The Sport Pony Inspections

The inspection process is intense

With all eyes on you
The judges, trainers, and others

To see how your ponies will do

We trailered Providence and Domingo to the inspection site Friday afternoon so they could get used to the environment and get schooled over the jumps.

Jan & Gary Lawrence and the Larence family own Millbrook Farms where the inspection took place. I used to ride with them several years ago (20!) when I took jumping and dressage lessons. They were so helpful- setting up a jumping chute to practice with and giving Tom & I a hand getting them through it.

We then spent the night at Cari's, and went back the next morning for one more work-out with the ponies. We then went home for the rest of Saturday and let the little guys rest.

Then, Sunday evening we went back to Cari's- with all the family coming over. It was just what I needed to keep me relaxed and not too nervous. We had so much fun playing a game- like charades- anyway- Tyler and Jason were hilarious! Tom did some pretty funny stuff, too. I got to meet Tyler's new "friend" Katheryn- what a nice gal! And Kaylee and Bill performed their "high-wire" act of Kaylee balancing in Bill's hands up above his head- with her smiling like crazy the whole time! She is fearless!

I love my family soooo much- the noise level was high-but what fun we have!We missed Derek- but Ellie was there. Derek is in Costa Rica (lucky dog!) working for the week.

Anyway- Monday morning at 6:30 we were ast the barn, bathing ponies. The one inspector flew in from Germany the night before, and Gary was the second inspector.

Domingo's in hand part of the inspection.

Then Providence's turn. Providence starts down the free jumping chute. I wish I could get the videos of him jumping loaded- I'll keep trying to figure it out- he FLEW over the fences and the judge kept putting them higher and higher just to watch him go.

After the in-hand and free jumping- we saddled them up for the rest of the inspection. I was SO GRATEFUL for my friend Inger. She came and helped so much holding ponies, getting one tacked up while I worked with another. Tom helped a ton, too- plus took pictures.

Providence under saddle.

Domingo under saddle.

It took most of Monday morning but by noon the results were in- Providence passed the inspection with flying colors- which is exactly what I expected and Domingo- as cute as he was- was not quite good enough-which is also what I expected- but was worth the try.

Jan & Gary invited us to stay and have lunch with them and the German Judge- which was great! All in all it was an experience- and one I won't forget soon.With the inspection over, I'll be taking the ponies back to their home on Monday and life will slow down a little- WHEW! And I'll be looking forward to next summer when some cute little foals will be born on our place. I hope they will look alot like their gorgeous daddy- Providence!

Jumping Ponies & Riding Dressage Tests

Jumping ponies is fun

Hard work in the hot sun

And a Dressage test IS a test

For my mind, body, and all the rest

This is Domingo learning to free jump. he shows really good form here. I hope he takes the jumps at the inspection like this!

Providence is further along in his training and can carry a pasenger (me!)over the jump. I LOVE jumping horses- it is a cool feeling.

Tom did a GREAT job catching these shots- it's hard to time the pictures when the horses are at the right spot.

Last saturday, we took Providence to a dressage show. This was his first time- and mine in 20 years! Dressage tests are ridden one at a time and the judge has a scribe so he never takes his eyes off of you. Rather un-nerving. I was exhausted by the time I warmed up Providence for an hour (more like wearing him down) and rode the test- I'm so glad I decided to only ride one test- many riders will ride 2 or 3.

I feel good about our test- even though we didn't score super high - mostly due to a crooked entrance down the center line and stop, and Providence being overly curious about the other horses instead of keeping his head down and working. But the judge loved his gaits- he scored high on his trot and canter.

Several of the proffessional trainers there came up to me to comment on how nice he was and what beautiful gaits he had. I was just happy we made it through the test! If these pictures were closer you'd see how red my face is from the sauna-like conditions of the arena!

I'm also crossing my fingers I have 3 mares infoal to him and get something as nice as he is.

The Stallion inspection is next Monday-that will be an experience- wish me and the ponies luck!

A Visit With Daniel, Hanna, & Colin

Short, but sweet

Made our summer complete

A overnight stay,

Then to Boise, on their way

Colin loved climbing the willow tree, while Daniel pushed Hanna on the swing (she's in there among the branches...)

Tom drove up to the Airport on Sunday (this is a much delayed post-it was a couple of weeks ago) and picked up Daniel, Hanna, and Colin to come and spend the night with us. It was nice because we actually had some time Monday morning to ride the pony and 4-wheeler before Tom drove them back up to Provo to meet up with Amanda's brother.

Sunday evening we had thunderstorms- which was really fun to watch-and- the kids got to take part in my tradition of hot cocoa when ever there is a thunderstorm at night. They thought it was a GREAT idea!

A neighbor's dog showed up afraid of the thunder- Hanna was especially sweet to the poor scared thing.

Hanna on Jigsaw

Daniel rode all by himself.

Colin was excited and scared all at the same time!


