Pixel Poetry

I met Naren for a few minutes at the Napa Horsemans 75th Anniversary party in June. He was taking pictures of the event and I handed him my card in case he wanted to share them with me. I am so glad I did. 

These pictures are from the round pen demo Dixie and I did. Mostly we showed how a horse communicates through movement by my body position and how she could 'join up' with the correct cues. At the end of the demo she was rewarded with some carrots and I asked her to do some of her tricks including 'bow' and 'smile''. 

To see more of these photos you can see his website at:  http://pixelpoetrybynaren.tumblr.com 

Wild West Endurance Ride

As soon as I was able to ride, I was thinking about which endurance rides I wanted to go to. I had my heart set on Cooley June 14-15 but alas, the timing wouldn't work. I was bummed since Dixie had done this ride in 2012 and 2013 and we had so much fun. Then I found the Wild West ride in Nevada City, CA June 20-22. I signed up for the LD 30 miles as soon as I found a friend who would help me crew (and watch Ash!)

Sleeping in a tent, waking up early, the bustle of a ton of other horses and their riders gives me the chills! I was so excited to get started. Dixie was also excited, scratch that... ecstatic. She had been ridden mainly on the barn property for so long that she was a *little* overly zealous about starting the ride.

 She threw a bit of a fit when the ride began and I pulled her off the first 4 horses that were pacing a little too quickly for my liking. Luckily, another nice gelding came along and Dixie settled into her pace. The horses took the first 13 mile loop together, never straying from a strong working trot. When we came in, I jumped off and started sponging cold water onto Dixie to get her pulse down to the required 60/bpm. After a minute I asked to have her checked and she was down even lower to a 55 (which is great!). That should have been my first clue Dixie was in much better shape than I thought.

We went out on our second and final loop by ourselves. It is so nice to ride with someone and chatter down the trail, but it is also incredible to just enjoy the ride with your horse. The gorgeous Tahoe National forest was nice and cool and there was not a horse in sight. We felt like we had the place to ourselves!

After we hit mile 18, I noticed Dixie had turned a front boot sideways. I quickly jumped off and fixed it. It is always best to notice boot issues as soon as possible, otherwise they tend to fall off and you lose them altogether... which is what happened about 4 miles later. But this time it was the other front boot! I am pretty sure I jinxed myself because the last thing I said to my farrier before we left it "I never have problems with my front boots, only the back ones!" Note to self, don't say that anymore! Fortunately I had a spare in my pack so I swung off again and fixed her up. We even went back a ways to look for it (they are not cheap!) but couldn't see anything. Oh well, call it a ride casualty and keep going.

Before long (about 2 hours) I started to recognize the trail and realized we were almost back to camp! As we trotted into the finish line the volunteers told me we had finished 2nd. We had only passed one horse and I wasn't sure what had happened to the other riders in front of us earlier. Either way, Dixie and I had a fantastic ride and really enjoyed every minute (minus the booting issues!)

Getting ready for summer...

Considering this is my first post about life at the barn in 2014, I think it is easy to see how things have changed. I have been working at the barn plenty, but not so much riding. Dixie seems to exercise herself, whether she is running in the pasture or lunging in the arena. 

Karen donated this bridge that we converted into a teeter totter for our obstacle course. 

Oh yea, here is why I have not been riding much these past few months...

Ashton Robert was born 4.17.14 at 10:21pm

We went on our first outing to the barn to meet Dixie of course!

I am more than thrilled to share that our fencing project is complete! It was a long time (since August) for this to happen since it was 100% volunteers. We used peeler posts and Fastline Fencing made specifically for horses. Thank you sooooo much to those that helped build this safe fence for our horses. 

And now to get back to a riding schedule... Dixie has been waiting patiently (well maybe not that patient!) for me to jump back on. She is 6 years old now, and in the last few months really filled out (I guess I could say the same for me too) I think the break was good for her. As we start to gear up for our next training rides, I will decide when we will get back to competing. In the meantime, we are plenty busy around here! 

Napa Horsemen's 75th Anniversary

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Lisa James/Register

Spectators enjoy a dusty covered wagon ride at the Napa Valley Horseman's Association 75th Anniversary on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

June 07, 2014 8:45 pm  •  By Kerana Todorov

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Photos: Horsemen's Association 75th anniversary

The Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association celebrated its 75th birthday Saturday with wagon rides, rodeo performers, a barbecue, stick horse races and other activities under bright, blue skies.

Some 200 visitors, including neighbors who had never visited the state’s oldest horsemen’s association, stopped by to take part in the festivities at the group’s home off Foster Road near Napa.

Visitors included horse lovers of all ages, such as 8-year-old Isabella Clary.

“I love horses. It’s my favorite, favorite thing in the world!” Isabella said, She was clutching a new stick horse as she and her family waited by the barn for a wagon ride to tour the 32-acre property the association purchased in 1948 after spending its first nine years in Napa.

The horse-pulled wagons rode by the barn, then past the family-owned farm Building our Community through Agriculture (BOCA), which produces fruits and vegetables.

The wagons also stopped by the clubhouse, once a milking barn. There, guests were encouraged to climb off the wagon and visit the area reserved for Ag 4 Youth, where disadvantaged and at-risk students between the ages of 9 and 19 raise animals to be sold at the Napa Town and Country Fair in July, including two steers.

Founded in 1939, the association now has about 130 members, president Mark Evans said before the start of the afternoon horse show after a tri-tip and hot dog barbecue.

The show included performances by the Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers of Folsom, Larry Braun of Petaluma riding the Peruvian Paso horse TLA Amada, and children riding stick horses.

“This is a resource for all of us,” said County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht at the start of the show, referring to the association. “It is right in our own backyard here, in Napa.

