My trip to Vegas

Talk about neglect.
Not really, I just plain didn't feel like writing on my blog. Maybe I was a little burnt out? Who knows. It's been a while so here we go.
I spent the summer showing my special horse Murphy as much as possible. We did six Mini Trials and several hunter paces, took lessons and went XC schooling whenever we could. I had a blast riding him and learned to have fun on a horse I really trusted to take care of me. On Oct. 30th I took Hannah trick or treating...that night we ended up in the ER at Akron Children's Hospital. She has to have a catheter to remove urine form her bladder because she "held it" for so long that she was on full. She'd been riding her horse a lot and made herself sore....therefore it hurt to "go." Not a fun trip but at least it was nothing serious. The next day (Halloween morning) I was allowed to sleep in because the previous night turned into morning and I'd had little sleep. I ended up out in the barn around 11am and noticed one horse was missing from the herd out in the pasture. To my horror I discovered my beloved Murphy had died and was laying near the pasture gate. I was hysterical, heartbroken and feeling robbed. Later in the day we discovered he had not struggled, there were no signs of distress....my vet said it was most likely and Aneurysm that killed him. While the entire situation SUCKED, at least I knew my sweet horse had not suffered.
I had several offers from friends....but really didn't want another horse at that point. I decided to start riding Tipping again and even though she'd had most of the summer off, she behaved perfectly. Giving me some time to enjoy the ride and have peaceful alone time in the saddle. I'm sure she could sense my sadness and I was grateful to her for being so good for me.
We decided in December that we were going to breed Tipping to Dark Kestrel in the spring. So I took her off the market (of course right when I finally got some interest) and made plans for her future date.
This is where "Vegas" comes in.
Back in August I took a listing for a trainer (coincidentally the same one I bought Murphy from) for a pretty chestnut gelding he wanted to sell. He told me this horse would race until sold. I was smitten with "He's My Tuff" from the moment I saw him. I'm not a huge fan of chestnuts...even when they have as much white as he did.


But his personality was so kind and his eye was so soft. He was a fancy mover and he was a big, solid, strong looking horse. I told the trainer I thought he'd sell quickly...and I was wrong! Over the next four months I bugged the trainer weekly. Asking how "Tuff" was and if he'd had any interest. A few callers but no buyer committed. I know this trainer pretty well and I knew that if this horse didn't sell, eventually he'd give him away and I'd find out later....
So I told him if it came down to it....this horse was MINE. I wanted him for a resale project badly. I never thought I'd actually need another horse for myself...and Christmas Eve I got the call. I wasn't looking, still heartbroken over Murphy. However, there was no way I was going to say no when "Tuff" was available.
I picked him up on the 29th and brought him home. He was thinner than I has remembered, had a new-ish osselet on the right front ankle and he was sore everywhere. Poor fella. He still had the soft look in his eye and he was very people oriented though a bit shy. "Tuff" was not going to stick as a name. I asked lots of friends for suggestions and finally decided on "Vegas" for several reasons. Since I have always wanted to go there...and this fella has numbers freeze branded on his neck....it just kind of fit him. Plus, with the money I've had to spend to help get him sound I figure I probably could have had my trip to Vegas by now!
Long story short, Vegas has bad feet. The ankle was no biggie, I knew it would get better with time. The feet...well...that's been a chore. He's had abscesses in both front feet that have left him nearly crippled over the last five weeks. He's spent each day wrapped up and in his stall until more foot grew out. It finally did, both feet finally grew out enough that he was ready for shoes. Only problem, thin soles, thin hoof wall. So we decided on putting Sigafoos glue on shoes on him for one cycle. My lovely chestnut gelding is now sound and happy and finally starting some work. I'm so happy to see how fancy he is and how smart too. I am planning on just doing light riding and mostly ground work until the footing outside is good enough to ride on. He needs to have his hocks injected at some point but the pocketbook needs a breather for a while first. He'll be fine for the work I'm asking at this point. This is "Vegas" a week after arriving:

