Horse Show Update: 1st Show of the Season!

The Little Brat and I headed over to Silver Star Farm this weekend for our fist show of the season...this is LB's first year in a w/t division! At this particular show, her division was for ages 12&under....we knew she'd have some good competition, so she was challenged to do her best....the day started with Showmanship...this was her first SMS class EVER! We were running a bit late, so there was no time to practice or even adjust that ill fitting halter he's sporting, but she put on her big girl pants and cowgirled up! Literally....we went 'cowgirl for this schooling show. Straw hat, wild rag, denim jacket....too cute! She hit all her markers and did well enough to place 3 out of 5 and was obviously the youngest punk in this class....
Next up was her English classes....a pleasure (judged on horse), equitation (judged on rider), and a hunter hack (judged on horse and rider going over small jumps).....she was super excited as she waited for her class to enter the ring...

LB has been practicing her posting technique all spring and I could not be more proud....although sheer luck, she even hit her diagonals correct!

Her placings were middle of the pack again, which was about as good as we could have hoped for in this age division....Her favorite class of the day had to be hunter hack tho...they lowered the poles to ground poles for us....THANK YOU! Not sure we were ready for legitimate 'jumping' just yet....still, she sported her best 2-point position over those poles and rocked it....yeehaw!

...and I just couldn't get enough of her precious posting...thanks for pluggin' along Bo.

It wasn't all 'firsts' just for Randi tho....this was also Tuff's first show! He found it to be exhausting....and this wasn't even halfway thru the day! He'll make a fine show dog yet....

Love our Bo...and Tuff pup too....

After a short lunch break, we came back for the western division....Bo would have preferred to long trot as he did in the earlier english classes, but LB got him bumped up and slowed down...

My pretty little cowgirl....

Even with minor speed corrections, she brought home a blue in the pleasure class....the judge was very forgiving ;)

For the equitation class, the kids ran a pattern....other than misinterpreting my instructions and going to the wring side of the cone, she nailed it!

..and I believe did well enough for a 2nd place finish if I recall correctly...was more focused on her performance than her placings. She did win the reserve championship for the western 12&under division tho....this was much more than we anticipated!

It was a great way to start the season....thank you Silver Star Farm for hosting this show and Lucas Cash for judging!

Here are some video clips of her go's...enjoy!

ENGLISH PLEASURE: http://youtu.be/k-cayMlRwT8

HUNTER HACK: http://youtu.be/bLXVItwSXM0

WESTERN PLEASURE:http://youtu.be/yHHvud5CC1E

Happy Trails....

Leah

Warm Easter Wishes!

The hunt is on (....and best executed first thing in the morning while still clad in jammies)!

After loading up our bellies on the sweet goodness the Easter Bunny left behind, we decided to go outside and enjoy this glorious weather! I tossed some eggs around for the kids and they trampled happily about picking them all back up....now, if only I could get them to pick up after themselves in the HOUSE so effectively!
All in all we've had a great Easter Sunday....the Easter Bunny was good to the kids....Peter Rabbit turned 1 year old....the old man and I celebrated 8 yrs of wedded bliss....and I still have time to go out for a ride before the sun goes down....
Happy Easter!

The Virginia Roehls

Goodbye, Friend....

1995 ~ 2012

BOOMER

Born a dog. Died a gentleman.

To call him a dog doesn't do him justice, though he had four legs, a tail, and barked. To those who knew him well, he was a perfect gentleman. In attempting to explain to Randi the harsh reality of death amongst pets, I told her that if you have a pet, you will most likely outlive it; to get any pet is to open yourself to profound joy and to equally profound sadness. Today is a day of great sadness in our family.

I couldn't have asked for a better best good friend in you, Boomer....thank you for all the good times and endless golden memories...you are carrying away with you so many years of my life...of our life together. I can't thank you enough for the unconditional love you gave to me and the family we built together....we'll see you in heaven, buddy...I can picture you now; running fast, pain free....

Twice Upon A Time....2 Years Gone By!!

Sophie & CJ turned 2 years old on this April Fools Day.....hard to believe how much time has gone by! Seems like just yesterday they were lumps of bumps in their cribs....look at them now! All toddler-y and learning to golf and stuff! We took the family to Massanutten Resort for the weekend to celebrate their Birthday and this was just one of many super cool things we were able to enjoy together....

CJ was actually quite good! With mommy's assistance, he made 3 holes-in-one! Sophie, not so much...she doesn't want my help...she doesn't want ANYONE's help!

The kids went to the parks on the resort to play inthe dirt...and water...

CJ especially loved the dirt....and water.

Call me terrible mom, but I didn't even pack shoes for the punks....let them barefoot it up! It's good to feel the earth between your toes now and then....

There were presents, of course....Gma Kathy brought over some trycycles that have already gotten a dozen miles on them....as does mommy...that driveway is much longer when you walk it than when you drive!

Happy Birthday, sweet babies.....looking forward to what your future holds for us all :)

Here's to more memorable moments over the next year....

Happy Trails,

Mommy....