WHAT BEAUTIFUL WEATHER WE HAVE BEEN HAVING, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN ENJOYING IT. LARK WENT HOME ON FRI HOPE ALL IS WELL--TRAILRIDE TRAILRIDE-- IS ALL HE NEEDS NOW. ANJA IS DOING WELL I EVEN RODE HER ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE , HER CONFIDENCE IS REALLY BUILDING. SHE HAS DECIDED TO PLAY THE LAZY CARD, WHICH IS NORMAL AT THIS STAGE, JUST SOMETHING ELSE TO WORK ON---INTRODUTION TO CROP, WHICH WENT VERY WELL. REBEL IS DOING AMAZING, WE WENT TO OUR KEN BORDAN CLINIC AND LEARNED HOW TO GET PAST OUR TROUBLE SPOTS. LAST NIGHT WE EVEN CANTERED AROUND THE ARENA BOTH DIRECTIONS. YEAHHH!!!!!!! COULD WE BE SO LUCKY AND GET ANOTHER GORGEOUS WEEKEND???

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR WEATHER, A PERSON COULD ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING DONE. RAY AND ANJA ARE DOING VERY WELL TOGETHER. TONIGHT SHE GOT TO GO ON HER FIRST TRAILRIDE, THE FIRST ONE WE TRY TO PLAN THINGS FOR THE POSITIVE. WELL, HERE IT GOES. ERIC ON BARNEY, DEB ON ANJA, GOING DOWN THE ROAD TO DO SOME HILLS, CHECK OUT THE WATER AND JUST GET HER IN THE WOODS, SOUNDS PRETTY EASY, RIGHT! SO, WE ARE WALKING DOWN THE ROAD AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CORN FIELD IS A CORN PICKER PICKING CORN, A SEMI TRUCK WAITING TO BE LOADED AND YES, A TRACTOR COMING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A SHIT SPREADER. WHAT THE HELL.! WAIT IT ONLY GETS BETTER AND REMEMBER ANJA IS A LITTLE SCARED OF CARS. HERE IT GOES, I DISMOUNT HER SO SHE DOES NOT GO OUT OF HER MIND WHILE WE PASS THE CORN PICKER AND SEMI AND ALLOW THE TRACTOR TO PASS US. SHE IS DOING EXCELLENT WITH EVERYTHING, I REMOUNT AND PROCEED TO RIDE PASS THE TRACTOR THAT IS SPREADING MANURE, STILL DOING WELL, THAN ABOUT 30 TURKEYS DECIDE TO FLY OUT OF THE CORN FIELD OVER THE HORSES HEADS, TO OUR RELIEF AND BARNEY BEING A GREAT ROLE MODEL THE HORSE JUST STOP AND WATCHED THEM. AMAZING!!! ANJA DID NOT EVEN GET EXCITED, YEAH!!!!! THROUGH THE WOODS WE GO, SMELLING THE WATER WE DID, UP THE HILLS WE WENT, PASSED ALL THE EQUIPMENT AGAIN, ANJA WAS A PRINCESS. THAN WE WORKED ON CANTERING IN THE INDOOR BOTH DIRECTIONS AND SHE GAVE A FEW LUCKY GIRLS RIDES AROUND THE ARENA. NOT TO MANY DAYS GO BY WHERE YOU GET A CHANCE TO RIDE A PURE DUTCH FRESIAN, WE ARE ALL PRETTY LUCKY:-) SHE IS A PRETTY SPECIAL HORSE.

WHAT A CRAPPY DAY THANK GOD FOR THE INDOOR. WAS UP WITH THE CHICKENS TO BEAT THE RAIN WITH LARK, WE WENT ON A BEAUTIFUL TRAILRIDE. HIS FIRST ONE AND HE DID AWESOME. TAMMY IS GOING TO HAVE A GREAT PARTNER. ANJA GOT TO PRATICE BRIDLING, SINCE SHE FOUND OUT SHE IS WAY TALLER THAN ME. LOL. I EVEN GOT TO RIDE REBEL IN THE NEW FOOTING AND HE DID AWESOME, CANTERED BOTH DIRECTIONS IN HALF ASS CIRCLES---WELL ITS A START. GOING OUT TO EAT WITH A BUNCH OF FRIENDS TONIGHT AND I AM SURE A LOT OF BS WILL BE PASSED AROUND!!!

