Catch up time

The clinic was a major learning curve for me and the most important issue was my time is limited to be able to continue this path. HOWEVER we learned a lot.

Today we ran games and he did so very well. We came home with 3 firsts, and a 2nd and Championship in our Division. He is such a good boy.

There is a woman up from NC a rodeo rider and she is going to come try him out and if she likes him and he her I think I will have her run him in the Open Classes and have a blast this year. I like the way she rides and we talked and she has a solid Dressage background and "gets" how he is trained. So time will tell.

I'm sorry it took so long to get back on to post but this last week was mentally tough lots to think about.

Hope everyone is safe and having fun.

NJ Here We Come

We leave tomorrow to go to the Horse Park of NJ to attend a Sharon Camarillo Barrel Clinic.

We attended one about 5 years ago and had a wonderful time.

Duncan is clipped and his shoes are on , he could have more miles under his belly, but I can't control the weather darn it.

There's a show in Maine with STB classes, but decisions have to be made and this clinic is far more important to me than another show. We will be attending the World Championship Barrels in Perry, GA in Oct so our aim this year must be getting as good as we can for that event.

If anyone reading this is near the horse park stop by and say hello we would love to meet you.

The RI SPCA Trail Ride

Yesterday we took part in the annual SPCA Trail Ride at Goddard Park here in RI. The park features beautiful trails along the bluffs above Narragansett Bay. You can go down and ride on parts of the beaches at different times. Duncan is not into water so we don't do that.

We had a GREAT ride, both he and Jupiter, his appy barnmate went well.

There were 130 riders and we raised $11.000.00 in support for helping animals and people who need assistance in taking care of their pets. This has become the largest fund raiser the SPCA has.

Thursday am we will be headed out to the Horse Park of NJ for a Sharon Camarillo Barrel Clinic. This is the 2nd time I have ridden with her and I am looking forward to the 3 days.

I met 2 new STB folks yesterday at the ride. One young woman just got her mare last November and the other young woman has had hers for a while, it's always nice to meet new STB folks.

On another not, SPHO Maine held a fun show to raise money for their Ambassador Program and I am told they did very well. Duncan donated for a couple of classes.

So, the next few days are very busy if I don't get back here I'll be in NJ riding my butt off.,

Stay safe.

Working hard

We are riding most everyday. This afternoon we hauled into Cherry Croft, a lovely indoor here in RI. Duncan was really good and we worked for about an hour, maybe a bit more. it was cold and very windy, but the indoor makes it bearable.

In May the 6th) we head out to the Horse Park of NJ to attend a Sharon Camarillo Baarrel clinic. A few of my friends will be attending or showing up to spend time with us.

Duncan will be the only STB in the clinic, but that's ok, it's always fun to teach people about the breed and there is no one better to do that than the Big guy. He has such a big, dedicated fan club.

This weekend will be busy. Sat is a tack sale not far from home and I am going to spend time with my good friend Nate.

Sunday my son and his family will be coming for the holiday. He lives in VT so I don't get to see him often so that will be fun. I get to spend time with my Grandchildren.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

A Duncan Update

He is mostly clipped. Long story there but the bottom line is we dulled 4 sets of blades on my 2 sets of clippers. Not to worry, I dropped them off yesterday and they are ready today. I started riding him on Saturday. Yeah, that was real difficult, it was climb on and ride. He is such a good horse. Events are starting up with the Blessing of the Horses this Sunday here in Ri, but I don't think we'll go to that. The weather is supposed to be not nie and with all the rain we have gotten this week the trails will be a mess and I really don't want to ride him on them. I hope all is well with who ever might be reading this blog. In a few weeks we have the SPCA fund raiser and then the following week we are off to NJ for a big Barrel clinic. I hear there will be some folks there to see us. time will tell. It would be really nice if some of the STB folks would show up to support us but I know they will not cause they don't really promote the breed, they promote themselves in their little, tiny backyard world. That's ok, we are out in the big world and loving it. Sorry, just the way it is and how I feel. Stay safe and enjoy the Spring weather. I planted panseys this afternoon, always a sure sign that winter is done. in my mind.

Getting It all Together

We will finish body clipping on Thursday. My good friend Nate is helping me and he does such a wonderful job. My Smith Brothers sale cataloge came today and I was able to finish up all the new colors for this year. Even was able to get a YELLOW saddle pad with custom design on it and crystals. The vet is coming on Friday to finish up all the Spring stuff and then it's really really ride time. The trailer is supposed to be getting painted to match my truck that will be cool for sure. Weather could be better , but it's getting there. I really hope you all are coming out of winter and getting ready for whatever you do with your horses.

