Refocusing

Hudson on vacation.

After Hudson and Starlight went to the obstacle clinic, they went on vacation.  Well, it was more of a “sta-cation,” since all they did was hang around with DeCato and the sheep, in the run-in.  

I, on the other hand, along with my hubby, mowed, teddered, raked and baled like maniacs, trying to hit those brief windows the weather offered us to make hay.

Oh, and we also took a real vacation to Southern California. Woot!

The reason I say all this is because it shocks me how quickly time flies away from a person, and suddenly I seem to have two fat, lazy, out-of-shape mares again. Well, three actually, but DeCato is excused.

This is really how I dress to bale hay.

So, we start again.   

I took Hudson out on an attempted conditioning ride the other night and we were chased home by biting green-head flies.  Not only were they biting her, they were swarming around my legs and biting me.

Even an idiot such as I knows a dangerous situation when she rides it, so we high-tailed it home.

On vacation, I wore a dress.  There was no hay there.

This morning was cool, and I am working my day job later than usual, until late, so I took a couple hours and officially restarted Hudson’s conditioning training.  We still are more than two months out from her big event, the Genesee Valley Hunt Races, so there is plenty of time.  I just have to make sure I’m watching that calendar and not letting big blocks of time creep away from me, as they did this past month.

As for Starlight, this half of the summer will focus on starting over fences, so stay tuned.

I also climbed a mountain.  There was no hay there.

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, July 27-30, 2013

It looks like we are going to have a great weekend full of sunshine and interesting horse activities.  You can go to any of a number of shows, ride some trails or gallop on off to the rodeo, cowgirl!  

Whatever you do, have a great time with your horse!

 

Birchtown Summer Show Series

When:  Friday, Jul 26, 2013

Where:  Forest City (map)

Description:  Birchtown Summer Series 2013 June Sunday, 16th Friday, 21st Saturday, 22nd July Friday, 12th Saturday, 13th Wednesday, 17th Friday, 26th Saturday, 27th Sunday, 28th August Thursday, 1st Thursday, 8th Saturday, 17th Thursday, 22nd These shows will be held in our indoor, outdoor or grass field. Show arena will be announced the week of the show! http://birchtownstables.com/shows.html

Summer Slide, CNY Reining

When:  Friday, Jul 26, 2013

Where:  Syracuse (map)

Description:  Event Details CNY Reining Horse Assoc. "Summer Slide" Three days of Reining Excitement! NRHA classes.http://www.cnyrha.com/index_005.htm

Twin Tiers Trail Riders Trail Ride

When:  Friday, Jul 26, 2013

Where:  Various -- See Calendar (map)

Description:  July 26 – July 28 - Sugar Hill Recreation area. Camping available and riding. Deep Fried Dinner is Sat. night. Bring dish to pass. Turkey provided by the club and cooked by Steve Root. Soda provided. Dinner at the pavilion 6:00 p.m. Contact Jeanne Root 607-425-4128 or jroot@npacc.net July 27 – Sugar Hill Recreation Area – Celeste Shearer leading short, slow ride. Starting time 1:00 p.m. – two-hour ride. Rain date of July 28, 10:00 a.m. 2 hour ride again.

Heavenbound Farm Equestrian Sports Medicine Program

When:  Saturday, Jul 27, 2013

Where:  Rome (map)

Description:  Heavenbound Farm LLC Public · By Heavenbound farm LLC Export · Share · Report Saturday 1222 Taylor Hill Rd, Rome, Pennsylvania 18837 [Description:  ] A sports medicine based program designed to help the Equestrian athlete at HB farm. English and Western riders welcome ! Exercises to help you ride more balanced and in unity with your horse !