LAST NIGHT WENT VERY WELL, JUST ONE SCARY MOMENT. YEAH I WILL TELL YOU, JUST HOLD ON. HERE IS THE STORY. RAY AND ANJA. EVERYBODY ALREADY KNOWS THAT ANJA IS IN FOR TRAINING, BUT WHAT I LEFT OUT WAS RAY HER OWNER HAS NEVER, I MEAN NEVER RODE A HORSE BEFORE, EVER. SOME PEOPLE WOULD LOOK AT THIS SITUATION AND ALMOST CRY, BUT NOT ME, WELL NOT YET:-) WHAT I REALLY HAVE TO SAY IS RAY HAS A SERIOUS CONNECTION WITH THIS HORSE WHICH IS A GOOD THING. WELL LAST NIGHT WAS HIS FIRST LESSON WITH HER, HE DROVE HER AROUND AND WHAT THE HELL LETS TRY TO HAVE HIM RIDE HER. SO I DID. UP HE WENT NOT EVEN SCARED, AMAZING MAN. TALKING HIM THROUGH THINGS AS FAST AS I COULD, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH TO KNOW IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. HE ASKED HER TO MOVE FORWARD SHE DID. FOLLOWING ME A BIT WHICH IS OK AT THIS STAGE IN THE GAME. THAN I PRECEDED TO GIVE HIM EXERCISES TO MAKE SURE HE WAS GETTING THE WHOLE RIDING THING AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THAT ANJA WAS ACTUALLY LISTENING. ALL OF A SUDDEN SHIT! SHIT! ANJA IS TROTTING, TALKING REALLY FAST NOW, RAY GOT HER STOPPED PRETTY QUICK, I FOUND MY HEART AGAIN AND WE CONTINUED ON AFTER SOME LAUGHING BECAUSE WE ALL SURVIVED. RAY RODE ANJA AND DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB, I THINK THE TROTTING WILL MAKE HIM A BETTER RIDER RIGHT AWAY. I ALWAYS SAY PEOPLE LEARN A HELL OF A LOT FASTER WHEN THEY MAKE A MISTAKE. OH BY THE WAY I ALSO CANTERED ANJA LAST NIGHT, AMAZING, HER MOVEMENT IS BEAUTIFUL.

GETTING BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS KINDA SUCKS A LITTLE, BUT THE BILLS NEED TO GET PAID. VACATION WAS AWESOME SPENT A FEW DAYS IN DOOR COUNTY CHECKING OUT THE BEAUTIFUL COLOR AND ALL THE HOT SPOTS. NOW IT IS BACK TO WORK, RED WENT HOME AND ANJA DID GREAT TODAY. WE WORKED IN THE INDOOR WITH THREE OTHER HORSES AND I EVEN TROTTED HER. SHE IS REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THINGS BEHIND HER SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SO WORKING ON, SHE IS AN AMAZING HORSE TO RIDE EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS SO EFFORTLESS. SHE FLOATS IN THE AIR!!!! NEW ARRIVAL COMING IN ON WEDNESDAY--- SHOW HORSE WANTING TO DO TRAIL.

LOTS OF STUFF GOING ON. I FINALLY RODE ANJA INSTEAD OF BEING SELFISH AND GOING TRAILRIDING. SHE DID AMAZING, I CAN NOT WAIT FOR CRICKET AND RICK TO SEE HER UNDER SADDLE. ALSO I GET HOME YESTERDAY AND THERE WERE 2 HUGE PILES OF SAND IN THE DRIVEWAY, LIKE WHAT THE HECK??? BUT THEN THERE WAS MY HUSBAND BOBCATTING AWAY IN THE INDOOR MAKING IT ALL PRETTY FOR ME BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS WE MADE A HOLE, I MEAN A SERIOUS HOLE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. YEAHHH!!!! IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, BY THE TIME I GET HOME FROM THE WEEKEND GETAWAY I WILL HAVE ALL NEW FOOTING. PERFECT TIMING BECAUSE I ALSO SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST DRESSAGE CLINIC THE FIRST WEEKEND IN NOV. AND IT WILL BE REALLY NICE TO HAVE A NICE AREA TO PRACTICE SINCE THE WEATHER IS GETTING COLD, BRRRR!!!

ME AND ROBIN IN THE BACK, A RARE OCCASION.LOL

AMY ON BOB AND DAVID ON SLICK

DEB ON RED

DEB AND RED TAKING A BREAK.

MY MOM WHO MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO RIDE HORSE WITH MY FRIENDS!!!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY, I MEAN WEEKEND. YESTERDAY KEN AND I TOOK THE HORSES FOR A THREE HOUR RIDE. RED IS DOING AMAZING AND TODAY I TOOK HIM UP TO POPPLE RIDGE WITH A FEW FRIENDS AND HAD A BLAST. ANJA GOT GROUND DRIVEN TO THE WOODS AND ENCOUNTERED A TRACTOR WORKING IN THE FIELD AND ALL WAS WELL. I WILL TRY TO GET A VIDEO OF HER RIDING THIS WEEK, SHE IS AN AWESOME HORSE TO WATCH.

