Baby Sims enjoying a perfect spring day
What fun!!
Snowboy, wearing a fly mask to keep the flies out of his eyes, wanted to have his photo taken as well! Sims was hanging out behind.
Lauren showed Ky this morning at the Great SW Eq Center and came home to put Feather through her paces as well.
Happy spring day to all.
Thanks for riding along!
Well, we’re really getting down to the end of the Lenten season. Palm Sunday coming up this week and then Easter Sunday. How many of you made choices about giving up or doing something for Lent and how many of you kept them?
I have done fairly well with this whole commitment to writing a post every single day of Lent. I might have missed one by a couple of hours. But I was fast to catch up early the next day -don’t know how much best effort means in the Lent situation.
I may want to write but a busy life gets in the way. I know, that is exactly why I took on writing a post every day of Lent. To struggle a bit. To move outside my comfort zone.
But I do admit the discipline has been good for me. My daughter and I each chose to give up 10 pounds for Lent. I’m not sure either one of us is going to make good on that one. I guess I’m better at doing things than I am at not doing things.
Just the act of writing each day has made me more aware and interested in what is going on around me. Stopping in the dark to take pictures of the jail, scary!! Pulling over to shoot a picture of a newly green pasture while people sped by thinking I was nuts. It has all caused me to examine some things about my life and hopefully put into play some positive changes.
It is interesting that sometimes I note a behavior in others which I recognize as wrong, or annoying, and I am upset by it. Then I realize I do exactly the same thing.
Now, I am making notes to myself to change. Changing some life-long behaviors. It is a work in progress.
This season has been about making some hard choices and difficult realizations. But I know come Easter morning I will be rejoicing in the songs and the resurrection promise of the day.
Post number 34, it’s a wrap.
As always, thanks for riding along.
In case you’re not the equestrian type, McLain Ward just rode away with the much coveted World Cup title, besting his local and international competitors. McLain, an Olympic gold-medalist, earned his highest achievement ever, beating the world’s top riders in three days of intense competition.
My daughter, Lauren, was fortunate enough to be in Omaha to watch the whole event take place. Whether she was searching the crowd for Olympic equestrian faces or seeing the likes of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, whose daughter was a contender, she was having a fabulous time. What equestrian wouldn’t want to be there?
But the thing that happened that made this unique in my own family was on Sunday afternoon after three days of competition. I was watching the finals on my phone (no big screen views here) when Ally and the girls came over to work on their saddle cleaning. Of course, I needed Ally’s help to get my phone working for optimum results.
I don’t believe Ally has ever been to a Grand Prix. But certainly she had watched her sister ride a couple hundred times so it wasn’t too long until she got engaged with the whole World Cup competition. At the end of Sunday’s first round Ally and the kids headed home but not before they had gotten the link to the website for the pending World Cup final which would begin in less than an hour.
When the final riders came back to the arena, I was watching it at my house. I didn’t know if by that point Ally and the girls were still in the mood to watch this or not.
For this final segment, the riders and their horses came back in reverse order so those with the highest score (in this case, the worst score) went first and then the lowest/best score (McLain) was the last to go. If you’re a barrel racer or a baseball player-last ups is always an advantage. You know exactly what you need to do to win.
When McLain and the mare, HH Azur, came in to ride their final trip in the Omaha arena, they held on to the advantage of being clear for all three days of the competition. McLain didn’t commit a fault in three rounds over three days, going clean in all five runs.
That might sound like an easy thing to do. You simply jump over all the jumps. You make it in the time allowed and everything is good. Right? Well, not so much. The course designer (there is a career designing jump courses, believe it or not) makes the course technically challenging for the horses and riders. In the earlier round on Sunday, Ally and I, had watched rider after rider pull rails at the exact same jump, over and over. McLain and his mare did not, in fact, not once, ever knock down a rail or do anything except ride the course exactly as specified. They were amazing.
Going down to the very last horse and rider combination, yesterday afternoon, it was unclear if McLain and HH Azur would hold on to their advantage.
From the very beginning I was a McLain fan. I had told Lauren before she even left, my pick was McLain. And it was wonderful, absolutely wonderful, that he won and that the United States took home the cup!!
But the interesting thing that occurred was the excitement that came to pass between Ally and her daughters about this event.
Sitting at their house watching this on some device, not the television, they followed every single rider until it was McLain’s turn to go back in the ring one last time. As McLain went through the jumps and posted up a clear round I literally screamed out loud, startling all my sleeping dogs into rapid barking and growling (although they had no idea I was screaming in delight for McLain).
But at exactly the same time across town, my daughter and granddaughters were screaming exactly like I was. And I just bet that airport in Omaha was filled with a whole crowd of over-joyed onlookers as well!!
It does great things for my soul for my daughter, Ally and her kids, to be passionate about and engaged in this sport that I love so well.
God bless McLain and his top notch mare. And God bless Ally for taking the time to be interested in something that means so much to her sister and I. McLain had the whole Davis clan pushing for his tremendous victory yesterday.