A US Trotting Article

Jessica Schroder, of US Trotting submitted the information about Duncan's 2010 NBHA awards and it is on the webiste now. For those of you who do not have the address it is www.ustrotting.com and it is in the news section.

They even used a picture of us getting our State Championship Buckle. I love that hardware.
So, if you are so inclined I do hope you will go read the piece.

Stay warm.
Six weeks til our big clinic in NJ and he is still in full Yak mode. I am hoping to get him clipped April 4th. Then it's layers and layers of clothes, good thing he has lots of those.

Stay warm

SNOW!!!!

As I type it's snowing here in RI. YIPPEE, not.
I just received word that my friend Ginny from NJ just got out of intensive care on Monday she says she is still not feeling great. Bleeding Ulcers. I want to wish her best of luck and I really do hope to see her when we go to NJ in May.

Duncan got his first Adaquin booster this am. He is looking great. The weather has not been all that good.

We will be doing his body clip on april 4th, my friend Nate is coming over to help me with it. I have all the clippers and stuff so it's going to be a very enjoyable few hours with a young man I really enjoy spending time with.

We have the Spring Horse Flea Market this Sunday, it's always a wonderful day. My BO and I have a table I'll see if I can't sell more than I buy, always a difficult thing for me. LOL

If you are in this nasty weather stay safe. I am hopeful this is the last of it.

Vacation is Over

Last Monday the Farrier did feet. Checked his joints to see how they are holding up with the Adaquin IM that was given last year. All is well.
'He and Jupiter have had their heads trimmed up.
Friday the 18th the "Vet came out to do the first set of shots and pull coggins. He was pleased with their condition.

March 1st was Duncan's 17th birthday and tomorrow the 20th is our 7th anniversary as well as my husbands 60th birthday.

I am going to start working him tomorrow. Next week he gets a booster of Adaquin per the vet's instruction. LOVE that stuff. Works well for him.

April 8th the Vet is back for the 2nd series and to hand float teeth and do our health certs for NJ.

The weather is so so but I can deal with it.
Lots going on and it feels good.
My medication levels are really good and for the first time in many years I am feeling pretty good.

Next Sunday is the Annual Horse Yard Sale , always a great time here in RI.

I hope everyone is doing as well as we seem to be doing and please stay safe.
Enjoy that beautiful full moon tonight.

Yesterday we received out official invitation to the Worlds in Oct AND the permission to order our
Qualifier Buckles and blanket conchos from GIST they are on their way LOL

Closer To Spring

It rained and the winds were bad. There is some flooding in the area and wires are down. We are fine.

I received a packaage, this am addressed to me and "Duncan The Wonder Horse."

Inside were 2 sets of highly decoracted stirrups. All encrusted in . One set reworked in Pink and Green, the new pair all done up in red, green and yellow. Our wonderful Sponmsor, Gail of Red Turf Ranch Tack does it for us again. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

I do hope everyone is safe and sound with all these storms
It's almsot ride time.

Spring MIGHT be Close

I trekked out to the barn this morning and even thouigh he had been wallowing in the snow and was pretty wet, I pulled hair out, I love my furminator.
I got out my clippers and trimmed his head and under his neck. Chris did Jupiter also. In a few weeks I will unwrap my trailer and hopefully my husband and the guy across the street will do the minor body work and paint it to match my truck. At the end of the month I will dig out the big clippers and get him fully clipped. I will probably be riding him this week a bit as I can ride in the driveway.

The snow and ice is melting away and that's a good thing.
Everryone stay safe.
Judi and Duncan

A Birthday

On March 1, 2011 we celebrated Duncan's 17th birthday. I made him a Carrot Cake, he ate the whole thing. LOL.
Today Iwent out to the barn. He was naked and he has come through the winter in good shape. The snow in his paddock is almost up to his belly still, but the ice has cleared out of the driveway so ground work will be starting sooner rather than later.

Also, we celebrate your 7th aniversary of his arrival in my life, it seems like yesterday.
Everyone stay warm.

NBHA Awards Banquet

We had our banquet last night here in RI. We received our World Qualifier Certifcate, Our State Championship Trophy Buckle ( I love those buckles) and Our Year End Championship. A really nice black director's chair with hot pink embroirdery saying what we won it for.

The New England director attended and we had a really nice time as she sat at my table, by her own choice. Believe it or not I do have some friends LOL.

I would like to congratulate Jessica S of USTA on her award that she is receiving tonight.

