know what to practice, next time should go smoother....
Our next date is August 5th....
Chase Creek Eventing Camp
June 2005
We're off to camp in Chase Creek, Canada. Shelby, 13 years old is riding Dagjeir, I'm riding Willow, the part bred, and Sam is coming along for fun.
Camp is an unforgettable experience. The horses get used to jumping all kinds of drops, ditches, banks, and water.
Unfortunately we had a lot of rain. So much so that one day it was too wet and slick to jump.
We worked on our canter speeds that day.
The horses did great, and we learned a lot.
We're off to camp in Chase Creek, Canada. Shelby, 13 years old is riding Dagjeir, I'm riding Willow, the part bred, and Sam is coming along for fun.
Camp is an unforgettable experience. The horses get used to jumping all kinds of drops, ditches, banks, and water.
Unfortunately we had a lot of rain. So much so that one day it was too wet and slick to jump.
We worked on our canter speeds that day.
The horses did great, and we learned a lot.
We have been training daily and conditioning the horses for this summer's events. End of June we will go to a week long cross country camp in Chase Creek, Canada, and we feel ready. Sam and Shelby are practicing cantering thru the water.
Horses like to bathe themselves
April 24th 2005,
It has been warm and the horses have been bathing in our seasonal pond.
The grey mare on the left in Olimic Gul. Below in the pictures are Kamiah, chestnut mare,
Aktepel, buckskin mare and her foal Ayal Pikira.
It has been warm and the horses have been bathing in our seasonal pond.
The grey mare on the left in Olimic Gul. Below in the pictures are Kamiah, chestnut mare,
Aktepel, buckskin mare and her foal Ayal Pikira.
Eagles eating Afterbirht!
Finally Aktepel had her foal. It's spring break and 2 of my students spent the night so we could check together during the night. We were so sure it was going to happen that night, but it was cold and stormy. The next morning there was still no foal, and we were all tired. By one o'clock in the afternoon all had gone home.
I got my shipment of horse supplements in and was busy unloading and sorting. When I went to feed the horses, there was the baby!All had gone well. The only help she needed was flipping her lip back that somehow was inverted. She is the friendliest little girl! And finally we have some sunshine again!
The arena has dried out, we can practice our riding skills. Our horses are fit form riding the trails this winter.
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
I got my shipment of horse supplements in and was busy unloading and sorting. When I went to feed the horses, there was the baby!All had gone well. The only help she needed was flipping her lip back that somehow was inverted. She is the friendliest little girl! And finally we have some sunshine again!
The arena has dried out, we can practice our riding skills. Our horses are fit form riding the trails this winter.
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
February 2005
Congratulations to the Brock family, they purchased Clear Water Gold, she will now be named Misha. She made her trip to Kansas and will be ridden, shown and bred eventually.
Laurel does natural horsemanship, we couldn't have found her a better home.
Congratulations to the Brock family, they purchased Clear Water Gold, she will now be named Misha. She made her trip to Kansas and will be ridden, shown and bred eventually.
Laurel does natural horsemanship, we couldn't have found her a better home.
January 2005
We have a new horse in training, Black Willow is a part bred Akhal-Teke from the Nez Perce tribe.
He came at the right moment as we can use one more riding horse.
He is a 5 year old gelding and had 2 weeks of training. I'm hoping to compete him in 3 day eventing this year together with Dagjeir.
They only have a few pure bred horses left. The stallion Pazyrick, and the mares Sentira and Piroshka.
Shelby, 13 has been working hard with Dagjeir. They are a great team and we are planning to compete at 2 area VII 3 day events this summer.
We have a new horse in training, Black Willow is a part bred Akhal-Teke from the Nez Perce tribe.
He came at the right moment as we can use one more riding horse.
He is a 5 year old gelding and had 2 weeks of training. I'm hoping to compete him in 3 day eventing this year together with Dagjeir.