As always, thanks for riding along.
There are days when this writing thing doesn’t come easily. Yesterday was one of those days. I was stuck in my memories and stuck in another time.
I lamented how I wished I had made better decisions, done different things, just had reached a different place in my life.
Everyone says we are not supposed to have regrets, like that is a horrible thing, but I certainly do. I have big regrets from year’s past and even some from a year ago when I wish I had done things differently or actually just wish I had not been in the situation at all that would’ve been better. But enough about me.
Regrets fall like rain upon my feet.
Friday at Jordyn’s riding lessons instructor Nancy told her, as I had long thought, that her saddle was too small for her. The seat is a 15, which was okay but the flap for her long legs had gotten way too short. Never an issue I had. Saturday I started off on a hunt for a new saddle for Jordyn. We would pass down her saddle to Kendyll and hope it had many more good years.
My best thought was Lauren would be walking through the wonderful vendors at the World Cup and could snag up some forgotten saddle too small for anyone there.
I posted up on Facebook and was amazed at the number of quick possibilities that showed up. The problem was Jordyn really needed to try out the saddle. It was one of those things that you had to fit -in person -to be sure it would be right. So around noon off Jordyn, Kendyll and I went to Charlotte’s, the local horse store.
Bill, whom I have known for many years immediately helped us look at several used saddles. I was shocked when he brought out a 16.5 that’s the size Lauren was using when she was in middle school. And the size some of you still use as adults.
The measurement of 16.5 is the distance across the seat of the saddle so someone like me might fit a 17.5 or 18. Hard to see my nine-year-old granddaughter in a 16.5. But Bill’s not the Charlotte’s guide to go to if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. And the first saddle he sat her in would be the one we would take. We tried several other models. But this one was the one that had a flap that was longer than her existing saddle (the flap being the leather part of the saddle under her leg) without being so long that her leg was in the wrong position. Of course, it was Charlottes so we ended up with some new socks, some new leathers, stirrups and a few other miscellaneous things. What would be your day to the tack store without that?
The best part was when we got home Jordyn’s mom and dad got her new leathers and stirrups on the saddle (not an easy feat for the inexperienced). Jordyn was ready to go give Snowboy a spin. I told Jordyn during this time that I couldremember clearly all five times that I had gotten new saddles in my life -a couple of times have even been in the last couple of years. It is a huge deal for a rider to get a new saddle that they have wanted or they have coveted. It advances your ride to have the right tool.
I hope Jordyn remembers this day and in a good way. She certainly looks happy as she is really getting this canter to an art.
Yesterday, almost one year- old Sims got a little workout and a bath. Not much sign of the grey colt he is going to be, yet.
As always, thanks for riding a long.
Happy trails and safe landings for everyone headed home from the World Cup tonight especially my daughter and friends.
Last night was the kick off to the World Cup held in Omaha, Nebraska. I was invited and declined, stupid me, but my daughter Lauren is actually in Omaha having an opportunity of a lifetime to see the best horses in the world fight it out for the number one global champion.
Last night according to US Equestrians Communication department, McLain Ward and HH Azur had won the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final I (Jumping Speed Class) to kick off the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final. HH Azur is a 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Double H Farm & Francois Mathy.
My sweet jasmine
I have loved the sweet smell of jasmine since I first ventured to the south in 1979. I was transferred from Denver to Houston for the first time then. I got an apartment for my dog and I at Westheimer and Gessner. Literally a couple of miles from where I work now. I was 22 years old.
One of the very first things I noticed about my apartment was when I came downstairs in the morning I could smell the scent of Jasmine and gardenias floating in the breeze. They were two of my favorite all-time smells and to have them growing right outside my apartment door let me feel like I had landed on an unique tropical island. Houston traffic dissuaded me of that quickly.
I left Houston in 1980, moving back to the state of Kansas. Amber was born in Kansas City in 1982. It was not till we all landed in Florida in 1992 that I found the jasmine again. I busily planted jasmine and because everything seems to grow to jumbo height there, we soon had our own jasmine to smell.
The dog yard as we first moved in. You can just spot the small jasmine plants along the fence line. Now, the fence has disappeared and green, flowered jasmine runs the fence line
And while the song Summer Breeze is all about the jasmine, you do not smell Jasmine in the summer in Texas. Texas always trying to be the overachiever, fragrant jasmine blossoms light upon the spring winds of March and April.
My grandkids remember the previous springs with delight. Kendyll tonight took some flowers from the vine to let me smell knowing how I would enjoy it.
I’m going to stick with summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine of my mind for tonight and hopefully another month or so.
Summer Breeze
By Seals and Croft
Sweet days of summer, the jasmine’s in bloom. July is dressed up and playing her tune.
And I come home from a hard day’s work, and you’re waiting there, not a care in the world.
See the smile a-waitin’ in the kitchen, food cookin’ and the plates for two. See the arms that reach out to hold me, in the evening when the day is through.
Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.