Heavenbound farm LLC Contact 570-247-7192 or hbfarm@epix.net

Way-Ont Saddle Club Event

When:  Saturday, Jul 27, 2013

Where:  Newark, NY (map)

Description:  July 27th Team Penning 6:00PM 7:00PM FOR MORE INFORMATION President Vice President Deana Jones Lori Schrieber 585-214-7114 585-738-4318 Ranch Sorting Harvey Kay Game Shows Pleasure Shows Jr. Rodeo Doug Ruffell 585-690-6921 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513 http://www.way-ont.com/

Reese Ranch Rodeo

When:  Sat, July 27, 2pm – 7pm

Description:  http://www.reeseranchrodeo.com/ Reese Ranch Rodeo Inc. 299 Kinner Hill Road Pine City, NY 14871 (607)-742-6259 (607)-738-1240 The Reese Ranch was originally built to help-out beginners interested in rodeo activities. Our bulls range from your basic beginners to N.F.R. and P.B.R. backgrounds. We do our best at keeping all riders safe but one has to remember that bull riding and handling is one of the most dangerous sports on Earth. 2013 Rodeo Dates May 25 July 27 June 8 August 10 June 22 September 7 July 13 September 21 Horse Events New this year the Reese Ranch Rodeo will be adding Horse Gaming Events to the schedule. Registartion will start at 1:00 P.M. and the Rodeo will begin at 2:00 P.M. Rain or Shine!. Entry Fee: $5.00 per class Places will be awarded 1st- 3rd Payback awarded to classes with 5 or more riders (20%, 10%, 5%)

Seneca County Agricultural Society Open Horse Show

When:  Sunday, Jul 28, 2013

Where:  Waterloo, NY (map)

Description:  Seneca County Agricultural Society Host of the Seneca County Fair Open Horse Show July 28, 2013 • 9:30AM Sharp at Seneca County Fairgrounds, Waterloo, NY 13165 JUDGE: To Be announced Entry Fee $20.00 Ride all day • Open Challenge Classes (13, 23, 32) $8 Open Challenge Classes Payback 30% 20% 10% 5% with $50 Added First Place • 4 Entries Needed in Challenge Classes or class will be cancelled • Hi Point Awards In Each Age Division Walk/Trot 11 & Under • Youth 13 & Under • Junior 14-18 • Sr 19 & Over • Open classes open to any age For more information please call Joan Hendrix 607-532-4333

Cohocton Hunter Pace

When:  Sun, July 28, 1pm – 5pm

Where:  Impatent Acres, 3120 Henry Drum Road, Cohocton, NY 14826 (map)

Description:  Five to Seven miles of trails over natural terrain with about 30 jumps from 6 inches to 2.5 feet. All jumps have optional go-arounds. June 30, July 28, Sept. 15 Oct. 20 1-5 p.m. (last ride out at 4 p.m.) Impatent Acres, 3120 Henry Drum Road, Cohocton, NY 14826 Cost: $20 per ride. Youth (under 18) $15 per ride. Riders must go out in groups of two or more. Children 13 and under must ride with an adult 21 or older. Proceeds to benefit Local Youth Horse Clubs -- Loon Lake Raiders, 4H Club, 4PenNY Pony Club. For information: Donna.Walker@DairyMarketingServices.com

Chemung County Fair,

When:  Tuesday, Jul 30, 2013

Description:  July 30 – Aug. 4: Chemung County Fair, Horseheads, NY http://www.chemungcountyfair.com/horseshowevents.html

Twin Tiers Horse Activities, July 20-21, 2013

Our "front yard" at sunset last night.

And at sunset tonight

I apologize for the lateness of this weekly listing of events. Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see why I couldn’t do it Wednesday or Thursday, as I usually do.  I was just too busy being exhausted, bruised and dehydrated.

I know you have to make hay when the sun shines, but why does it always have to be the hottest days of the year?  And always with the extra stress caused by the constant threat of rain?

Anyway, with no further ado (or whining), here’s the list.  And it’s a good list!  So many great activities!  You might even catch Hudson and me out and about at one of them on Sunday. 

OK, it's a scratchy mattress, but I'm so tired I'll sleep right here.

Whatever you do, have a great time with your pony!