I miss Murphy badly but Vegas puts a smile on my face. He has huge shoes to fill for sure. The plan for now is to see how he does with training and then hopefully he'll take to eventing and foxhunting. If he does, he'll be the lucky one to spend his winters in Aiken with Sharon and his spring/summer here with me. He'll get more real jumping experience down south and have more refined flat sessions here. We decided to do this because I've been waiting for one of our racehorses to retire so I can keep him. I've been riding this horse since he was two (he's five now) and I adore him. If Vegas takes to what we teach him, then he can stay here...I don't really have time for two horses and this would be the ideal situation because I really don't want to sell him if I don't have to.
OKay, next topic? Hannah of course!
She's now 3yrs old and happily tells anyone that that asks. She's talking up a storm....but we can't always understand her. She loves to dance and sing and is a Dora/Diego/Team Umizoomi addict. Thankfully these shows are the same ones that have gotten her to speak up. She counts to ten in Spanish and has also learned a bit of Chinese form another show she watches. She keeps us on our toes for sure! I wouldn't trade a second of it though. She is my world.
Racing will start back up full time on the 1st. We had a fantastic year last year. I feel blessed to have such nice horses to gallop and have such good luck. Crossing my fingers that the good fortune continues for years to come.

A thing called life happened.....

It seems that life keeps me so busy I forget to update this blog....for long periods of time. I always have good intentions....
So to update:
Hannah is 2 1/2 going on 5. She's going through many bouts of the terrible twos. You never, never want to hear your mother say to you, "just wait until you have kids...." because really...that's the Mommy curse! It has been a challenge for sure....figuring out what works and what doesn't work. Hannah really is a good girl she just doesn't talk very much and I think she's gets frustrated.
She's growing up so fast and everyday she seems to learn something new. That has been the fun part about being a parent. I love to see her learn something new, retain it and master it quickly. She's at a fun, but quite tiring age!
We've had our ups and downs with racing. Several horses have retired this year including, Activator, Afleet Bay, Speed Away, Anxious and Winabull. So far they all have fond great new homes except for Speed Away. He decided to go get himself hurt the night before he was supposed to be leaving for his new home. I've been able to help several people find homes for their own horses too. That is very rewarding!
Murphy is still doing very well. He's fat and happy and makes me smile. I've shown him in four Mini Trials this year and have had two seconds a fourth and was eliminated once for missing a jump. Not his fault but we would have been second in that one too. We've done a handful of hunter paces as well and have more planned for this fall. Two more Mini Trials too. This has been the busiest show season for me and by far the most fun. I've ventured out by myself, gained lots of confidence and proven to myself that I can do well. I love my horse!!
Tipping is fat and gorgeous. FINALLY!! I'm really sad that I have not had much time to ride her. I put her on the back burned because Murphy already knew what he was doing and Tipping is still in the learning stages. Tipping is for sale as well but only if I feel 100% confident in the new home.
Sealy left for her new home in GA back in the spring. The girl who bought her adores her and Sealy is doing super! I'm soooo proud!!
Let's see....Jade is still here. Hannah loves her to bits. She still must be on a lease at all times. Somewhat of a pain but she's so good with Hannah that we deal.
I guess that's it for now. Hopefully I will make more time to update here.
Tomorrow is going to be a hard day. That is the 3yr date since Dad passed away. I still miss him so much. I think about him nearly everyday at some point.

This is how we do it....

So far this year has been very rewarding in our racing stable. This past weekend we had another win, and a 3rd last night. Tonight we have two running. One of which has run once this year and won....and the other who has run twice this year, winning one and coming in second in the other. This kind of year (so far) is what all the hard work and lack of sleep is all about. Lou and I have also proved that we can succeed together as a team. That in itself is a huge to me. I love my job, I love the horses and love having my family so close all the time....now to get Mom to move closer! lol....

