Stampede

Note to self- go during the week! There were so many people there for semi-finale Saturday! We went to visit my sister who lives in Calgary before we went to the Stampede grounds, then drove through downtown to the grounds. Parking: $20. Gate admission for two: $30.  Fifty bucks before we even did anything! Everything was pricey, especially the food. $6.75 for a beer, $5 for lemonade, $8 for a skinny hamburger. Take lots of money if you go, folks!
We didn't go to the rodeo, as we prefer the Chuckwagon racing.  But there were plenty of things to do to while away the afternoon, such as buying a ticket on this truck and fifth wheel trailer- that's Ted standing possessively beside it.

We walked through the horse barn, where we spotted this spotted mule (pun intended!)

It was stalled next to the two spotted horses that I featured in my Sunday Stills post.

Out in the midway, I thought of Mrs. Mom and GunDiva when we saw this tank- ladies, how'd you like to fire a round from this baby?

There were some very nice black Clydesdales in the barn, and they put in an appearance during a break in the Chuckwagon races that evening.

We headed to the infield, and got seats high up in the grandstand that allowed us to see the backstretch of the racetrack, and had a great view of the infield, facing the main grandstand. I had to use my zoom to the max to get photos, so the stop action isn't the greatest. During the National Anthem we were treated to a fly-by of a military helicopter and a huge Canadian flag. This was right behind us.

Then it was race time!  If you have never been there, you can't imagine the excitement when the klaxon sounds and there are 4 wagons who "cast their fate to the figure eight and the half a mile of hell" ;

From the start of the race :

to the finish, all you can hear is the roar of the crowd, the thunder of the hooves of 24 horses, and the rattle of the harness as they cross the finish line.
Yesterday, the big winner of the $100,000 showdown was Kelly Sutherland, with his record breaking 12th win. Here is an interview with him from the Association website.

As we left, we were treated to the copper skies of an Alberta sunset over the heart of Calgary- the Stampede grounds.

Sunday Stills- Stampede Style!

Just making it in under the wire for this one! Today's challenge is people- the more the better. Well Ed, how about 16 thousand people?

This is a view of the grandstand at the Calgary Stampede, taken from the beer gardens next to the infield.

There were plenty of things going on in the Agricultural area, like this wether sheep getting his very first shearing for a sheep-shearing demonstration:

The gent doing the shearing was very proficient, it took less than 5 minutes for him to shear this sheep, and roll up the fleece- it was pretty cool to see. I'm sure the sheep enjoyed his new, cooler do; it's pretty hot out!

I just had to get a shot of these people, riding leopard Appaloosas, for Sherry at Fern Valley Appaloosas. I took this shot from way high in the infield grandstand.

And then there were the chuckwagon races! Unfortunately, as it was late in the day- like the song says, "When the sun goes down in Calgary and the wagons start to roll..." so my photos aren't the best. If you don't know about chuckwagon racing, there are 4 wagons, each pulled by a 4 horse hitch of Thoroughbred horses, they line up in the infield: they each have to do a figure eight around barrels set up in the infield, then head out on a half-mile race track, finishing up back at the infield. Each wagon has 2 outriders; one throws the campstove in the back of the wagon when the starting horn goes, and the other one is holding the lead horse. Here is a look at the dangerous job of the outrider that "heads" the lead horse:

Here, he has just released the team at the sound of the horn, then he has to leap on his horse, and he and the other outrider, who you can see behind the wagon, also do the figure eight around the barrels, then head down the track with all the wagons. It gets western!

This is Buddy Bensmiller, who was retiring after this Stampede. It was his birthday, and he won his heat, and all 16,000 of us wished him happy birthday.

More Stampede stuff tomorrow!

Heading out!

Heading out to Alberta today, for a mini getaway. Some good friends are looking after the herd, the cats will be housebound, much to the disgust of Thumper and Foose, and the 3 dogs are coming with us. We are going to the Calgary Stampede tomorrow, at least for the afternoon, and can't wait to see the Chuckwagon Races.

