November 2003

New boarders, new students, three schooling shows, Gracen’s adventure with the cowboy, and of course, Championships! What a busy month October was!

WFR welcomes Kaaren Cushman and Candis Fugitt, and the wonderful horses, Black Jack (aka BJ) and Static. They have settled in quite nicely and act like they’ve been here forever!

We are also pleased to have two new students join the WFR team: Andrea Hart and Sarita Williams. Andrea is half leasing Stryker and is proving to be a committed student and competent rider! She is a pleasure to teach. Fifteen year old Sarita will be hauling in for lessons with her new Arabian stallion, as soon as he’s a gelding!!

Congratulations to Laura and Lance on bravely beginning their show career with scores in the 60’s despite Lance’s interest in everything OUTSIDE the ring. But he’s improving quickly, with his turn up the centerline and final halt of the season earning an 8!!

Melissa and Katy, well, they “kicked some serious butt!” With scores in the mid to upper 60’s, they are certainly in contention for HDS Year End Awards for Juniors at First Level.

Kendra and Stryker get the Tough Competitor Award for braving the wind and rain and sloppy footing at the Rancho Los Ecuestres Show and still winning ribbons!!

For his first ride with the cowboy, Gracen, true to form, gave a couple of bucks to that back strap of the western saddle, and then proceeded to walk, trot, canter, halt without any fuss! He then proceeded to herd a big old steer around the ring!! He did try to beat the record of how far sideways a horse can move during a spook when he was out on the trail, but he has come home a pretty steady steed.

And last but not least, my girl, Charisma. What can I say, she simply has been a star!! We jumped into showing Second Level at Test 4, and she averaged 66+%! And at Regionals she was the Freestyle Champion for ABIG, SWDC and the HDS Open Show with scores to 72+%!! She was also the ABIG First Level Open Reserve Champion! I figure I’ll come down off Cloud 9 sometime next year! I think she might be growing up!

Click here to read my article on the Michelle Gibson Clinic, which was very educational.

Happy Thanksgiving! See you next month!