Presque Isle and such

As we roll into the month of May we are a busy crew here on the farm. Lots going on and little time for much else. Lou, his mom and dad just left to take several loads of supplies up to Presque Isle. We'll eventually have 8 horses stabled there for the entire meet. I can imagine this year is going to be pretty hectic. We have 20 head which means full barn up north and full barn here on the farm.
I currently have three horses myself. All thoroughbred and all in need of being ridden. Tipping had a pretty bad puncture wound to just below her stifle. She was very lame and sore. Thankfully whatever did the damaged missed her joint and she's now healed and feeling better. I'm giving her until this coming monday and then back to work! Sealy has been on trial up at Maypine for two weeks. I was hoping she'd work out for their lesson program but I think she may end up coming home. She's doing really well for the advanced kids but the less educated riders are having a harder time. Not a surprise...I knew that and so did they...oh well...we'll see in the next few days I guess. I do have a new addition to my four legged clan. I am the proud new owner of a gorgeously yummy bay gelding named Murphy. I owned him a few years ago and just too re=ownership once again. One this time he he much more knowledgeable and that suits me just fine!
Hannah continues to absorb anything and everything she sees. She definitely has a case of "monkey see, monkey do." We've really been pushing her to talk and she's beginning to say a few more things. Now she loves to say hi and bye....and mumbles at the dog constantly.
I'm grooming her to be the next superstar female PGA champion. Her "Pop Pop" was hitting golf balls in the yard last week and she was trying her hand at it. Then while at Walmart I saw a plastic set of clubs complete with golf bag. Since that day, she has been dragging that thing back and forth to the barn. Pop Pop has been teaching her how to swing and she loves it.
Jade is doing much better now. For a while it was definitely battle of wills when trying to get her to come when called. There were several occasions when I nearly took her back to the rescue. If she were a cat, my guess is she'd be down to about 3 lives left. So now she is either tied to her run line or on a lease....unless she's in the barn, then she is allowed to run loose. Much happier owner!
I can't really think of anything else to update on so that's it!

Hello again...

It seems I keep doing the same thing. Big update and then nothing for several weeks. Talk about no motivation! Not that I'm not on my computer each day. I just don't have much to say I guess.
I've been crazy busy here recently. I started Sealy back in work on some of our warmer days. She was pleasant and agreeable. Then BAM, she trips and goes down on her nose. I didn't see it coming. Never had a chance to even TRY to stay on. We were attempting to make a new sale video. Figures. Anyway, the fall itself didn't look bad (yes...it was caught on tape) but the the landing.....oh how I had forgotten that both my horse's head and the ground are much harder as one grows older. I'm fairly sure nothing was broken but I had some good bruising to my ribs and my breast bone.

Let's see....Dh and FIL made a trip down to SC to build some run-in sheds and paddocks on the property down there. We are hoping to send several racehorses down there with my in-laws for a few months for a lay up. They were gone a little over a week. Once they came home....FIL and MIL took off to southern VA for a Penning. Home for 2 days and DH and FIL went back down to SC. I see a pattern here....seems I'm not getting any of that warm weather travel.....hahaha

The guys should be home late tonight. Us girls here will just worry about our men getting home safe in the midst of this nasty storm blowing through.

I had a buyer come and try Sealy last weekend. That didn't work out real well. Sealy was in a mood and decided to unseat the rider. Everyone was ok....except of course my nerves. I was mortified that my horse was so bad. I think she's trying to tell me something.

Hannah is getting so big! She has her own wheelbarrow now. She won't let anyone pass a stall that has a pile of poo in it without picking it up. Good girl!

My bestest friend Carie and her hubby Marty had a little girl on Oct. 29. Her name is Kadence and she's perfect.

Pics to come....but dinner calls!

Oy Vey

I can't seem to keep this blog updated regularly. What's up with that? Hmmm....how about more pictures? Mom came to visit for a few days so we decided to go get some professional pics done. It took two tries on different days to get a happy baby in the pictures...

A new picture of Tipping from today. It has been six months since her last race. I think she likes her new job.

Finally, some sad news. My old racehorse "Knight's Agenda" aka Toby has passed away. He was only 10 years old and living the life of Riley with a Mom andher daughter in VA. He fell in the pasture and broke his pelvis....leading to being put down. I'll always think of him with a smile....he was a very special horse.

New pics

I decided it was probably time for some new pictures of Hannah. Not much else to say really. Just enjoy her cuteness please!