One Surprise After Another

Sometimes it's best to not know ahead of time what your day will bring - as in the case of this particular Saturday.  I had just arrived @ the barn  & my phone started ringing.  My niece Mindy had recently purchased a Shepherd pup & wanted me to meet him.   Of course, I said " come on down "!!!    She arrived shortly there after.....

                               Draco & Meha meeting for the first time....

                               Jack clearly was NOT impressed :(

                                What a sweet sweet pup :))

Next thing I know Rob ( dear friend ) pulls up on his Harley & greets Draco.

 They got along quite well & we hope to get Robs & my Shepherd together when Draco gets a tad  older :))

                              Next Patty hops on Casino & we ride together

And then I look up & Doug is walking towards the barn !!!  He had had back surgery only 2 days prior !!!!! 

                               Tia was a happy camper post riding......

                               As was the Buddha :)

                             And Casino .....the others had no worry's either :)

                                                  Can't leave Wilbur out.....



I have to admit it was a very fun day in Wisconsin & I had NO idea any of these events were going to take place - the last bit of surprise I had was when Tia followed me all over the tract when I turned her out.   It was a first :))

Judy Judy Judy

Following your passion always allows you to meet new people who share the same interest.  I have been very fortunate in this area - b/c I meant Judy.   She also volunteers @ a hippo therapy facility & is  very fun to be around.

                             Here she is meeting the Buddha for the first time :)

I kept reminding her to appreciate this gentle giant as she groomed him & I tacked him up for her to ride.  I then said DO NOT let his lunging technique dissuade you from riding :)

Well, her eyes about popped out of her head when she witnessed his bucking & rearing plus flying thru the air while I had the other end of the lunge line !!!!!   She said she was ready to hi-tail it out of Wisconsin & forget this riding business :))    This is exactly why I let people fall in love w/ Bud in the barn - warn them on the way to the tract.  It is just what he does EVERY Saturday :))

                                    As you can see - they got along just fine.....

                                            And w/ Tia as well.........

                                     She came a LONG way that morning :))

                    Even Wilbur got in on the act  - love that all ears are up!!!

Texas or Bust.....

My last time to ride w/ Kayla has come b/c  her family is moving to Texas next week.  What a very fun &  sad  day - glad JB was there to lighten things up :)

Kayla I miss you more than you know & will never forget you - don't worry @ Black Jack - I have his back..........literally :))

JB Returns

                      I was very happy that my sister Joan wanted to go w/ me to the barn   :)

                     She FINALLY  got to meet the man of the hour - Lil O.

                                       That gent attracts woman of all ages :))

                                               The Buddha was in shock !!

   JB on the Buddha - it took a long time to reunite them but they did fine.

                    Too funny - she & Patty were actually discussing shoes!!

                                      Unbelievable - all 3 sets of ears up !!!!

                                             She even got on Miss Tia!

                                            A fun photo to end the day :))

On this Saturday, it was just Kayla & I - which felt  extra good - yet I didn't really understand @ the time.  It was very warm - so we hugged trees most of the morning to stay cool :)

                                   Black Jack knew how to stay nice & cool......

                                               Bud & I following suit :)

                                             Kayla chilling on Tia....

                        Yep, Dinkie & Regal joined the tree hugging party too :)

                                              Now, I'm doing English !!

                             K is now on Casino - yep - hanging on a tree :))

                                  Wilbur & I catching a breeze in some shade :)


We rode most of the day - breaking for a cool drink &  I had NO idea it would be the last solo ride I would enjoy w/ Kayla.

 Meeting new people thru my volunteering in hippo-therapy has been a joy - especially when they enjoy sharing my passion for horses.   On this particular Saturday, both  Charlotte & Bernadette made the trek to Wisconsin even tho there was NO sun in sight :))

                                                Char grooming the Buddha :)

                                         While Bernadette worked on Ms. Tia :))

                     Two of my favorite peeps w/ my 2 absolute best horses :)

                                                          Me & mine :))

Barn Picnic

On  Greg's B'day, I also had invited my friends Bernadette & Jin to come up for the day.  We had planned on an ole fashioned picnic on the deck after riding. 

                             But first - there were stalls to muck ........

                                                  And horses to ride........

                                  Zoom zoom zoom goes the Buddha :)

                              Kayla & I strutting our stuff w/ Tia & Casino.....

                                Now, Bernadette & Tia are @ to chill out :)

                            While Jin & the Buddha leisurely walked around......

                            The ladies & their equine working the patterns :)

                                                         Picture Perfect!!

  Picnic Party on the Patio  - we had chicken , homemade cole slaw , tomato salad, chips, Patty's lemonade & Jin's chocolate dessert - yum :))

                           We were happily joined by Patty & Doug & Jack  :)

                                             Jin enjoying the chicken :)

                      And  Kayla got in the mood complete w/ boots off!!!