Gettin down to business...

Saturday October 10, 2009

At this point of my life, I realize it's painfully obvious that I don't get out enough. It's sort of like visiting that friend who makes you sit and look through scrap books (yes, I do that too) full of vacation pics with captions under each one, complete with a ten minute story...










Prize and I had some trouble at the very beginning getting used to each other, so these are a little into the ride. She doesn't like mules, and I kept forgetting to let go of her mouth...plus she really wasn't sure about this trail ride thing - the trailer was comfortable.

How's it going back there Marlin?

I was enamored with the differences in scenery. From flat to hills with trees.

I didn't talk to anyone, but they all looked to be having a really good time.

Cowboy talking on his cell...WTF?

Here we are back for a lunch break...Prize was relieved!

Eating lunch, probably was delicious, but I wanted a sandwich.

Here's me and Dian! Headed over to the silent auction (porta potties) and to get lunch. Marlin went too.

I was drawn to this horse, the way he was standing reminded me of Buck.

Just waitin for the ride to start again.

I really got a kick out of this lady and her mule! They got along GREAT!

Come on, who could resist this pic? Not me.

Lunch was delicious. I bid on a couple things at the silent auction, but got beat out. We even bought some 50/50 tickets, but didn't have any luck with that either. It was a good time to relax, eat, and let the horses do the same. Some people went ahead and loaded up at lunch, I couldn't figure out why. If only I had known...

This is too much excitement!

Saturday October 10, 2009

How long has it been since you've been on a trail ride? If it's been a while, it's time to saddle up! We went on the Ride for Diabetes on Saturday. I wasn't for sure what to expect, but I absolutely couldn't hold still for about two days before because I was so excited!







Here we are! Everyone is getting ready. D was worried about the burrs in the girls hair, then about being on time, and also about the horses acting up. We got the burrs out, made it on time, and the girls were perfect angels....

Baby is obviously not a morning girl...but when it's time to go she's ready!

D was the only one on the ride with an English getup, but no one said a word about it. In fact, all the "Crazy Arabians" got good compliments.

Here's D holding Garry - Where's Marlin? Your guess is as good as mine :)

DDDD, we got to hurry! People are getting lined up! I was feeling worse than a kid at christmas having to wait on the adults to get done eating!!!

This is my self portrait. I like it better than real pics anyway.

Just look at all that space - we haven't even started the ride yet.

There's Marlin! Finally, now hurry upppp!

It's time to go. It's time to go. Get ready, it's time to go! Prize, are you ready?


More to come! The ride lasted ALL DAY.

A New Level of Understanding.

Since the fair I've gone back to life and resumed regular Wynchester time. I've noticed the stark changes. For instance, D sent home a synthetic saddle for us to power wash off and she's hinted a few times it would be useful to break a horse. On Friday, we brought it back and hubby was pestering me again "are you ever gonna ride that horse?" he'll say from time to time, and frankly he's not the only one. So, being the smartass I am I toted the little saddle out to the roundpen. Chester sniffed, snorted, and finally ate at the saddle and then I calmly walked to his side and put it on him. No reaction. I pulled on it and let it fall to the ground - he stared at me like I was a lunatic but didn't move. Then I hoisted it back on and walked him around. Okay, it's done-he wears a saddle. He's not ready to ride, but he'll wear it.
I noticed the differences in our trust again today. The roundpen was way to muddy so I got him out and we went walking. We walked farther than we ever have before down the road and Chester was perfectly okay with just going with me. We came back and went down the driveway, around the trailer, over some wood, stomped on some tin. Chester was content to just be and follow me wherever I took him. It's almost as if we're much more "in tune" with each other and I have to admit it's exhilarating. The fair was much more than fun time and I'm just beginning to understand the deep meaning of all this....

Friday fun and goodbye...

Friday October 2, 2009

Happy Birthday Dian!

This is Heather Travis http://www.spiritthyme.com/
She shows a ton of Sport Horse and Driving and is super nice and helpful - she gave us some rubber bands for Chester cause we forgot! Has a really nice stallion too...






We got to watch some halter classes which was neat - I've never seen the Arabian Halter before.
Below is Donna Copeland - I think she was showing this one for someone else? Really pretty though.