ANOTHER GORGEOUS DAY. LAST NIGHT WE WENT FOR A TRAIL RIDE AND RED IS DOING FABULOUS I CAN NOT WAIT FOR HIS OWNER TO RIDE HIM. THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE ONE FINE TEAM. ANJA GOT TO GO FOR A WALK THROUGH THE BACK FIELDS AND SHE DID AWESOME, ONCE SHE SETTLED IN NOTHING SEEMS TO REALLY BOTHER HER WHICH IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR THE TRAINER AND OWNER LOL. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE I AM GOING TO GO SADDLE UP REBEL AND TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE BECAUSE I CAN NOT STAND THE HOUSE WHEN IT IS SO QUIET, IT IS ALMOST EERIE. HAPPY TRAILS TO EVERYONE THAT HITS THEM THIS WEEKEND ENJOY WHY YOU CAN!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY JUST GOT IN FROM CHORES NOW IT IS THE KIDS HOMEWORK YEAH!!!!! BUT HOPEFULLY THE WEEKEND IS FILLED WITH ALOT OF HORSE BACK RIDING. RED WILL BE GOING ON A FEW HOUR TRAIL RIDE, SOON HE WILL BE GOING HOME. ANJA WILL JUST BE RODE LIGHTLY THIS WEEKEND AND GET INTRODUCED TO THE WOODS.

YES I AM STILL ALIVE, BARELY. SOME DAYS ARE MORE EXHAUSTING THAN OTHERS BETWEEN JOB, KIDS, HUSBAND, SECOND JOB, PAYING THE BILLS, KEEPING HOUSE IN ORDER AND KEEPING EVERYONE HAPPY----- HOLY CRAP. YOU REALLY THINK THAT I NEED TO VENT OR SOMETHING. HOW DO PEOPLE KEEP EVERYTHING TOGETHER WITHOUT LOSING THEIR MINDS. THANK GOD FOR THE HORSES ESPECIALLY REBEL HE BRINGS ME PEACE WHEN I NEED IT. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NOT CARRY HIM IN MY POCKET. EVERYTHING EXCEPT PERSONAL STUFF IS GREAT. TRAINING IS GOOD, LESSONS ARE GOOD, REBELS CANTERING YEAHH!!!!! I HAVE TWO AMAZING HORSES IN FOR TRAINING RIGHT NOW RED AND ANJA AND I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO BE TRAINING THEM.

Yippee another crop of hay off the fields and it is a beautiful one. The barn is buzzing, going to a horse show tomorrow. The kids are all excited and Maddy wants to bring Ranger so we will just let him hang out, in no time Maddy will be in the ring showing her ponies or whatever else she can get her hands on. She took a pretty hard fall yesterday. She has taken up jumping well it was going well she jumped a little to high ,way to fast, and she sure the hell did not bounce very well. Yeah she cried . I hugged her. She got back on and learned a huge lesson,that everyday is a different day. Our horses may tolerate a lot one day and not so much the next. I told her the key is to feel your horse, let him tell you what kind of mood he is in before you decide what to do with him. Well I will see how that goes:-)

HOME SICK TODAY. MY RUSHING AROUND FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH ME. REST REST AND MORE REST.

WHAT A WEEK, BUT ALL THE HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF. OUR DRESSAGE SHOW WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED. SHARON AND ERIC DID VERY WELL ON SATURDAY. I SHOWED SUNDAY MORNING AND REBEL DID AMAZING AND MADE ME VERY PROUD. WE WERE THEIR ALL BY OURSELVES, JUST ME AND REBEL, LOADED HIM UP AT 4:30 THIIS MORNING AND DROVE FOR 2 HOURS REACHING OUR DESTINATION HEARTLAND STABLES. I UNLOADED HIM WONDERING HOW OUR DAY WOULD GO YEAH A LITTLE NERVOUS OK A LOT NERVOUS. I SADDLED HIM UP AND WARMED HIM UP IN THE ARENA EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL SO FAR EXCEPT FOR HIM ANSWERING ALL THE HORSES THAT WERE TALKING, BUT NOT TO BAD EVEN A LITTLE ON THE LAZY SIDE. THAN IT WAS OUR TURN. TEST A THAN TEST B THAN FINDING OUT SCORES. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT A 60% ON TEST A AND A 60.5 % ON TEST B I WAS SO EXCITED. THAT PUT US IN THE RIBBONS 4TH AND 5TH OUT OF EIGHT NOT SO BAD FOR OUR FIRST TIME. WORKING HARD DOES PAY OFF YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE FAITH AND WORK HARD IN SOMETHING YOU BELIEVE IN!!

