Busy week...

Some sun, some rain, some snow

Lots to do, family to see, and places to go

Ride, work, ride, visit, work some more and whoa!

Time to go...

Off to our second training show!

What a fun, busy week! Monday, I went with a friend to Richfield to take a riding lesson from a 75 year old man who's been riding/training for years. He really knows horses and dressage. He gave several good pointers and helped be my "eyes" so I would know what Coco looked like and what was going on with him. My friend, Inger, rides a warmblood mare that is very nice and moves beautifully. Coco was very nervous, the intrustor's indoor arena has mirrors, and he used a microphone/PA system- both of Coco's nemesis, so that was another good learning experience for Coco. Inger and I used to ride together 20 years ago- but between my work & being a mom, and her being a mom- we just finally got back togehter with the same goal in mind-RIDE! We had a TON of fun- and at the conclusion of the lesson, Thann, the trainer, looked at both of us and said, "Well, you both have really good horses and there are no excuses why you can't do well with them. I would take either one of them!" I'm sure we'll be back for some pointers as we progress!

The next few days I worked Coco and he did really good, so I was excited to see how he would do on Saturday at the next training show.

Meanwhile, Tom & I had a retirement party to go to for one of the manager's we had worked with at Altiris. It was great to see so many familiar faces and "talk shop." So many asked how we were doing and a couple are going to reconnect on some networking possiblities.

Friday, we went up to Temple Square and met up with Angelique and the grandkids- Daniel, Hanna, and Colin. They were on their way to California for Disneyland. We toured around, watched "The Testaments"- I really like that movie. Went to both of the visitor centers and then the Conference Center. I think the kids liked that the best- lots to look at and large spaces for Colin to run in! We then ate lunch at the Joseph Smith Memorial Builing at the Nauvoo cafe. It was really yummy. Unfortunately I couldn't find my camera-I looked everwhere! I'm waiting for Angelique to get back and send some photos- Oh, BTW, I found my camera the next day in the horse trailer, in my gear bag! I had put it there for the riding lesson, but never pulled it out and forgot that's where it was. OLD AGE! When I went to find my gloves- there it was.

So the show...
It had snowed and rained on Friday- and Saturday was clear but COLD! So I'm wearing my thick coat in these pictures- which really makes me look like a marshmellow and my equitation look horrible- but- hey, I'm warm.

I entered 2 walk-trot classes- one for adults and one for 1st year horses. We won both of those. SURPRISE! Coco worked really well. We also won the dressage on the rail class. But we didn't do so well in the pleasure (3 gaited) classes. Coco was having a hard time picking up his right lead, Arghh! He got it on the second try both times but the judge saw the wrong lead and so, no good. He did do much better with the other horses, and paid attention better. But, I kept feeling something weird in his gait. Like his stifle was slipping or something. If it keeps up, I'm going to have to take him to the vet, just to make sure he's okay.

The judge really liked his trot. Coco really has a lot of engagement in this photo- thanks to the photographer, a really good guy- Tom, my husband that crawled out of bed at 5:30 AM to go with me and help me!

Kyle came also to the show (later, after the morning classes) to go in the lead-line class. He hasn't ridden since last summer, but he climbed aboard and picked up the reins without forgetting anything! Although, when his mom first pulled up and he saw the class going with riders loping- he looked at his Mom and said,"I don't know how to do that." We reassured him that I would be leading him around and we practiced a few minutes before the class. we ended up the only ones in the class, but the annoucer said, "Look at his heels down and how well he sits and holds the reins." Kyle smilled big when he saw he won a ribbon and a couple of puzzle books.

When we got outside the arena, Ryan looked at the books longinly and then said, "Look Kyle, one for you and one for me!" Which Kyle gladly shared. Meanwhile Kaylee (now 14 months) is squealing the whole time wanting to sit on the horse. So Grandpa Tom lifted her up there and she started bouncing like Coco was walking. We laughed.

We tried to give her the reins to hold, but all she wanted to do was put them on her arm, like a purse strap! Such a girl! She couldn't figure out what she was supposed to do with them. Grandpa kept a hand on her, which she kept pushing away. Especially when we said it was time to get off- she did not want to and objected vocally.

First Show-

Did I say, "To the nationals I'll try to go"????
I must have been crazy, don't you know

Our first try at a local training show

Reveals that Coco & I have a looooong way to go!

So... things looked good when we first arrived last Saturday at Coco's first schooling show. Schooling shows are nice because you don't have to bathe them and worry about your outfit- they are more relaxed. Coco was very calm and relaxed despite all the horses that were there going every which way. He stood quietly at the trailer and didn't even whinny or paw! I warmed him up for a few minutes longing him, then climbed aboard and started riding him in the outside warm-up area. He seemed very relaxed and was picking up his gaits nicely and I thought to myself- "oh good- he's not too nervous!" That all changed as soon as we stepped foot in the indoor arena where the classes were being held.

Coco went from half asleep to wide eyed and scared to death! It wasn't the indoor arena so much- I've been riding in one a couple times a week, it was the fact that this indoor arena had mirrors on the inside, loud speakers that crackled, and was filled with strange horses that came right up by him!

