CA Clique Redux

[Merry]

Hello, just returning from a day of opposites: sunny/cloudy, cold and windy/sunny and warm, sunglasses/no sunglasses. YIKES! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

The other "opposites" adventure was schooling Miss Bossy Boots (aka The Lovely Spot) for my sister. I had forgotten how the pinto wonder mare could be so, oh, rambunctious to ride, especially on a breezy, cool day. Going thru the gymnastic exercise was a bit akin to a thrill ride at Magic Mountain: "Did I go thru it already? Well, I guess so, because I'm at the other end of the arena."

Hammie, on the other hand, Mr. Baby Green Hunter, was so laid back in his smooth, big loose ring snaffle. La-di-da. I think he spooked once at the weed-eater (QHSM trying to kill me).

So, I see I missed on Fleet Apple. Wow, and I thought Dian Mitchell/Lundy/Langer was Kenny Nordstrom? I'm not sure who should be more insulted: me with my failing eyesight or Dian and her less than feminine appearance! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Everythingbutwings]

and ALL the monuments are lit up. They reflect so beautifully in the Potomac. The cherry trees are at their peak. Drove by slowly, windows down and enjoying the late evening breeze across Lady Bird's daffodil plantings at the Mariner's monument.

Cruise on up to Cabin John and trek back down, YES! The lights will be on ALL NIGHT! Thank you, Thank you, California! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I must take digital pictures to share......


(burying this way down the page, Do so LOVE you guys! COTH is like a pyjama party on a Friday night! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif )

[Beezer]

As in, why Merry abandoned Miss Bossy Boots for Hammie. While the Hambola frequently makes a play for Merry's tiara, Spot the Wonder Horse actually wrested it away from her on more than one occasion. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Queen Merry decreed that that kind of insolence just will not do, so she bestowed the beastie on Princess Beezer. Who is, apparently, too stupid and foolhardy to realize when she is up against a super power. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[AAJumper]

Chef, my trainer used to be at the barn you are moving to when she first came from California. She and her ex trained there until he got out of the business, then she moved to be partners with my old trainer, and then she moved and we all followed her to where we are now. That is a really nice area, although it's been ages since I've been to Hidden Valley. I used to go with my old trainer (from a long time ago) to Sandstone when she would take dressage lessons. I hear the Gonda's new barn is absolutely gorgeous as well.

SuaveReno, I am sure that you are not that old!!! You certainly looked young in the pic of you (the recent one, of course!)!

Sheesh...are we gonna have to post the entire list of A shows in the So.CA area in order to enlighten VTRider? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[daytimedrama]

Chef- Moving day? where is Hidden Valley Ranch? I guess if it is good enough for the Gondas then it should be a nice place!

~Christina~
"Chaos is what killed the dinosaurs, Darling!" JD;Heathers

[SuaveReno]

The year is 1969. (Sorry AA Jumper..I'm working myself upto the millenium! LOL!) They were the star of the show in Monterey

Name Horse and Rider /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

picture to follow /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 06, 2001 at 11:51 PM.]

[SuaveReno]

Opps Here it is /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[equitationlane]

Pat Blackiston? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Merry]

Yup, Regis, I'm going with Pat Blakiston, too.

Gotta love the double bridle on that hunter! And I KNOW I should know this horse's name if it is indeed a Blakiston Ranch horse...The spots in the blaze seem to jar my memory...

(By the way, doesn't that look like Mary Gatti behind her in the stands?) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[AAJumper]

Hmmmm...I dunno...he looks like one of the Monkees. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[dublin]

Special Step and Mousie Williams????

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong." - Dennis Miller

[SuaveReno]

It is indeed Mousie Williams and Special step.

Think they've got enough bit on the horse??? Can you imagine showing in anything but a snaffle in the hunter classes today. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

AA Jumper. The Monkees!!!??? LOL! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Gosh, I wasn't even thinking of Mousie! And here I am, holding court in the MOUSE KINGDOM! Maybe I have a mental block against anything that conjures up images of a mouse.

Excuse me for a moment... "No, for the last time, I do not want to pose for a photo with Snow White and Goofy! Now get out of here!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

Sheesh. This living in exile stinks. Every day, strangers tramping in and out of my castle.

"No, you lame brained tourists, Pirates of the Caribbean is in ADVENTURE LAND! That's back the other direction!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Suave, post another photo, maybe circa 71-81? Or don't your mag's encompass that era? Gimme an easy one. Toss me a bone, Regis!

[Bumpkin]

I was sound asleep last night before 9pm.
Took some cold medicine and my latest copy of COTH to bed and zonked out.
I think this was the first night I have been home before 8 PM in months.
Of course I spent the full day moving all my stuff and Elliot to Farpoint, two Suburban loads full!!
Then sorting through it all. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Merry, Merry, Merry what happened to you?
I think you are tops in telling us "Where Is This Person" though!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[dublin]

So do I get Merry's scepter, via Beezer???? I'll happily pass it on to the next winner of 'Name that Horse and Rider'..... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Right, Bumpkin, what does that say about me? That I'm the open line of gossip/communication about "whatever happened to_________?" but I wouldn't recognize them if I saw them? /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Maybe we should start a multiple choice or matching game! Now THAT I could do! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

Oh what an idea dublin. But Merry will be hard pressed to give it up, what with being in exile in the kingdom and all. Now she needs it to swat at tourista's who annoy her.

Oh do it Merry... Yeah multiple choice... /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[elizabeth]

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for this public service announcment:

WILL IT EVER STOP RAINING?? (Granted, it has not rained in a couple of weeks, but I thought rain was a WINTER thing out here. NOT A SPRING THING.)

O.k. As you were. . . .

[AAJumper]

Elizabeth, it is the weekend of the April Gold Coast Show at LAEC, therefore it must rain, forcing all classes to be held in the Equidome. It's an annual thing. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[SuaveReno]

Please select which of the following best describes what this Mystery Horse and rider (c. 1973) are doing. Are they:

a. Looking for a lost contact lense.

b. Adjusting the curb chain.

c. Practicing a equitation technique.

d. Write in_______________________________

/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[dublin]

With a little more practice, they could have that 90's laying on the neck position down pat!!!
/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong." - Dennis Miller

[elizabeth]

Oh, what a great picture.

I believe they are looking for a lost contact lens. She got way up on her horse's neck so that she could see better. The question is how she is going to get down off his head. (Look, she is almost on his EARS!)

[wtywmn4]

Is there a d) Vanna? They're looking for that perfect spot, oops missed!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Now did you by any chance glimpse the article in the corner. It seems they weren't pleased with the judging even then /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[weeble]

I personally believe they are looking to see if there is a ground line on the opposite side of the jump because it's jumped in the opposite direction in their second of back to back rounds. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[AAJumper]

Why, that is a perfect example of the "over the head" release that was so popular in those times, only to be replaced by the automatic, and later the crest release. I, however, have practiced this old style release many times, and I am hoping it makes a comeback!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

I'll take "d": Rider is merely fulfilling her contract as an advertising spokesperson for Dr. Binky's Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic of Modesto, California.

[dmj]

are you around? Just wondering 'cause I remember you said you were @ the Oaks this week.....did you show yesterday (Sat.)? We did and it was SO much fun! The grass fields were not sloppy at all -- it was fun to jump in the downpour! Just wondering how you guys fared over in the hunter rings....

This is a pic of us...it was very dark and pouring rain so it isn't exactly the clearest of things....

[This message was edited by dmj on Apr. 08, 2001 at 08:27 PM.]

[Taryn]

What's with all the Modesto references lately? I do suppose it is coreene's fault for adding my pathetic (although rich with prime pasture land) hometown to the socal annex. Did I mention I miss the pastures? Did I?

[Merry]

Honest, Taryn, Modesto just came to mind! It just sounds so--- ordinary? But in a good way! "Gateway to Yosemite", right?

On another note, I blame the Canadians for our weather! It has to be due to their evil weaponry, as I posted on my thread. Blame Canada!

[Chef Jade]

DMJ...Fun??? That doesn't look like fun to me at all.

I can tell I'm getting old because:

1. On Friday night I slept at my trainer's so I could take an early lesson and do the 1.5 hour drive the night before. It was raining when we woke up. And even though we have the covered ring I said..."Do I REALLY need to practice for the show tomorrow? I mean I've been doing this for 15 years, If I can't make it around a 3' course by now I should relly just find a new sport." Nevermind the fact I have taken 1 lesson since Indio.

2. When my mom woke me up at 6:00 Sunday to go to the show I asked..."Mom, remind me again why I do this?" (especially when it feels about 50 degrees below zero.)

Then we arrive to find out the equidome has been split to 2 miniscule rings and an even smaller warm-up ring. I have heard about this but had never seen it for myself. Keep in mind I'm riding the Princess who I have walked around the equidome on one previous occasion with her snorting, shaking, and heart pounding through the saddle. THIS was going to be very interesting.

Well we actually made it around with no major catastrophes (how the heck do you spell that anyway) We did, however, resemble my trainer's Jack Russell trying to scamper around a sharp corner on a hard-wood floor. The warm-up ring was a suicide attempt but I have driven on the 405 enough to be able to navigate that much traffic without a problem. In my last class I was about 3 strides out from a line and the horse in the next ring (so all of about 10 feet from me) crashed through a jump and the rider SCREAMED at the top of her lungs as she fell! Jade was soooo good and just ignored it (I was pretty freaked out, though.) So she was by no means "good" but for her...she was great (Its all relative, folks.)

AAJumper...I left just as they were setting for the jumpers. Did you guys even bother to go?

[Coreene]

I'd love to blame it on Saturday's rain, but by 4 PM yesterday when the lesson started, we'd been dry for 24 hrs.

But I have to share the sheer utter joy and love I have for my horse - well, I always have it, but yesterday was one of those reminders where he went along doing the most EXQUISITE half passes and was singing "I'm the best, I'm the best." And, do you know, for a few minutes I believed him. We would have beat Anky with yesterday's half passes.

Sorry, had to share that. You're my girlfriends and y'all know more than my non-horsey girlfriends exactly what that means.

Of course, when the lesson was over and I said "All done, go home," he did a tiny mincing walk to the open arena gate and then the nagging Rental Horse I Gotta Pee jog back to the stall, which so totally contradicted the Fred Astaire movements that I nearly fell off laughing.

[dmj]

Chef that is too funny. I have never actually heard someone SCREAM as they were about to eat dirt! Jade was a very good girl!

Trust me, the rain thing was a blast! It was my 6 year old's first show, and there were no expectations - we were out there to have fun and we did. Ironically enough, that was our best round of the entire show. Go figure. Here is another fabulously far away and fuzzy pic...

[Merry]

Hey, dmj, I'm already going blind. Can you either get bigger photos or e-mail me a magnifying glass? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Looks like you were having fun, though!

coreene: Yes, I've had those wonderful moments, too, where you think, "Right now, my horse and I are awesome!" Then they promptly do something doofus-y like trip. As for peeing, my Bay Prince will NOT pee at a show unless he's in a stall. I've tried everything. He'd rather get stiff and cranky than pee in public.

As for the three-ring circus in the Equidome: I thought I was a die-hard when it came to showing! I just had to LOL about trying to jump a course while nearly intersecting with a crashing rider, complete with sound effects! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

I think I have nearly exhausted my lifetime allotment of rising at 5:00 am for horse shows. I believe I have two, maybe three such adventures left in me.

[wtywmn4]

dmj, that does look like fun. And Merry, the first picture you don't need a manifying (oops coreene's word) magnifying glass for. This last one weeeeeeeell... Ah the lovely Equidome in the rain!! Plainly stated, your green horses become broke, if they don't lose their minds first. Anyone who walks away from that in one piece, has my deepest respect. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Chef you sound like you had fun as well! So Merry, did you do the Equidome as well??

[dmj]

sorry guys - my very non HSF took these photos sans zoom lens and was standing on the far end of the big grass jumper field (the looong one down at the end of the grounds). Ah well. At least the ambience was accurately captured (grey, gloomy, miserable...feel free to insert your own adjective.

[SuaveReno]

Dublin & Merry . Who correctly identified the 90's laying on the neck position and that the Rider is merely fulfilling her contract as an advertising spokesperson for Dr. Binky's Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic of Modesto, California. WTG /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Well I'm am just now getting use to being home as I was downsized last Friday. That's the bad news /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Now the good news I had an employement contract so they have to pay me for the remainder of the year /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

More riding time! My lesson yesterday was awesome they worked me hard which was good. At one point I realized that I really suck at this however will keep plugging away.

Funny story: my old trainer has a website that she displays pictures clients awards and so forth. Well she bootlegged a pic of John French at Indio and is now posting it on her website. The inference is: (multiple choice question)

a. he's a client
b. he's her best bud
c. he's her partner
d. they're dating
e. write in___________________________

[dmj]

It will have to be viewed prior to voting - so we can view it in context! hehe.

I must say that I do know who your ex trainer is as my horse had the misfortune of living at the Fairgrounds for 2 months until his current spot became available. She really did her best to make my life miserable and butt into my business.

On another note - we were stabled across from your new barn last week. They were extremely kind and considerate - good choice (of a new barn, that is)!

[This message was edited by dmj on Apr. 09, 2001 at 06:37 PM.]