WHAT A WEEK, MY ASS IS DRAGGING. THE WEATHER SUCKS. THE BUGS ARE TERRIBLE. THANK GOD FOR....... I AM STILL THINKING. EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE I HAVE A VERY GOOD ONE AND A LOT OF THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR IT IS JUST THAT SOMEDAYS I NEED TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THAT. SO HERE I AM SLOWED RIGHT DOWN, LOOKING FORWARD TO MY LESSON TOMORROW.

ANOTHER GOOD DAY. BELLE WENT IN THE WATER ALL BY HERSELF AND WE ARE LOPING CIRCLES, SHE IS QUITE AN AMAZING HORSE. HATS OFF TO ALL THE KIDS IN THE BARN THAT ARE WORKING SO HARD ON THEIR HORSES. SOME HORSES COME EASIER THAN, BUT KEEP WORKING IT WILL PAY OFF IN THE END. PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE!!!

AMANDA ON JAKE MELINDA ON MJ ERIN ON JOEY

MADISON ON RANGER

NIKKOLE AND LIL MAC

DEB ON REBEL SHARON AND AMIRA
DEB AND BELLE IN LAND

IN WATER

BELLE IN THE WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME. REBA ON DUSTY, ERIC ON JAKE, DEB ON BELLE

SHARON ON AMIRA ERIC ON JAKE DEB ON BELLE

WHAT A DAY!!!! DRESSAGE CLINIC WENT VERY WELL AND SO DID THE LESSONS WE ARE GETTING ALL EXCITED FOR OUR SHOW. VICTOR COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW ALL THE HORSES ARE COMING ALONG, WHICH WAS EXCITING TO HEAR.

WENT FOR A TRAIL RIDE YESTERDAY ON BELLE AND THREE OTHERS: SHARON AND AMIRA, ERIC AND JAKE, AND REBA AND DUSTY. WE DID THE WATER CROSSING, TOOK A LITTLE BIT FOR BELLE TO GO IN THAN NOT PROBLEM. DUSTY DECIDED THAT REBA NEEDED TO GO SWIMMING THAT WAS FUNNY SHIT.JAKE DID WELL FOR ERIC, AMANDA WAS UNABLE TO COME AND EXERCISE HIM SO SHE LET ERIC. JAKE IS A LITTLE ON THE CHUBBY SIDE SO HE IS ON A STRICT EXERCISE PROGRAM. BUT BELLE DID AMAZING LIKE USUAL WE DID BRUSH RUNNING, WATER AND PASSED OUR FIRST CAR. WELL THE CARS WE DEFINITELY NEED WORK ON, SHE IS SO SCARED OF THEM, WEIRD. EVERY TIME IT GETS A LITTLE BETTER. TODAY WE HAVE OUR 4-H DRESSAGE CLINIC THAN LESSONS TO FOLLOW. REBEL IS FINALLY GETTING IT I AM VERY CURIOUS WHAT MY INSTRUCTOR WILL HAVE TO SAY SINCE HE HAS NOT SEEN US RIDE FOR A FEW WEEKS.

JUST GOT BACK FROM OGEMA REVIEWING FAMILY HISTORY, QUITE AMAZING. IT REALLY GETS A PERSON THINKING ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS . ONE OF THEM FOR ME IS RESTORING OLD BUILDINGS. BEFORE THIS TRIP I WAS READY TO TAKE DOWN THE OLD DAIRY BARN, NOW I AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS BIG TIME. I GUESS WHEN YOU GO AND SEE HOUSES, BARNS, SILOS, AND SCHOOL HOUSES THAT YOUR GREAT GRANDFATHER HELPED BUILD MAKES A PERSON VIEW THINGS MORE DIFFERENTLY. SEEING THEM IN A CRUMPLED PILE OR NOT EVEN THERE ANYMORE IS REALLY SAD, BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE SEEING THE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CARED FOR OVER THE PAST 200 YEARS IS AMAZING AND REALLY WANTS ME TO DO THE SAME FOR WHAT I HAVE, IF ONLY I WAS A MILLIONAIRE. LOL. BUT I AM PRETTY STUBBORN AND WORK HARD FOR WHAT I HAVE SO LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS. MAYBE SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL PULL INTO OUR YARD AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS THE GREAT GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER WHO ' S GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER USED TO MILK COWS IN THAT BARN . THAN I COULD PROUDLY SHOW THEM THE ORIGINAL HOUSE, BARN, SUMMER KITCHEN, AND OUTBUILDINGS INSTEAD OF WHERE THEY USE TO BE BECAUSE I TORE THEM DOWN NOT EVEN CARING ABOUT SOMEBODY ELSE'S HISTORY AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN TO THEM YEARS LATER.

