Watering hole

[Prairie]

Hi, Monet! Are you still scheduled for May 3rd? What do they plan on doing? I hope you get some good relieve from your knee pain. I've had my right knee injected twice now, and so far so good. My hip, however, is starting to be a pain!

I had some out patient surgery last week to have skin caner (basal cell) removed from below my left eye lid. I was bruised and swollen for days, but it is healing up nicely now. Freaky thing is, Stormy had the same thing a few years back, same eye, same bbc! Guess we are out in the same sun.

I had to work today, but am off Monday. I'm hoping for a nice sunny day and some barn time. Anyone getting any riding in?

[Graham]

Well this board surely is not what it used to be. However I look in now and then just to keep contact.

Our weather is weird. After the longest and wettest winter on record we now have the driest April on record. We need rain for the paddocks. Where are those magic April showers.

Both of us keep well I am happy to say and we still dance about 3 times a week. Minstrel our remaining horse is now in his 27th year but is fit and well. Drops a bit of weight in the winter but the yard owner is very good and lets the older ones get at the new grass first.

How are your petrol prices? Ours are ludicrous. Now just on £5 a gallon and rising still. Somebody is taking the mike here. Not sure of the present exchange rate but |I think that is somewhere in the region of 7 dollars a gallon. Ouch.

We did a dance holiday weekend recently and the last night was wild west party night. Have a look at two old cowboys.

Dance Bournemouth 2010 012 (2).jpg (51.9 KiB) Viewed 373 times

The boots did actually come from Jackson Hole in Wyoming most of the rest came from good old Marks and Spencers.

Ok. Hope everyone keeps well, more or less.

Regards from across the pond

[Prairie]

Graham - You two look awesome! I loved dressing like a cowboy when I was a little kid, and still do. I have a picture of my grandson on my phone (camera was at work). He's dressed in cowboy hat, vest and scarf, and his snow boots, 'cause Gramma hasn't bought cowboy boots yet. If I can figure out how to get it from my phone to here, I'll post it. May have to wait until my daughter comes home to help me do that.

[rbo]

Just back from Rolex... what a wonderful time as always. Got a chance to visit with MSimon and speak with the Ghost. Both say hello to all.

For those checking, William Fox Pitt won on Cool Mountain... He started off with an awesome dessage score and did well in Cross County. Ending with a perfect picture clear round in stadium jumping.

I hear that Peter Atkins of Australia wore a helmet cam during XC and is planning on putting the 11 minutes up on You Tube.

[Zebra Dun]

Happy Mother's Day!!

[Zebra Dun]

To all who remember......our dear JO has lost her beloved Rebel horse. I don't know the details, but details don't really matter.. If anyone still reads here, hug your horses and your loved ones, hold them near and dear. Love you Jo. ZD

[Prairie]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Rebel. Please pass on my condolences to JO. I always loved seeing pictures and hearing stories about Rebel. He always reminded me of the horse I used to lease, Bullet. They looked similar and had similar personalities. I know Rebel will be deeply missed. ((((JO))))

[rbo]

JO-

I am very sorry to hear of Rebel's crossing the rainbow bridge...

Monday turns 20 later this month.

[Zebra Dun]

RBO: I can't believe Monday is 20! Where HAS the time gone? Are you on Facebook?

[rbo]

ZD - Yes, I do have a facebook account... but am not an active participant there.

ALL- Got accepted as a volunteer for the World Equestrian Games in Sept/Oct. I even was given the green light to take the time off but I don't think my "boss" knew what he was doing...but then I know he doesn't . But that's another story. I will be there for the eventing phase but hope to see a little reigning as well.

Monday and I are doing wonderful. The BO has been very ill (near death) but bouncing back. She taught my (now private) lesson last Saturday (first lesson she has taught in 4 months) and thought we did exceptionally well. (we did... I was extremely pleased with him that day). Monday's b'day is June 25 and I plan on having a Bday party for him at the barn that day. Of course it will also be a camp week so the kids will surely help make it fun.