Ugly, black sky above Houston
Today as 10 AM rolled around, the skies darkened and the severe weather catapulted away from the south on into Houston. For the second time this year our alarm system at work went off telling us to immediately seek shelter. That was frightening in itself plus we were a little jammed as the group took shelter in a small file room.
Another day of the tornadoes in the south and this was one heckuva storm. From my purview on the 12th floor I looked out to blinding sheets of rain. The noise against my window made me realize that some hail was coming down at least on the 12th floor windows.
Today, of course, would be the day that Lauren left to go to Omaha. So not only was I concerned about the horses being where they needed to be (and who was going to clean up after them) but I was worried about her making the long drive to the airport. Then, of course, there was the concern about weather delays but like most things, the weather slammed Houston and its surrounding suburbs pretty quickly.
The rain gauge shows we got just over an inch of water.
Blue, beautiful sky adds a backdrop to the budding tree this evening
The big, red colt headed straight for the mud and took a nice, long roll
And on the mare side of the pasture it is always Nova who is first in line to come in due to her dominance over her herd of girls. Feather is holding the #2 spot in that pasture.
I also enjoy seeing my barn cats Meg and Paisley. They are at the gate not so patiently waiting for their breakfast. They disappear quickly after breakfast, hiding up in the loft portions of the barn. This way they stay safe from the dogs. And my fit bit certainly shows improvement on my exercise numbers when I’m out doing all these additional chores.
So, I’m gonna sit back and enjoy my evening with my animals and be thankful the storms have passed. Lauren has gotten out on her flight and is headed to Omaha.
Any of you out there and I know there’s at least one, that have information on what to see and where to eat in Omaha please forward them onto me. The girls would love to have that information and try some new things.
As always, thanks for riding along.
It has taken me 29 days but I have to say today I have nothing new to say. My creative juices seem to be ground to a halt.
So, I guess I’ll just give some updates on what is happening here.
I got some pictures from the trainer where Betty Sue is and I am pleased and proud to see the progress they have made in just two weeks. She’s walk, trot, cantering, halting, backing up and turning on the haunches. It’s not all real smooth and wonderful but for two weeks I’ll take it.
Lauren leaves tomorrow for her trip to Omaha as the precursor for the World Cup which will be held there. Really exciting times for her and her friend Caitlyn. It would be amazing to see an American win the World Cup. It was done by the stallion Flexible a few years ago. And he is the father of our baby to be. 😊
I was reading through the information on the horses coming to the World Cup. According to the literature I was reading there is only one horse out of all of those coming from around the world that was actually bred and born in the United States. Doesn’t say much about our breeding programs here I am afraid.
The horses were German, Dutch, French, or from Belgium. There was also one Irish sport horse. I found that very interesting-the World Cup is really more like the European Cup in terms of the horses. The riders are coming from all over the world but the horses, at least by their breeding, are not.
Next, the dog that we agreed to foster, that we have named Canon, went off to be neutered. I hope that helps him focus on things other than what the average teen-aged boy is interested in as Kona (yes, he is a boy) is sick of Canon’s affections. And I really hope someone sees my post and wants to adopt him.
Canon hanging with his poodle friends
So this is your Tuesday night update.
As always, thanks for riding along.
Every morning on my way to work I drive by the county jail. It never fails to make me reflect upon how I am free. Now, I totally get there are people in jail that need to be there (and I am grateful they are). But I also know without my family, my support system, my friends, my access to education, the way I was brought up, or some really bad luck, who knows, but I could be there too.
I don’t know what it looks like inside there and I hope I never find out. One time when I was in Florida, we did a tour of all these different facilities in the county. It was a Chamber of Commerce kind of deal. They were super proud of their new County Jail. It terrified me even to just walk through where the inmates were.
My contact popped out of my eye when we were being toured through the inmate holding cells. I had to bend down to pick it up from the floor. It was a horrifying experience (I had watched one too many Lifetime Channel movies). The inmates started catcalls and banging on their cells. On the tour with me was an Air Force officer from the nearby base. He shot a look at the inmates and helped get my contact from the floor. I’m sure this incident has been exaggerated in my mind in the years that have passed. Still!
Jail was a terrifying experience and I was just visiting.
Today, I just want to reflect on the fact that I am free. I get to make my own decisions (for the most part). I get to go where I want, eat what I want (in spite of it being bad for me) and live the life I choose.
We can all get frustrated with our situation and feel like we have no way out or have no choices but if we’re not behind locked bars, we do. Sometimes we just need to take action. Driving by the jail is a good reminder for me.
As always, thanks for riding along.
Jordyn, Kendyll and poodle Kai in the stands overlooking Lauren’s jump course for today
Kona jumping a clear round
While we watched the action in the ring, the girls set up jump courses and followed one another through it. My friend commented about girls sitting and talking in a circle of their own design. “This is where dreams start!” She said.
Indeed. I am very blessed that my family and I have special people in our lives-those people that love and support all us.
Bravo Lauren and Your TKO teammates. Week One Pin Oak Charity Horseshow is a wrap.
As always, thanks for riding along.
Exechorseluver 