ONCE I GET WRITING SOMETIMES I JUST CAN NOT STOP, SO I HAVE A LITTLE STORY TO TELL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO READ ON. AS MANY KNOW GOING TO A HORSE SHOW IS STRESSFUL AND A LOT OF HARD WORK, BUT BEFORE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GRUELING HOURS THAT GO INTO IT, AND WHEN THAT CHILD AND HORSE CLICK AFTER ALL THAT HARD WORK IT REALLY BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES, BUT STANDING BACK AND WATCHING THE PARENTS WHEN THEIR CHILD DOES WELL IS PRICELESS. NOTHING IS MORE SATISFYING AS A TRAINER AND PARENT TO WATCH ANOTHER PARENT EXPERIENCE THAT EMOTION. CONGRATS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO ARE WORKING SO HARD WITH THEIR HORSES, THEY ARE ALL VERY DEDICATED AND HAVE A STRONG BOND NOT ONLY WITH THEIR HORSES BUT WITH EACH OTHER AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE WAY.

CHECK IT OUT. JADA RIDING MJ, PRETTY COOL. THE FARM HAS BEEN VERY BUSY GETTING READY FOR A CLINIC THIS WEEKEND, PREPARING FOR OUR FIRST DRESSAGE SHOW AND LIKE ALWAYS GETTING KIDS READY FOR THE COUNTY FAIR WHICH IS COMING UP FAST. REALLY WHERE DOES ALL THE TIME GO! SOMETIMES I CAN NOT EVEN THINK STRAIGHT, BUT MOM AND I ARE GOING ON A LITTLE GET AWAY THIS WEEKEND HEADING TO OGEMA, WI. WHERE THE HELL IS OGEMA SOMEWHERE NORTHWEST THEY TELL ME, BUT IT HAPPENS TO BE WHERE THE ORIGINAL SODERBECK FARM WAS WHEN MY ANCESTORS CAME OFF OF THE BOATS FROM SWEDEN YEARS AND YEARS AGO. I WILL BE TOURING MY FATHERS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IS LEFT BUT I GUESS I WILL FIND OUT. IT IS STILL PRETTY COOL THAT I HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY, TRUST ME I WILL NOT FORGET THE WINE:-)

Busy weekend. We survived the horse show. Tears of happiness presented itself and tears of defeat. Jada got a bloody nose right before her riding class which really sucked, but that how it goes. There is always more. Today was catching up. mowing lawn and training and cleaning. oh my. Belle is doing amazing we are cantering and working on headset. Oh and my dressage saddle arrived amazing. I love it and so does Rebel.

ALL THE HAY IS OFF THE FIELD YEAH!!!!!! HOPEFULLY LESSONS TOMORROW, A FULL DAY OF THEM.

JUST GOT IN FROM THE BARN. WHAT A GREAT NIGHT, OUR OPEN RIDING WAS AWESOME. THE KIDS ARE LEARNING TO HAVE FUN WITH THEIR HORSES AND WE COULD NOT GET THEM OFF OF THEM. THE GREAT NEWS IS JADA CANTERED WITH BARNEY I WAS SO PROUD OF HER. ALL OF HER FRIENDS ENCOURAGED HER AND THERE IT WAS, SHE WAS SMILE FROM EAR TO EAR. WE ALSO GOT A NEW ADDITION TO THE BARN, HERBIE AND SADIE. SADIE GOT HER VERY OWN HORSE AND THEY MAKE A PERFECT MATCH. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! BELLA GOT THE NIGHT OFF.

WHAT A WONDERFUL START OF A WEEK. DRILL TEAM IS LOOKING AWESOME, OPEN RIDING IS GOING VERY WELL, I PURCHASED A TIMBERLINE DRESSAGE SADDLE AND BELLA IS DOING TERRIFIC. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE HAY IS BEAUTIFUL AND FINALLY GETTING OFF THE FIELD, BUT I HAVE ONE TIRED HARDWORKING HUSBAND. I LOVE HIM SOOOOO MUCH:-) I TOOK BELLA FOR HER FIRST TRAILRIDE TODAY AROUND THE PROPERTY AND I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED HER TO DO BETTER. THE ONLY THING SHE LOOKED AT REALLY HARD WAS THE TRACTOR AND BALER, BUT SHE SURVIVED. AFTER THE TRAILRIDE WE WENT IN THE OUTDOOR AND WORKED ON HER TROTTING WHICH SHE IS DOING QUIT WELL. I AM VERY PROUD OF HER. AS FOR MISS FLICKA SHE IS WAITING FOR THE VET TO HAVE HER TEETH CHECKED OUT SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS EATING AND THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN HER HATRED FOR BIT PRESSURE. I HOPE. I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT LESSON WHICH IS ON MON IF ALL GOES WELL. REBEL AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD AND WE ARE IMPROVING, BABY STEPS. I GUESS BABY STEPS ARE BETTER THAN GOING BACKWARDS.