Sad to think that another board Giddy Up Pals is closing due to costs... maybe this place will pick up.

[LeoApp]

hi everyone - yes, Rebel had to be put down last week. The vet said he had an enlarged heart. He was sort of acting like he was colicking but it wasn't quite the same. He laid down very quietly and then started thrashing. Joanne didn't want him to be in pain and decided it was time. She said she just knew.

RBO - I can't believe Monday is 20!! Happy Birthday to him! Apollo and I are well and just did a ride through Long Island's Vineyards a few weeks ago. We did the slow ride, much to his displeasure. He pranced for 4 hours. So much for slowing down at 27.

MO - I am so sorry to hear that you lost Nala. (((hugs)))

[7HL]

Glad to see the Board is still up... Many small horse boards shut the doors. People have left and headed to Facebook.

Our horse are all doing well, Bump, Holly and Thor. Not too much riding this week, heat index is up.

Not long ago we got a "Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever"... "EARLENE" She was one of 3 my daughter found along the back roads of TN where she lives. Appears as if someone abandoned them because the litter was the product of a double breeding. Two are typical "Tollers" the third appears to be Aussie. Didn't know much of the breed till some in the know said she looks like a Toller. She's spayed and won't be bred so the label doesn't really matter. She just sweet "Earlene"

Guess like many my I keep in touch on FB. Maybe linking a FB group to here might be an idea. I know some other boards have done that with some success.

Hope all is well with everyone, I check in every so often.

Have a great ride!

Gary

http://www.facebook.com/gary.labelle

[Wyoming]

Just poppin in to say hello! Summer in Cody is extremely busy this year. I don't know about how much money people are spending, but volumes of people are up. I'm glad it's almost over. I can't believe I'm saying that, but it's true. We've had beautiful weather. A few days over 90, but nothing like the midwest and east have gotten. This morning it's mostly cloudy and 66*, looks like it'll probably rain...and I'm irrigating the hayfield. I should be outside changing a dam now instead of sitting here on the computer. I don't mind irrigating when it's hot out... and keep reminding myself I'm doing this so the horses have feed this winter! Duster is still in Meeteetse and has barely been ridden this summer at all. It's the cattle guard thing. The neighbor up above finally put in an electric drive-thru gate but this lower end doesnt' have one. On Mother's Day, while on the phone with my cousin telling me my dear Aunt/Mother was dying, SF opened the curtins and pointed out the window, and there was Miss Duster out on the road!!! I corraled her that day, loaded her into the trailer the next and hauled her back to Meeteetse. We didn't run calves this summer so there's been a sad lack of riding. I do have Sliver and Fancy up here at the place and have put 4 rides on Sliver now. She's just 2. Yesterday was the 4th and we're trotting and holding the circle instead of cutting in. She's starting to change direction when I flip the lead over her nose instead of waiting for the slack to come out of it, and is just beginning to come with the feel of my body when I turn in the saddle. And she's most happy to stop moving when I stop riding. Those Gambler babies are really amazing!
My Aunt did pass away the evening after Mother's Day. Went to KS for the memorial. It had been YEARS since I'd been down there, and it was terrific to see all my familly. I miss my Auntie, but she's able to dance now again. She was 81 and her health hadn't been the best for some time. I don't begrudge her going. We'll see each other again by and by.
Well, I better get off here and go get my irrigating done. Ya'll take care now and enjoy the journey!

GRAHAM...LOVE the picture! And I now have Skype, just don't know how to use it!

[rbo]

Hello to all the ships at sea....

I know you will drift thru this port and just wanted to say that even though you don't write... we are thinking of all of you...each and every one. Including you Gray Ghost...

World Equestrian Games are coming soon... can't wait. And they will be on TV... NBC Sports will be carrying the events... all 8 of them ...

Reigning, Endurance, Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, Vaulting, Driving, and Para-Dressage.