Remember I said I was a winner over at GunDiva's blog? Well, I got my parcel yesterday, and put the items to use right away.

I chose a couple of holders- for napkins, and business cards. If you haven't visited Horse And Wildlife Gifts, go check 'em out! Lots of cool stuff.  Thanks again, GunDiva!

I opened the gate between the mares pen and Beamer's pasture, because Beamer will be staying in his dry pen while I'm gone, so the mares can mow down the grass in his pasture, then when I get back I'm going to rough cut it because the weeds have taken over. I'd like to get some Graze-on to spray it with this fall. The girls and Rio had to do a high speed inspection of the new paddock, and here's another teaser photo of Rio.

He's almost all shed out now, just his sides and the bottom half of his front legs to go. By the end of the month I should be able to get some good photos.
See you Sunday!

Rio's registered, and a call to rally

When I checked the AQHA databank today, I found that Rio is now registered:

There he is, in black and white- Diamond Rio Peppy!; now I'll be checking the mail impatiently waiting for his papers.
I'm sure that many of you read MiKael's blog, MiKael's Mania and know about the hardship she is facing with her health crisis. They aren't asking for help, but I would like to do what I can for them. What I am doing, is offering one of my original drawings for sale by blog auction. This drawing is one I did for my dad, years ago, and it has come back to me because he is now in extended care. The way this will work is, if you want to put a bid in on it, leave a comment with what you would be willing to pay; all of the money will go to MiKael, and I will pay the shipping charges to whoever purchases it. I'll put this on my sidebar to make it easy to find for those who wish to top someone else's bid.

Here is the drawing:

It is matted and framed, but I would have to remove the glass to ship it. It is pen and ink. This is an original; no prints have ever been made from it, it's one of a kind.
Please pass this on, the more money we raise the better. The basic principle is the same as a silent auction. Bidding will close on Friday, July 22, at 3 PM Pacific time.

Sometimes you just gotta suck it up

And put on your big girl panties. My helper couldn't make it today, and my husband had to go to work, so this evening, I saddled Chickory, took her to the round pen, and put the snaffle bridle on her. I longed her for a while, watching her mouth the bit. When she settled down and was paying attention to me, I stepped up and rode. Her steering leaves a lot to be desired, but that's to be expected. She went around quietly for me, and we even did a fair amount of trotting. Her whoa and back up were nice and soft. The more I work her, the less trepidation I feel at getting on a green colt. She really is a sweetheart.15 years ago, I would have been gung-ho but as I age I get more cautious. I know how easily things can come unraveled, even when you have all the basics in place. So I'm taking it slowly.
Tomorrow, more of the same, I just want to get her steering better. I might pony her too.

Working Chickory, continued

It just so happened that I ran into my friend this morning, and she came over to help me with Chickory. I decided to get her to longe me on Chicky. Saddled up, and got to looking at the fit of the bosal I've been using. It doesn't fit her on her cheeks, right over where her teeth are; it's too tight there. So I guess I'll have to go back to working her in a snaffle. So today, we just used the rope halter. I looped the leadrope around like reins, and attached a longe line to the halter. We longed her first, and there were some distractions that got her a little jazzed up, so worked her long enough to know she was settled and listening. Then I stepped on up, telling myself that if she jumped around I was NOT going to snatch her head with the rein- and she was good. We got her trotting well both ways, to the point where the directions were coming from me on her back instead of the person on the ground, and some nice stops and back-ups, and called it a day. Good Chickory! Tomorrow, my friend will come over in the evening and we'll go again, but this time, after working on the line, I'll have her unsnap it and go solo. I may do some ground work in the snaffle tonight when it cools off some so that I can use the snaffle tomorrow without surprising her.
Since Chickory had worked up a sweat, she got hosed off, and when I turned her out I made sure to let her go in a grassy area instead of near their favorite dust bath area, because, sure enough.... she just had to roll....

I think Chickory is enjoying her new status as a saddle horse, because she has switched her allegiance from Belle to Gussie.

BFF!

Sunday Stills

F is for....

Flowers

Fruit

Foliage (nomnomnom!)