They only have a few pure bred horses left. The stallion Pazyrick, and the mares Sentira and Piroshka.
Shelby, 13 has been working hard with Dagjeir. They are a great team and we are planning to compete at 2 area VII 3 day events this summer.
Nez Perce, Lapwai, Idaho
In December 2004 Cathy Leddy and I drove to Idaho to pick up the last 2 mares belonging to Mr. Sprandell.
We stayed with our registrar Milena Stoszek and had a nice time visiting and admiring her horses.
The 3 of us drove to the Nez Perce to pick up the girls. They had seen better days in the past. Due to mineral deficiencies both girls have leg problems. The Nez Perce horse program is finally under new management and they realize the horses have been neglected. They want to sell all the horses and are trying to keep them in better shape. In March 2005 they will sell all the part breds at auction. They will still manage the Nez Perce horse registry.
They only have a few pure bred horses left. The stallion Pazyrick, and the mares Sentira and Piroshka.
Kamiah and Clear Water Gold are for sale at my farm. They are very sweet and should do a little more growing. Regular trims will help their feet tremendously and free choice minerals to get them back to health. They should make good broodmares since their ailment is not genetic but due to bad management. They are listed under Akhal-Tekes For Sale.
We stayed with our registrar Milena Stoszek and had a nice time visiting and admiring her horses.
The 3 of us drove to the Nez Perce to pick up the girls. They had seen better days in the past. Due to mineral deficiencies both girls have leg problems. The Nez Perce horse program is finally under new management and they realize the horses have been neglected. They want to sell all the horses and are trying to keep them in better shape. In March 2005 they will sell all the part breds at auction. They will still manage the Nez Perce horse registry.
They only have a few pure bred horses left. The stallion Pazyrick, and the mares Sentira and Piroshka.
Kamiah and Clear Water Gold are for sale at my farm. They are very sweet and should do a little more growing. Regular trims will help their feet tremendously and free choice minerals to get them back to health. They should make good broodmares since their ailment is not genetic but due to bad management. They are listed under Akhal-Tekes For Sale.
September 2004 ATAA convention Spokane, WA
Finally the convention came around, this time we took two horses.
The convention was held in Spokane, Washington combined with a horse expo.
Lot's of AT's showed up, and every day we participated in the parade of breeds in front of the crowds.
The Akhal-Teke was well received.
One of my students, Savannah came with me and so did my son Sam. They were great help, and participated in the parades.
We did "mock gradings" with the horses, nothing official, but fun to all together look at the horse and discuss the grades.
It is such a pleasure to see the horses in the flesh, meet new members, and to all participate in the parade each day was a lot of fun, all helped out and everyone dressed up.
The convention was held in Spokane, Washington combined with a horse expo.
Lot's of AT's showed up, and every day we participated in the parade of breeds in front of the crowds.
The Akhal-Teke was well received.
One of my students, Savannah came with me and so did my son Sam. They were great help, and participated in the parades.
We did "mock gradings" with the horses, nothing official, but fun to all together look at the horse and discuss the grades.
It is such a pleasure to see the horses in the flesh, meet new members, and to all participate in the parade each day was a lot of fun, all helped out and everyone dressed up.
Shirin has completely changed color!
She also adjusted well to being in a herd.
We took her to the Friday Harbor fair in August
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
She also adjusted well to being in a herd.
We took her to the Friday Harbor fair in August
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
August 2004
We have been riding a lot, and the kids are doing great on Dagjeir. We jump, ride in the woods and keep busy all day long.
Then we muck, handle the foals, and start preparing for the ATAA convention.
We have been riding a lot, and the kids are doing great on Dagjeir. We jump, ride in the woods and keep busy all day long.
Then we muck, handle the foals, and start preparing for the ATAA convention.
Shazada is another story. We suspected she may have trouble due to her scarring form her first foal, so I took her to Cathy Leddy to foal, where she would be close to a Hospital and Doctors in case she needed it.