[wtywmn4]

Sorry you were downsized Suave /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif You have had an interesting year so far. Curbs jingling softly, things will look up!!! But on the bright side, you can ride more and we are very envious of that. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Okay have to agree we need to see that web site, but e) does come to mind. Filling in the blanks has always been something this group loves to do. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Okay here goes, e) They're dating and the baby is due in July.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Coreene]

She thinks she is Alexandra Ledermann and by running John's photo thinks it will elevate her (in her dreams!).

Suave, sorry to hear about all your extra time, but then again now we can have lunch!

[Merry]

Oh Suave, that is soooo like your old trainer, LOL! I think it's just hysterical!

I vote for b): The inference to the casual website visitor is that John French is one of her best buds. A phone call to her is like from your lips to John French's ears. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Re: the Equidome, no the Hambolarama has yet to make an appearance there. Remember, I'm too busy wasting my $ at the county level in the baby greens to waste it at an AHSA show. It's much cheaper to pull up a four yr. old at a San Diego County show than an AHSA show, LOL! Maybe next year, eh? Although I do appear to have solid lead changes on course... at least at home and in lessons now. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

I went to the ranch and Queen of Horse Show Moms had baked me a chicky pippy cake!

Apparently Beezer had revealed that I was lamenting my lack of a chicky pippy cake on the BB. It was luscious: oval shaped with green buttercream icing, coconut (see,that makes it look like a nest!), lined with jelly bird eggs and 4 yellow peeps nestled on top, next to 2 Cadbury Creme eggs! Wow, talk about a sugar rush. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I ate a huge piece already. Now I have to start figuring out which horses will also dine on chicky pippy cake, because, you know, I can't eat it all by myself!

[AAJumper]

SuaveReno, sorry to hear about the downsizing. However, as awful as my job has been lately, I almost wish I'd get downsized!

Chef, we opted not to go to LAEC on Sunday. My trainer was supposed to take a couple of people on Saturday, but they ended up staying home because of the rain. We've never experienced the split Equidome in person, but we've heard the horror stories. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif So we called late Saturday to see what they were going to do Sunday, and they said that the jumpers were going after everything else in the Equidome. So we bailed. We weren't into hanging out at the show until 10:00 at night. My trainer's friend (also a trainer) had students showing until 9:30 at night on Saturday. It just wasn't worth going, even though I had to forfeit my $25 deposit. What time were they actually setting for the jumpers? The prediction was 3pm, but we thought that sounded pretty optimistic.

So we ended up going on a very nice trail ride on Sunday instead...we had a blast! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[dublin]

Gee...I'm blushing!!!

If I can brag a bit more, I'm currently 731st out of 18,960 players of the Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge - I've moved up from 5,470th from the first week of the contest. Last year I was really lucky and finished 65th out of 11,307 participants, and won a nice embroidered Kentucky Derby 126 sweatshirt! It is a lot of fun to participate in. (Wish I had that same kind of luck when it comes to betting at Bay Meadows....)

SuaveReno, of the 4 possible answers to your John French question, the LEAST likely would be that they were dating.... ( as they say on Seinfeld, 'not that there's anything wrong with that') /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong." - Dennis Miller

[rusty]

Suave Reno, I don't know whether to say congratulations or sorry about your downsizing. Now you have more time to ride. The last time I was down sized I had a party it was the best thing that ever happened to me. So with curb chain jingling and blender whirling, what type of Margarita would you like? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
P.S. WHat is the link to the web site ? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[SuaveReno]

Thanks for the jangling of curb chains I have a 2nd interview with a company Wednesday. You're right Rusty /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif It is one of the best things that has happened in my career /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 14, 2001 at 07:17 AM.]

[Beezer]

Yes, so ONCE AGAIN, the little sister makes all right with Merry's world. SIGH. Lemme tell you, if she hadn't eaten that cake, Beezer would have crammed it down her. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Oh Merry ... before we start singing the Hambola Virus' praises TOO loudly, perhaps you'd like to tell the group how, in Sunday's schooling session, he tried to leave the arena rather than do a lead change? Or how, later that same session, he kicked out like a VERY NAUGHTY horse when you asked for another one?? Said Merry at the time: "Oh, did he kick out? I thought that was just one of those 'extravagant' changes." /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[dublin]

SuaveReno, best of luck with the interview on Wednesday!! And enjoy your extra riding time while it lasts.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong." - Dennis Miller

[Merry]

Excuse me, Hammie wasn't "trying to leave the arena." The gate was wide open, it was right in his line of vision after the oxer, and I had a smooth loose-ring snaffle in his mouth. Ergo, he just kept cantering toward the outgate. There were no hystrionics, no pinning of ears, just a continuation of his cantering whilst I was thinking, "Go left, young man, and change thy lead." /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

As for the "kicking out": I couldn't find my regular spurs, so I had to wear my longy-sharpies. I think they bugged him.

There. Now, don't I sound like a doting mommy? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

I dunno, dublin, Suave's ex-trainer might've been the perfect match for John French. You know what they say, "opposites attract".

Now, enough about this down-sizing. We shall all be women of independent means. Badminton, anyone?

[This message was edited by Merry on Apr. 09, 2001 at 10:31 PM.]

[SuaveReno]

I guess that means that I can talk virtually live via a pop up message screen. It's a free download. Any of the CA Clique interested?? /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Merry: Badmitton sounds fine but right after squash /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

I don't know, Suave. I was on the phone with the Gateway tech until 2:00 am recently because my own father e-mailed me a cow joke with graphics that somehow screwed up the template for Microsoft Word! I couldn't write my article! Hence, I shy away from anything remotely scary when it comes to computers.

How about I send Tinkerbelle on a fly-by? The little brat is really getting on my nerves. Just because I thought she was a fly and I took a swat at her. You know, living in this dang magic castle is getting old.

Maybe I oughta spike the Disney characters' punch with some of rusty's margaritas? Now that'd be a wild time! Pull up the drawbridge, it's party time in the Magic Kingdom!

I viewed the entire Foxpointed website, by the way. I'm still just so amazed. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Beezer]

Beezer has just one thing to say about Merry's defense of the pretty boy: PFFFT! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

And Suave, I add my voice to the others re your downsizing. We had a "talk" today about the economy's potential impact here. Cut through the double talk to the bottom line: yes, targeted buyouts are likely. Beezer immediately pulls out her calculator, runs the numbers and starts fantasizing. Then she realizes that Mr. Beezer, at his, uh, more advanced age and experience and benefits, would be the more likely target of any buyout. And this makes Beezer very sad. For she knows he will want to do something dumb -- like pay down the mortgage -- instead of doing the RIGHT thing and buying Beezer a really fancy horse so she can pummel Hammie in the hacks. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[This message was edited by Beezer, Royal Princess to Queen Merry on Apr. 09, 2001 at 10:57 PM.]

[SuaveReno]

Well I got this ICQ thing and I just have to figure out how it works. Most of this computer stuff is way too complex for my brain. Heck, I have a hard time counting the strides between fences /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 14, 2001 at 07:19 AM.]

[SuaveReno]

Maybe bonus check goes to fancy show horse, althought I do not want to encourage more than a friendly sibling rivalry /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Hey, Got an idea. Set yourself up as a non-profit and I'll donate the Lexie filly and take the write off /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

What would you call your non-profit /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[SuaveReno]

Here's pic of Lexie at Indio this year. Pardon me, I'm just a proud Mama /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

"Oh wow, is that John French aboard? Isn't he best pals and uber-buddies with your old trainer? I hear the two of them are like 'this'. In fact, aren't they business partners? I saw his photo on her website." /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Me thinks Princess Beezer shall have to come to a decision about her own horse commodities. Personally, I'd like to see her down-size her own horse holdings and buy herself a mount more befitting an "older" amateur rider. I can say this without fear of a royal outrage because I am indeed several years her senior. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[wtywmn4]

Oh Suave, it took this cult member ions to figure it all out. But you better write those $$$$ off as bad debt. This ex-trainer owes boo-koo bucks to just about everyone. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Hmmmmmmm, wty wonders if dear John knows he is her best bud? Or if he even knows his picture is slapped all over the internet on their web site? /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Siblings, yes this means you. Stop fighting!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Now Merry, Beezer went to all that trouble and got you your chicky-pippy cake. Sugarholics are sooooo difficult sometimes. Beezer, come on Merry's Hambola is beginning to be a good boy!???? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Curbs are forever jingling, ahhhh soothing.

rusty, get your blenders ready. Sounds like a heck of a party at the Majic Kingdom!!!
Maragrita's WaaaaaaHoooooooo!!!

dublin, you are good! That is awesome. So who is sponsoring this Kentucky Derby?

[rusty]

Dublin, tell more about this derby site. Please.

[Bumpkin]

Suave sorry about the job thing!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
I would just die if I was downsized from my 15 hour a week job right now, with Poncho's ever increasing Vet bills and moving to my new stable and trainer.
Which photos on the provided site are yours?
I have my first lesson with my new trainer on Thursday night /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif .
I am praying we do not make fools of ourselves. haha /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[elizabeth]

<<no time to post anything meaningful, yet elizabeth wants to send the love to the CA clique.>>

Hi ladies. Good for you on leaving the barn Suave. You have no time or patience for nutcases! Beezer, send my best to Mr. Beezer. Tell him and Suave that when one door closes another opens. Oh, Merry, your eyes look a little glazed . . . . chickie-pippie cake? I thought so.

Well, I must run to work. Have a nice day ladies.

[Merry]

I have recovered from my chicky-pippy overload, thank-you. I was on such a sugar high that I chased Peter Pan around the castle all night. Wow, that boy can really fly! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I think later today I shall call up Suave's old trainer and see if she and her pal John French can stop by for a ride with me on the Matterhorn. You know, they're joined at the hip. You get John, you get the other one. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

What's this? Sunshine peeking through my window? Must go ride... and then finish my sunflower garden in my backyard. My, a sunflower garden. Somehow that sounds horribly ironic after a 40-degree night and two days of rain... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[dublin]

Rusty and wtywmn, here is the site:

http://www.roadtotheroses.com/fantasy/fantasy2001

It's sponsored by Churchill Downs, and you can link to it each year through their website:
www.churchilldowns.com (http://www.churchilldowns.com)

Basically, you pick twelve horses from those eligible for the Kentucky Derby, two jockeys, and two trainers to make up your "stable".

My horses this year are: Point Given (my star so far) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif, A P Valentine, Dollar Bill, Global Gait, Hero's Tribute, Holiday Thunder, Meetyouatthebrig,
Millenium Wind, Monarchos, Palmeiro, Startac and Street Cry. My trainers are Bob Baffert and John Ward, and my jockeys are Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens.

You get points for how well the horses, jockeys and trainers in your stable do in 30 races, the first in mid-February, running through the Derby itself. You get more points for the bigger (Grade I and II)stakes races, such as the Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial, etc.

Right now, I have 108 points. The leader in the contest has 149. (I think a lot of the top people are serious betters, which I am definitely not, so I'm pretty happy at how well I've done both years...)

It's been fun to participate in. Maybe we could get a bunch of CA clique members to play next year!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[This message was edited by dublin on Apr. 10, 2001 at 12:35 PM.]

[This message was edited by dublin on Apr. 11, 2001 at 01:41 PM.]

[dublin]

Merry, Suave's ex-trainer, and her bestest bud John together on the Matterhorn.... yee haw /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Talk about an E ticket attraction!!

"Of course, that's only my opinion. I could be wrong." - Dennis Miller

[Beezer]

Hmm ... downsizing Beezer's horse "herd" ... how EXACTLY would that work?

Because there is only her retired jumper mare, whose current job prospects are part-time pony horse, part-time up-down lesson horse or full-time lawn ornament. She, frankly, far prefers the latter. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Then there's the lawn ornament's only child, the 4-year-old who is intent upon self-destructing and who is so attached to his human mother that he falls apart if anyone else (other than Merry ... maybe) tries to do anything with him. Beezer thinks it would be a little difficult to sell HIM since she would likely have to accompany him to his new home. She's not sure how she would explain THAT. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

The spotted wonder horse does not belong to Beezer. She is a loaner, subject to repossession. So Beezer asks the clique ... how on earth does she downsize?? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

As for a nonprofit ... would Mr. Beezer's fantasy bookstore (currently taking up residence in unending rows of boxes in Beezer's house, garage and on her patio) qualify? That bookstore sure as heck has never generated one dime of profit! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[wtywmn4]

This is an addiction dublin. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Okay rusty grab that margarita blender, pick your horses. This is FUN!!

Where on earth did Merry come up with Beezer down sizing?? Must be still on that sugar high. Or maybe she was alluding to the bookstore of Beezer's?

Well HI elizabeth and do stop again. Boy that lady is flying. Hey where's coreene, A/A Lurker et all? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[Taryn]

Why is it that even though we live in the most desirable area in the country, I can't find good hay??? My horse gets a bubble in his brain from alfalfa, so we have gone the timothy route. Of course, it's not offered at my fully automated factory of a boarding stable (lest I remind ya'll that there are 450 horsie bums camped out there). Plus, he's in a stall with minimal turn out (about an hour), so I like for him to munch all day. Glorious timothy afforded that. However, the tim that we have been receiving has been total s**t, full of dirt (several inches of it in his feeder every day) and -oh yes- burrs and foxtails!

