Horse Show, Battle Team, Having Fun!

Okay, I know its been forever since I have blogged and I could probably write a book on all the things that have been going on since I last wrote, but I will try not to bore you!

In June the annual Canadian Horse show was held, this year it was in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. We took 3 horses to compete, Winnie, Rose and Jewel. Winnie won her Yearling Halter class, Rose won Grand Champion Halter Mare along with various other ribbons in other classes. She jumped her first full course and handled herself amazingly well. Pretty good for only just jumping a couple of jumps at home. Jewel, after having not been ridden since November of 2008 and raising a foal last year, and about 10 rides before she went to the show was incredible. Chelsey won a ribbon in showmanship class with her and rode her in a couple of riding classes, she had a ton of fun. Then it was my turn on her. Pointed her at the jumps and boy did she perform. She was flying around the ring having the time of her life! In barrel racing we even won it! My big tank of a mare who hasn't raced barrels since we were on the Battle team and I just turned and said "lets go"and off she went. It was so much fun.
Jewel and I were asked to be a part of the "Battle Team" so we are heading to Spruce Meadows in September to compete in the Battle of the Breeds. I hope we do the breed proud. To that end we are doing lots of riding and heading to some shows this summer to prepare.

Jewel, dressed as a dinosaur and myself as a cavewoman , took part in our town's July 1st parade. Will post a photo!

The horses are all doing well, the yearlings;Willow and Winnie, along with Jeanne and her foal Xade are out in the big pasture.With grass up to their bellies and mosquitoes by the millions, they are happy to see us everynight when we visit and give them some relief with bug spray.

Duc was put to work with his studly duties and has bred back Jeanne and Mystique for 2011 foals. Duc also had one outside mare come to visit. So hopefully next year there will be 3 Duc foals arriving.

I have been putting lots of training on Rose and she is coming along nicley. She goes well under both western and english tack now, and we are going to a 3 day eventing clinic the end of the month, where we will both benefit from some instruction. I will keep you updated on our progress. She is a very nice little mare who just keeps getting better. She is entered into a couple of shows in August to gain some experience.

Jewel and I went to a driving clinic, which was wonderful. We both learned alot and I can't wait to continue our training. I had hoped to get her driving this summer, but it seems to be flying by, so for now I am going to concentrate on the long line training and hopefully this fall after Spruce we can get hitched!

I will try to be better about writing more often...in the meantime,
Happy Trails.

Jeanne finally did it!

After being 10 days over due, and spending the night with her last night, Jeanne has given us a very nice stud colt. I did have to assit her a little bit and like last year the birth sac was over his head, so it was a very good thing that I was there with her. Mom and son are doing well. We have named him Diamond A Duc Xade.

Newest addition to our horse family

Mystique foaled 2 days early and gave us a gorgeous filly.

We have named her Diamond A Duc Xena. She is a day old in this photo and is a real sweetie pie.

Still Waiting!

Eleven months and counting and Jeanne is still holding together. Hoping she will pop soon as I am getting tired of checking her! I still think it will be at least a couple more days before she foals due to her not being waxed over, but I will continue to keep a close watch. Mystique is getting close as well. Maybe by the weekend we will have a foal.

I vaccinated the horses for West Nile yesterday, with all this moisture the mosquitoes are going to be bad this summer. The yearlings will need their booster shot in a month.

This weekend Jewel and the yearlings are going to be put out on summer pasture. I know they will enjoy their freedom and have a blast in the wide open spaces. Hopefully Jewel does a good job babysitting.

Mane Event

Lots of news, due to the fact that I haven't blogged forever!!

Springtime greetings all, although by times it still seems as if winter does not want to leave as it keeps giving us some snow! Thankgoodness we have gotten some lovely moisture and the pastures are all greening up wonderfully.

Since I have updated you last, the farrier made a visit and trimmed the yearlings, Duc and I had him put shoes on Rose. Once the fields are seeded it will be back to riding on the gravel roads, hence the shoes. They all stood exceptionally well, Winnie was most impressive for her second trimming.Behaved like an old pro!

We had a fabulous time at the Mane event, Rose was very good, it was her first time in an indoor arena and she worked very nicely. The new trailer was great, we thoroughly enjoyed having a furnace, as it was kinda chilly overnight. The photo is of the group who took part in the Sunday Breed Demo. I am on Rose the photo poser!

Chelsey and I brought the mares home from the pasture in preperation of foaling time, which is quickly approaching. Jeanne is due on the 7th of May, with Mystique on the 17th all of this month. Hoping the weather would improve and be warm, so I won't freeze when I am out there on baby watch.

Over the last week the yearlings have received their 5-way booster vaccine, I trimmed Jeanne and Mystiqe's hooves,and have been grooming off the mud after everyone rolls(that is a full time job in itself,lol) and Carma has officailly been sold and has gone to her forever home with her new owner Margit. Busy times on Diamond A.

Will keep you updated on baby watch.

Another spring storm!!

We survived another spring storm, Thankfully we did get some moisture from this one, at least enough to get the pastures a start. With the warm weather forecasted for the next few days it should really start to green up.

The photo this time is my girl, Winnie. Fur ball that she is!

Stopped at the vet clinic today after work and bought 2 more 5-way vaccines to give to the yearling fillies. It has been just about a month since they had their first dose, so this will be their booster shot. They stood very well the first time, so am expecting more of the same from them. Gave them a quick rub with the brush tonight, Winnie is a total fur ball, but is finally letting go some of her winter coat. Willow is not half as fuzzy, but is finally letting loose too. Plan on giving them a real good rub this weekend. See if we can fill up a 5 gallon bucket with hair(I don't think it will be hard to do!) Exciting news, I have a "Sale Pending" on Carma. Will give more details as time progresses, but I will share that I have a good feeling that she has found her "forever home". Makes me very happy for my sweet little mare.

Hopefully Rose and I can get in some riding this weekend, slip slidding thru the mud!

Weather and Horses

Wow, in typical Alberta fashion the weather has been doing its number on us. After having an unseasonably warm March, which we took full advantage of by being very busy working with the horses. Then April 8th arrived and that night with it a full blown spring storm. Unfortunately not much moisute with it, the snow all blew away, but the wind blew at 90 km/hr for most of Thursday night and into Friday, with it finally subsiding late Saturday night. Today it is once again a beautiful day made for riding.

The photo posted is of Rose working on the lunge line last Wednesday, before the storm.

My pregnant mares are beginning to show sings of making bag, only a month to go and hopefully we will have little Duc babies on the ground. I am looking forward to it!

I have been busy readying the trailer for our first outing of the year. The Mane Event in Red Deer is taking place April 23-25, and Rose and I will be taking part in the breed demos. We have been working on loading and unloading and with some practice Rose is doing it like a pro. She initially wasn't to sure about the whole ramp deal, but now all is well. Carma walked on like it was no big deal, so she got a nice treat for that!

Time to ride!