River on Barney Lakken on Hank

Jada on Barney

Eric on Yogi being instructed by Vic

Open riding english green

Thurs. open riding Western blue.

Deb and Rebel dressage lesson with Vic

Deb on Bella bareback

Madison and River riding Rusty

Yesterday went well. I even rode Bella bareback for a while and took her for a walk with a group of horses down the road. She did great! I also introduced her to being ponied thanks to Barney. Than River rode Barney while Lakken rode Hank. The kids continued to ride for about 3 hours. HAPPY Kids and HAPPY Horses thats what it is all about.

TRAINING IS GOING VERY WELL BELLA IS A SWEETIE PIE, I AM NOW RIDING HER IN THE INDOOR AND WE TROTTED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT AND SHE DID GREAT. FLICKA ON THE OTHER HAND IS GIVING ME AND ERIC A RUN FOR OUR MONEY, SHE IS SO SPOILED ROTTEN AND STUBBORN AS HELL. LET ME TELL U LONG LINING HER IS A REAL TREAT.LOL. PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE GOTTA HAVE A LOT OF THAT WHEN YOU GET A HORSE LIKE THAT TO WORK WITH.

BELOW ARE PICS OF ERIC LEARNING HOW TO LONG LINE, FOR THE FIRST TIME HE DID A GREAT JOB. BELLA IS THE SORREL WHO IS DOING VERY WELL. YESTERDAY SHE JUST GOT 2 WOLF TEETH EXTRACTED AND SHEDDED 2 SETS OF BABY TEETH, WOW!!! ERIC ALSO GOT TO RIDE FLICKA TONIGHT WHO IS NOW OFFICIALLY IN TRAINING. HE DID REALLY WELL WITH HER SHE IS LIKE RIDING A MARSHMALLOW. THERE WAS ONE POINT SHE GOT CONFUSED AND GAVE ERIC A LITTLE BUCKA ROO, BUT HE HANDLED IT WELL AND I EXPLAINED TO HIM YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE HORSE OR U MIGHT BE PICKING DIRT OUT OF YOUR TEETH. LESSON LEARNED, THANK GOD HE DID NOT HAVE TO PICK DIRT OUT OF HIS TEETH.

ERIC IN TRAINING DOING AN AWESOME JOB!!!

NEXT LESSON TOMORROW. FIRST SHOW JULY 10th.

WE STILL DO NOT HAVE ANY HAY UP:-( TODAY WE WILL BE CUTTING EVERYBODY CROSS THEIR FINGERS FOR GOOD WEATHER. THIS MORNING WE ARE GOING TO BREAKFAST ON THE FARM AND AFTER A COUPLE PARTIES TO ATTEND.
UPDATE: ERIC IS LEARNING ALOT, I HAVE HIM WORKING WITH FLICKA AND SHE IS QUITE A CHALLENGE. HE DID GET TO RIDE HER BAREBACK , THAT MADE HIS DAY AFTER THE VERY LONG TRAINING LESSON AND DID I FORGET TO SAY THAT SHE IS A JUMPER, SHE CLEARED THE OUTDOOR ARENA LIKE NOTHING. I JUST TOLD ERIC THAT SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS. ABBY WENT HOME, READY TO DO SOME LIGHT TRAIL RIDING. DALE AND TRACY ENJOY HER, SHE IS A LOT OF FUN AND SHE IS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE U GUYS. THAN IN CAME A NEW PROJECT. THREE YEAR OLD QH WITH NOT A LOT OF EXPOSURE. HER NAME IS BELLA, AND EVERYDAY GETS BETTER. SHE GOT DROPPED OFF AND IS THINKING WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED AND WHERE IS MY MOMMY. SHE TOOK A FEW DAYS TO ADJUST WITH DOGS, CATS SCREAMING KIDS, AND HORSES FLYING BY WITH LITTLE PEOPLE ON THEM. I SWEAR HER HEAD IS STILL SPINNING. HER FIRST LESSON WENT AMAZING, EXCEPT FOR THE SURCINGLE, SHE BUCKED WITH THE BEST OF THEM FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. FINALLY LAST NIGHT NO BUCK EVEN WITH THE CROUPER--PREPARING NOT TO LOOSE MY SADDLE IN CASE SHE FREAKS. WITH ERICS HELP LIFTING THE SADDLE ON BECAUSE I THREW OUT MY NECK/SHOULDER---I THINK I AM GETTING TO OLD FOR THIS SHIT BUT I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. SADDLE IS ON, BREAST COLLAR IS ON, CROUPER IS ON. FINISH CINCHING SADDLE AND SAY A PRAYER THAT ALL OUR PREPARATION FOR THIS PAID OFF. GOOD GIRL, GOOD GIRL ,WALK ,GOOD GIRL. NO BUCK WALK TROT CANTER. YEAH WE DID IT!!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME.