It finally caught up to him last night, with full on drooling, dropping feed, obvious discomfort, and a rotting ass type stench. Vet comes out this morning and clears a ton of foxtails out of of his poor little mouth. He gets some Banamine, and all seems well...

Only now, I'm off on another Great Timothy Hunt. I had heard rummors about a store in Norco carring timothy ambrosia (a rarely seen variety), and after several phone calls I finally get a strait answer. I jump in my car and head towards Norco, Linda's Feed to be exact. It's true, they did have very nice timothy, but they had an even better tim/orchard/alfalfa mix (3% alfalfa, only stems). It smelled like sweet cut grass. I shove 2 bales into the back of my rather tiny SUV, and fight traffic all the way back. The only problem was, once he got a taste of it, I knew right then and there that I'd be making weekly trips to Norco for the rest of my life! How come you folks in Riverside county get all the good stuff?

I wonder if they would deliver 50 bales to my garage?

There, I feel better already. And so does Mr. I'm totally spoiled cause my mom drives 100 miles just to get me special hay /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif .

[SuaveReno]

Bumpkin: Yes the pics are still on the web-site. My daughter is on the black horse and I'm the only bay with white socks in the pictures. She's even claiming that the pics I sent her web-master are hers. I convinced that she's completly delusional

I am on my way to the Churchill downs site to build my cyber barn. Sounds fun Dublin /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

The jangling of the curb chains has helped tremedously. I have had numerous phone calls from prospective employers. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 14, 2001 at 07:22 AM.]

[SuaveReno]

I think this is so cool. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif my husband showed me this tonight. Check out this link and do the card trick

http://www.timwike.dircon.co.uk/card.html

I can't figure it out but it's really weird. You all should enjoy it! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[AAJumper]

OMG Suave...that is TOO freaky....how does that work???? Now I'm going to be trying to figure it out all night!

[AAJumper]

I figured it out Suave....NONE of the cards on the second page are the same as on the first page, but they are VERY similar. Like I picked the Jack of Diamonds, and on the second page that card has disappeared, but is replaced by the Jack of Hearts. It took several tries to figure it out.

[Merry]

Linda West (owner of Linda's Feed) in Norco is our long-time bud. Linda used to ride with Judy Martin and Diane Grod. Now she does some sort of western thing. Beezer, QHSM and I shop there all the time.

As for Beezer's downsizing, I'm just beginning to start working again with her 4yr. old, awaiting official veterinary "okay" to proceed with training. If he doesn't prove to be a suitable mount for Beezer, I just thought he may have to be "morphed" into something more desireable.

I've been thinking about those Wap's Spots or whatever they're called back east. They're appaloosa/TB cross hunters. I interviewed the lady who raises them a couple of years ago. Those appys are really attractive, big, quiet and jump with really nice style. I can just see Beezer astride one of those, cruising around both hunter and jumper courses. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[SuaveReno]

Ironically just after I posted the link the site was suspended due to lack of bandwidth. (Rhymes with sandwidth??)

You've got a fine analytical mind young lady. What a clever trick /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Is anyone going to the Coto OCHSA show in a few weeks /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif let me know if you are.

/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Taryn: Good luck on your hay quest /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[AAJumper]

Why thank you, Suave! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I was worried that I'd be trying to figure that out until the wee hours of the morning!

Anyone know of a civil engineering firm looking for a fine analytical mind? I gotta get out of my current job before I go completely insane! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[wtywmn4]

Hang on A/A our curbs are jingling to help. Good vibrations literally are headed to you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
You have a wonderful mind, I was going crazy with that card trick!!

Taryn what a pain! Hopefully you will get the timothy you need, is there any other kind of substitute you can give him? We have been using those cubes, problem is they are part alfalfa, lots of other things blended. Used them for the horses that can't take the pure alfalfa. I think it's called All in One.

Suave that person is very renowned, it even crosses state borders. So, you are well out of there!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Aha, AAJumper, the key words are "completely insane." /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Wtywmn, I'd love to hear your stories about the aforementioned (or referred to) ex-trainer, only because I guess I have a perverse fascination in how some people continue to self-destruct, being their own worst enemies. Nothing like having stuff handed to you on a silver platter (i.e. great paying customers and a huge barn) and then allowing it to go to pot. It's really very sad. There are several trainers like this I've encountered. What is it, lack of personal coping skills? Lack of good judgment? Lack of self-control or, I hate to use this term, "self-esteem"? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[wtywmn4]

Simpler than that Merry, just plain old greed!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Said reknowned ex-trainer, has been thru this many times. Dig out some of the old "Horses" magazines, back in the 70's. Veeeerily interesting. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif But, the Frenchfry being tied into this trainer, doesn't make sense. /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[AAJumper]

Wow...I'm surprised to hear about a trainer owing her clients a bunch of money. So I guess it goes to show that a trainer can have all the "stuff" and look the part, but it is nothing but an illusion. Wow. This business never ceases to amaze me. My last trainer didn't borrow money from clients, as far as I know, but I do know that he would find horses for practically nothing ($2000) and "buy" them, then turn around and sell them to clients for $18,000. Funny, he always seemed to be buying a new truck, etc. right after he sold a horse. Wonder where he got the money??? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif But guess what? He hasn't had steady clients since he left his wife (and their business together) and ran off w/his student. What goes around comes around......I firmly believe that. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Beezer]

Beezer thinks this spotted horse idea is just a ploy to make her relinquish the reins of the pinto wonder. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[This message was edited by Beezer, Royal Princess to Queen Merry on Apr. 11, 2001 at 05:38 PM.]

[wtywmn4]

Where did Merry find these spotted wonders? Beezer, don't give up those reins quite that fast. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif No one has seen this WAP in action yet.

Wty scratches her head, WAP? What kind of a breed is that? Sounds like something from an infomercial. So, can they jump, can they run, and most of all do they stay sound? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[elizabeth]

<<elizabeth is sad that she didn't know suavereno had an interview today. elizabeth cannot jingle her curb chain if she isn't given advance notice. elizabeth, however, is VERY excited that suavereno had an OLYMPIC interview. you GO girl!! keep us posted.>>
/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Merry]

Oh no, Suave, you mean the client sold her horse, so she's has no horse, but no $ either? Me thinks she needs the number of an attorney! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Gee, do we know of any attorneys in California? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Kind of reminds of the famous (infamous?) well known So. Cal H/J trainer who more than once sold his clients' horses while they were out of town. That's right, and the horses weren't even on the market! They just came home from vacation and found-- voila!-- their horses had been sold. In one case, the client took said trainer to court and won a judgment against him.

Let's play: "Guess which trainer!"
Ante up people. Who do you think did this?Initials only, please! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[SuaveReno]

Is it RF????????



/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

The story about my friend gets worse...She was business partners with "Ahem...you know who" and ante up most of the cash for this horse. Well it's been over a month and she hasn't seen a dime /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[SuaveReno]

Can you do environmental engineering???? If so I may have an opportunity for you /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Re: the business transaction with the missing $: So let me get this straight. "Ms. Ex-T" was in cahoots with your friend who ponied up most of the cash for an investment horse. Then said horse sold at Indio. "Ms. Ex-T" has not forwarded the partner's share of the dough, whatever that may be.

Am I correct thus far?

I'm assuming there will be some bickering over Ms. Ex-T's expenses, which will be deducted, of course, from the total sale price. Wow, I'd love to see the padding on that bill! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Gee, were the initials of that "partner" KL? Has she contacted an attorney to write a nasty letter?

[AAJumper]

SuaveReno, my specialty is water resources...I worked at the Corps of Engineers for 7 years doing various flood control projects. The past 2.5 years I've been doing various land development projects. So some of the environmental stuff I can do because it is related to water resources. I would not call myself an environmental engineer per se, but if it has to do with water in pipes, detention basins, etc., then it is really the same stuff.

Congrats on the good interview! I'm hoping to have one of those soon!!! I've already gotten emails from my posting at Monster.com

Okay...here's my horse related part of the post: The vet came out yesterday and drained the hematoma on Cypress's butt, and said she was fine. He also scoped her to check for any tumors up her nose because she was getting a bloody nose on occasion. No tumors, so I'm happy about that! And we were working on a gymnastic today and it was so great. I love gymnastics because I can just focus on my position and not worry about the distance. And as a result of me staying still and not fidgeting, etc., Cypress was jumping in really good form. So I'm looking forward to Memorial Day Classic. Is anyone else going?

[AAJumper]

Merry, email me the juicy gossip!!! I can't tell the name by the initials!!! Oh, wait a minute...I can think of a really crooked guy who runs a sales barn with those initials.....email me and tell me, pretty please? I love good gossip and promise to dish some out in return! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[SuaveReno]

AA Jumper: I am sure you'll have plenty of interviews. Monstors is a good source. There's also hotjobs.net as well.

I'll email you separately about a couple of things regarding environemntal engineering that I was referring to.

Glad to here that Cypress is in good form. I love gymnastics they are just great.

Elizabeth: I appreciate the belated curb chain jingling! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[AAJumper]

Suave, I went to hotjobs.net just now, and it was in Dutch and French! /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[SuaveReno]

When I went there it was in English. AA Jumper put down Rusty's carrot margaritas! LOL! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Try another one www.headhunter.net (http://www.headhunter.net) Also try www.futurestep.com (http://www.futurestep.com)

[wtywmn4]

Email me too, pleeeeease. Cause Suave your friend needs to get an attorney and fast. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif She won't see that money and if she knows who bought the horse, she needs to track down the sales end of it. Sorry, but Ms. Ex-T has never changed her spots and this is par for the course! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif


wty knows that horse deals, such as KL's are known as fraud. Having learned that lesson the hardest of ways. One would hope we could police ourselves, but this never seems to happen. /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

A/A, you did say you posted at monster.com too, right? Duh, having brain death. Way too many of those peeps in my system. curbs, jingling softly, A/A a job pleeeease! Oh heck, one of those chicky pippy margarita's rusty.

[This message was edited by wtywmn4 on Apr. 12, 2001 at 08:19 AM.]

[rusty]

Chicky peeps Margaritas coming up. We must have as many of these as we can stand because they will be out of season on Mon.
Curb chains dangling for those that are looking for jobs and for those of us trying to find a well on our hopefully new property. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Good for you, Wty, I suggested to Suave that she should e-mail you. Yes, to some extent we must police ourselves.

Isn't the weather great? I'm going to ride, ride, ride in the former koi pond. Only problem with my arena footing though is that since Mario leveled it, my horses go from regular footing to working in a sand pit when they reach the former pond location. I'd hate for my Fancy Boy to strain something! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Merry is quietly packing her bags, having made her decision to move from her castle. She can no longer take the tourists or the inference that she is former royalty living in the past glow of her monarchy. Don't worry, I'm sneaking off with as much Disney paraphernalia as possible. No silverware or pewter candlesticks, but lots of Pooh collectibles. As an added bonus, I've convinced Peter Pan to stay on with me to serve as my cabana boy during the summer! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Merry]

I am now living among the commoners, back in my original residence. I could no longer stand to have my exiled lifestyle be fodder for the press. Please notice that my new "address" reflects California's true nature.

As my last royal request, I suggest that each of you tout an "address" that reflects the superiority of our grand home state! "California Clique Rules!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[a/o]

I'm sorry guys...I HAVE to butt into your thread for one second...someone sold clients' horses WITHOUT them knowing!!!??? Wow. RF...a GP rider? If not, I need a clue! I might be moving to SoCal in a year or two (most likely Santa Barbara, anywhere to ride around there? At any rate, it'll either be SoCal or back to the East Coast...).

Also, I've never shown in CA and really want to. I need a show that's at least 2 weeks long that has a BIG field. My horse isn't a rugrat...can't beat people in these little TX coliseums on time...

Again, sorry to butt into your thread! You all are so funny! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I have this hilarious image of Hammie...

[dmj]

it's hotjobs.com. Just FYI. Pretty good site. Another great one that we use is dice.com....but I am pretty sure that is for techie stuff only.

[Beezer]

Oh ... you're not THAT Alf. Sorry ... we Californians tend to have a one-track star-seeking mind. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Re the selling of the clients' horses ... yup, this trainer was rather infamous for that. One of Merry's and my trainers waaaaaaay back in our junior/younger amateur years got one of that trainer's clients once after she went to court and got her horse back. She renamed him Grand Theft, because that's what the trainer was going to be charged with. I can't remember, though, if RF ever actually was; Merry might. But she did have to sue and go to court to get the horse back.
Amazing but true. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[weeble]

Your wish is my command, my liege! I have changed my address to reflect the truth, I'm sure much to the Canadian's dismay.

By the way, weeble puts in her request for a stuffed Tigger to replace the one she got over 25 years ago. The current one isn't looking too "bouncy".

[dmj]

uh oh..... my friend just sent her mare to an "RF"'s barn to be sold....here's hoping it is not the RF of whom you speak!

And Suave...having a funny mental image here, as I have never seen your ex trainer ride anything but a golf cart...

[AAJumper]

Is this RF the same RF who has a sales barn and a rep for doing ANYTHING to get a horse sold? Including depriving it of water for 24 hours, drugging, etc.?