Fencelines in the Fading light

and Farmer's Fields Full of Fodder

Working Chickory, continued

Today's lesson with Chickory I stepped it up a little. I ponied her with a saddle on,

which went well; and even got her trotting as we went across the field. 

Back at the round pen, I had Ted ride Gussie while I rode Chickory,

 the idea being that she had just spent 20 minutes following Gussie, so it would be second nature for her to follow in the round pen. Sure enough, Chickory followed nicely, and even trotted a couple of steps.

She seems to have gotten over her unwillingness to go forward, the next step is to get her comfortable at a trot. I haven't decided if I'm going to have a friend longe me or if I'll keep up with the following routine. I have a couple of days to think about it- tomorrow we have a 50th birthday party to go to so no riding until Monday.  I made the most of today though. 

Later on I rode Beamer and took the dogs with me, then I went and brought Rio in and played around with him a little. He will be three months old tomorrow, and I am sure happy with the way he is turning out. He's just a sweetheart. I introduced him to Beamer, and they had a little visit over the fence. Lots of mouthing going on!

 All in all it was a very satisfying day. Watched the chuckwagon races on TV, and was disappointed with CBC's coverage of the rodeo; they only showed the bareback and bullriding. Bah! I liked it better when CTV covered the Stampede, at least we got to see every event.

Working Chickory

After 33 degrees yesterday, and a big ole thundershower in the evening, it was blessedly cool today, so I decided to work with Chickory this afternoon. I saddled Gussie, and caught Chickory and headed to the round pen for a quick brush up on ponying, which went well. So the next step was to take them in a fenced paddock for ponying, which was also no problem. So we set off through the yard and on out to the field full of round bales. This is the first time Chickory has been out of the yard since we moved here two years ago. She led like a dream, didn't tighten up that lead rope once. Next time I take her out, I'll put a saddle on her.

After a nice, forward and relaxing tour of the field, I put Gussie away (good girl, Gussie!) and, in the round pen, saddled Chickory. Longed her a little.

Since everything was going so well, I stepped up and rode. She was more willing to walk out, but not to trot- which was fine. I did tap her on the but with the tail of the mecate when she was ignoring my request to walk up a little, she kinda grabbed her butt and sidestepped a bit, but nothing too dramatic. About then the wind kicked up, so I just asked her to stand quietly and think about things- didn't want to pressure her up- then we walked off nicely. All in all it was a good session. Here is a little video of longeing her, you can hear how softly I ask for a whoa and how quickly she responds to it.

Sittin' in the shade...

Sippin' lemonade!

I've been putting the horses out before 6:30 AM, and bringing them in earlier than usual so they can have shade in the afternoon, there is none in their pastures.

Had a little thunderstorm roll through and cool things off a little; I'd rather have a thunderstorm than the dust storms that are hitting Arizona! The neighbor got all his hay put up without rain this year. I'll probably buy bales from him, since I have two round bale feeders.
Now that the hay is off the field where I ride, I plan on ponying Chickory, to get her moving out. Specially after reading about the big bay over at Brown Eyed Cowgirl's blog, and knowing that Chickory is reluctant to move out with me on her back. So I'll just saddle her, and get on Gussie to pony her; Gussie is getting to be a real pleasure to ride, now that she is settled down. Once I get Chick moving out freely, I won't be so worried about getting back on her; I just hate that feeling of them being bound up and not wanting to move, it's like sitting on  time bomb. Wish I had someone to get on her for ponying, after I've got her ponying well. Oh well, it'll all work out.

Wordless Wednesday

A prize and a gift

Last week, I found out that I was a winner in Gundiva's "suck it up" contest- and the prize is a gift certificate to Horse and Wildlife Gifts; and let me tell you, I had a tough time choosing what to get! Just when I thought I found what I wanted, I'd open another page, and change my mind! I ended up ordering two items; a mare & foal card holder and a napkin holder with artwork by Alberta artist, Bernie Brown- one of my favorite artists. Thanks, Gundiva and Rebecca for the contest and prize!
Summer is in full swing now, and since there is a fire ban on, I can't use the smudge pot any more; but the mosquitoes have died down considerably. I spotted a couple of horse flies today, so I guess it will go from one misery to the next for the horses.
Rio is really shedding now, and I'm not taking any photos of him for a while because I want to surprise you with the cool color he will be. I said a while ago that watching him shed was like unwrapping a gift, not sure what it will be. Here are a couple of teaser pics to hold you for a bit....