Yes, I know. This one is rather homely, but the BEST MANNERS of all the horses. Honestly! The little one stood much calmer than even Chester!




This beautiful gray filly caught my eye...she looks soo much like Chester.

Say goodbye to the Tulsa State Fair Chester! Hopefully we'll get to come back next year! Guess what I found out? Patience and Prize already qualified for Nationals and Chester qualified for Sport Horse Regionals! $$$ I am going to get that second job now....

All about the KIDS!

Thursday October 1, 2009 Continued...





Aye, Aye Captain!

It's five o'clock and the kids are DYING to ride rides!

Look at all the neat crap!

Ohhh, the skyride is a blast...

Fishing in the middle of town? Those cityfolk...

Had to fish out of a durn tank.

It was interesting to say the least.

Snapped a pic before the rollercoaster started!

Smile Clay.

Tristan, are you having fun?






So, we got soo tired and worn out that ALL FIVE of us crashed in D's trailer! She didn't seem to mind and even cooked us breakfast before daddy and the boys left Friday morning. Patience, Dian, and I stayed to watch some of the show and pack etc...Plus Friday is D's birthday! (she's offically 32)

It's Showtime!

Thursday October 1, 2009





We all got up around 5am (Patience was a little cranky) ate breakfast, took showers, got the horses fed/watered, said hello to daddy and the boys, got dressed and ready and then waited....The sport horse classes were on an open card, so around 8am the show started but it was a little crowded so we decided to wait a bit-MISTAKE. The damn Tulsa State Fair people closed the Mustang arena completely down to do a photoshoot! Two hours, can you believe it!? Dian and I had to walk Chester and Tez around for a while to try and calm them down and in the meantime grandparents and daddy entertained the kids so they didn't get to antsy and bored. Wow, all that waiting....it gave my stomach even more time to act naughty!

Can you tell Patience is cranky?

I have no idea how early hubby got the boys up, but they were all there by 7am!

Tristan found a good spot!

Patience waits-she's ready for her class!

Okay Nancy, this pic isn't fair but I'll get you back...

Even poor Chester is waiting patiently.

Finally! Time to gooooo. Dian and I stood for a few minutes while the horses before us went and we talked more about the pattern, stance, etc...the last thing I remember her saying was that if you screw up the pattern it's an automatic disqualification. Shit, I was so nervous/wound up and so worried about Chester that I screwed up the freaking pattern. The judge was super nice and corrected me instead of disqualifying Chester! WOW!

Dian and I patiently did circles...

Wow! Chester looks sooo handsome!

Here is the judge. He could tell how nervous I was and said "Hey, this is fun right!" I agreed and he explained the pattern (yes, even after I'd been told twice I still screwed it up) and off we went! He corrected me when I did wrong and advised me to give Chester more line to trot out and RUN beside him. I was under the impression that judges were serious, uptight, and never smiled. Boy, was I ever wrong!

Here are the winners! I would like to thank Dian right now, without her help and guidance neither Patience or I would have been able to show.

Here is Patience ready to go! After D and I finished our class she took Patience over to watch the English riding classes to get a better idea of what she's supposed to be doing. Best idea ever.

When it was about time, Dian went to get Prize warmed up while I got Patience ready. Dian was so worried about Prize (It was her first show as well) but we put Patience up and they looked like the perfect team!

Can we go yet?!

Wow, who are you and what have you done with my daughter?

Dian went out for the lineup, I wanted to take pictures!

Everyone was so excited! Prize and Patience had to stand for pictures for a good ten minutes!

There are a few neat points to share:

The professional pictures from the show are at http://www.showchampions.com/

Chester and I made it on the news! No kidding, we are famous! Randoms aunt Gina was by the fence during our class and the news crew talked to her and filmed Chester and I as a plus! They actually did a really nice piece combining our class with some other classes and interviews...

http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4177607&flvUri=&thirdpartymrssurl=

I am so proud of Tez, Chester, Patience, and Prize!

After Patience portion of the show was over, all the relatives left. That gave us time to eat, relax a little, feed/water the horses, and listen to the kids say over and over - "Is it five yet?" The Tulsa State Fair Starts at five!






The Massey family extends a Huge THANK YOU to Dian and Marlin Bales at Eliza Creek Arabians for their continued help and support involving us in every aspect of the amazing Arabian Horse.