[Beezer]

Oh Merry ... perhaps you'd like to explain to the class just how come all the jumps are ONCE AGAIN piled up in the middle of the arena? And such a lovely pattern you made practicing all those lead changes with the Ham-ster.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Memo to self: Remember next time that it is generally best NOT to try to ride the Spotted Wonder Beast after having taken your migraine medicine. It is also perhaps not the best idea to do so on a chilly, breezy evening when said Beast is being Ms. Frisky Humpty-Back Horse and envisions that the neighbor's cat on the barn roof is in reality a puma ready to pounce and that the reason Rocky the Crazed Labrador is running around with a tennis shoe in his mouth is because he ATE the human who was wearing it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[This message was edited by Beezer, Royal Princess to Queen Merry on Apr. 12, 2001 at 03:45 PM.]

[dublin]

Your wish is my command!!

The various interesting tidbits about RF don't surprise me in the least, from what I have seen and heard over the years.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

However, I will need to consult Typo Circuit tonight to see if I can ascertain the identity of KL - this inquiring mind wants to know!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

My liege, wty bows slowly remembering those years of training for coming out parties. Once a queen, always a queen. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Now Beezer, you know that lead changes are of utmost importance. Ahhh Merry, please bring a Roo too! Mine has become a terrista toy. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Suave and wty have been exchanging emails. Updates on all of this wonderful stuff. /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

rusty, more chicky pippy margarita's the bell is sounding. Come monday, isn't that a song? We'll be back to our healthy ones, carrots, banana strawberry hmmmmm....

[This message was edited by wtywmn4 on Apr. 12, 2001 at 07:20 PM.]

[Chef Jade]

I'm gone for a few days and I've missed an entire month of "As the Hotwalker Turns"

[C&C]

I have been gone since the death of the Question thread, but I have returned to find that all is good and well with the CA clique. I am sorry to hear that several of you, like me, are scanning the job listings daily. It is not a fun!! I have been looking for a month now, and am only going to my first interview next week. (For a job that is paying almost 1/2 of what I used to make - arg am I getting desperate already???) The ressesion (why doesn't that spelling look right) is hitting this area already. A plus to living in CA. Ressions hit you last, and the least hardest. At least that was true in the 80's. Anyways, for me it was not downsizing, but like AA an absolute disgust for my employeer. I couldn't wait any longer to find another job first, and I quit on Saturday.

So we are back to dishing up CA gossip I see too. I had to go back about 8 pages to figure out what all you guys were talking about. Chicky-pippy and all that stuff. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif If the RF is the same one I'm thinking about, he actually worked for Suave's ex-trainer back in the 80's at the Fairgrounds. Suave's ex-trainer has been doing her act so many times over for so many years it absolutely amazes me. Like you Merry, I am almost in amazement over people that can stomach such practices and do it continually.

Keep up the CA-talk. I may not always write, but reading all the CA stuff seems to help keep my head above water when things here seem to get too crazy.
C

[AAJumper]

Ah, yes, Wtywmn, Come Monday is a song by Jimmy Buffet. It's good...but I like Margaritaville better....

I blew out my flip flop
Stepped on a pop top
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home
But there's booze in the blender
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

Wasted away in Margaritaville
Lookin' for my lost shaker of salt...

Aaaahhh...that music makes me think of summer and boating trips to the Colorado River.

I called in sick today (cough cough) and took Cypress on trail. She was so good, and didn't even jig on the way home (her only bad trail habit). Then I came home and worked on our sprinklers. Tomorrow is sod laying day...yay. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[JustaLurker]

This post is first and foremost to test my newly fabricated description of where I am in the great state of California. It may be a bit much, but I have to see it in real life.

Second, I actually dragged my over the hill body to the barn today to watch some lessons and see some of the new horses being worked. I'll probably have to go to bed at 8:30 tonight as I'm bushed beyond belief, but it was such fun to see them.

My next act is to gather information on MCJ for Moo, but that task will start on Saturday.

Hmmm. The big update to my profile didn't seem to take. Perhaps I have to exit the BB and come back later???

[JustaLurker]

Well, perhaps I change the wrong thing -- my signature rather than my location. This is another test to see if I can get it right. I'm sure any good horse person could.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Merry]

Just a Lurker: to proclaim your "address/place of residence" click on your user profile. Then scroll down and click "Admin option: edit profile" and re-do your location.

C&C: Lay off rusty's margaritas! It's "recession". /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Alf and DMJ: Ah the saga of RF. Amazingly, he's got a lot of people who just shrug about his untoward business dealings. He's kind of the Clinton of the horse world. I personally can't stand the guy. I didn't like him when I was 16, and I don't like him at 46! But yeah, he can sell horses. I, however, refused to let one of ours go there even overnight.

I'm so glad the visions of the Hambolarama amuse and entertain you guys! He's really quite lovely to ride. He just glides along. He's very supple. Even Beezer remarked that when she climbed aboard for a moment, he felt like a "round bay Gumby". To me, that's a good thing! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Note to Beezer: I did not stack the jumps in the center of the arena so I could practice lead changes. I did it so I could ground drive (i.e. "dirt ski") the 3 yr. old Hanoverian filly without being drug through an oxer in the event that she bolted off.

Now, a 2-week show with a grass course for Alf and her big-moving horse? Hmmm... you've missed Indio, my dear. But there are 5 day ones at the Oaks and Ride America.

[JustaLurker]

Thanks, Merry. I think I have it!

It's hard to believe I was a computer programmer for something like 30 years, huh?

Cheers, Maggi

[elizabeth]

In my imagination, based on everything you have said, he is a chestnut! See what happens when you don't post pictures? People's imaginations get all confused. Please post some pictures, Merry Merry.

Oh, and Beezer, I am picturing Spot as about 15.3 but STOCKY, white body, big brown and black spots (maybe two of each) on her rump, and a few spots on her shoulder and neck. Maybe a big one or two on her stomach.

Thanks in advance for your confirmation of this description.

[Merry]

elizabeth: Go to Horsecity.com right now and click on Hunter/Jumper. The article with the pinto jumping? That's me on the lovely Spot a couple of years ago at a schooling show.

She is not stocky. She is 50/50 dark, dark bay and white, 16.1+.

I do not "do" chestnuts by choice unless they have a multitude of white. (Must point out that my good ol' amateur medal class horse was a fiery red chestnut gelding). /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[MHM]

Expect HorseCity to crash any moment from
the huge stream of COTH BBers rushing to
take a look. I'm on my way now. Vroom! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[elizabeth]

verrrrrry nice. spotorama is a lovely LOVELY horse.

<<"this is going to sound stupid," elizabeth whispers self-consciously, "but her white fur looks very soft.">>

[MHM]

Very nice picture! And article.
(Especially item #5!) Every hair on the
horse is gleaming, including the white
ones. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[SuaveReno]

DMJ: You are right some trainers usually rides their golf carts as oppossed to a horse. They originated the term desk-jockey due to the time they spends on non-productive activities! LOL! And there are many more out there that do soooooo the AHSA, PCHSA, OCHSA and ROTC have put together a new division for those of us who prefer the stability of those gentle machines as opossed to the four legged. Some of the classes are:

Electric and non-electric Division with appropriate age groups:

Working Golf-cart under saddle
Working golf-cart
A/O Golf-Carts
Golf Cart Puisance
Comformation Golf Cart
Model Golf-Cart
Golf Cart Grand Prix, Mini Prix and so forth
Golf Cart medal classes

Don't forget the scooter classes! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif


More Rusty's Margaritas pleeeze /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 14, 2001 at 07:28 AM.]

[This message was edited by SuaveReno on Apr. 14, 2001 at 07:30 AM.]

[a/o]

I say /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif to RF.

Next year for Indio. Horse was really too green to go to WEF or Indio (and I was short of money!!!). Of course, as soon as all the winter circuits ended, my darling decided that he really wasn't particularly green anymore, just "less experienced" than some, LOL.

I've heard The Oaks is nice...maybe I'll go for that. Too bad it's a bit more than a jaunt down the road! I'll wear my tiara and see if I can challenge Merry for ultimate princess status. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[MHM]

Don't forget the golf cart leadline. That's the one where you see how many ponies you can lead to the ring at a trot from one golf cart. Very hotly contested!

[AAJumper]

Alf, The Oaks (aka Blenheim) shows are wonderful. And if you want a giant grass field, that is definitely the place to go. The jumper arena are set up in the middle of a gigantic grass field, and the warmup area is basically wherever you want to ride outside of the rings. It is great....no crowded warmup rings! They also have shows that run for 2 weeks. I'm supposed to go in July, and I'm looking forward to it. There is fun stuff to do in that area, like going to the beach or to Laguna. They have a really cool art festival (called the Sawdust Festival) that features local artists. My friend and I went to it after our morning jumper classes. Plus, Laguna is a really cool beach town, and it is only a half hour from the show. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[SuaveReno]

Merry:
Your picture is wonderful!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Do you have a pic of Hammie you could post???? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Taryn]

Is your pinto beast a Hall of Fame baby? I can't remember. The mare across from my guy is by him, out of a TB mom, same dark bay tobiano. Plus, she is rather hot and a total mare. She's really ruining my opinions about WB/TB crosses.

Oh, and thanks again for letting me vent about the whole hay thang. Dave is doing much better. I saw coreene yesterday at the barn, she wasn't feeling well, hence the lack of posting. Still, not a very good excuse!

[wtywmn4]

Why, this is the infamous WB pinto mare? She's adorable. And Merry, your form over fences, are you making sure that the landing side is clear? Wty having done this herself, nows says she's making sure her horse is on the right lead as an excuse. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

C&C do tell? RF was a working partner of the here to fore ex-trainer? No wonder they are such reknowned business people!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Okay, pony up them thar margarita's. Purple chicky pippy rusty, please.

/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[a/o]

Thanks AA! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Given that description, I think I will DEFINITELY try to go!

[Merry]

Sheez, I don't know when you guys post! I turn on my computer at a reasonable hour and all these writings have appeared!

Okay, yes, Wtywmn, in that particular photo I am stylishly looking for the right lead as I land after that interesting jump (actually those are MY red standards that I loaned to this charity show!). But notice my lovely leg position and how my shirt cuffs are appropriately exposed beneath my coat's sleeves, and how they then meet my gloves, so that absolutely NO wrist skin is revealed. Now, I get points for that, don't I? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

I think I wrote just about every H/J article that's posted on that site right now.

Taryn: The Lovely Spot is sired by Art Deco out of an Irish TB mare. She is indeed a hot tamale! The Hall of Fames (those that I've been around, which are several) are a bit more sedate, even though Hall of Fame was 1/2 TB. And the Hall of Fames have more of a hunter style to them.

Hammie is by Hall of Fame, out of QHSM's Trakehner mare (R.I.P.)

I guess I shall have to learn to use my dad's scanner and post a jumping photo of myself that has me A) jumping a sizeable fence, and B) has me NOT ducking off to the side! As for the Hambola photos, I only have some slides that were taken about 6 months ago for a magazine article, and I have to make them into prints first.

MHM: Love the idea of the Golf Cart leadline class! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Isn't that a special stakes class offered at Indio each year?

[MHM]

I've seen it in action mostly at WEF- the winner who gets to the ring on time with the most ponies intact gets to keep his job.

(Abject apologies for posting from out of state.)

[Merry]

MHM: You are always welcomed here! Heck, here in California, everyone invades us from all states, countries, planets (?), etc. It's United Nations day at any given Walmart. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

A passport of honorary residency is hereby bestowed upon MHM. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Alf, I'm not exactly "giving up" my tiara. I've put it aside, in my closet, in a Nordstrom's bag, awaiting the proper time to re-ascend to my throne. Until then, I'm humbling myself by living among the commoners. Yes, that's me, mucking stalls, paste de-worming horses, long-lining 3yr. olds, and putting air in the tires of the horse trailer.

As for the Golf Cart Stakes Class, I think that's what makes our "sport" smack of elitism the most. I mean, being at Indio and seeing the "Golf Cart Leadline Class"... I wonder, if a pony spooked, pulled back, and jerked the reins out of the groom's/rider's hands, would they even bother to go after it on foot? Or would there be a golf cart round-up of the wayward pony? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[MHM]

A friend of mine had her brown horse
turned out overnight at WEF this year.
Around 2AM, he escaped his paddock, and
the super-genius security guards were
chasing him in their golf carts! Hello!!
I'm sure the horse thought he was being
abducted by aliens, between the noise and
the flashlights.

Luckily the night watch people
intervened, and the horse was fine. The
funniest thing was that he won the next
day, so I told my friend she should
prepare him exactly the same way every
time.

MHM is exceedingly grateful to be granted her visitor's status, and is well aware of the honor you bestow upon her.

[dmj]

Tee hee. Golf Cart Gambler's Choice.

Merry - my previously posted photos (if you could indeed call them that) were my first foray into the fine art of scanning. Now, I am quite sure you can do better than me! We want to see your boy!

AAJumper - Oh do I have sad news. The Oaks does indeed now have the dreaded "warm up rings" - on dirt no less - sandwiched in between the grass fields. There are 3 - all side by side - all interconnected. Yuck.

I need a clue! Was the RF question formerly located at NG? (can I be more cryptic?)