They've grown up so much since the last time we spent time with them. By far, Daniel was the most excited to ride, lead, feed, and generally hang out with the horses. Colin loved to wander around and check everything out, including the goats- and Hanna loved feeding the horses and the goats.

The Flatest Tire Ever and Good-bye to Coco

Not a slow leak,
Not a little hole
Through the tire AND the rim
It really took it's toll!

So Tom & I were driving to work- he was eating breakfast, so I was driving and we were chatting- and I happened to glance at the road and see something in the road, which, at a glance just looked like a lump of dirt.

Well, it wasn't. It was a chunk of metal, part of which was a brake shoe and pad. Ga-thump!

The good news: We were about 5 minutes walking time from the office- and just a hundred feet from a tire place- so Tom slowly drove it to get looked at while I went on to work.

The BAD NEWS: It ruined the (1 week old) tire and, what's worse, the rim also got a hole in it! I'd never heard of getting a "flat" on your rim!

So, consequently, the spare is still on the car while a place is trying to fix the rim- which then the tire store is kindly replacing the brand-new tire at their cost (it wasn't expensive enough of a tire to have road hazard coverage) and they will also balance it for free.

What a way to start the week!

We had our Ward Campout and Wood Cutting Project. I LOVE my activities committee! The weather was great- it threatened rain friday eve- but we got lucky and it ended up a beautiful night! Everyone loved the breakfast- and I had lots of eager young helpers to take Coco around to let him graze Saturday AM while I cleaned up.

I had brought Coco up to go for a ride on Friday before the camp out started- he was so good- that it made it even harder to sell him this week.

Yes, you heard right. I had put an ad in about a month ago, and had a few nibbles, then out of the blue a serious buyer came. So Coco has a new home. They seem like really good horse owners and ride all over the Uintas. They are an older, retired couple and Coco was so good for them and I could tell he liked them.

I will miss Coco a lot. He gave my grandkids and me a lot of good memories.

Kid's Rodeo

A barnyard scramble
And some "Barrels" to run
The Kid's Rodeo night
Was a TON of FUN!

Kyle and Ryan lean on the rail watching some of the other events. Kyle wanted to ride the sheep but it was full when I went to sign him up at the city- I guess I need to stand in line next year and be there right when the sign-ups start!
The Barnyard scramble had a bunch of kids in it- Kyle came close to getting some money off of the goat- but no luck! Maybe next year!

Last year when we were watching the rodeo- Ryan did not want to do anything like run after farm animals, or ride the sheep. But when they had the kid's barrel racing- Ryan perked right up and exclaimed "Next year I want to do that!" So this year I trailer good ole patient coco over to the rodeo and both Ryan and Kyle went in the 7 & under barrel racing class. while Ryan only wanted to walk- Kyle gave me a bit more of a work out and we trotted the whole course! They both won a $2 bill!

I think Kyle could have ridden Coco all by himself- but I was a little nervous to let him-what with the wind flapping the banners and the grandstand was packed! It was Coco's first time there and he really did just fine and was very good. So maybe next year!

A Little Get-together

July is a fun month

Lots to see and do

But the most fun we have

Is the time we spend with YOU!

Getting ready to head out on our ATV's up the canyon...Tyler wanted to ride up with me-

Aaron brought a way fun Rhino. The kids had fun in it.

Tyler dares his Dad to squirt him.

The grandkids decided we needed a teeter-totter.

Kyle and Kalia try it out.

They had lots of fun riding the ponies on Saturday- Tom led them around while I ran down to Jensen & Brad's Birthday Party. On Sunday afternoon we had a dinner and later a hayride around Milburn. We got one more horse ride in Monday morning before they all left for their family reunion in Brainhead.

Welcome Kynlee!

A sweet new face

Filled with grace, just came our way

A tiny frame

From Heaven came, and really made our day!On our way back from Brianhead to be at Tate's Baptism, we stopped in at the Utah Valley Hospital to meet our newest granddaughter! She came into the world weighing only 6#7oz- so tiny! We were excited to see how everyone was doing- and we were excited to pickup Ryan, Kyle, and Kaylee to spend some time at our house!

McKynlee Fae Greer- The middle name "Fae" is my Mother's middle name.

While I was away for the morning- Grandpa Tom got busy on the tractor and built a "swimming hole" for the kiddies- complete with a slide! He had already built a swing in the willow tree for Kaylee. All this was because the last time Kyle was at our house he said we needed a playground for the kids- I think a teeter-totter is next on the agenda...

The kids were excited when a herd of cattle being moved went right past our house! Kaylee was mooing at them- I think she thought they were talking to her!

It's hard to tell from this picture- but this is about a grapefruit size bruise I received from a kick on my thigh from one of my visiting pony stallions I'm training. It kept me hobbling for a week-I think it's the worse kick I've ever received. That's what I get for not paying attention and taking a cute little pony stallion for granted.