News...
END OF SUMMER 2007
Summer is almost over and the heat will soon be gone too. What a perfect time to gear up and start riding in the cooler environs of the forest. The next three months, up until hunting season starts, and through hunting season for those of you willing and able, is a wonderful time to be idling down the trails, or, for those of you with a competitive nature, some serious conditioning.
Well, that is what's to be. Let us back up a little and look at what has happened over the summer. It has been busy.
You will all recall I wrote about the endurance ride to take place at the end of April. What an event!! Here is the report I wrote, slated to be published in ‘Texas Horse Talk', but I don't think it happened. I am sure they have endless articles to choose from.
Hogscramble I & II Endurance Ride
Next on the agenda was the Paso Fina all breed ride out, May 19th. It was a wonderful day, weather wise, and almost everyone was on time and ready at the appointed hour.
We split into three groups according mostly to ability and horse fitness. Each group planned to ride 10-14 miles, and hoped to be back at the farm in time for lunch and to view some demonstrations that were scheduled for the afternoon.
Things did not go quite as planned, as so often happens with large groups, and the time frame left with the breeze. One group missed a turn and rode a little further and longer than they expected. Being a little thirsty seemed the only downside, but they had a good ride.
I met some wonderful people and hope another ride will be arranged so I can visit with them again.
A lot of people came and went through the summer, in spite of the rain and some folks, I am sure, not being able to get their trailers out of the mire. We had our fair share here too, but not as much as some others.
For all of you who were able to visit, I enjoyed your company and riding out with you. There were 2 standout episodes I would particularly like to mention. As is the nature of this business, repeat visitors are a common occurrence and one family in particular shines for me.
This year, Tonja and Ron brought their boys for an overnight stay. Bradon, 5 years old, and Connor, 7 years old. These boys can ride, really ride. When we found a part of the trail suitable for a good canter, those boys were in the lead and having a great time.
One of them rode bareback the whole 8 miles. Look out, all adults, we have been seriously put in our place.
On this same ride, we were joined by Jessica, a very novice young lady, who struggled a little with the riding and all it involved. On the last day of her riding, (she and her aunt spent a long weekend at the farm) she was much more comfortable on her horse and had a good ride. And, she painted me 3 beautiful pictures. What a talent!
The next special occurrence was one Sunday morning when I was doing some well needed mowing. I saw a trailer move slowly past the farm and assumed it was someone taking time to look and check.
Imagine my surprise when I turned the tractor around to see the trailer in the driveway, and, upon reaching the gate a very cheerful woman asking if she could come and ride. The answer was a quick ‘yes', for, as much as I enjoy mowing, the opportunity to ride out with someone new was far greater.
Fiona leading the Sunday morning ride.
During the course of the ride I discovered my companion for that Sunday morning had only a few months ago had a disastrous riding accident, which ended up with 3 months in hospital, and here she was 6 months later riding with me. I am, without a shadow of doubt, hugely impressed by this woman's guts.
And now, back to the future. I have noticed that the hummingbirds are a little later coming in for their fall fattening this year. They must double their weight before flying across the Gulf to their winter home. I wonder if this means a later fall.
Also, those wonderful yellow flowers most of us see on the sides of the road have not bloomed yet. They are commonly called ‘tick weed' and I have a mass of them growing around the pond. Can't wait to see what a beautiful sight it is going to be.
Looking even further ahead, I am getting well booked for Thanksgiving, so any of you who need a space or hookup for that weekend, do not leave it too long. Contact us now to make your reservation!
After Thanksgiving I shall post another newsletter to cover events for the New Year.
There are plans in the works for more snowbirds to arrive and I just love that. It is a wonderful way to make new friends, even if I only see them once a tear or every other year. They generally stay 2-4 weeks and we have lots of wine and cheese and, you guessed it, laughs!
Come ride and enjoy.
Page Updated 07/2008