Just can't wait.... I've been out there with my rubber Grooma brush scrubbing all that yellow baby hair off. He loves it, and Gussie gets jealous, she wants grooming too!
Speaking of Gussie, I tried her out carrying the flag too, and she was awesome. I'm thinking she will be the parade horse. Of course, she's in foal, at least we hope so, and I don't think there are any parades nearby to put her in this year, but she'll do the job when we need her to.
Ted and I are planning on going to the Calgary Stampede for July 16th, and hopefully we can meet up with some of our blog friends that weekend.

Sunday Stills

Fittingly this week's theme is patriotism, which is defined as:  devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.
To start with, I'd like to salute our soldiers who are making their way home from Afghanistan; well done, troops!
My husband belongs to a commemorative association, for the North West Mounted Police. These were the forerunners of our modern day Royal Canadian Mounted Police, aka RCMP, aka Mounties. The uniform is similar to the RCMP red serge uniform, and is historically accurate. They do public appearances at parades, rodeos, and historical functions. It is a tribute to the men who helped form this great country. So without further ado, here is our patriotic tribute: 

O Canada, our home and native land,

true patriot love in all thy sons command.

 With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,

The true North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, 

We stand on guard for thee!

God keep our land, glorious and free; 

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

Thanks, Beamer and Ted!

Beamer's 10th birthday

Beamer turned 10 today, and I figured it was a good day to treat him like the special horse he is. So he got a bath; shampoo and conditioner for mane and tail, and some fly spray when he dried off. He has had so many dust baths lately that he looked like a dun.

Since it was a hot day, and I wanted to take him out for a stroll around the newly swathed hayfield, I opted to ride bareback; no packing a hot saddle on his birthday!

Yes, I know it's not proper etiquette to ride with the reins crossed, but it works for me!

As we rode along, I thought I spotted a row of Ravens sitting on fence posts; but it wasn't; it was turkey buzzards.

They weren't timid at all, we got within about 40 feet of them and they flew off, one by one.

As we continued long we spotted this little bird on a fence post too; I think she thought we couldn't see her in the tall grass.

After a nice leisurely ride, Beamer went off to graze happily , he didn't even take a dirt bath right away like he usually does;

but when I went to bring him in tonight, he was covered in dust  again.

I thought I'd see if the horses would eat watermelon; inspired by the 7MSN blog, where watermelon is considered a delicacy by burros, horses, pigs and chickens (but not Carson!). Well. It must be a southern thing, eh? The only one eating watermelon around here is me! Beamer took one sniff, and went back to his hay. Gussie gave me some lip, Coyote Belle looked disgusted, Chickory was disappointed that it wasn't a spoonful of garlic, but Rio took a nibble:

That is, until Chickory came over...

Ewwww!  You're not eating that, are you?

After that, he wouldn't touch it. I guess it isn't Canadian, eh? 

Canada day and Kai

Didn't do a lot of celebrating today, but got a lot done around the place. Ted got out the backhoe and repaired a leaky water stand-pipe, which will make it easier for watering the mares in their pasture, and we worked on fencing off a new area of grass for the girls, using electric fence attached to fenceposts. Got the posts in last night, attached insulators and tape today- til I ran out of tape! Will have to get another roll to finish it off.
I'm critter-sitting for my friends that own Kai, so of course I have a photo of him to share.

He is just as sweet as he ever was! It's interesting that his color turned out chocolate brown; when I got him genetically tested, his color is officially smoky black. For those of you new to my blog, this yearling colt is a full brother to Rio; if you check my labels on the sidebar for "Midnight Coyote" you'll see lots of photos of him.