Return of the Cold Front

Or maybe just cloud cover. 

Mallory and I planned a fun Friday playing with the ponies in the 50 degree sunshine predicted. Alas, cloudy and cold was the order of the day.  It was 11am and 36 degrees and Mallory told me to get over my Miami roots, put on my boots, and come work my horse.

So, I did.  First some Clinton Anderson in the round pen - lunging for respect, desensitizing/rope, yeilding the hind quarters, desensitizing/string, flexing, and a bit of backing.  Then, up to the arena for some basic flat work.  Splash was a pretty good boy.  The deep, sandy arena is hard for Splash but he gave mostly good efforts in canter departs with just one wrong lead at the start.  Then, we concentrated on forward trot and some stand/trot transitions.  Finally, for cool down, we did some turns on forehand and haunches.  I tied Splash to the trailer for a cool down and "lesson setting" while I watched Mallory work Sister in the round pen.  Sister is pretty responsive to all the exercises but has a residual kernal of resistance - but I know Mallory will prevail.

Meanwhile, my Saturday Party Lesson is a no-go and I will be in Stillwater for a 4-H training while Patty and Kathy are at the AGM.  Perhaps I can sneak a ride in Sunday morning between the cold fronts.  YaYa.

Wild Life

Alaina and Sunny working at the Rocking C

Saturday lesson for Ivy and Pico

Furball needs a SPA day

Pico

Rooster at the Wild O Ranch

Sunny and TC

Sunny and TC

Ivy and Alaina with their mounts

New Year - New Horse

Well, not really.  It's just that with the unseasonably lovely weather for January in OK, I have managed more riding than usual.  And, the result?  If I didn't know better, I would think Splash was a really good horse.  After 4 riding days over the New Year's weekend, Splash and I worked 3 days over this past weekend.

Friday was Fabulous. So Mallory and Trouper picked us up and Splash and I joined the YaYa's at Oolagah (Centennial Trailhead) for a ride up Kite Hill.  Riders inclued:  Rita, Patty, Sherry, Lila, Marsha, Judy, Mallory, Amy, Linna, and me.  For the record - Kite Hill is way to steep for Splash - and for me.  We had a wonderful time anyway and the view from the top while picnicking with good friends was great.  Splash and I survived the trip downhill and Rita thinks I won't have any qualms about the slopes at her place from now on.  Hmmmm.

Saturday we joined Mallory, Mary, and Nancy for the Party Lesson with Lunch at Ramona's.  We worked on trot serpentines, sitting trot/collection, and then canter departs and canter circles.  Slash was really good in trot work sitting and posting and, after one left lead depart that should have been right, we had good canter work as well - only one instance of dropped gait.  We even did a little cone weaving at walk and then trot.

Sunday was cool but still warm for January.  I got Splash tacked up and we worked in the Wild O Arena for about 30 minutes before Ivy and Pico joined us.  Splash was a bit tense working on his own but it was good for him.  After Ivy jumped Pico at several levels of our jumps, Splash and I went around the front pasture all alone.  He was very good.  Perhaps Splash is my new horse after all.  YaYa!

Happy 2012!



The Walkerosa was beautiful on January 1, 2012 for the our first trailride of the year - sunny with a high of 55 degrees and light breezes.  Fantastic day and a fantastic ride.  Eighteen riders and one walker wearing mud boots to keep her feet dry.  After our ride, we shared potluck with a couple ways to eat blackeyed peas, cowboy chilli, cranberry salsa, salad, brownies, pie, Juli's beer bread, etc..... YUM! 

Reese was wearing his New Year's tiara and all the mounts were very good.  Ivy and Pico found a jump to play over and Alaina and Diez tried to outwalk the walkers in the front.  Splash and Sunny brought up the rear most of the time with Tater and Rio.

We had lovely weather last couple of weeks of 2011 and the girls and I had several horsey outings including a visit to Rita's last week to play with Fresians!  Cindy H (Duchess Desires a Fresian), Sherry B and the Hays family joined in too. Ivy and Alaina rode both Silka and Jurgan; I took a quick turn on Jurgan and now have a new YaYa name (Duchess Also Desires a Fresian!).  Cindy rode a walker out back and Alaina took Silka through the woods.  When we were finished in the back field, we put a sidesaddle on Splash just for fun.  Alaina and Abbi managed a quick trot, but I was testing my balance limits at the walk.  Splash wasn't really into it but didn't object either.

Splash has been good during our last couple of lessons at Patty's - trot work is really improved, forward and more consistant contact with the bit.  His walk is still sluggy and right lead canter difficult to maintain, but both are very slowly getting better.

So, 2012 lies ahead and I look forward to working with Splash to develop his abilties beyond Into Level.  Cross Fingers.  Ivy and Pico need to really refine their First Level movements and Alaina and Sunny will consider a move into Pri Caprilli.  And, Maybe... Splash and I will try a western dressage class or two.