She gave birth at 8.15 pm, but not without help! Thanks to Cathy she pulled her front legs out which were behind her head...she rejected the foal. Cathy and I tried to make her drink while holding Shazada, but her nipples are tiny and the foal could not latch on. So we milked her as much as we could to give the foal colostrum as much as possible. Shazada developed a fever, and we suspect she retained some placenta. She foundered and was in a lot of pain. Every one at Cathy's barn helped feed the foal, young and old. 10 days later we went home finally, Shazada is standing in deep sand in her stall, and she may recover fully! Time will tell.
Her daughter, Shirin is doing very well and growing! The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
She gave birth at 8.15 pm, but not without help! Thanks to Cathy she pulled her front legs out which were behind her head...she rejected the foal. Cathy and I tried to make her drink while holding Shazada, but her nipples are tiny and the foal could not latch on. So we milked her as much as we could to give the foal colostrum as much as possible. Shazada developed a fever, and we suspect she retained some placenta. She foundered and was in a lot of pain. Every one at Cathy's barn helped feed the foal, young and old. 10 days later we went home finally, Shazada is standing in deep sand in her stall, and she may recover fully! Time will tell.
Her daughter, Shirin is doing very well and growing! The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
On July 10th, 2004 Olga ( Olimpic Gul) had her foal early in the morning. She had a filly with no difficulties. As usual she is a very good mom.
This little girl is very adventurous and loves to hang out with her dad!
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
We named he Ovazli Gul, meaning melodious flower in Trukmen.
This little girl is very adventurous and loves to hang out with her dad!
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
We named he Ovazli Gul, meaning melodious flower in Trukmen.
Whidbey Island Pony Club
May 22ns 2004
I took Dagjeir to a cross country clinic on Whidbey island. It was pouring rain at 6am in the morning. By the time we got there it was still raining, but once ready to go it didn't matter anymore. This was his first time, and we have jumped very little. He did great, and towards the end he had fun and jumped in a nice rhythm.
Not surprising, he is so athletic. and when our lesson was over the rain stopped!
I took Dagjeir to a cross country clinic on Whidbey island. It was pouring rain at 6am in the morning. By the time we got there it was still raining, but once ready to go it didn't matter anymore. This was his first time, and we have jumped very little. He did great, and towards the end he had fun and jumped in a nice rhythm.
Not surprising, he is so athletic. and when our lesson was over the rain stopped!
Dagjeir is a good teacher, he's nice and quiet, has a sweet personality and loves attention. Savannah is learning to ride on him.
April 2004
Sam and I drove to Montana to pick up Aktepel. She is a mare owned by Lyndi Wiils. She will be bred to Pascha and she is for sale. We had a good trip, and Aktepel is very sweet!
Sam and I drove to Montana to pick up Aktepel. She is a mare owned by Lyndi Wiils. She will be bred to Pascha and she is for sale. We had a good trip, and Aktepel is very sweet!
March 2004
We got a pony on care lease, Pepper is 35 years old and the perfect teacher.
Now my son and I enjoy riding together. Dagjeir is coming along nicely.
We got a pony on care lease, Pepper is 35 years old and the perfect teacher.
Now my son and I enjoy riding together. Dagjeir is coming along nicely.
In February 2004 I went to visit a new breeder in Canada, Sandra de Blois.
She was snowed in, but the weather was nice and we had fun dressing up the horses.
Can't wait to see them in their summer coats!
She was snowed in, but the weather was nice and we had fun dressing up the horses.
Can't wait to see them in their summer coats!
ATAA conferance in Poway, CA
We had our Akhal-Teke Association of America conference in November, just as they had the big fire in California. Seeing the burned landscape was quite something, many horses couldn't come because it was still a disaster area.
I stayed with Sharon Clint who's house barely escaped the fire.
On Sunday we had the parade of horses, always a highlight for me!
Dr. Tito Pontecorvo brought his stallions. A feast for the eye.
