year end awards

A couple weekends ago, we had the Northwest Driving Circuit Year End Awards party. This year we have away some really cool prizes which included harness boxes with engraved plaques, cart stands, belt buckles, NWODC clothing, and a bunch of other stuff. All the kids got sack packs with the logo on it, too.

Me and Shyloh got first place for Trail in Hand! I was super excited for this, it was something that we have worked very hard on. And, I think that is pretty good, since we missed the double judges show. We got a trail kit, which included cones and poles. I am excited about using that to practice more. Plus, Shy really likes doing this stuff and we can also work on it whole riding. Now, I need a bridge. . .

After the awards part, everyone partook in some bowling fun. I love this group of people that we show with. Every one has fun and encourages each other to do their best. I am looking forward to next years shows!

Also, my internet at home is spotty and the weather has plummented to below freezing in a matter of days. Shy's fuzz is keeping her super warm, but I do not have nearly as much fuzz as her, so posting may be sporadic for a while. 

mgli 2014

Last weekend was the Michigan Great Lakes International Draft Horse Show and Pull. I think I mentioned earlier that it was the first year that the Haflingers were there and they were doing their Haflinger and Hitch Pony Championship Series. The top four hitches that competed at qualifying events and had the highest points were driving against each other. So, of course I had to go watch!

Going to MGLI is always a fun time. We get to see the big hitch horses, all different kinds of hitches, baby horses, pulling horses, and do a little shopping.

Aside from the Haflingers, the coolest part was the farm team obstacle. 

I took a couple videos and some photos, so enjoy!

He had "googles" around each eye.

Haflinger line up

My Woody!

Brabants!

attached at the hip

Well, the move is over. It went smooth, which was nice. Both horses loaded right up into the trailer and away we went. Leaving was sad, but for a variety of reason I am happy to be back at the other barn. Being closer, on the way home from work, being able to continue my lessons on Reba, and having Lily partial lease Shyloh make the move worth it. 

Travel time!

Shy is pretty great about taking everything in stride. She doesn't get worked up by new places or old-new places. She stepped off the trailer, like whatever. Reba however. . .well, Reba had to make a grand entrance. We opened the trailer and Reba began backing out, while she was still tied to it. That didn't stop her, she busted through her halter and fell backwards. We have arrived!!

Checking out the new digs.

Once we got the horses into their new pasture, Shy rolled first thing. Then she began searching for grass. Reba followed her around like a lost puppy. Shy took to the woods up front and began running around. Traveller was being led out of the pasture and it was clear that they remembered each other. Reba was not down with this and got in between them. Traveller kicked out and Reba kicked back. It was instant hate and they continued kicking each other. Yikes! Shy was off running around the woods and Traveller went to follow her. Terry got Reba and Traveller's new owner tried to catch him, but he was off running with my wild pony. Finally, he was caught and led out. Reba was at peace.

Shy decided it was time to run out into the back of the pasture, with Reba close behind. Shy took her through more woods and they met up with the two Arabs and Quarter horse that are their new pasture mates. There was a small amount of squeals, but nothing like up front. The only scuffle was when Kota reared up on Reba and she reared a little bit and chest bumped him and he fell backwards. 

The herd. Shyloh, Reba, Kota, Ranger, Prince (order from front to back)

It was funny to see. Shy was just doing whatever she wanted and Reba was her bodyguard, not letting the other horses get too close to her. But at the same time, Reba would not leave her side. Every step Shy took, Reba took a step, too. It was a far cry from the first time I brought Shy to this barn. Shy was miss independent today and Reba was her tag-a-long. 

Bodyguard

Me and Terry stayed a while, just watching the horses settle in. They ran around, came up front for water, and went back out back to graze. It was funny to watch Shy trot through the pasture and the woods. . . Shy could clear branches that Reba had to seriously duck under. And since Reba would not stop following Shy, duck under those branches she did!

Coming through the woods. Looks like Reba is leading, but her strides are just bigger.

Every turn Shy made, Reba was right there with her.

Reba and Shy are the only mares in with the three geldings. Should be fun to watch the herd develop. 

another fair

The day after the Monroe County Fair, we headed to Wood County in Ohio for a pull in hitch show. Luckily, I spent most of Saturday at home, but Terry was with the horses at the fair, since they were not allowed to leave until 11pm Saturday night. So I had some rest under my belt, but Terry was pretty exhausted.

We were not showing, but going to support Beth and her Haflingers for their classes. Beth did really well with Art in the single cart and farm obstacle, but ran into a problem when she hitched Art and Curly together. Let's just say, Curly was being a dingbat. . .

Curly and Art

Curly and Art, again, in step

Go Art!

But, we had a fun time watching the hitches with the horses and draft ponies. It was a good time. There was even a hitch of Haflingers this time!