And as many YaYa Rides and we can manage.

YaYa Dirty Santa

We talked, ate, played dirty Santa until our checks hurt from laughing - a fitting year-end party for the YaYa Sisters Riding Club - hosted by Kathy B in her beautiful home on Sunday evening.

We missed a few members last night but (l-r) in our 2011 group shot are Paula, Cathy, Kathy, Rita, Juli, Judy, Janet, Krystal, Sherry, Joan, Christiana, Tammy, Lila, Donna, Patty, Nancy, and Marsha.

Tammy didn't give up until she located the DS.

And, our group sure can COOK.  And EAT.

Weather permitting, we will ride the range at the Walkerosa Ranch on New Year's Day, so mark your calendars.  Just the beginning of many wonderful rides coming in 2012.

Meanwhile - The holidays are in full swing at the Wild Orban Ranch.  The Orban Twins turned 13 on Saturday and had several friends over to ride, watch a movie and eat cake.  But also wanted to have the Saturday Party Lesson (worked out for Mallory and Me with our new Friend Mary since we got a lesson too) and we managed LAL as well.

Now that the birthdays are past, we even cut down a cedar tree in the pasture to use as our Xmas tree this year.  And help clear a couple of Eastern Red Cedars (scurge of OK) from the Wild O Ranch (Ivy needed to cut a little practice tree first).  I guess I better start shopping NOW.

Is it time to panic? 

I am not in Kansas Anymore

But I just got back from my last trip of the year.  Just in time for Steve's birthday tomorrow and then the girls' birthday on Saturday.  Then I can start the Christmas preparations.

Last weekend was packed with horsey events but no actual riding.  The rescheduled parade started the weekend early on Thursday evening and the Horse club accompanied Peanut the wonder pony in his 2nd annual outing.  Again he is The Cutest Pony EVER.

The 4-H Horse Club banquet was Saturday so I met other board members Friday to set up and have a lovely lunch with the 4-H ladies.  Then, we had a great visit from Jetta (Steve's sis) and David Friday night. 

SaturDAY we spent at the banquet - food, awards, elections, wooden nickle auction, and fun.  Ivy is the new Historian and Alaina was re-elected as VP (she took over VP mid-year when the post needed a mid-year replacement).

Saturday night was spent in Owasso at the ODS/GCC Party where we played DIRTY SANTA and found out our year-end standings.  Ivy and Pico were most improved as well as 14 and under First Level champs winning a cool chair and lovely leather halter.  Alaina/Sister and me/Splash recieved 5th place standings and very nice show pads.  Then - HUGE surprise - Splash and I won reserve VINTAGE Intro Level and a cool bag (thanks for my very considerate friends who were not quite old enough).  Kathy B does a great job choosing awards!

Just when you think no more fun could happen in one weekend, I joined my WY Hot Flash friends at Tami's to have a Dirty Sock Santa, along with Michael Jackson Wi as well as a bit of wine and yummy food.  I think photos should have been forbidden during the MJ Wi exhibition....

It looks like the weather will be fine for riding in the Sat. Party Lesson as well as for the girls to play around in the yard with their friends in the afternoon.  Next week, cold is expected.  Maybe I can squeeze a ride in tomorrow in between the big party preparations. 

Finally, and best of all, the annual YaYa Dirty Santa - Fun - Food - Christmas gathering is Sunday afternoon.  I can't wait.

December is Here

And it is snowing on Monday evening and the temperatures are BELOW FREEZING...  OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

My formative years were spent in South Florida so I am very wimpy about the cold.  However, I have riding boots and riding breeches designed for sub-zero temps so I will have to be brave, but only if it is above freezing.  By late January, I will have the courage to say "it's almost 40" as I head to the Rocking C for the Party Lesson and LAL.

Meanwhile, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas.  And December is already flying by.

Mallory and I worked our mounts Friday - Clinton Anderson groundwork and some riding in Mallory's hilltop arena.  Splash is dull and resisting energy in the ground work but, even so, seems to be improving energy under saddle.

Huge thunderstorms were forecast for Saturday so Claremore postponed the parade scheduled for Saturday evening but we headed to Inola hoping to finish the Party Lesson and Lunch before the storms rolled in.  Mallory and I were halfway through our lesson when the monsoon started - no lightning - so we continued our ride.  Splash was pretty good for leg yields out in the circle, had good energy at the trot, and even had decent transitions.  Canter to the left is still labored and hard to keep.  Afterwards, the horses munched hay in the trailer with rain beating down while we lunched at Graham's (the temperature was near 60 so they were happy to stand and wait). 

OSU won the bedlam game Saturday night as the temperatures started to plummet.  Footing was beyond soggy on Sunday, so we didn't brave the cold.  I guess WINTER is here but we have the YaYa Christmas gathering to look forward to in a couple of weeks and, hopefully, a New Years Trail Ride at the Walkerossa Ranch in Inola.  Stay tuned for details.  YaYa - Yeah.