Celebration Versatility Demonstrations

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
AVA VERSATILITY DAY- MORNING DEMONSTRATIONS Friday morning at Ava, I got to watch the great versatility demonstrations put on/arranged by Duane and Sally Scott. SALLY SCOTT AND EQUITATION Sally was 1st up with a demonstration of equitation. Erin Stevens was one of the examples along with a man warming up a horse for his daughter. At the beginning of the demonstrations, Duane picked this man out and made him enter the arena. He did really well as did Erin. I wanted to be picked from the audience too, so I quickly…

1998 World Celebration Versatility Day – Disaster Number One

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
World Celebration Versatility Day Arrival and Distater Number One I slept for 14 hours after I got home from Ava.  Since I was only there for two days and I didn’t party the night away, one would wonder just what caused the extreme exhaustion. Well, stay tuned! Just as a note, I drove to Larry's Stable on Thursday and went on a wonderful trail ride with my hero, Larry Dollarhide and April, their young neighbor and Larry's apprentice.  Mona and I got to gossip and chat face-to-face instead of internet…

Velvet and the 5 Day Slumber Party

September 5, 1998Posted inVelvet
It was a 5 day Fox Trotter Slumber Party and those in attendance were Dianna from Phoenix, Larry and Mona (Larry's Stable), SusanFxtrt, Deina and Ray (Wilson Fox Trotters) The big even occurred north of Springfield, Missouri mostly at Larry's Stable with nightly overlaps at the Wilson Fine Fox Trotter Stables. HUH?! Here's how is came about. Dianna from Phoenix was wandering through the gaited horse web sites and became acquainted with Mona. They carried on and talked about fox trotters - Prince-the beautiful golden palomino gelding in residence, horse…

Velvet and the Gunsil

September 19, 1997Posted inVelvet
One of the million Parelli (original) Level Two tasks is to start from a halt to a walk, to a trot, to a canter. The canter is to be non stop for 60 seconds and you are riding either with a bareback pad or bareback. After the 60 seconds, you are to come to a stop and make an emergency dismount. Well, poor sad Susan never got to the emergency dismount place as we couldn’t maintain a canter for 60 seconds around the arena. Velvet, The Princess of the Pasture,…

The Journey Starts -06/21/1996

June 21, 1996Posted inSage, Velvet
This is the first of many articles to come about the world of horses and fox trotters from my viewpoint. I thought it would be important that you meet me and understand the floundering data base from which I operate. Firstly, I’m classified as a beginning adult rider.  I raised Shetland ponies in my youth, branched up to a large pony and did all the small town horse show speed events—poles and barrels and pleasure classes. After I outgrew my large pony, I had an American Saddlebred and I only…

So Old To Show AKA This is What 50 yr Old’s DO

April 20, 1996Posted inSage, Velvet
“Showtime”, I thought as I lurched out of bed and listened to the rain.  I thought about the mud on those two glistening horse  bodies after yesterday’s full body makeovers, nails done, expensive hairdo’s.  I’m talking baths, scrubbing, rubbing, drying, clipping, sheening, and attempted braiding of manes and tails.  Both Velvet and Sage were lovely;  I was broken, old, sore-footed, wet, dirty and hairy. This is my first show as an adult.  My last horse show was 33 years ago.  I am called a beginning adult rider. Hang on for…