Eloise King did a very nice dressage demonstration, while horses were being paraded around.
I stayed with Sharon Clint who's house barely escaped the fire.
On Sunday we had the parade of horses, always a highlight for me!
Dr. Tito Pontecorvo brought his stallions. A feast for the eye.
Eloise King did a very nice dressage demonstration, while horses were being paraded around.
Hypona 22 Horse Trials BC, Canada
My friend asked if I would go to one more event with her. In Canada this time. I agreed, but by the time it came around her horse was lame and I had to go by myself. And that was a big step for me! I had never braided by myself, Tamara did it for me last time good thing I paid attention to what she did! I had to course walk by myself, warm up, make sure I don't forget anything. Quite the challenge for me as I haven't competed since I was 15.
I got there, in Chilliwak, beautiful place along a river, and got Shazada settled in and camp set up.
There was a nice camp site were people not related to the horses but into fishing camped. Some girls ran up and asked if they could pet her, of course I said. And we had a little chit chat. Then I had the bright idea, "would you guys want to help me tomorrow" I asked, so the next day, 6 children showed up and sat on the fence and patted her, cut yarn for me to braid and held her still.
I got there, in Chilliwak, beautiful place along a river, and got Shazada settled in and camp set up.
There was a nice camp site were people not related to the horses but into fishing camped. Some girls ran up and asked if they could pet her, of course I said. And we had a little chit chat. Then I had the bright idea, "would you guys want to help me tomorrow" I asked, so the next day, 6 children showed up and sat on the fence and patted her, cut yarn for me to braid and held her still.
She loved the attention, and I got a pretty good shot at braiding.
From then on they stopped by every night and morning, and groomed her, came on walks to let her graze, it was a lot of fun.
Our dressage was much better, I wasn't as tense, she was much more relaxed, but I did not have her enough on the bit. So we scored towards the end of our novice class of 27 participants.
The next day I realized I left my vest at home, and had to borrow one. The course looked big to me, and the water was option.
We got in the start box and off we went. Not a single feeling of hesitation from Shazada. The jump that looked so big she took with ease, the water she trotted right in. When we jumped the ditch, which was in the shade in the woods, just as you came from the bright field, she jumped fine and as we went over I could feel her bend down to look at what it was. We did the course with not a problem, a little fast but within the time. We had moved to mid pack in the scoring.
The next day we got ready for stadium, she jumped the course well, but we had 2 rails down.
So we didn't place, but we finished 2 big events!
The next week the vet came and Shazada is pregnant! I am so glad I had the chance to do this with her. We learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and hopefully she'll contribute to the breed.
From then on they stopped by every night and morning, and groomed her, came on walks to let her graze, it was a lot of fun.
Our dressage was much better, I wasn't as tense, she was much more relaxed, but I did not have her enough on the bit. So we scored towards the end of our novice class of 27 participants.
The next day I realized I left my vest at home, and had to borrow one. The course looked big to me, and the water was option.
We got in the start box and off we went. Not a single feeling of hesitation from Shazada. The jump that looked so big she took with ease, the water she trotted right in. When we jumped the ditch, which was in the shade in the woods, just as you came from the bright field, she jumped fine and as we went over I could feel her bend down to look at what it was. We did the course with not a problem, a little fast but within the time. We had moved to mid pack in the scoring.
The next day we got ready for stadium, she jumped the course well, but we had 2 rails down.
So we didn't place, but we finished 2 big events!
The next week the vet came and Shazada is pregnant! I am so glad I had the chance to do this with her. We learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and hopefully she'll contribute to the breed.
Donida horse Trials
1st of August 2003 Shazada and I went to our first 3 day event. It was just outside Seattle, a beautiful facility called Donida. Our dressage was terrible, I was so nervous, and at the end of the test I had a blank, the judge rang the bell to tell me it was the end of the test, I had done it all and could leave, I came in last.