KEN AND I WENT ON A BEAUTIFUL RIDE CHECKING OUT A PEACE OF PROPERTY THAT IS TOTALLY IN OUR DREAMS, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO DREAM I GUESS. THE HORSES WERE VERY GOOD, AND TOMORROW I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK BOO HOO!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME.

MADISON ON REBEL RIVER ON FEDX

ERIC&DUSTY DEB&FEDX AT SPEED SHOW.

MADISON AND RIVER RIDING THEIR MOMMY'S HORSES

WELL I SURVIVED MY FIRST SPEED SHOW IN FIFTEEN YEARS. MY GOAL WAS TO STAY ON AND NOT SCREW UP THE PATTERN, I SUCCEEDED YEAH ME!!! OUR TIMES STARTED AT 26 SEC. AND WE GOT THEM DOWN TO 19 SEC NOT SO BAD FOR FEDX NEVER RUNNING A BARREL BEFORE I WAS REALLY PROUD OF HER AND HER BEHAVIOR. SOME OF THEM HORSES WERE SASSSSY.. WE MIGHT HAVE TO TRY AGAIN AT THE END OF THE SEASON, NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO PURSUE TO HEAVILY. ALSO CONGRATS TO ERIC WHO RAN DUSTY AND DID A SUPER JOB, FIRST AND A THIRD GOOD JOB. WE BOTH JUST NEED TO WORK ON STRAIGHT LINES DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ARENA. ITS AMAZING WE TRY SO HARD TO KEEP THEM ON THE RAIL NOW WE ARE ASKING THEM SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THEY ARE GOING WHAT THE HELL!!!! IT WAS A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL THANKS ROC RANCH FOR LETTING US JOIN IN.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!! THIS IS A TOTALLY REST YOUR BODY AND SOUL DAY. I NEED THESE EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO CAMPING THIS WEEKEND WITH THE KIDS BUT THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE FORECAST. OH WELL WE HAVE ALL SUMMER. YESTERDAY ROBIN AND I WENT FOR A WONDERFUL RIDE WITH OUR HORSES AND WHEN WE GOT HOME MADISON AND RIVER RODE THEM, NOW THAT IS WONDERFUL TO WITNESS. AFTER THAT THEY BOTH GOT THEIR PONIES OUT AND RODE THEM IN THE OUTDOOR, PRACTICED TRYING TO GET ON THEM AND DOING AROUND THE WORLD. WATCHING THEM WAS TOTALLY PRICELESS. TOMORROW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HEADING UP TO EQUITY PARK TO TRY SOME BARRELS, SOMETHING LOW KEY AND A BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER. SOUNDS PERFECT TO ME! ALSO SCHEDULING FIRST DRESSAGE TEST THE END OF JULY, KINDA SCARED. " IF YOU WANT TO GROW AS A PERSON YOU NEED TO TRY NEW THINGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR BUBBLE." WELL I WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES:-)

WENT SWIMMING WITH BARNEY AND THE KIDS. WE HAD A BLAST. KEN TOOK MJ AND GAVE US A SHOW. I PONIED HER IN THE WATER WITH NO RIDER BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE AND KEN DID NOT WANT TO GET HIS BOOTS WET, PLUS HE RODE HER BAREBACK FOR THREE MILES. I THINK HE WAS A LITTLE SORE, BUT THE FUNNY PART OF IT AND I MISSED IT. DARN IT! HE WENT TO JUMP ON HER BAREBACK AND MISSED HER BACK AND LANDED ON HER BUTT. HE SLID OFF AND WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND STILL HOLDING ONTO THE REINS. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER HE FINALLY LET GO OF THE REINS. MJ JUST EATING GRASS THINKING THAT HE BETTER TAKE A BAREBACK LESSON:-)KEN THEN GRACEFULLY MOUNTED HIS MUSTANG AND OFF WE ALL WENT. BARNEY AND ME, MJ AND KEN, YOGI AND ROBIN,AND AMIRA AND SHARON. UNTIL NEXT TIME.