Mark Twain/Chemung County Classic

When:  Jul 19 – 21 2013

Where:  Chemung County Fairgrounds (map)

Description:   Horse show.  For infor, contact: Naomi Blumenthal, 8125 Verbeck Dr., Manlius, NY 13104 (315) 436-1933 E-mail: nblumenthal@twcny.rr.com

WYNDA Dressage Shows

When:  Jul 19 – 21 2013

Where:  Houghton College (map)

Description:   July 19th and 20th: WYNDA USEF/USDF Recognized Dressage Show, WNYDA Summer Festival I Houghton, NY http://www.wnyda.org/ July 21st: WYNDA USEF/USDF Recognized Dressage Show, WNYDA Summer Festival II Houghton, NY http://www.wnyda.org/

Michelle LaBarre Dressage Clinic

When:  Jul 20-21 2013

Where:  Honeoye Falls, NY (map)

Description:   Michelle LaBarre Dressage Clinic - Black Points Farm, Honeoye Falls, NY. For info about Michelle, http://www.labarredressage.comTo ride in the clinic, contact Mary Delton at mhd@rochester.rr.com. Auditors welcome.

Rolelu Show Series: Dressage Show

When:  Saturday, Jul 20, 2013

Description:   Rolelu Show Series: Dressage Show (Introductory thru 4th Level, plus "eventing" tests), Combined Test (Introductory through Preliminary Levels, dressage and stadium), and Jumping Derby (Introductory through Preliminary level) For more information, entry forms and proposed list of dressage judges, go to: www.rolelu.webs.com or contact Chandra Wong at (585) 243-0916 or Rolelu@hotmail.com.

Way-Ont Saddle Club Event

When:  Jul 20-21, 2013

Where:  Newark, NY (map)

Description:   July 21st Fun Day 10:00AM 11:00AM F

For more information: President Vice President Deana Jones Lori Schrieber 585-214-7114 585-738-4318 Ranch Sorting Harvey Kay Game Shows Pleasure Shows Jr. Rodeo Doug Ruffell 585-690-6921 5763 Clark Road, Newark, NY 14513 http://www.way-ont.com/

Draft Horse Show at the Troy Fairgrounds, PA

When:  Sunday, Jul 21, 2013

Where:  Troy (map)

Description:   Halter, Riding and Driving of the big horses! https://troyfair.s6.photonicwebdesign.com/fair-book-departments

Horsemanship/Reining Clinic; Bill Hamilton

When:  Sunday, Jul 21, 2013

Description:   July 21: Horsemanship/Reining Clinic; Bill Hamilton Carriage House Saddlery, Trumansburg, NY. http://www.carriagehousesaddlery.com/events.html

Horse Camp, Dun Roamin Farm

When:  Sunday, Jul 21, 2013

Where:  Millport (map)

Description:   Horse Camp- 2 different choices for weeks Ages 10+ Monday July 9th -- Saturday July 6th Sunday July 21st -- Friday July 26th Experience: Novice to advance The week will be filled with horse related activities from classroom discussions to riding skills in both the English and Western disciplines, as well as trail riding, and training in natural horsemanship. There will also be class room discussions. Please contact DUN ROAMIN FARM LLC for more information. you can check us out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dunroaminfarmllcor our website is www.dunroaminfarm.net

Genesee Valley Pony Club Spring Hunter Pace

When:  Sunday, Jul 21, 2013

Where:  Geneseo (map)

Description:   Genesee Valley Pony Club Spring Hunter Pace, 8 am until Noon at Oxbow Lane (corner of Nations Road and South Avon Road, Geneseo, NY). $25 for GVPC members, $30 for others. Contact person: Marion Thorne at (585) 451-8143 or mthornegvh@gmail.com

Western Riding Camp at Gale's

When:  Monday, Jul 22, 2013

Where:  Horseheaads (map)

Description:   Includes Western Dressage $400 for the week 607-796-9821 galesequinefacilty@stny.rr.com

Got to wonder...

...is it worth it to brave these hot evenings full of biting flies when it takes longer to get your horse ready to ride than it does to actually ride?

That's Hudson, hoping the greenheads don't recognize her.

Sock Report

The fly socks that are not supposed to fall down did, indeed, fall down.  When I let the horses in from the pasture this morning, their single socks were fairly crumpled around their pasterns.  So I pulled them up.

The socks at noon

BUT, when I arrived home at noon today to mow a couple hay fields, I was pleased to see that the socks were mostly still up.  That means that, during the hot time of day when the flies are at their worst and the horses are stomping like crazy, the socks will definitely help keep the leg biters at bay. But they don't hold up so well to the frolicking in the pasture over night.

OK, I can live with that.  The socks are doing their job when most needed.

So I put a second sock on everyone tonight and sent them out to the pasture.