Next day the cross country. Novices start at the end of the day, and Cathy Leddy from Cascade Gold Akhal-Teke's and her friend Wendy showed up to cheer us on and a friend of mine.
Next day the cross country. Novices start at the end of the day, and Cathy Leddy from Cascade Gold Akhal-Teke's and her friend Wendy showed up to cheer us on and a friend of mine.
As we were walking towards the start box I could see the competitors before me go, they had a refusal at every jump, I started to worry this might not be so easy after all.
Our turn came, and off we went to the first jump, she jumped it nicely with plenty room to spare, and on we went.
Next day the cross country. Novices start at the end of the day, and Cathy Leddy from Cascade Gold Akhal-Teke's and her friend Wendy showed up to cheer us on and a friend of mine.
Next day the cross country. Novices start at the end of the day, and Cathy Leddy from Cascade Gold Akhal-Teke's and her friend Wendy showed up to cheer us on and a friend of mine.
As we were walking towards the start box I could see the competitors before me go, they had a refusal at every jump, I started to worry this might not be so easy after all.
Our turn came, and off we went to the first jump, she jumped it nicely with plenty room to spare, and on we went.
She did great, I felt her hesitate for the log so I tapped her shoulder and on she went, then thru the water no problem, up the bank into the woods, the bank down she took, the little ditch, and the stairs decorated with all the lovely flowers, she didn't mind a bit! I looked at my watch and were actually a little fast! We had finished our first course and she did great.
And that's what I love about 3 day, you're not done yet! The next day we had to wait for stadium as the last score stars first. We were in 6th place. We jumped our round and went clean again, and 6th we kept.
And that's what I love about 3 day, you're not done yet! The next day we had to wait for stadium as the last score stars first. We were in 6th place. We jumped our round and went clean again, and 6th we kept.
Chase Creek and Nick Holmes Smith
On July 3rd 2003 I went to a week long clinic in Chase, Canada for 3 day eventing. I took Shazada and went with two other friends. Chase is in a beautiful spot, along a creek and a lush valley, with a top level facility. It was my first attempt at 3 day eventing, and the same for Shazada.
Everyday the lessons were two hours long. We would start on the "pace" course to learn canter speeds. Then we would move on to the arena, and jump grids. Finally we would school cross country jumps.
I knew it would be fun, but that is an understatement. Every day Shazada got bolder, soon we didn't need leads over jumps anymore, and the dreaded ditch, a "petite" 4 foot beginners gape, as our teacher Nick Holmes would encourage us, "they don't come any smaller than this", ....turned out to be fun and easy as Shazada was excited about anything new.
Everyday the lessons were two hours long. We would start on the "pace" course to learn canter speeds. Then we would move on to the arena, and jump grids. Finally we would school cross country jumps.
I knew it would be fun, but that is an understatement. Every day Shazada got bolder, soon we didn't need leads over jumps anymore, and the dreaded ditch, a "petite" 4 foot beginners gape, as our teacher Nick Holmes would encourage us, "they don't come any smaller than this", ....turned out to be fun and easy as Shazada was excited about anything new.
There were 3 water complexes to school, banks, steep hills, and after a lesson the cool creek to stand the horses in and cool their legs. In one week we learned so much it was an invaluable time and we hope to be back next year.
On the night of May 10th 2003 Olga (Olimpic Gul) had her first foal. He is strong and healthy! And she is a wonderful Mom.
Many visitors make for a friendly foal. The kids were delighted to have him nap on their lap. Almost a month old by now.
We named him Ak Pashildi, thanks to the help of Flora. It means white splash, as he has a white dot on his forehead. Everyday there are lots of visitors. His mom doesn't mind as long as the dog doesn't come along.
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
Many visitors make for a friendly foal. The kids were delighted to have him nap on their lap. Almost a month old by now.