Volunteer members said they all share a love of horses. The club’s activities these days include a monthly potluck, an annual crab feed and horse shows.

“We’re happy to share with the community today our 75th birthday,” said Gina Massolo, 36, a regional manager for a hotel management company and a past president of the Horsemen’s Association. She has been riding horses since age 5 and joined the organization in 2009.

“It’s a social club. You’re around other horse people,” said Massolo, as she greeted visitors at the gate.

The association also continues to evolve. On Sunday, the volunteers are dismantling the 1948 arena, to replace it with a new, modern one, replacing the old wooden fence with steel pipes.

A look at 2013

I almost missed out on the last post of 2013... life has been busy. So much has been done this year, I thought I would take a look back at what has happened...

Anthony and I decided to enter the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Norco. My 3rd makeover and Anthony's first. What an exciting adventure we were about to have... See the picture in the ad is of Dixie and I competing in 2012!

January: We headed to Palomino Valley to pick up our mares.

Sweet Pea on day 1

 Luna on day 1

 the fun is about to begin...

February: Extreme Wylene came out for a visit and we got a chance to really work with our mares. Wylene is riding Dixie here while Anthony puts the first ride on Luna.

We made time to visit Charlie and Nancy Brooks in Scottsdale for the Arabian Horse Show.

March: 2013 also brought in some new friends, not so much for Dixie...

Luna in the water bottle 'pit of doom'

Of course, I didn't want to ignore Dixie while we were training our mares. She was after all in training to compete in endurance since I adopted her from the 2012 makeover. 2013 marked her 5th birthday and allowed her to compete in 50 mile endurance races. Anthony took Luna and I took Dixie to the Rides of March in Nevada.

Anthony riding in the Limited Distance race 

Dixie's first 50 mile race! She finished with flying colors!

April: After 90 days of preparation, we were feeling ready for our competition. 

Thanks to Charlie Brooks for this fabulous picture!

 May: We had a BLAST at the Makeover in Norco. We always meet lots of new and old friends. Anthony did a fabulous job with his first mustang ever. I was thrilled to be a contender in the top 10. Here is the freestyle I chose...

Charlie Brooks Photography

Of course, the very best part was finding fabulous homes for our horses. Luna stayed in Norco with a great couple and Sweet Pea came back to Northern California not far from us.

Congrats Sarah and Sweet Pea!

Congrats Sandra and Luna!

We also made time for a clinic at our favorite barn, Sonrisa Stables. These girls tame mustangs for adoption, just like us. They have their own version of a makeover and adoption event to get their horses homes. 

June: We were especially busy in June, starting out with the Sacramento Horse Expo. Anthony, Winston, and I helped out in the BLM booth to talk to prospective and current mustang enthusiasts. 

I think Winston was by far the most popular. 

I also brought Dixie to her 2nd 50 mile endurance race of the season. 

Not only did we have a great time, I sponsored a junior rider (he needed to ride with an adult) and he ended up winning in his division. 

Soon after, Napa Mustang Days came to town. It is a mobile BLM adoption event. One of Anthony's friends' picked out a cute little gelding to take home.

Congrats Suzanne and Scout!

This event had lots of beautiful horses, as always!

A day after Mustang days, we flew the to the Canary Islands for our wedding...

July: Upon coming home, we headed back to the corrals and picked out a wedding present for Anthony...

And a new friend for Sara 

Congrats on getting a great home Maverick!

Then headed to the most difficult endurance race in the United States, the 100 mile Tevis! 

Having a maximum of 24 hours to finish the race, usually about 60% of the riders are pulled or drop out. It is in the heat of the summer and is a true test of horse and rider. 

We crewed for the 2nd year for good friends Jennifer and Jenni.  As the incredible race unfolded, the girls finished 2nd and 3rd!!!! What a phenomenal night I will never forget! 

The Sonrisa team finally finished working their mustangs and it was time to adopt them out. Anthony and I helped in the auctioneer booth during the adoption. We were so proud! 

August: As soon as Sara had gentled Maverick and headed home, Conny brought a new wild one into their family, Raphael (aka Rafi)

Kirsten and her 2012 Makeover mare Georgia headed to the Mendocino Magic with Dixie and I. It was their first taste of endurance (they competed in the 25 mile LD)

Dixie and I took home our 3rd successful 50 mile race, finishing 7th!

September: Anthony and El Capitan (aka Capi) continue to make progress as he goes from 'wild' to 'mild' 

Dixie and I went to the North American Sport Pony inspection.

She placed as a 1st premium mare!

October: Extreme Wylene came back to visit, she can brighten anyones day.. including Clyde (pictured below, lol)

I was given the opportunity to train and find a nice mustang a home, it took one month for him to meet his special someone once we put him under saddle. Congrats Gretchen and family :)

Guess who showed up at the clinic?? Sarah and Sweet Pea!!!

November: Jennifer took Dixie on her 4th race to Lake Sonoma. I crewed for them and was amazed to watch them fly in at 4th place! What a way to end the season!!!!!! 200 competition miles under her belt for 2013! 

December: We were lucky enough to be at the World Arabian Horse Championship in Paris this year. I have never seen so many amazing horses in one place! What a special treat! 

A very cute picture of Rafi (pictured left) and Talitha (my TIP mustang from 2011)

When adopters send you pictures like these, it makes all that hard work worth it!

Dixie of course had to get into the holiday spirit too.

Well, I don't think even I realized how busy 2013 was until I wrote it all down!

A record 7 mustangs were adopted out this year through Anthony and I and we couldn't be happier. 

I want to thank you for reading my blog, whether it is your first time or you have been keeping up. The emails I get from people who have adopted, or want to adopt are so much fun. I have met so many wonderful people through these horses. 

I hope 2013 was just as exciting for all of you too!