Cute little pinto pony

Draft pony, guessing a Clyde/Hackney cross. Look at that action!

Haflinger

Percheron

Clydesdale

Men's single pony cart class

Another of those draft pony crosses. So much action!

Farm team class

Working together

Six horse Clydesdale hitch

Six horse Percheron hitch

They had the full gambit of hitches - single, tandem, team, unicorn, four, and six - and other Percherons, Belgians, gray Percheron ponies, and black draft ponies, but I didn't get photos. Spent a lot of time at the trailer with Beth's ponies. 

Do I still have a horse? Yes. Shyloh is back home, happy that her herd has fully returned. This week's forecast calls for thunderstorms, but I will get out to see her and give an update on the sassy pony soon. 

scary sprayer

Reason #457932480 that minions are the best. . .they are so easy and fun. Another day spent not doing anything with Shyloh. . .

Jaime and I took Dexter and Meatball for a drive around the block last week. Minions can be harnessed and hitched by one person easily, all from the same side of the horse. Try that with a draft or even a Haflinger!

adorbs!

Jaime was awesome and let me take her favorite pony, Dexter. Meatball gave me so much crap last time I drove him, I was hesitant to drive him again. But he was perfect with Jaime, so I will give Meatball another chance. Plus, he is cute and a minion, what can he really do?

In your face minion!

Ponies are hilarious to drive. They like to race each other, but lately we have been not letting them. They have been getting a bit out of hand with that. We walked, we trotted, it was a nice, enjoyable drive.  Meatball did have one spook at these flowers that rustled and sounded suspiciously a lot like the fly spray that he hates. But that was no big deal.

Jaime is wearing our new farm shirt!

Until this tractor-thing came down the road. . .

Like this, except the wheels were even bigger!

We pulled to the side, but as the sprayer came down the road and into the view of Dexter's eyes (blinders make it harder to see), he got huge eyed and started dancing. Meatball, almost backed into a ditch, then took off, but Jaime got him under control quickly. I mean, that is a huge piece of machinery, a pickup truck can fit underneath it!

Love riding in this buckboard wagon

Dexter and Meatball are pretty calm and cool minions, motorcycles, semi trucks, and other farm equipment have never bothered them. The rest of the drive was uneventful. In fact, it was quite peaceful, me and Jaime and the ponies just cruising down the road. Except for that one time when Dexter got to going too fast and bucked out. . .but it was fine after I slowed him back down. 

Meaty!

When we returned, Reba was very upset that she had to stay back. That horse loves to work!

I am so happy that the humidity went down and the weather was bearable. Love driving those little minions!

***Remember to Guess the Breed for a chance to win something from Two Horse Tack. Contest ends Wednesday at midnight, so get your guess in!***

too much cute

We interrupt the normal Monday Musings to bring you too much cute to contain another day! Sorry Shyloh, but this beats you out. . .

Some friends of ours that show at our Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit shows also have a Gypsy Vanner farm and live pretty close to Kyle and Jaime's barn. And this past week two of their mares just had babies!

Babies!! Little foals full of little Gypsy beards and little Gypsy hair and little Gypsy feather and too much little Gypsy cuteness!

In your face filly!

Crazy little colt with mama right behind him

So we went to visit, of course! Can I tell you that Gypsy babies are probably the cutest thing on the planet? 

One was a solid filly(either black or smokey black, not sure yet) with blue eyes. She was adorable! She walked right up to us, like hey, I'm here, Love me!! And we did. She was the first foal from their stallion, Mr. Sandman. Her mom is Angelina Rose. This filly is already sold. I really wanted to put her in my pocket and steal her away. She would have come with me.  She is only a few days old and already took a halter like a pro. She is just so chill.

Walking up to everyone to say Hi! She is so sociable and not afraid.

Filly's mama

The colt was a little firecracker! He was in the pasture with his mom, Daezy Mae and two other mares. One was Lillie Belle who is due with the last foal on the farm for this year. 

Lillie Belle, almost ready to pop! 

The other is Jazmyn Joy, who is a yearling or two year old, I think. The colt is a couple days older than the filly and so so sassy! They are thinking that he is going to be a blue roan pinto. He was running around and kicking at his mom, the air, the grass, anything he could kick at. I guess he is a kicker and kicks at people too. His eyelashes are so so long and he has a belly mohawk!

Those eyelashes! He looks wet because it was just raining.

After getting our foal love on, we visited with the stallions. Sandman has really filled out nicely. He is super chill and loves to be loved on. Star is the other stallion on the farm. He is still too young to be bred, but he gets to hang out with Sandman and a mini horse.

Mr. Sandman

The Gypsy Vanners are such a great breed of horse. They have the calmest temperament, and they ride and drive. They are a thick, solid horse. 

Check out the website for Serenity Farm Gypsy Horses! We thank them for letting us visit!