We named him Ak Pashildi, thanks to the help of Flora. It means white splash, as he has a white dot on his forehead. Everyday there are lots of visitors. His mom doesn't mind as long as the dog doesn't come along.
The sire is Pascha ( Nez Perce Dreamer)
In May 2003 my son and I went for our first trail ride together! Sam finally got over the fact of being so high off the ground, and now really enjoys riding Shazada, which leaves me stuck with the Appy.
Right after the conference the grading tour started. I was fortunate to be able to go on the first part, to see Max Ott's horses in Wisconsin.
We were there for two days to do all the work. Most of his kids helped bringing out horses and his oldest son rode one of the stallions and demonstrated some beautiful dressage moves.
All of the horses were measured in height, length and cannon bone. Then grades were given followed by going outside for pictures and then let loose in the arena to see their movement. A feast for the eye.
And the hospitality was wonderful.
We were there for two days to do all the work. Most of his kids helped bringing out horses and his oldest son rode one of the stallions and demonstrated some beautiful dressage moves.
All of the horses were measured in height, length and cannon bone. Then grades were given followed by going outside for pictures and then let loose in the arena to see their movement. A feast for the eye.
And the hospitality was wonderful.
Finally it was our turn to be graded! I can only take two in my trailer so I took Pascha and Shazada. They were well behaved together in the trailer and lots of people would come and look at them while waiting for the ferry. There was an apple tree full of apples near buy so they got lots of treats.
We went to Cathy Leddy's farm in Snohomish and it was nice to meat new people and old friends and be surrounded by horses.
When it was our turn to be graded both were terribly miss behaved and would not stand still. But we got measured all the same. We had to go back home that night and missed the party but it was a school day for my son.
The results are in our newsletter and final results will come once Tatiana has looked at pedigrees at home in Russia .
We went to Cathy Leddy's farm in Snohomish and it was nice to meat new people and old friends and be surrounded by horses.
When it was our turn to be graded both were terribly miss behaved and would not stand still. But we got measured all the same. We had to go back home that night and missed the party but it was a school day for my son.
The results are in our newsletter and final results will come once Tatiana has looked at pedigrees at home in Russia .
June 2002 Olimpic Gul was covered by Pascha, she is pregnant and will be due end of May 2003. On June 17th Shazada Giz was in labor. So exciting, my friends came, we were all waiting excitedly when I thought something was wrong. She just seemed to be in too much pain. I called Susan our vet and she came buy and checked the foal's position, bad news, it was head first but upside down. She tried to reposition it but at vain. Shazada's contractions were getting stronger and stronger and there was just no room to move. Susan gave me two options, put her under to stop the contractions and relax her, and try to move the baby, or take her off island to the hospital, and the baby would probably die on the way.
If we would put her under and failed, we would not be able to get her in the trailer and go to the hospital and would have lost time and probably Shazada too. So I opted to save at least Shazada's life and take her to the hospital.
We gave her a painkiller, she felt better and just followed me into the trailer full of hay incase she had to lay down. We called ahead and let the ferry people know we had an emergency. We made the trip to the hospital with no ordeals, and there they gave me the bad news, She might not make it, the foal is dead, and if they can't get it out they will have to do a C section and I need to decide now because they have to get ready and call the surgeon and I have to be willing to pay.
I agree to have all the necessary done, and it turns out one of the doctors is from Iran, and has worked with Louise Firous and her Akhal-Teke's! It's a small world!
The two doctors were amazing, they went inside of her and cut off the head of the foal and a leg, and with a chain, and 3 people pulling with her contractions they got the foal out. It was a colt, hard to tell what color, either light golden or cremello hard to tell it was so stained.
The first thing Shazada did as she was still laying down was take a bite of grass. A month later we went back for check ups at the hospital and they kept her to remove a huge scar on her cervix with laser surgery. At the hospital they thought she would never be able to breed again. The scarring was too severe and her cervix was not responding and remained wide open instead of closing in-between heat cycles.