[Merry]

dmj: yes. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

But keep in mind, to some he is a god and can do no wrong. They even like his sense of humor. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[N2Jumpers]

(Catching up a little late here, sorry!)

Oh the initials game, RF, KL, KH - I know EXACTLY who you all are talking about and I am just ROTFLMAO! And, as another who's had a bad experience with RF - Should we start a support group??? LOL!

Suave - be sooo happy you are at SWSJ! Probably the last reputable barn out there... :-) Also, if you have any interest in employment with a very large aerospace company - let's talk! I don't know what you do, but I am a recruiter...

Is the CA Clique ever going to meet? Did I miss out?

Anne :-)

[wtywmn4]

As always Merry, you are the Diva of design. I bow to you!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Turned out, perfect fit, leg beautiful, loaned standards, now who should be wearing that tiara?? Doubt there's any question here. We wait your orders, my liege. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Ummm, uhhhh 11:41 am isn't a reasonable hour my liege, except for you royal types. The rest of us working stiffs are up before sunrise. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Now aren't you forgetting the Side Saddle Golf Cart division? One must know how to straddle the cart aside. Of course wearing proper hunting attire is a must! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[JustaLurker]

I just popped into the wrong page and noticed I said I was launching into the research project on MCJ for Moo instead of for MO. Sheesh! What a goofus error. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I can only try to justify it by saying we once had a marvelous horse named Moo at the barn.

[Beezer]

Elizabeth ... Actually, it's my self-destructing four-year-old kid who's the chestnut. Hambola Virus (they're both by Hall of Fame but could not be more un-alike) is a shiny bay ... the better for Merry's tiara to reflect in! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[elizabeth]

Beezer, we never hear about the four-year-old, do we?

elizabeth gulps and gets ready to go back to the portion of the thread where Beezer defended herself for not being willing to give up her horses. Maybe we can get some information about the super-secret four-year-old from there. elizabeth hates to think that she didn't read carefully enough the first time through. . . .

[wtywmn4]

Ah elizabeth, I think that was on page 14 or possibly 15? Resting in her loungamatic, slowly she sips on what will be the last chicky pippy margarita. Farewell yea purple concoction, scrumpious frothy drink. rusty, you are the Beethoven of bar keeps, or blender keeps as the case may be. Ahhh, this should be a lovely relaxing weekend. Mr Wty is out digging, raking and planting. All while wty sits and sips /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

And so it goes, another day in the kingdom. weeble come home soon, we miss you! Merry, you will enlighten us on "Adventures at in-law land"?
coreene has proved invaluable. Updates concerning the WC promptly posted, hopefully she is feeling better. A/A your lovely mare, her owie, is it almost healed? Suave for you a peaceful and uneventful weekend!! rusty, a blenderless weekend, or how bout we make one up for you? Beezer, maybe just once, the fences won't be piled in the middle of the ring? Dublin have a wonderful ride, and enjoy the weather. Curbs are gently jingling in the light breeze... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[elizabeth]

thanks wty. I went back and looked.

So the chestnut horse who goes in and out of the house with you, waits in the car while you run into the grocery store, knocks on the bathroom door when you've been in there too long just to see what you are are doing, etc. is your four-year-old? (didn't you say he is oddly attached to you, Beezer? He can't do anything without you? Tell us more about him. Can we call him "Fred"?)

[Merry]

Okay, when you go to horsecity.com now (should stay the same for the weekend), click on Hunter/Jumper in the left hand box. The photos with the articles? Three of them are moi: the pinto, the chestnut with white jumping ("Jumping Tips") and the black horse ("Showing on a Budget"). What's funny is that AAJumper's photo on her old horse, Tulie, is there for "Jumping Over the Fear Factor" and cousin Katy is there on her bay in "Finding the True Blue Hunter". Nothing like making use of my friends' photos, eh?

Be careful, you never know when YOUR photo will be used for an article! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Gee, Beezer, should I tell the background of the chestnut four-yr. old? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[MHM]

Back we go again!

[Beezer]

Oh, PLEASE DO tell, Merry. No doubt you will dish much better than his mother, from whom he has rightfully earned the nickname "Mr. Perfect." Can I help it if he ... well, "FALLS APART" might be an apt description ... when other people try to do anything with him? (Which is why, as I've pointed out, selling him might prove a tad difficult. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif )

His someday-show name (that is, if he ever stays in one piece long enough to get there) is Hot Sauce -- believe me, if you ever saw him turned out and saw the amount of energy he produces, you'd know why /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif -- and his "real" nickname is Tigger (because he has a lot of bounce per ounce). He is a deep, bright chestnut with a little star and two hind socks and an absolutely darling face (even Merry says so!) and a mac truck-like body that he inherited from his mother (both horse AND human). He is -- for me, at least /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif -- very sweet, very kind, VERY brave and willing to do whatever's asked. It's just other people who seem to have a problem. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Gee ... can you tell I'm also overly attached?? After all the medical bills he's cost me, I'd BETTER be. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[rusty]

A lot seems to have happened while I was out shopping for all of the remaining chicky peeps. We want to be able to start on the healthy Margaritas slowly, so I bought all of the chicky peeps I can find so we can come down slowly from our sugar high.
Yes if some one can make me a regular lime Margarita it would be greatly appreciated. Rusty rode for the first time in at least six months today and is probably going to pay for it tomorrow. But it was sure fun to get back in the saddle and really ride for a change. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[SuaveReno]

Hey Rusty I'm there with you! My NT is remaking my riding style (I have no leg, seat and hands) and today I trotted and trotted in the semi 2 point for hours (or so it seemed) /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

They kept asking me if I was tired and all I could answer was that I was old /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Tonight I bubble bath I think and then to sleep knowing that tomorrow early, I will get up and do it again /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[AAJumper]

Wow, I am just now catching up on the BB action for today. I was held captive, forced to lay sod all day. It was horrid, horrid I tell you!!! But the backyard is quite lovely now! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

DMJ...I can't believe it...all that grass at Blenheim and they confine everyone to dirt warmup areas? /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Oh, say it ain't so!!! That is really, really depressing. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Wtywmn, Cypress is doing fine w/her hematoma. The vet drained it on Tuesday, although there is still some fluid built up. It doesn't bother her though, fortunately.

[Merry]

Suave, you deserve a bubble bath, what with your stressful move from your Ex-T to your New-T. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Ah, AAJumper, the Laying of the Sod: a California tradition this time of year! A couple of years ago we had new sod put in. The landscaper rototilled and put in new sprinklers. Then this HUGE load of soil and mulch was hauled in. I said, "Wow, that looks like fertile soil." The landscaper says, "It is. It's composted from the horse manure they pick up in Norco." /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

So I was no doubt re-using the same poop I probably had shoveled at my mom's! And she'd paid to have it hauled away! And now I was paying to re-use it again! Talk about recycling! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Now, about "Tigger": Beezer's chestnut 4yr. old is very cute and will no doubt make her an enjoyable horse to ride. Hmmm... his medical records... Let's see, he pulled a suspensory when he was 2 1/2, so he was laid up for six months, during which time he began cribbing. /infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif
Then he was broke out (I climbed right on and he was very good) but went bonkers at Sandi Nisson's and had to come home to become more "emotionally mature". He couldn't hack being away from his mommy (Beezer). /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif
Then, I get him going, although still in a western saddle, and he was really good. I was about to start trail riding him when he injured his hock just turned out and playing: it turned out to have a hairline fracture! So, I believe 7 months and several xray exams later, it appears he's ready for me to start again. Ah, the things I do for my sister... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Meanwhile, his half-brother (Hammie) is showing and jumping. But he's also obnoxious and arrogant, vs. Tigger's very congenial personality.

[SuaveReno]

I was looking through a stallion directory and found a lovely pic of him he's wonderful /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

A good massage rusty, this invariably relaxs our somewhat over taxed bodes! Then a lovely evening in your loungeamatic, with a nice chardonnay. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Why Merry, it almost sounds as if dear Tigger doesn't want to be ridden by other than his mommy?? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif Keeps self destructing when anyone else even comes near..

Ah sod, how I love to see it laid!! Mr wty does this every spring, similar to the swallows coming back to Capistrano. Off we go, Home Depot, pick up whats needed. Back to the abode, start replacing what the terrista has destroyed..Yes, such a Calif. spring thing.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Okay, so here's a little dish. Did our clique/cult know that the infamous RF married money? I mean alot of it...The minute that lottery winner was proclaimed, it seems, like a blood hound, the nose was on the trail. True love? Well, in a sense.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Bumpkin]

Suave having moved to a NT myself and just endured my first lesson, I can relate /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif !!!
Although I still really like my ExT, and she still trains my daughter, right across a dead end street from where Elliot and I now reside.
Having learned a new way to sit the canter, my lower back is adjusting with pangs of anger at my trying to make it do something it has not done in 25 years. haha /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Elliot has been very good in the new huge arena and riding on the wonderful new rubbery footing is very nice indeed.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Merry]

Really? RF snagged a lottery winner? Are you serious? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif I don't think the state HAS that much $ for me! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Sort of a similar story with someone whose initials are AP, a "trainer" who formerly did mostly jumpers out of a barn at Industry Hills... ex-wife's first name is Barbara...story is a little foggy, but I believe it was something like their divorce became final days before he won the lottery for millions! What a guy... he at least, rumor has it, gave her a small chunk of change, but here she'd stuck it out with AP and just when Fate was about to smile on her... she misses it by thiiiiiiss much. Dang! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[wtywmn4]

Daughter of lottery winner, well they both went into the ticket together /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Promptly bought some very nice horses, having been slightly involved before. RF then proceeded to become involved. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Think AP was not the same story. Much more up front from what I'm told, but still the same idea.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

[elizabeth]

Wow, Merry et al. - nice pictures on horsecity.com. Trulie was cute, Katie's horse was cute, your chestnut was cute, and that black horse was LOOOOVELY!!!!

<<"and," elizabeth whispers self-consciously, "i already said i like Spot. her white fur looks really soft. . . .">>

Merry, are the black and chestnut horses you have now? Who are they? And, for my own edification, is black a color of a horse or is it just reallly really dark bay? no - black has to be its own color. . . .

[rusty]

After my ride yesterday,I found muscles that I forgot existed. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif
Well I am now off to clean the house, it is going on the market on Tue, if we get water at the hopefully new property on Mon. SO every one Please jingle those curb chains and think positive thoughts about water wells on Mon. for me. If theis doesn't work I am on to plan B. There is one slight problem though, I don't know what plan B is. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[elizabeth]

Good for you rusty - good luck with the new property. curb chains are jingling!

and who needs a plan B??

[wtywmn4]

Oh rusty, a divining stick maybe? We will jingle our curbs respectively, and hope this works. Good grief, you are tough, on to cleaning the house after traumatising your body? You go girl!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[JustaLurker]

Rusty, have you hired a dowser or is your water person drilling willy nilly? I've heard good things about dowsing. It's sort of like the horse communicators, though; I think you have to believe in them.

What are the chances? Has water been found nearby? I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed and am rattling my curb chain loudly! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Cheers, Maggi

[AAJumper]

Merry, that is how I've heard the story goes about BP as well. What a major bummer!!! She's really nice too...that is where Cypress came from originally. Well, she was at her barn to be sold anyway.

My legs are dead today. I took a lesson in 2 point practically the whole time. UGH! Not fun after the sod festival yesterday. And it wasn't just a little bit of sod...it was 1160 sq feet of sod!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif My backyard will be complete one of these days. Tomorrow I plant more plants, after I get home from my trail ride. Woo hoo! I'm having so much fun with Miss Cypress on trail this springtime! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[rusty]

We have had two different dowsers and a geologist. There has been one well drilled, but we need two. Otherwise the deal won't work for all parties involved. Yes there is alot of water around, we just haven't been able to hit it. It took 8 tries to hit the first well, and these holes do not come cheap. So keep on jingling those curb chains and thinking positive thoughts. Thanks.

one of the dowsers said he was going to quit dowsing after this, and he is the one trying to sell us the property.

[Merry]

rusty, didn't you see those old cowboy and Indian movies, where the Indian horses found water by pawing in the sand? Maybe I can send the Lovely Spot your way. She at least LOOKS like an Indian pony! Paw for water, Spot, paw!

Yes, elizabeth, the black horse I'm jumping on that grass course was a very sweet Dutch mare from... CANADA! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif named Syracuse. I bought her at a sporthorse auction when she was a cowboy-broke 3yr. old. I was going to pass on her because she had these enormous ears, but Beezer talked me into it! Natch, she was the highest priced horse of the sale, ahem... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

I pretty much trained her myself. I won all my L.A. County medals and Pacific Coast medals on her. She was a really nice amateur hunter, too. But every now and then she'd go bonkers on course: just all of a sudden, whoopee!, bucking frenzy time! Then back to warmblood dullsville.

Sad part was, I owned her when I started getting sick and they didn't know what was wrong with me, so I kind of had to sell her. That's the horse Dennis sold for a ton of $, but of course, I only got what I wanted and he traipsed off with an outlandish commission. The mare later went to the Karazissis' barn, to another amateur. I'm happy to say, no one ever won with her the way I did. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

It's been some years. I believe she is now a broodmare and a po-dunk lesson horse in someone's backyard, eating and being fat and happy. I prefer not to know any more.