Admittedly, that's why you go to a schooling show- to get them used to annoucers, horses charging past them, etc. Poor coco thought evrytime a horse came up by his side to pass, they were attacking him. Unfortunately where we ride there are seldom more than one other rider and never more than 3 of us! The loudspeakers really had him miffed as to what that was and if it was a "horse-eating" creature.

Needless to say the first class was a disaster- but not just for us! Other riders had their hands full too- as it was a class for 1st time horses. Other horse were bucking, spooking, etc. Which actually didn't help to calm Coco any! At least Coco never bucked. The worst he did was just try to escape by cantering really fast. The second class went much better. There were less horses in the class, more well behaved ones, and Coco settled a bit. The only problem was we picked up a wrong lead the second half and I'm sure that knocked up down in the placings and I was actually surprised we ended up 5th in the class (out of 8 horses). Not real good- but again, that's what training shows are for.

This picture is just inside the arena area called the "in-gate" where riders are waiting for the next class. It was amazing the kids under 12 showing- cute ponies too!

So we need a few more "schooling" shows to say the least.

HIDE & SEEK WITH THE HORSES

Wake up in the morning

And wondered where they are
After five hours of searching
Found them quite a far

Well- I gues I have a "jail-breaker" horse- supposedly my latch on the gate is "horseproof"- apparently not for my horses. I don't know what time they got out- I noticed the gate open at 6 AM. I woke Tom up and we began driving all over looking for them. I called county dispatch and they had a report at 5:30 about 2 horses heading south on HWY 89- YIKES! So we went looking between Fairview & Mt Pleasant- NO LUCK! We finally gave up searching 4 hours later - figuring they were either stolen and long gone or someone caught them, put them in a pasture and forgot to call the sheriff???? Finally at around noon- a knock on our office door brought relief when someone put 2 & 2 together and realized her brother had put them in their pasture. The horses were both fine- thank goodness since one of them was Cocoa- the one I'm working with to show in a month! He was quite spooked from the whole incident, but I'm guessing he'll get over it, especially with a good 2 hour work out on Saturday!

Needless to say that put our whole day behind- I had to skip going to humanitarian- and just work and then we had invited a neighbor and their twins (almost 4) over for dinner. We made pizzas, they brought a salad and the kids LOVED the baby goats- we couldn't get them to leave them to go eat!

Shout out to some of our March Birthdays- Derek is now 23- Love my cheerful boy! And Happy Birthday to Marie, a great mother to our Grandkids! (and wife to Alex!) Happy B-day to my Dad- who next week turns 78 and who still works every day!

We had a HUGE snow storm the other day -

I thought it was cool looking the way the snow piled up on the pipe corral. luckily it was gone the next day- we're even expecting temps in the low 50's tomorrow. YEAH!

Patches had 2 babies last week- here they are in the snow

We have to disbud them today- not my favorite chore- it stinks and they don't like it.

We had visitors on Monday- Kelli brought the boys down and helped me learn the blog system. Here's Grandpa Tom with Jensen.

Oh - OHIO!

Trip To Ohio

OHIO- what a treat!

These Fuhriman grandkids are SUPER & SWEET!

With games, books, skating, & fun...

For a great time it's hard to beat!

We had a fun time in Ohio- with all the snow they've received over the past month we thought that all their "snow" days would be used up- but we did get one free afternoon- compliments of the weather! We Had TONS of fun playing tag and other games, reading stories, playing with Coen and Mia and Jesi while the boys were at school. Tate had a roller skating b-day party he was invited to and I (seriously-it's been 20 years or more) went roller skating with him- he did great! I didn't do too bad for an old lady. I loved the old skating rink with a WOOD floor- so cool! I was talking to a lady there and she told me her parents met there as teenagers. I bet that doesn't happen too often these days!

Tom did a little sledding as well with Tate- while the rest of us just watched from the warm house.

We had fun with Rachel & the girls shopping in some antique stores- I was looking for a treadle sewing machine. Mia & Jesi found some very fashionable hats from the 30's or 40's- CUTE!

Coen is so cute and cuddly!


Avery showed us his collections- rocks, fossils, tranfsormers, and US quarters- so what's the chance of me having in my purse, one of 8 missing quarters for his collection? Obviously pretty good- I had South Dakota!

Cooper was so cute and fun- and he really did great on his piano lesson with his fun teacher. And he and Tate loved playing tag with Grandpa!

Sorry the pic is blurry- they were moving pretty fast...

The peanut fun...

So - we bought some peanuts at the store while we were there and we're showing the kids how to shell them- Tate was so cute- he looks at me and states- "They smell like peanut butter!" We all had a good laugh over that.

Thanks Andy & Rachel for a great time!

January Recap

January was a full month
even though we didn't get more snow
We went for a helicopter ride
and Tom sang at a benefit show!

Benefit Concert For Haiti

Tom was asked to perform at a benefit concert for Haiti. The headliner was Alex Boye'- he was SUPER good and Tons of fun. We ended up hosting them at our center as they needed a place to stay for the night. I cooked them a BIG breakfast at midnight, and we sat up talking for another hour.


Alex singing with some band members of Snow College.

Tom and Sherry sing "All I Ask of You" from Phantom.

Jasmine, our goat gave us a surprise when she had 3 babies!

Our helicopter ride was fun- we went up the canyon and around Milburn valley. The doctor that bought the lot we had for sale has a good friend with a helo-We're inside the cab- I'm in the back Tom's on the other side in the front.