We are getting ready for another really nasty Monday in the weather department so everyone stay safe.
We are hoping for warmer weather with good footing sooner rather than later.

A Big Weekend

Tomorrow night is the NBHA RI-01 Award Banquet. It is a pot luck so I have been busy with the food thing.

I am also on the awards committee. Championship awards are black directors chairs with the backs embroidered by Irene Parker of Signet Monogramming of Saco, Maine. The rest of the awards are Gift Certificates from Allies Tack here in RI.

I have put together two expensive raffles, both over $200.00. So, we must sell lots of tickets but I will say they are both worth more than $200.00.

We had 3 inches of rain today with high winds, ending with snow. Winter in New England.

I will post after the party.

Finally, A Barn Visit

I was finally able to get to the barn this morning. The weather was cold and very windy. Duncan and Jupiter are all fuzzy and happy campers.

I picked up 2 of their wind sheets to bring home to wash. Believe me they have plenty of clothes.

Tonight is the party in NJ, good luck to them.

Next Sat night is the NBHA Awards banquet, I'm looking forward to that one for many reasons.

Duncan's dance card is rapidly filling and it looks like more than a couple of trips to Maine.

We have more snow headed in here late tonight and all day tomorrow.
I really want Spring.

A Cold Update

The day before yesterday was the end of our warmer days and my husband and I went out and shut the horses into their stalls about 1:30pm due to the fact that the wind had really come up strong. My husband was very amused at the big brown walking pile of fur OOPS I mean my beautiful Show Horse Duncan. He looks like a fuzzy Yak folks.

We have an appointment for the end of March for him to get an all over hair cut.

The warmer temps went away very quickly it was almost instant freeze and for the for-seeable future it's going to be very cold.

I really like that going gaited article and I especially liked how she went into what the breed is all about and that they are like everyother breed out there.

I love the pacing bred STBs so I can have gaited and "normal" gaits. Many people don't want the gaited side of the breed and to my mind that is very sad as it is part of their heritage. My advice to them is if you don't want the gaits get a Totter. JMO.

So, again everyone stay safe.
Our NBHA Awards banquet is the 26th of this month and yes we have a couple headed our way.

Welcome February, I think....

WOW, what a month this has been already. We certainly have had a basketful of nasty weather and here in RI, yesterday, that latest storm dumped liquid that FROZE solid. I mean you had better have ice skates to get from point A to point B.

There have been a lot of roof cave ins, more than a few involving Indoor facilities. As far as I know there have only been minor injuries to horses. Many schools here in RI are still closed until roofs can be inspected and cleaned off. The same with a lot of the bog box stores. Just not nice at all.
Duncan is hunkered down at Chris' house with his buddy Jupiter and his pet rabbit George. Yes, Duncan has a pet rabbit, they even eat together out of the same grain pan,.

If you are so inclined and want to read a really nice article about Duncan and the re training of STBs, go to www.goinggaited.com Click on Columns and read the 2nd article in the Column.

I am sure there are folks out there who are not happy, but, that's them.

Also There are more show dates comming along and in my next post I'll list the ones I have. If anyone is in the area of where we are going to be Duncan is always up for meeting new people.

Everyone stay safe and warm.

Winter YUCK

Yes it certainly is winter and Duncan is living well, while on vacation. He did say he would like to go to Florida to hang with his frinds down in Lakeland, but that is so not going to happen.

I continue to heal and am trying to get the medication where it is supposed to be. We have our appointment for shots and Coggins in March and then we will body clip and start fitting up and training.

I still am not able to go to the gym but am walking the dogs several times a day.

I will be doing an interview about Duncan to be written and published in an E Magazine. When it's up I will post the site.

Stay warm

A New Year 2011

There is much in the works for Duncan this year. A big Barrel Clinic at the Horse Park of NJ in May. I am told some of my friends will show up to say hello and watch and learn what it takes to be successful at the art of Barrels it's not all about being FAST it's about being very very correct in the whole process. Duncan is the ONLY Standardbred be campaigned as a Barrel horse in the National Barrel Horse Assoc. The might be other STBs out there but their owners don't care enough to promote the breed at this wonderful sport.

The there are the Pleasure Horse Shows, yes, we'll be doing those also.

I rode yesterday and he was wonderful. I am still recovering from my Thyroid Surgerory so, I am hopeful it will be sooner rather than later that I can get to the Gym and start riding with an instructor again. Then in March I'll start working Duncan again.

I thank you all for your continued support and hope to see you all down the trail as the year goes along.