2011 Trail Trial / Poker Run to benefit St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital

Well... We were actually able to pull off our event this year..finally.  Although we had MAJOR flooding in our area a week before we held our ride. 
The day was a nice, cool, somewhat overcast day.  The kind of day we horse people love to have for riding.  Due to the flooding and the inability to get to the trails much before the date of the ride the course was a bit shorter than last year but I don't believe many riders minded.  It has been a tough summer and a lot of the horses weren't really "fit" for a long hilly ride.
Due to the fact that the final decision to hold the ride wasn't made until the Wednesday before the actual ride we only had 14 riders come.  But, these 14 riders made $835 for St. Judes!!!  I personally believe that is just awesome! 
It was a great ride.  The obstacles were fair I believe (although the one was a bit tougher) and mixing it with the poker run made it more fair for the horses and riders that may not be quite as confident on the trail - they actually had a chance at winning a prize this time.  Hopefully we can get more prizes for next years ride... this year was a bit sparse.
Thank you to all the volunteers and riders who came!!!  Hope to see you all next year!

2011 Trail Trial to benefit St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital

Well, a big thank you to mother nature (NOT!).  I am rescheduling my trail trial until September 17, 2011.  Hopefully it will be a bit drier by then. 

This past week we have dealt with the harshest blow by mother nature than we have seen since moving back to Maine.  This time the creek flooded so bad that it knocked down the majority of my fence and wiped out the dog fence at the trailer and even moved the bridge by the bottom of the bank.  The water has been that deep before but never with any kind of force.. To move a bridge made out of trees and 2x6's to a totally different angle so far from the main stream is just amazing. 

THANKFULLY.. To harm to life came to any of those in the area.  I know flooded basements and knocked down fences are a pain but it could have been way worse.

So,  lets do an anti-rain dance for a little while.. I would like to see what the top of the hill looks like someday.....

Patience and Time

As most of you know I purchased a new pony for my daughter Aubrey.  Her name is Pepper and while she is very quiet under saddle she is very nervous when you work around her.  Her back legs are the worst!!  Well, I put off having the farrier here (even though she needed it bad since I got her) until after I had a chance to play with her a bit with her issues.  It paid off tenfold!!! She was just about perfect to have her feet done. I was very proud of her and actually got the "seal of approval" from my farrier - he's a tough character when he doesn't like a horse you have :-)

It goes to show.... Patience and Time is what it really takes with some horses.. Can't say all but in my opinion... Most.