Free horse?

I was offered a free horse last week - a (supposedly) nice, white older Arab. I seriously considered taking it - or at least taking a look at it - for a day or two. But then my better judgment kicked in. The woman giving it away has hit some hard financial times and needs to re-home her horse ASAP. That's fine, I get that. But....if we take the horse and it doesn't work out, I can't give it back like I've been able to do with previous animals we've tried (remember Ginger?). So we could potentially be stuck paying board for an animal that we don't want.

So I said no.

Last Tuesday E's 4-H group did some work out at our old horse barn. Friend A is struggling right now (her mom is seriously ill) so we all pitched in and cleaned stalls and water troughs. Afterward, a few of the girls exercised some of her horses. E got to ride a cute little Appy named Boomer. Boomer is about the same size Curly was, but with tons more training. And Boomer has just about the smoothest trot E has ever ridden; she was so happy up on his back, going around the arena.

Boomer's big flaw is that he is spooky, just like Monte. He thinks everything is going to eat him. But unlike Monte, E said he gives you a little more warning before he jumps plus he's bigger, so it's just plain easier to sit whatever he dishes out. She REALLY likes him.

And he's for sale.

So then we ask the question - are we buying a horse for me or for E? E thinks I would like Boomer. And he would more than meet my needs. But if we are buying with her in mind, we'd have to see if he has the potential to handle her jumping and dressage needs.

Oh, and remember the no-name-horse we named Quinn (who has been renamed again to Ceasar)? Well, he was out at the barn too, and looking oh-so-beautiful. And I mean really beautiful. I heard that he is now receiving some training and that he has a beautiful English trot - nice extension, high energy, plus he likes to jump. He's for sale too.

I'm getting that anxious feeling in my stomach again.

Games Rally

Quiet barns at the Games Rally

E and I attended our first Pony Club rally this past weekend up in Wenatchee. I was totally anxious before we left, not knowing what to expect. Plus I was nervous about hauling the horses so far (180 miles) but everything went like clockwork and we had a great weekend.

This is the first horse competition in which E got through the whole event without at least one spat of tears. She was actually happy, laughing and smiling pretty much the entire weekend! And I think the difference was that NO PARENTS are allowed to assist the children in the barn area. We were totally banned from setting foot in the barns, in fact. The kids had to help each other (which they did very nicely) and there were a few adults assigned to various duties that were allowed to help if asked. It was amazing to watch all these kids work together and support each other.

E did get sick on Saturday - had to hop off her horse during the clinic, run to the bathroom, throw up and then hopped back on to complete the session. I insisted that she nap during the afternoon (thus missing part of the clinic) and I filled her up with medicine while she rested. She was good to go by late afternoon and had tons of fun "horsing" around with a bunch of the kids until bedtime.

Her team was made up of one other girl from her home club (Macy) and two other girls she had never met before. None of the four were super accomplished riders but they all seemed to enjoy the races. I asked E later if it frustrated her that some of her teammates chose to walk the relays rather than trot them and her reply was that no, that's what they needed to do and really the whole thing was about having fun and just finishing the races, not winning. What an awesome kid she is! :) In the end, they got second place for the junior division.

E and Monte, morning jog-out inspection

While E was taking care of herself and her teammates, I was chaperoning another team comprised of little girls ranging in age from 6 to 9. The 6 year old had to be the cutest thing I ever saw on a pony! She did most of her races lead-line but every once in a while she'd attempt one without the help. Her pony, Sweetie, was fairly cooperative but sometimes would decide, "I'm done" and just stop in the arena. So a coach would have to jog out with a lead rope and lead the two through the rest of the course. Too stinking cute!

The girls I chaperoned

"My team," running back after lunch

E and Monte have been focusing on jumping lessons for the past couple of months so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised when Monte decided that he was supposed to jump over the white lines painted on the arena floor. It was pretty funny to see him hesitate over some chalk and then take a giant leap.

E and her chaperon talking before the final gaming session

Oh, and I almost forgot, E's chaperon gave her a new pair of half-chaps! I couldn't believe it - these things aren't cheap (and she wouldn't let me pay her for them). They were her daughters and she has been looking for another super tall, very skinny girl to give them to....pretty much describes E!

Overall, I'm totally sold on Pony Club rallies now. I know that not all of them will be as relaxed as this one is, but I can see how they are designed to empower the kids and create a safe, fun atmosphere. Next rally is in June - dressage and jumping.