My holistic vet recommended an herb and so did Advanced Biological Concepts were I get my feed from, and her cervix healed. We will see this spring if she can be bred....
If we would put her under and failed, we would not be able to get her in the trailer and go to the hospital and would have lost time and probably Shazada too. So I opted to save at least Shazada's life and take her to the hospital.
We gave her a painkiller, she felt better and just followed me into the trailer full of hay incase she had to lay down. We called ahead and let the ferry people know we had an emergency. We made the trip to the hospital with no ordeals, and there they gave me the bad news, She might not make it, the foal is dead, and if they can't get it out they will have to do a C section and I need to decide now because they have to get ready and call the surgeon and I have to be willing to pay.
I agree to have all the necessary done, and it turns out one of the doctors is from Iran, and has worked with Louise Firous and her Akhal-Teke's! It's a small world!
The two doctors were amazing, they went inside of her and cut off the head of the foal and a leg, and with a chain, and 3 people pulling with her contractions they got the foal out. It was a colt, hard to tell what color, either light golden or cremello hard to tell it was so stained.
The first thing Shazada did as she was still laying down was take a bite of grass. A month later we went back for check ups at the hospital and they kept her to remove a huge scar on her cervix with laser surgery. At the hospital they thought she would never be able to breed again. The scarring was too severe and her cervix was not responding and remained wide open instead of closing in-between heat cycles.
My holistic vet recommended an herb and so did Advanced Biological Concepts were I get my feed from, and her cervix healed. We will see this spring if she can be bred....
October 5th through 7th 2001 we had our Akhal-Teke conference in Staunton, Verginia. We had our meetings as usual, and on Sunday we went to the Case's farm to see their horses. They did a superb job, showing several horses under saddle and in hand. Also one could wander the paddocks and visit the horses in the field.
The weather was great and a catered lunch was provided by Phil and Margo Case. Thank you Phil and Margo for a wonderful day.
Next years conference will be in Raymore, Missouri at Silk road Akal-Teke's run by April Pruente.
The weather was great and a catered lunch was provided by Phil and Margo Case. Thank you Phil and Margo for a wonderful day.
Next years conference will be in Raymore, Missouri at Silk road Akal-Teke's run by April Pruente.
A good friend of mine asked me to accompany her on a drive to Idaho
delivering a mare she sold. I said I would under condition we would stop at the Nez Perce to see their Akhal-Teke's. I met her at 5am, loaded the mare and went to the ferry line. We boarded at 6am and after an hour and a half on the boat we unloaded and started driving. We made it to Boise by 5.30 pm. Delivered the mare, said our good-bye's and drove off to eat dinner and find a quite place to park the trailer and sleep in it.
The next day we drove on and arrived at the Nez Perce around 2pm. Rudy was there and showed us around. He had a 3 year old colt for sale. He had epiphysitis, his tendons in the front had been cut for it, his back legs were very swollen, and was very skinny. He'd been in a stall day and night for a long time, saturated with manure and urine. His feet had not been trimmed in a long time either. Against all common sense I told Rudy I'd buy him. First he did not believe me. He insisted his ferrier gave him a trim, unfortunately he did, cut him too short, and so now he couldn't walk.
We spent the night there in our trailer, and cleaned some stalls. The next morning at 8am the vet was there and performed a coggins test and looked him over. There wasn't much to do because he was so sore in his feet. At 10 am the vet called to say the coggins test was ready. I wrote Rudy a check, he wanted to hose the colt off with cold water so he wouldn't look so bad, but I refused, there was frost on the ground! So we loaded "Nez Perce Dream" in and drove by the clinic to pick up the test and we were off. We made good time and were able to catch the 8.30 pm ferry. We got home late, but we were home! I decided to call the colt Pascha. My vet came to look at him the next day, and thought he didn't look all that bad!