Now I'm bummed... /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Guess I'll cheer myself up by going over and blanketing Hammie and trying to dodge his snapping teeth. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[rusty]

Merry send spot north, I need all of the help I can get right now. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[TuxWink]

Hello everyone...I posted a little while ago about convincing my husband to buy a horse, and now we are actually making an offer on one! So, please wish me luck as we negotiate, vet check, etc. I will let everyone know what the outcome is; hopefully I will know by early this week! If all goes well I will share pics and more detailed information. You may even be able to help me track down some information on him as he is an ex-jumper that we don't know too much about! Thank you /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I just had to share the exciting news!

[rusty]

Good luck and keep us posted on how every thing goes. Definately post the pics.

[AAJumper]

That is really exciting TuxWink...good luck! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[weeble]

Best wishes, TuxWink. Curb chains are jingling. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[wtywmn4]

Oh great, now you made me feel sad Merry. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Well, just think you might never had Hambola (alias jaws) the wonder horse if you hadn't sold her. So now, duck those snappers, you'll be like Muhammed Ali, dodging, ducking, doesn't it feel good to get the blood flowing? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Now since we need to send Spotty the wonder WB to rusty, who's in for a road trip? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Oh Tuxwink, almost congratulations!! Thats great, let us know what the horses name is, or email us. We will try and find out what ever we can for you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Beezer actually had a great lesson on the Lovely Spot yesterday. I predicted it, since when I lunged her on Friday the mare raced around at the end of the line like a freakin' maniac! So she had all the yippies out!

Hammie got all his changes, too. But Beezer about fell off her saddle laughing at a few of his antics. Oops, must go to church. It is Easter, you know... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Beezer]

Merry left out a few of Tig's medical records. He also tore his whole eyelid off one time -- how, I dunno; he never explains these things. Major reconstructive surgery time. Fortunately, you have to look very closely to see the tiny scars.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif He also had to have major dental work to get his wolf teeth out. Everyone else, it's zip, zip, they're out; with him, they were impacted with deep, twisty roots, requiring heavy sedation and oral surgery to remove. There've also been the requisite minor bumps and bruises, which with him are somehow NEVER minor....

This, of course, all came AFTER his horse mother almost died six weeks before he was born (major hospitalization bills); he then arrived about three weeks prematurely (was about the size of Rocky the Crazed Labrador and had no eyelashes or forelock! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif ) and immediately got sick from what the vet supposed was the aftereffects of Mom's health problems. Needless to say, it's been an "eventful" childhood....

Ah, yes ... the lesson. Let's just say things could have been MUCH worse, what with the herd of feral miniature horses racing around the pasture below our coach's arena. But two Merry-and-Hammie highlights: Our coach yelling, "STOP HIM! He's not allowed to JUST LEAVE the arena!" Said as Hammie takes Merry on out the gate after a jump, a la the incident last weekend. (In Hammie's "defense," he didn't speed up or bolt out the gate, it was more along the lines of, "Hey, the gate's there, it's open, I'll just see if anyone notices if I canter right on out." /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif )

In the second highlight, coach gets after Merry for not using more outside leg to push the Hambola around his corner so he stops sticking. Says Merry in the best whiny-pony-kid voice you've ever heard: "But he doesn't LIKE that! He'll kick out!!" Know what? She was right. HE DID!! Hard. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Bad, BAD, Hammie.

We spectators, however -- including QHSM, who stopped by to see how the crowned prince was doing -- sure got a good laugh out of it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[SuaveReno]

I hope everything goes smoothly with the vet check. When it's signed sealed and delivered, please post a picture of your new family addition. That's what we call my horse, the family addition, beacuse for what we paid we couldn't have had an addition to the house /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Good luck /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

You guys wouldn't believe this! So our trainer gets new neighbors, who promptly put up this huge metal pipe-panel, breezeway barn--- for a herd of mini's! Now, they're darling, mind you, and they come in all colors: there are two appaloosas, a bunch of grays and a pinto (I think that's the leader!). But the lady turns out the entire herd at once, and they begin racing through the grass pasture that backs up to our trainer's arena--- during the lesson! I mean, imagine a herd of a dozen mini's, galloping full bore, around and around this pasture, then up through the breezeway, and out the other side! Needless to say, it was quite the distraction. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Now Beezer, don't go making Hammie out to be so awful. He's actually very good... well, like all four year olds in a group lesson, he's given to moments of doofusness. But I must admit, I felt like a kid with a spoiled pony. "Mommy, my pony doesn't go left very well... Mommy, my pony kicked out at my leg... Mommy, my pony won't stop eating the grass..."

[AAJumper]

Yikes....galloping minis!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif I had a horse that apparently had never seen a mini before. So I was leading him to the barn next door (his new home) and all of a sudden he saw it....the scary horse that was mysteriously shrunk and was now out to get all regular sized horses so they too could be shrunk!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif He freaked out and pulled away from me so fast and hard that he left me with a major rope burn! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[SuaveReno]

What exactly do you do with a mini /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

The only thing i think I have seen are folks leading them around like a big dog. Outside of showing them in halter. How about a mini grand prix, free jumping and all. that would be a little more interesting... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[rusty]

A friend of mine puts on a mini show once a year. They do have hunter and jumper classes I think they lead them around. I guess I'll have to go watch it this year. It could be entertaining. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Bumpkin]

They drive them also, there are lots of different driving classes.
Roadsters, Fancy, Team, Ladies, etc...
And of course the many different halter classes.
I went to some Mini shows with a friend and they are so tempting they are adorable.
haha
Have you ever seen a Mini horse trailer???
Talk about cute. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

Here's classes we could add! Mini's to our show of shows! A herd of feral mini's running around. Well the neighbors had to hear me hooting & howling over that Beezer. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Let's see the list now reads: Golf Cart Divisions, Hack & whack, and then the uncontroled flight of the mini's??? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Now there's a show people might pay to come to. Have to admit they are adorable. Went to one show, they literally pick them up and put them where they want them. Something to be said for that. Hmmm, can you see Merry even remotely trying to do that with the Hambola? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Merry]

So, what are you suggesting, Wty, that I cannot manuever my Hambola around? That he has his own mind? That after being around horses for 30 years I've come full circle to resembling an 8-yr. old child with an overgrown Shetland pony? Wait... you could be onto something... /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

I've seen the cutest little cart with a mini pulling it. The lady in the cart looked a trifle too large to be pulled around by a mini, but what do I know? I think a four-in-hand or a six-up of mini's, pulling me around in my royal coach sounds absolutely dreamy! They could all be grays, and have turquoise ostrich feather plumes on top of their heads, and wear black harnesses with silver studs on their headstalls! Ooooh! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

Now, would wty even think such a thing Merry? Naaaaahhhh! Not when she has watched herself being bolted from the ring without a trace of control, and her trainer collapsing in laughter. Followed by "Does this mean you're finished your lesson?" snickering and giggling the entire time!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

But, I can picture your discription of the lovely 4 in hand hitch. Turquoise plumes, silver studs on the harness, but pleeeeeeease, can we have someone slightly less in width driving them? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Coreene]

Why should it only be minis with plumes? Why not do some Warmblood Plumes?

[wtywmn4]

Are we speaking of the Hambola????? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Coreene]

Willem would be in a state of bliss if he could wear plumes atop his head. I am sure that deep down he always wanted to be a parade horse - with a plume, he could strut around the barn all day pointing his toes.

[Beezer]

Coreene ... I've never met Willem "in person," but for some reason I now have this image of this big, handsome horse prancing around with a plume of many colors on his head! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Coreene]

He will greet you. Perhaps on a non-plumed day, but he will be there with proverbial bells and such.

[Merry]

Ah heck, I say, "Plumes for all the horses!" Doesn't every girl want to be a princess, and every horse want to be a circus horse... at least once? An equine version of "dress-up and prance!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[SuaveReno]

Correen: You're guy is sooooo cute. I especially loved when he caught sight of you and just nickered. That is just the coolest thing. And he a handsome devil too. Purple plumes would work but he needs someting like a fake (politically correct) ermine saddle pad or no wait Manolo shin and ankle boots. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

That's it! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif The height of elegance shin and ankle boots by Manolo Blanik. The riders that are really cool (as long as you look the part!)have them. Here's another new division Au Coulture EQ /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif what do you think???

I once received a first place award for being the best dressed at a horse show. It was at the old Laguna Niguel Equestrian Center and there were scads of western riders and i was the only one there in a (borrowed) riding habit. Needless to say I won /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Coreene]

I think he would like a plume to go along with the silver studded dressage bridle and the Kippy Slinky show shirt and rhinestone studded pad and Hoof Black-ed feet. And then he could have royal purple plumes.

So Suave call me at work and I'll buy ya lunch this week.

[Merry]

Public Service announcement now over... /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Suave, that story is so LOL funny! It reminds me of a show my good girlfriend, Andrea Meek, was judging. It was an LA Co./AHSA show at LAEC. Anyways, in this "older" adult eq. class all of the women riders were of course immaculately dressed in the latest fashions. But there were only 10 in the class. So Andrea pins it, leaving only one or two riders without a ribbon. The trainer (a male mucky-muck, but I won't say who) of one of the ribbonless lady riders came up to Andrea and asks why the gal didn't place. To be courteous, Andrea told him things like her leg was lose, she balanced herself on her hands, etc. In reply, the trainer kind of went, "Hmphf... But she was dressed for the part, wasn't she?" /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Ah, excuse me, it's not a freakin' fashion show! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Coreene]

Oy vey ... so that was my problem.

[SuaveReno]

Thanks Correen, I'll take you up on that. Email me your work phone one mo time please! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Yeah we can't ride but we can look the part /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I hear there's an incredibly expensive velvet helmet that's custom made that costs about $800. Can you actually tell if someone is wearing a helmet like that. They all look the same to me. My girlfriend just bought one. I get a kick out of her. She'll drop 100k on a horse without batting an eye. I of course am in quite a different league all together. Hmmmm college education for the kids or new hunter....Ehhh...new hunter, let the kids flip burgers for awhile and learn about the real world.. LOL!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif My ten year old came home recently and told me that she wants to be a horse trainer and sell beany babies. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[AAJumper]

Suave, the helmet is probably a Regal Crowne. They usually have a booth at Indio. My friend tried one on once, but opted not to buy one because they weren't approved. I mean, for that much money, you'd think they'd figure out how to make a good looking custom helmet that can get approved. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif You can't tell if someone is wearing one just by looking at it, but I hear the fit is excellent. I won't wear anything that isn't approved after my crash and head injury last July. I am still embarrassed by the fact that I was so out of it that I was constantly demanding that the nurses in ICU give me my underwear. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif I guess I made such a big deal about it that a lady from my barn went out and bought me underwear and brought it to the hospital, thinking I didn't have any. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif I have no memory of this whatsoever!!!!!

[weeble]

I love Andrea Meek, she's a lot of fun to work with! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[SuaveReno]

Wow AA! That's some injury. Did your hat fly off? Honestly, I know this may sound foolish, I hate to have that strap around my chin (If i were in jumpers, I would most likely feel differently). The height I have been jumping is just a little under 3 feet and so far I have been lucky not to have taken too many falls /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif What are those type of helmets that have the stripe in the middle? Are they better than the traditional?

When I was in the hospital for knee surgery, I kept asking for Demerol rather than underwear /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I should have just had Rusty's margaritas

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[AAJumper]

Suave, my hat didn't come off (to my knowledge), but it was unapproved, thus the concussion. I have it on video (I have yet to watch it) and I was knocked out instantly, then kicked in the eye when my horse got up. The helmets with the stripe at the GPA's and they didn't used to be approved. Now Dover is advertising that they are approved, so I'm really not sure what is going on with that. Oh, and the jump was fairly small...only a 3' oxer, but it was a speed class, end of the course, and I was flat out galloping. Dumb dumb dumb...I know.

I didn't have to ask for pain medication in the hospital...it seems every time I woke up they were injecting more drugs into the IV, and then I'd be asleep again! Do you think they were trying to tell me something??? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Oh, I also demanded pillows. My trainer and my friend were in the room, and asked them "is she always like this???" They never really told me how they answered that question.....

[This message was edited by AAJumper on Apr. 16, 2001 at 11:42 PM.]

[Merry]

weeble: next time you see Andrea, tell her Cindy says "hi," and that you know me from the BB. That'll crack her up! I've known her since she was Mike Neilsen's assistant. I'm her Voice of Reason in girlfriend matters!

Oh, AAJumper, were you riding the Lovely Spot? What's that you say, dashing toward the timers over the last oxer in a speed round? Holy Batman, sounds like my sister! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Last time I went to the ER via a show (got ill, not horse injury) the nurses were ripping off my pajamas (came from the hotel) and they were just apalled at how skinny my legs were and that they were bruised and had scabs on them, LOL! I'm like dying in pain, and they're thinking I'm some battered, anemic thing. I kept telling them, "I ride horses!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[AAJumper]

Merry, it's all the same with those medical personnel...they just don't understand the horse thing. Except the eye doctor that I've been going to for checks on the eye I had the orbital fracture on. His daughter rides at a big name barn in this area, so he couldn't exactly give me the "you are crazy for riding" lecture.

