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November 2004
October 2004 DJ - DJ took part in her first ever show after just a short time under saddle. On a strong, blustery, cold and wet Saturday on October 30, she was excited to be in the beautiful indoor coverall arena at Tamarack Stables. She completed Intro A, starting with scores of 4 and finishing with 7's as she settled down. September 2004
Rosie is not in foal as we had hoped. She is however, back in work and will be competing in the Hunter Pace at Shenandoah Nov 6, 2004. August 2004 Chief is working hard getting back into shape at Hasty Heart Stables in East Dubuqe, IL where he is on a months lease. He is jumping his heart out and showing off his dressage skills. I'm told he is now jumping 'skinnies' and combinations with little effort. Chief is now being offered for sale to the right home due to financial constraints. Trudy is blooming! Our expectant "Mom" is shining with well being and we are slowly re-introducing her to being ridden. With Rosie out the barn for a few days, she has taken over as 'alpha' mare and has created a strong link with DJ who literally dotes on her. Rosie is being bred. After much discussion regarding her hock injury, we decided to let her rest. PJS Blue Times, 16.2hh AQHA Gray Stallion was chosen for size, color, movement and temperament. We will have her checked in 16 days to see if she took. If not, we will try again next year. July 2004
Rosie and DJ spent a week at a barn where we were able to ride indoors and stay out of the wet weather. Unfortunately Rosie was kicked just inside her hock joint whilst out in the pasture and is now lame. DJ, on returning home managed to scrape her body up against a small protruding branch and graze the length of her side. The joys of horse ownership! June 2004 Rosie and I worked hard to get ready for the upcoming dressage show at Hindman Stables in Marion, IA on June 12th. The night before the show, she got washed and braided, then passed away the rest of the evening chasing cows back and forth in a feed lot sort practice. When it came time to facing the indoor arena and chains at the show, it was not nearly as scary! She impressed me by walking away with 61% - Intro A, 68% Intro B, 68% - Training 1, acquiring 2 blue ribbons and a 3rd place for her first show! Dressage Results
Chief is back under saddle again after a 3 month layoff. Now we have to work on getting him fit and back in shape. That's the easy part - getting his mind set to working again is the hard part! Apples 'n Oats Magazine printed a picture of Rosie & Trudy on Page 35 in the Summer 2004 issue. What a cute 'couple' they make. Thank you Carol for a super informative magazine. May 2004 Trudy was bred to Mountain Pearl at Hindman Stables on May 29th. We are crossing fingers that she is in foal. Rosie attended the TRPC sponsored Gegi Winslett Jumping Clinic held in Central City on 22nd. She faced 2 stride & three stride combinations for the first time as well as oxers up to 2'6" without a single run_out or hesitation. What a good girl! She adjusted well to the indoor arena whilst it poured buckets outside. Rosie went on her first 'official' outing - to the Moingona Hunt Cedar Run - Hunter Pace, May 15th. The Total Distance was 3326 meters and included 20 jumps. It was a beautiful day! We completed the 'slow pace' round at trot and walk whilst popping over just 4 of the smaller log jumps. When we started our second round 'medium pace', Rosie decided that she knew it all and immediately picked up a lovely canter and allowed me to sit back and set her up for the jumps along the way. I decided against doing the first two and last two jumps as we really had not done much in the way of jumping, but she took the rest in stride! She also gallantly took to crossing the river without any mishap. See pictures of the course and Rosie here, compliments of Barbara Hall. Thank you Barbara! |
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Rosie & Chief - Rosie and Chief were rearing to go on Nov 6th at the Galena Hunter Pace. We were joined by Julie Stewart riding 'Norm', TB & Melissa riding 'Isa', Friesian X. What a super day it turned out to be after weeks of rain and misery. Although the ground proved to be a little slick in places, the 12 mile ride was exillirating, challenging and a lot of fun! Our team "The Galloping Gals" finished just 2 minutes under the Optimum Time. The chilli luncheon was excellent, followed by prize giving. Here we were lucky and walked away with a horse cushion (Julie), luncheon for 2 in Galena (Shayleen)and some Equine Shampoo and Conditioner (Belinda). 
DJ - We were saddened to hear that her Grandsire Deputy Minister passed away at the ripe old age of 25 and was acclaimed the leading 2004 broodmare sire. At the time of his death, Deputy Minister's stud fee was $100,000. Looking at the picture, there is no doubt that DJ got her super looks from him.
Oddball our yearling filly, took part in her first 'event', Clarence Days - Lincoln Highway Festival on Saturday July 31st. Led by my daughter Shayleen and myself, Oddball braved all the horrors of tractors, backfiring cars, ballons etc. and never shied once. 
Trudy has been checked and confirmed in foal to Mountain Pearl. Her foal is expected to arrive May 4, 2005! We are so excited and can't wait to see what this dynamic duo will produce.