A HOT ONE TODAY. WORKING ON LANDSCAPING AND TAKING REBEL FOR A SWIM TODAY, HOPEFULLY I WILL HAVE COMPANY:-)

IN MEMORY OF BEAR DOG

I AM UP EARLY READY FOR SOMETHING JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. SHOULD I GO FOR A WALK, DO BOOK WORK. NAHHH I AM ENJOYING THE VERY QUIET HOUSE WHILE EVERYONE IS STILL A SLEEP AND IT IS KINDA NICE AND FREAKY AT THE SAME TIME. BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT IT WILL BE SHORT LIVED. LOL. FIRST OFF WE DID THE BEAR THING AND IT JUST SUCKS, BUT HE DID LEAVE US WITH A STORY. WELL HERE IT GOES.
IT IS THURSDAY AFTERNOON JUST GETTING FINISHED WITH WORK, PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE GOES KEN AND MADDY ON THE FOUR WHEELER. JADA AND I WERE LIKE WHAT THE HECK??? WE GET OUT OF THE CAR AND MOM HOLLERS TO US WE CAN'T FIND BEAR!! OH GREAT AS I AM THINKING TO MYSELF HE WENT OFF AND DIED SHIT! SHIT! BECAUSE WE REALLY WANTED TO BURY HIM AND DO EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT, SO WE ALL PROCEEDED TO LOOK WHILE I WAS CALLING ROBIN WHO WAS WAITING FOR US AT RHONDA 'S TO TELL THEM WE COULD NOT FIND BEAR. SHE SAID DON'T WORRY, RHONDA CAN'T FIND HER CAT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VET FIX. HOW CAN U NOT LAUGH AT THIS POINT! BY THE WAY WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR BEAR IN EVERY DIRECTION BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO FIND HIM DEAD OR ALIVE, SO I WOULD KNOW. THERE HE WAS COVERED IN HAY-SAWDUST TROTTING UP TO ME, LIKE HERE I AM WHATS THE BIG DEAL PEOPLE!! TRYING NOT TO LAUGH AND CRY AT THE SAME TIME I JUST HUGGED HIM AND SAID WE HAVE TO GO FOR OUR LAST RIDE. IN THE CAR WE PACKED KEN, MADDY, JADA, BEAR, CINCH, AND ME. NOT COOL I WAS THE ONE TRYING TO HANG MY HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE SMELL WAS NOT SO GREAT IN THE BACK SEAT WITH 2 DOGS . WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT RHONDA, WHO STILL COULD NOT FIND HER CAT, LUCKY CAT I GUESS.LOL. VET WAS NOT THERE SO WE HUNG OUT .KEN AND THE GIRLS TOOK BEAR SWIMMING, WHICH WAS WONDERFUL FOR ALL OF THEM. THEN THE SAD MOMENT HAD TO COME BUT WE WERE ALL READY FOR IT OR AS READY AS ONE CAN BE. WE SURROUNDED HIM WITH LOVE AS THE VET INJECTED HIM, AND I SWEAR HE LEFT US AS SHE PLACED THE NEEDLE IN HIS VEIN. EVERYTHING WENT FAST AND PEACEFUL. THE SONG PLAYING ON THE RADIO AT THAT TIME WAS "TEMPORARY HOME" BY CARRIE UNDERWOOD. HOW PERFECT IS THAT. WE ALL SAID OUR GOOD BYES INCLUDING CINCH, SO SHE WOULD KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT SOME DOGS WILL SEARCH FOR THEIR COMPANIONS FOR DAYS AND WE DID NOT WANT CINCH TO GO THROUGH THAT. WE HUGGED EVERYBODY LOADED BACK IN THE CAR, ONE SHORT OF COURSE, BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS AND HEADED BACK HOME TO DO THE BURIEL. BEAR IS NOW IN ONE OF HIS FAVORITE SPOTS AND THE KIDS EVEN BURIED SOME DOGGY TREATS FOR HIM. HOW CUTE IS THAT. NOW TODAY WILL BE MY OFFCIAL DAY RIDING MY HORSE WITHOUT MY DOG , BUT IT IS OK. BECAUSE HE IS PROBABLY RUNNING A HELL OF A LOT FASTER NOW!!!!!!

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED!!!!!

ALL THE VOLUNTEERS "ANGELS"

2010 Victory Olympics-Gillett Wi

2010 Victory Olympics-Gillett Wi

FINALLY GETTING SOME WELL NEEDED RAIN AND A RAIN NIGHT IS ALWAYS NICE TOO. WE HAD DRILL TEAM LAST NIGHT AND IT WENT VERY WELL, THE KIDS ARE REALLY PROGRESSING VERY FAST AND HAVING A BLAST. I HAD TO BE A SUB AND I HAD A BLAST. I GOT TO RIDE FED X, SHE IS A TOTALLY AWESOME MARE AND SUPER FUN TO RIDE.NEXT WEEK I WILL TAKE PICTURES AND DOWNLOAD THEM TO SHARE!

evening ride at wildcat

AREN'T THEY HANDSOME!