And yes, Beezer and I have a lot in common I hear, although she got airlifted, right? Beezer, you know how to travel in style, girlfriend!!! I had to travel the peasant way, via paved roads. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Gotta love those speed classes!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[MHM]

I've also had the "lingering glance" at bruises from medical personnel. I always tell them I would never tolerate a person treating me that way, but a horse- that's different!

It's a second generation experience in my family. Once my mother was doing something with a naughty young horse that resulted in two black eyes on parent/teacher conference day. She got many lingering glances!

[Beezer]

Yes, AAJumper, I did indeed get airlifted after MY speed round crash. About the only thing I can remember is that one of the paramedics had that heavenly Scots accent. Almost made it worth being a lawn dart. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Oh, Suave ... I keep forgetting to ask. I checked out the infamous web site. Is the guy mentioned as the head groom the same guy who careens around the warm-up ring at the canter ... and around and around and around ... on an assortment of horses? Tis a very scary thing, that. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Also, saw a mention on another web site for a sporthorse breeder that her horses are with your XT. Dun Runnin, maybe? Very interesting.

[Merry]

MHM: Right now, Queen of Horse Show Moms is sporting a lovely laceration on her finger from Beezer's 4 yr. old, the Precious Tigger, lunging for his hay when she fed him. But the two black eyes... yeah, like everyone believed your mom!
/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Poor Suave just needs to sport a pair of Jackie O sunglasses and become incommunicado with her former barnmates. They are just no longer operating in the same sphere of existence as Suave. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

Oh A/A, both you and Beezer are lucky people. Do be careful out there. Keep those hats on and chin straps tight!!

Once had a dentist who told me that this is the most dangerous sport. He kept referring to bull riders, and cowboys, saying their wrecks weren't near as awful as ours, or the numbers of them. I of course, promptly got into an argument with him. How could a bull goring you be less than being dumped on your head? Thankfully, he was a family friend, otherwise I think my mouth could easily have lost all it's teeth. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[MHM]

Oh, please. At least you don't fall off a horse every time you get on (hopefully). And when you do come off, the horse only steps on you by mistake (hopefully).
The bulls are trying to do the Mexican hat dance on the cowboys.

Merry- I'm sure my father couldn't understand the cold shoulder at the next Little League game!

[SuaveReno]

For some of you who know only too well my continuing saga here's the postscript:
Ahem...someone very knowledgeable and learned said to me recently about my barn change, "You've so moved on dahling"

It finally struck me today that it doesn't matter, I had a fabulous lesson today and I'm moving on up (sung to the tune of the Jeffersons. Bought a new tack truck today with the new barn's logo. And we have our first show on the weekend! Up Up and away! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[AAJumper]

Congrats on the purchase of the new trunk Suave! Now you have to get the show sheet, scrim, etc etc. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Good luck at the show this weekend! The clique will be jangling the curb chains! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

Shopping??? Did I hear shopping? Wty's ears are instantly pricked at this word. Suave that is soooo the BEST!. You are more than moved on, you are already on the "Eastside"!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Curbs will jingle softly for the show this weekend!! We know it will be fun! /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[SuaveReno]

Thanks Wtny and AAJumper, I really appreciate the jangling curb chains.

The tack trunk was a stroke of luck /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif A gal at the barn just bought it and then decided she didn't want to ride anymore. Wow /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Does anyone know where you can get a good deal on Van Teal shirts /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[Merry]

I'm tellin' ya', drag yourself down to the low rent district and go to Thrifty Horse on Katella in Orange. It's kind of near the intersection of Katella & Chapman. They often have a bunch of brand new Van Teal, Beacon Hill and Essex shirts for 1/2 price, and not just in skinny kid sizes. They're the overflow from Cathy Smith's Outdoor Outfitters traveling tack store. Often there are some new GP coats, too, at $100. less than usual.

[elizabeth]

Suave, good job on the tack trunk find.

Merry, do you mean the city of orange, for those of us who are new here?

[Merry]

No, elizabeth, there's actually a huge, giant orange located just off the 55 freeway. It's in the Guinness Book of Records. Just this giant, hollowed-out orange... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Yes, silly, the CITY of Orange!

[elizabeth]

Beezer, Merry's picking on me. Make her stop.

Listen, Merry, if I didn't know where the Mississippi River was, I'd keep my academic critiques of others to myself! (and with that, elizabeth prances proudly away, muttering "There is a town called Orange, too, you know! You COULD have been speaking of that. . . .")

[Coreene]

Suave, where will you be showing this weekend?

And, unfortunately: be prepared for rain.

Just heard on KNX that they expect it tomorrow night through Saturday. Damn rude if you ask me.

[AAJumper]

LOL Merry...so is that sort of like James and the Giant Peach??? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Beezer]

PEOPLE. PLEASE pay attention now! If we have learned NOTHING ELSE from our BB relationship, it is that Merry is not ... repeat after me, NOT ... to be trusted when it comes to giving directions. Beezer knows this very well from experience. Do not even get Beezer STARTED on this subject. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

So. Before you all hop in your car to head to Thrifty Horse, disregard Merry's directions. Because you would find yourselves endlessly circling in dazed confusion if you tried to follow them. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif (Been there, done that. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif )

Thrifty Horse is on TUSTIN Avenue in Orange (yes, that would be the city thereof), between Katella and Chapman. Katella and Chapman are parallel to each other; they do not intersect. The store is in a rundown strip mall but there is a sign on the street for it. It is worth the trip ... as long as you get the correct directions. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Adopted. I swear I am. And one of these days ... they're gonna admit it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[This message was edited by Beezer, Royal Princess to Queen Merry on Apr. 18, 2001 at 04:55 PM.]

[Merry]

Oops. Sorry about the directions thing. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

So, I'm guessing this is yet one more example of why I'm never the one doing the driving on any of our equestrian-related road trips? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Must admit I get a chuckle out of the time I drove through... where were we, in Virginia? Or was it Maryland? Where's Baltimore? Anyway, it was this lovely, cobblestoned historical section, and with QHSM in the backseat and Beezer riding shotgun, I suddenly realized I was going 50 MPH on a one-way street. But it was a lovely, cobblestoned street... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[SuaveReno]

I'm showing at Coto. The barn is bringing about 11 horses. WE're going down there on Friday and willbe showing both days.

I've been practicing real hard on my new position so if any of you wander down there I'll be the bay w/ four white socks and a star and snip on the nose (never mind the slightly aged amateuron my back!) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

In the last week and one half my daughter has gained such confidence. It's really wonderful to watch. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Corrine: I haven't forgotten your kind offer. I'll buy the drinks /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

BTW, I just got an approximation on the cost to go to Pebble. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Well if I trail ride up there.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif OMG it make Indio look cheap /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Beezer]

Your honors ... the prosecution, she rests. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

So isn't there some kind of chip we could install in Merry? Then her directions would be like Mapquest, only we could call it Merryquest. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif You would call up the Merryquest and she could tell you precise driving, door to door, to the Mississippi river or any other port!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Oh Suave, it's raining here now, bunches. Be prepared and take that rain gear. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[AAJumper]

Aaaaahhhh!!! I have an interview tomorrow with a big name engineering firm! YIKES!!! They stressed that a lot of it would be about my career goals and if I would fit in with the company. Ummmm...well my career goals are basically to work with people that aren't insane, and at an office where I don't have to worry about stepping in dog poop when I walk out of my office. I am not kidding here...the owner brings his dog to the office and the thing takes a dump on the floor...more than once!!!!!! It happened yesterday AND today! Yesterday my friend stepped in it!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[MHM]

Best of luck tomorrow!

Could you wear a lucky curb chain as a bracelet and convince them it's a chic new accessory? Just a thought.

[daytimedrama]

well I'm back from the east coast, while it is a nice place to visit I'm not quite ready to move there, there is still left over snow!

~Christina~
"Chaos is what killed the dinosaurs, Darling!" JD;Heathers

[SuaveReno]

I'll be jangling my curb chain for you /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Wtny: I didn't believe what the weatherman (er...weatherperson?) said about rain on Saturday. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Remeber the Santa Barbara where everytime they would hold the darn thing it would rain. I wonder if I could wear my darling yellow boots instead of my show boots /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW A/A thats awful /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Well, tell them a few of your lovey work events and they will instantly know your goals!! Best of luck, and we have those curbs jingling for you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Suave, you mean the fish Dome? Where water flows in but never out? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Always thought that mud wrestling could have been a winner there. Good thinking, put those yellow cuties in your truck, to ward off those rain spirits. Its beautiful today sun is coming up. But those rain weather whatevers are making noises for the weekend. Am always reminded of "LA Story" evertime I see these people now /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Ahem Merry, some of us do get up early. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[elizabeth]

Go AAJumper. You can do it!! Yayyyyy!!

Remember that we need a FULL debriefing when you get back.

O.k., everyone jingle their curb chains!

[AAJumper]

Wow Wtywmn, you DO get up early!!! Thanks to everyone for the good luck wishes. I'm so nervous because I am not good at answering those "where do you see yourself in 5 years" type of questions. Yikes! The interview is at 5pm today...I'll report back this evening. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Careening around the warm-up ring at Indio in the glorious 51 & over division! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

daytimedrama: Yes, the east coast is indeed lovely. They grow their own trees, I've discovered. They grow on their own, wild, like... what are they called in fairy tales? Like a real forest. I couldn't believe the green trees in Virginia. At least, I think it was Virginia. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

AAJumper, I foresee you getting the job. But it probably isn't a good idea to rant about your former boss and co-workers being "insane". I dunno, just a hunch that that wouldn't go over well.

Hey, I was up at 6:00 am, too, I must point out! Sorry that the very first priority is NOT to log onto the BB. It takes about an hour for my vision to clear. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[elizabeth]

Ahhhhh, that is a question I try to look at periodically, to keep myself directed. I really tend to see myself in one of two places: I have a strong interest in blah, and I really enjoy blah. So, it is entirely likely that I could end up doing blah. That being said, I also find that I am good at blah, and I really find blah interesting. So, I have also not ruled out blah.

You know, though I tend to set fairly specific goals for myself professionally, I also do not ignore the "intangibles", such as work environment, the inherent challenge of the job, and my colleagues. So it is conceivable that if I find a work environment that really challenges me where I am truly working with a talented and interesting group of people, even if my particular role in the work environment is not exactly what I had thought I wanted to do, I might end up in a very different place from where I would have envisioned, given the goals I have set for myself."

And that, AAJumper, is roughly the answer I tend to give to the "where do you see yourself in five years" question. . . . /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

(I offered up my monologue b/c it pretty much works for anyone - lawyer, engineer, corn farmer, Dairy Queen night manager, etc. I figured maybe it would get your creative juices flowing. . . .)

[rusty]

AAJumper good luck with the interview. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[AAJumper]

LOL Merry....you don't think they'd appreciate the True Hollywood Story - AAJumper's Life as an Engineer in the Dog Poo Hell???? No bonus points for being honest?

How about this: "I see myself winning the lottery, buying several fancy horses, and hanging out at horses shows...." What do ya think??? Hmmm...I better stick with Elizabeth's suggestion...it sounds pretty good!

Uh oh...I hear the faint sound of a canine footsteps. Wait....no Whitney, not there...hold it, hold it!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[SuaveReno]

"What would you say is your biggest fault?" Rather than answer with "sometime I don't ride a bending line quite right" or "I probably should use a little more leg at the oxer". my stock answer is "I can be a workaholic" Now I try to say this with a straight face and make sure you say "workaholic" as oppossed to "jumpaholic"
/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I know you'll do well today. I'm jingling two curb chains /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I have a 3rd interview with this company tomorrow. I think they want to hire me but they don't know exactly where I would fit in. So they are having me talk to everybody under the sun. Should I tell them my goal in life is similar to AA's? I like that...win lotto. buy several fancy horses and hang around horse shows. Hmmmm works for me /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Coreene]

SuaveReno, make sure that this one is more geographically desirable than the last!!!

[JustaLurker]

Seriously, AAJumper and Suave Reno, that outline is just about perfect!

Be sure to sit down in a quiet corner and give some thought to filling in the "blah" spots so that the script flows while in the interview. Nothing is worse than trying to dredge up coherent answers to unexpected questions.

Then, being prepared, good luck to both of you!

Cheers, Maggi

[Merry]

Oh, I can't imagine going on a job interview! Yuck-o-rama! I'd have to go out and buy an entire wardrobe, since I guess I couldn't arrive in jeans and a polo shirt... well, what if it's a clean, new polo shirt? And I wore coordinating gemstone earrings? From QVC, no less! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

You go, girls! I'm jangling my curb chain for you!

I actually "worked" today. *sigh* You know what that amounted to? It's an amusing story. Please read: /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

So the magazine editor shows up with this British photographer at my mom's place to take pictures for articles I've written and for some interviews I've done...

We begin with QHSM chastising me at the top of her lungs because I've decorated the jumps with pots of her blooming geraniums. "Cynthia, those plants are my pride and joy! My pride and joy!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I was sooo embarrassed.

Next, I begin riding the Ham Meister. He is going to be the poster boy for the gymnastic exercise suggested by this grand prix jumper gal I interviewed. Mind you, Hammie is miffed because his routine is disrupted and there are strangers at his house. But he's actually very good through the cavaletti and the grid. So then we push our luck and we figure we can shoot some flatwork pics.