The first 2 days he hardly moved. Slowly he started to wake up to the world. He learned to eat grain, but still spits out carrots. After 2 weeks here he's not limping anymore, he doesn't choose the grass side on the driveway anymore but walks on the gravel. He is 3 years old, but he looks like he's 2. All I hope for is that he grows up healthy and sound.
delivering a mare she sold. I said I would under condition we would stop at the Nez Perce to see their Akhal-Teke's. I met her at 5am, loaded the mare and went to the ferry line. We boarded at 6am and after an hour and a half on the boat we unloaded and started driving. We made it to Boise by 5.30 pm. Delivered the mare, said our good-bye's and drove off to eat dinner and find a quite place to park the trailer and sleep in it.
The next day we drove on and arrived at the Nez Perce around 2pm. Rudy was there and showed us around. He had a 3 year old colt for sale. He had epiphysitis, his tendons in the front had been cut for it, his back legs were very swollen, and was very skinny. He'd been in a stall day and night for a long time, saturated with manure and urine. His feet had not been trimmed in a long time either. Against all common sense I told Rudy I'd buy him. First he did not believe me. He insisted his ferrier gave him a trim, unfortunately he did, cut him too short, and so now he couldn't walk.
We spent the night there in our trailer, and cleaned some stalls. The next morning at 8am the vet was there and performed a coggins test and looked him over. There wasn't much to do because he was so sore in his feet. At 10 am the vet called to say the coggins test was ready. I wrote Rudy a check, he wanted to hose the colt off with cold water so he wouldn't look so bad, but I refused, there was frost on the ground! So we loaded "Nez Perce Dream" in and drove by the clinic to pick up the test and we were off. We made good time and were able to catch the 8.30 pm ferry. We got home late, but we were home! I decided to call the colt Pascha. My vet came to look at him the next day, and thought he didn't look all that bad!
The first 2 days he hardly moved. Slowly he started to wake up to the world. He learned to eat grain, but still spits out carrots. After 2 weeks here he's not limping anymore, he doesn't choose the grass side on the driveway anymore but walks on the gravel. He is 3 years old, but he looks like he's 2. All I hope for is that he grows up healthy and sound.
October 29, 2001
Shazada had her 3 month check up and she is pregnant. Her foal is due in June 2002. Olga turned out to have a staph infection, we treated her with antibiotics and it is now gone. So maybe next year she'll be able to conceive.
Here is Samarkand playing, when I went to pck up the girls.
Shazada had her 3 month check up and she is pregnant. Her foal is due in June 2002. Olga turned out to have a staph infection, we treated her with antibiotics and it is now gone. So maybe next year she'll be able to conceive.
Here is Samarkand playing, when I went to pck up the girls.
September 9, 2001 Our hay won first prize at the fair.
June 25th I trailered Shazada and Olga ( Olimpic Gul) to Jude Vawter's farm to spent the hot summer nights flirting with Samarkand. I had tried to avoid shipping them off and used AI, but it never took. So they might become proud mommy's afterall...yestrerday, July 22nd Shazada and Samarkand had a date.
June 22nd 2001 we started to cut our hay. Everything was perfect untill the bailer broke. Then we had one night of drizzle rain. But it never got too wet, bailed that night, and thanks to good neighbors got it all safe in the barn. Thanks to the wonderfull ''fertilizer'' from Advanced Biological Concepts, we got 3 ton more hay this year, also it smells a lot sweeter.
In 2000 there weren't many Akhal-Teke horses in the US, I tried artificial insemination, but neither mare took. The search for a suitable sire started. In the mean time, I fully enjoyed my mares.
On April 1st, 1999 we moved into our farm in Friday Harbor, and in the fall I found 2 mares that would become our first pure bred Akhal-Teke mares to start our journey...
Shazada Giz and Olimpic Gul arrived in January 2000 from Virginia, where their previous owner had imported them from Italy.
Shazada Giz and Olimpic Gul arrived in January 2000 from Virginia, where their previous owner had imported them from Italy.