But now, Hammie's sister, the Hanoverian Cow-Beast begins snorting like a freakin' Hoover vacuum in her stall! I mean, going looney!I have no idea why she found the proceedings so upsetting. But she got Hammie all wigged out, so we had to put him away, turn out the filly in a paddock, and knock the dust off my cousin's horse and use him for the flatwork photos.

Ah, then the Lovely Spot gets her turn before the camera! Next they want pictures of a horse spooking, being schooled, and then being good. "Paging the Lovely Spot to the stage..." /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif So I get on her and tell the photographer, "I'll ride her by this group of jump standards in the corner, and she'll spook, so be ready to shoot." Well, Spot spooked, but not enough! So he sends someone to go hide behind the pine tree with a noise maker and then when I rode by this time... /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif ... he got his shot! Poor Spot! By then my sister was there, and I heard her say, "And I'm supposed to ride this thing in jumpers at Galway Downs this weekend? The only thing between me and San Diego will be a pelham bit." /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Such is my life as a freelance writer.

[SuaveReno]

Ah, Merry I just had to laugh. let me see if I have this right... They wanted spot to spook, get schooled then be perfect right??? Hopefully Spot took it all in stride (no pun intended)and knows that the folks were just a goofy editor and photographer /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif he should be perfect for Beezer this weekend. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

My filly sold today!!!! after only 3 .5 weeks. (Why didn't I do this sooner?????????????) YeHaawwwwwww!!!!!!! She's going to a lovely home where the man will be doing dressage with her then turning her into a broodmare. It will be a nice life for her.

Hopefully it won't rain this weekend!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[weeble]

AA & Suave...hope all went well today!

Merry, so the photographer obviously had a solution for not getting enough spook...what did he have up his sleeve if he didn't get enough "being good"? /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Merry]

Yes, weeble, an interesting question. I would've died if I hadn't been able to get Spot to behave! I felt bad, like I was tricking her, because she was already leery of that corner, and then, surprise! The tree is going to eat you, Spot!

Suave... Sounds like a perfect home for Lexi! Whoopee for you! And yes, why didn't you do this sooner? What's so interesting is that you paid all this $ to have John French ride Lexi at Indio (you know, Ms. Ex-T's alleged best bud) and yet, the mare sells as a dressage horse! Ain't life just grand? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif But at least she's sold.

Now, what about poor AAJumper? Do you suppose she forgot to check the bottom of her shoes before she went to her interview?

[elizabeth]

Hi gang! Well, we all had an eventful day, didn't we?

Yay Suavereno! Money to buy margarita mix with! (Or, money with which to buy margarita mix, if we are being civilized!) I'm happy for you!

Merry, poor Spot. Give her a nice rub on the face for me, please. She's been tricked, poor thing. But good for you for getting all the photo shoots done!

Well, AAJumper, where are you????

[AAJumper]

Merry, you crack me up. But I made sure to check my shoes and sniff under my armpits to make sure the deoderant was working! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif The interview went well, but it was full of all those awful questions about well, non-technical stuff. YIKES! I think I did okay. I guess my qualifications are in demand because they really liked my resume. They said they were gonna meet with this other big wig guy and that I'd hear from them early next week. I'm not sure I want the job though. It sounds like possibly a lot of stress, and a lot of OT. He said that they do what has to get done, even if it gets in the way of your personal life. My friend is a lawyer, and she worked at a big firm in LA. They told her "Karen, you are a lawyer, you are not entitled to a personal life!!!!" I am not into that at all. So we'll see.

Hmmmmmmm.....working OT, or having the threat of dog poop on my shoes...hmmmmmmm

Thanks to everyone for the good thoughts! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

HA Merry. You just need more caffeine to get those engines revved /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Poor spotty the wonder WB. Spooked, and then spoooked again. She sounds like a really nice horse to come back and be good. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif There you go, beatin up on ole Hammie again, hes just a big pre-teenage kid. They just can't think for longer than 5 minutes on one subject.

elizabeth, hope you don't mind but your interview rhetoric is primo!!!Just had to print it all out. One never knows when this might come in handy.

Uh oh A/A, stress we don't like stress. The #1 killer of female workers in the US of A. Seriously. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Suave, we have curbs jingling and jangling for your job, plus NO RAIN! Should we form a circle and do our rain dance clique? Congrats on your filly selling. We knew this would happen!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[rusty]

It is pouring. Yuck!!!

[Bumpkin]

Congratulations Suave!
AA that would be tough changing jobs and trying to decide if you should be up front and honest about how much time you expect to take off for Horse Shows, etc....
I lucked out, and my employers have QH's that they show, so they are pretty flexible.
Of course I only have to work approx 15 hours a week, Tue, Wed, Thurs /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[elizabeth]

Oh, Wty, thanks! I'm flattered. Print it off and use it 'til your heart's content!

You know, the way you referred to Hambolarama as a pre-teen seems pretty darn accurate. Merry? Beezer? Can you speak to that?

AAJumper, congrats on having successfully completed interview #1! Yay for you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[elizabeth]

Reason number 9 why elizabeth is happy to be in Southern California:
Fresh Strawberries

At the farmer's market near work yesterday, I got three pints of fresh strawberries. Oh, they are wonderful!! In upstate New York, we couldn't get these until about July!

So, does anyone know for how long I can get these yummy berries??

[This message was edited by elizabeth on Apr. 20, 2001 at 11:17 AM.]

[B.G.M. heidi]

Never mind the horsey habit, my 8-year-old consumes a pint of strawberries a day - mostly in the off-season, i.e. we have a month window here in Ontario for local berries, and then pffft, we get the imported California berries.

At, often, $7.00/pint, I have calculated that I must spend close to $2,000 a year on strawberries. It'd be cheaper to airlift him to a strawberry patch in Norcal.

[elizabeth]

heidi: $7.00 for three pints . . . and those were the expensive ones (other ones were available at $5.00 for three pints!) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[NancyL]

Ok, so I don't read this thread everyday (but I did catch up)..

Back in the last decade (on 4/11) you posted about a trainer that left his wife (and joint biz) and ran off with a student -- do his initials happen to be JC or is this a nor-cal/so-cal mirror thing going on?

This exact scenario happened at my first barn (in wine rich nor-cal). Hubby/trainer left wife/trainer and biz for rich student (who was/is well into being of legal age!), he had no steady customers after that, ended up marrying a different $$woman who does WESTERN! Original student/girlfriend is back training with the ex-wife!

Can we say bizarre?

[AAJumper]

Suave, congrats on selling your filly. I didn't even realize that you had one!

I hear ya, Bumpkin and Wtywmn...even though I don't really like the work environment here, I can come and go as I please and I have never had to miss a lesson or a show because of work. So I'm spoiled. Oh well, they may not even make me an offer, so then I wouldn't have to decide what to do!!!

[Merry]

NancyL: We shall have to mull over the initials saga... I just kept spinning these various initials of various trainers who split with their wives for students! *sigh* There are so many! Why would any woman marry a horse trainer???? I know there are successful marriages, but the temptation is just so great to cheat or attempt to improve on your business by marrying $. We have a local wing-ding dressage trainer with his own farm. His PREGNANT wife found out he was cheating with his very young (although legal) student. Didn't hurt that her dad was the major owner of a very famous, huge Las Vegas casino, and had several imported warmblood stallions in the barn. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Well, preggers wife left and started her own small dressage barn near us. Former hubby shacked up with girlfriend. That lasted a few years. Now the stallions are gone, the girlfriend is gone, the ex-wife is gone... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif (That's the sound of me laughing about how Fate is indeed fickle!)

I kind of like the idea of Heidi sending her son down here to graze on the strawberry fields. We could take him under our wing and introduce him to Boogie Boarding, nachos and cheese sauce, and sign him in free to Disneyland. He could be our own little adopted Cal Clique son! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

AAJumper: I'm not sure you should take that job! Uck! Being told to pretty much just expect OT? Staying until the work just gets done, whenever that is? How rude of them! You've got horses to ride!

[vineyridge]

Sumo toddler could return to Canada addicted to fish tacos.

Deprivation could shatter his life. No longer would he be willing to follow Korean Grandma's prescription for a happy life (hockey playing doctor), but he would yearn only to return to the warmth and sunlight of Strawberry Fields forever

[rusty]

AAJumper the last Time I took a job that said there would be some overtime, "some" meant 2 hours a day minimum, for comp time which they hasseled you if you wanted to take it. SO beware!
Thank you for the advice and specs on the arena.

[Beezer]

Elizabeth asked: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>You know, the way you referred to Hambolarama as a pre-teen seems pretty darn accurate. Merry? Beezer? Can you speak to that?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Beezer will field this one. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Oh yes, he's a pre-teen all right. Complete with the 'tude. He's also a spoiled, 'tude-toting pre-teen who has everyone trained to say, as they walk by his stall with arm raised defensively, "Don't you bit me!" /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif But, on the plus side, he is very, very pretty, a lovely mover, and a real neck- and back-cracker over a fence. Methinks Merry's eq over fences days are behind her if he keeps this up. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Merry told AA: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I'm not sure you should take that job! Uck! Being told to pretty much just expect OT? Staying until the work just gets done, whenever that is? How rude of them! You've got horses to ride!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> ... Wait! That's Beezer's job you just described!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif But in fairness, mine DO understand about the horses. I'm not sure there are many bosses I could call at home and say, sorry, I need today off because I have to get Tigger to the vet ... and have her respond, without missing a beat, "But of course. I hope he's OK." /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[weeble]

Northern California strawberries currently available at $1.00/pint...no kidding, full flat for $10.00. To answer the availability question we have them here through most of the summer. To make this horse related, there are strawberry stands on the way to the barn. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

that takes care of the fruit issue, now for all of you job hunting I feel for you, it's definitely one of my least favorite tasks in life. Curbs jingling for all of you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[AAJumper]

Horses and riding come first, of course. Hey, work is a means to enjoy life, right???

NancyL, the trainer I was referring to is from So.CA. I guess it's a pretty common thing!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[SuaveReno]

Interview (3rd one) progressed smoothly. My only goal is to find a job that doesn't interfere with the riding /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif And make more money /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif which unfortunately don't seem to go hand in hand /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif .

I Heard through a third party that Ex-T has been saying the most nasty things regarding me since I left her barn. What do you do in a situation like that. I just don't understand what all the nastiness is all about. It's really too bad that some people need to behave that way. I keep telling myself what goes around comes around. Any suggestions /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[rusty]

DId I hear some one say Margaritas? Now being made with fresh strawberries. Yum
Suave as hard as it may be to do just try to ignore the nastiness. From what has been posted here it seems that every one seems to know what she is like, and there fore are probably considering the source ands laughing about what she says.

Have a Margarita and don't worry about her. Let her be the one looking like a fool.
Now I need to follow my own advice about a situation around here. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Merry]

Oh, dear Suave, I'd just put the word out that you're so happy that Lexi-mare found a wonderful home for a great price, and that--- wow!--- it took less than a month at Janet Carlson's place. Don't mention Ex-T in that breath. Your disdain is implied. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Then, move on, my dear. Your ship has sailed from her port, and it's bon voyage to bad memories.

What? Me do equitation over fences or medals on the Hambola? But you forget that requires getting him on the bit and responding promptly to my aids. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Yeah, right. When pigs fly. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I have retired from the eq. ranks. Isn't that sort of a bonus of being in the 41 & over ranks? You are no longer required to demonstrate your equitation prowess. I mean, with osteoporosis setting in, who can keep their back straight at this age? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Coreene]

Do you realize how fast the 41+ is approaching? Like - were I still hunter show ring inclined - I could do this in like 18 months?

Ya know, I went to bed one night and was 22 and then suddenly I was 39 and I dunno what the hell happened.

Need to add HACK & RACK for those of us sporting Zimmer frames...

[weeble]

I wish I was where you are...I'm well into the 41 & over category and I'm with Merry, my eq days are long gone.

You're right you know, only I just woke up one morning physically older, my brain still thinks 20-something! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[SuaveReno]

Thanks all of you so much for letting me work through this as stupid as it seems. SOOoooo Poooof! the bad times are gone /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Now for the EQ challenge. This may sound really dumb but tomorrow is the first time I will be showing over fences using a 2 point position. before I was sitting deep and driving with my seat which presented a small problem in that I was behind the motion a lot /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I mean a lot /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Fortunately did not manage to catch SuavePoo in the mouth. He's such a good man to take care of such a old ammie /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I'll give you a progress report tomorrow. My daughter is showing for the first time after the face-plant in the EQ class at the championship show /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif She's really excited that dear Cosmo is performing up to par /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Not long after the face-plant incident, she wanted to show dogs /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif for the thrill. Not that there's anything wrong with that /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif We showed Wheatons for a few years /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif It's tough to go off course however if your dog breaks stride...well that's a different matter /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Rusty...I'll take you up on the margarita! In fact, I'll have a few before my first class /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Merry: Good luck judging tomorrow. Hopefully it won't rain /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Bumpkin]

Suave if you showed dogs, then you are well prepared to handle what you are going through with the ExT /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Good luck tomorrow!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif