tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55239756584989062932024-03-06T00:56:20.531-05:00SkyBar Farm StuffSkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-57911504837121544712011-02-05T06:56:00.000-05:002011-02-05T06:56:12.642-05:00The Super Bowl is only one Day away!I know I haven't posted in forever, but what a way to come back. Some of my favorite videos and pictures for the Steeler Nation the day before the big game. Turn the music off on the sidebar before playing the videos.<br />
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And just because this is just so dang funny!<br />
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</div>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-15792888851504364952010-07-06T04:32:00.000-04:002010-07-06T04:32:18.169-04:00Where the heck has she been?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b>We all possess the thunder of pure fury and the calm breeze of tranquility. If it wasn't for tomorrow, how much would we get done today? Whatever your purpose... embrace it completely. Get lost in the clouds every now and then so you never lose sight of God's wonder. ~Paul Vitale</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">I have been on quite the hiatus lately. I know, I know. Life has been moving. Given that the weather will be quite conducive to staying inside for the next few days, I will give an update soon and will promise to try and post more regularly. Bear with me.... :) Heading into the barn early early this morning and trying to beat the humidity. It's farrier day today and we have got a full day. Once that is done I will sit down and bring you up to speed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-56586506262364789742009-10-07T05:54:00.004-04:002009-10-07T06:10:29.273-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" >People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within. ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsxmMz4Wu9I/AAAAAAAACJE/pdB4iTTfh3E/s1600-h/DSCN0551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsxmMz4Wu9I/AAAAAAAACJE/pdB4iTTfh3E/s400/DSCN0551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389795224326683602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsxmMWR6N_I/AAAAAAAACI8/jI1StHai3Ps/s1600-h/DSCN0552.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsxmMWR6N_I/AAAAAAAACI8/jI1StHai3Ps/s400/DSCN0552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389795216380803058" border="0" /></a>My collegiate team placing Reserve High Point Team, this past Saturday.<br />Great Job Girls!<br /><br />Next show is this Saturday, our home meet, at Crooked Creek Horse Park.<br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-14428569831282327062009-10-01T05:55:00.004-04:002009-10-01T06:21:49.361-04:00Not so Wordless Wednesday... a tad late<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ralls</span> Lemon</span></strong></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCUx1Zf7NNuc0TB88BCdd-jtL1-5RSGZRuCYYXkPjaTGPFE1DPHu8EFxWEYjv-rSWt1lbInuVqSh18XMm84PAAUcpbVIHxg8X7nOZcguGSg7KulXKaLUEdHb4-fC_ruv4T0pr1WPo8WCr/s1600-h/DSCN0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387569687712896610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCUx1Zf7NNuc0TB88BCdd-jtL1-5RSGZRuCYYXkPjaTGPFE1DPHu8EFxWEYjv-rSWt1lbInuVqSh18XMm84PAAUcpbVIHxg8X7nOZcguGSg7KulXKaLUEdHb4-fC_ruv4T0pr1WPo8WCr/s400/DSCN0059.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3eUEbJurvhu6uE68dnvD6QyCFAU2vqGqi6id3PZn29D7J89gIU387dilF5vB7VWlFDwSYYQRGEH9eXiat5Yn3m0rUjYWJeqWapl0fqfry5FIiHmDRKoEImkxVGr8n8mhyphenhyphen9ntg5HN73QZ/s1600-h/DSCN0056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387569678870256674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3eUEbJurvhu6uE68dnvD6QyCFAU2vqGqi6id3PZn29D7J89gIU387dilF5vB7VWlFDwSYYQRGEH9eXiat5Yn3m0rUjYWJeqWapl0fqfry5FIiHmDRKoEImkxVGr8n8mhyphenhyphen9ntg5HN73QZ/s400/DSCN0056.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsR-EsHDD4I/AAAAAAAACIM/n2wEfZTNYAk/s1600-h/DSCN0053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387569673267253122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SsR-EsHDD4I/AAAAAAAACIM/n2wEfZTNYAk/s400/DSCN0053.JPG" /></a> This is Dell back in May, just days before my surgery. If you remember, it was Dell who was tragically injured the previous August. For a brief reminder go <a href="http://skybarfarmstuff.blogspot.com/2008/11/dells-injury-part-1.html">here</a> then <a href="http://skybarfarmstuff.blogspot.com/2008/11/dells-injury-part-2-warning-graphic.html">here</a>. Then you will be up to speed. The pictures above were taken moments after Dell being turned out for the first time since his injury. You would think he would go racing down the hill and want to run and buck for a while, nope, he wanted to be a pocket pony.<br /><br />I was extremely worried that I wouldn't have a horse at the end of this recovery, but Dell proved me wrong. I not only have a horse, but he has blossomed into this beautiful, cute, willing animal, who <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">desperately</span> just wants to please his Mommy.<br /><br />He and I are now making the slow recovery to get back in shape from our injuries. He has great motion in the hock and my vet feels he should have no further issues with it, other than some arthritis much later in life that can easily be treated. I have ridden him a few times now and have been very pleased with all that he remembered.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-11089357179292183372009-09-15T12:45:00.024-04:002009-09-21T09:58:07.677-04:00Long Overdue Recap of the Summer Shows<div align="center"><strong><em>While we try to teach our children all about life,Our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt</em></strong><br /></div><div align="center"><br />I am finally getting around to posting about the summer show season. Whew! It has been one of those summers. Morgan was the only one to show this year, with Mom (me) being laid up most of it with my surgery. Jeff got to play Show Daddy, which he proved very adept at, and made me extremely proud. Morgan showed 3 horses this year. She was a busy little girl. Romey, Ripley and Malarky were her picks for the year. She didn't get to go to as many shows as we had hoped, but with surgery, Jeff starting his own company, so we now do not have to move, and him heading to Australia for 3 months for his company, things have been a tad busy to say the least.<br /></div><div align="center">We started in May with the Horseman's Open Obstacle Challenge, sponsored by the <a href="http://pnhainc.com/">PNHA, Inc.</a><br /></div><div align="center">Morgan took Ripley and Romey. She did In - Hand and Under Saddle with both of them.<br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381748581688230658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_P0kH9QwI/AAAAAAAACDI/qsDbUIifpgc/s320/romey+in+hand+09.jpg" /> Romey ~ In Hand<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Romey started out under saddle nicely. She handled the obstacles very well, until she got to the end of the bleachers...<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381763347915771330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_dQEm8jcI/AAAAAAAACEg/U6B8pXYSsAM/s400/Romey+under+saddle+09.jpg" /><br />and the Rodeo began.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0647fKlGPA_4eel20RoiaKwLdQwV370rCb84NyLtirHXLxuZmyPOdSbG6frJa_D9WTM5imdd3w1W8Kj4B9Ka_U4LfqsX9Xg0P_5CfmddIPY-9lZ9OFbHzY6xOTIzd7hqWSnq40kRuL2LJ/s1600-h/Romey+rodeo+1+09.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 144px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381762758775222498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0647fKlGPA_4eel20RoiaKwLdQwV370rCb84NyLtirHXLxuZmyPOdSbG6frJa_D9WTM5imdd3w1W8Kj4B9Ka_U4LfqsX9Xg0P_5CfmddIPY-9lZ9OFbHzY6xOTIzd7hqWSnq40kRuL2LJ/s400/Romey+rodeo+1+09.jpg" /></a>We don't know what spooked her...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 156px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381763340693240562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2atiPFvYFidHToL6MSA2x1-ryGdshuPmA0iFIvFRlsm1Leg0oLI0br8MGj_STGfrTkYkzGEU80woftFpwAFXy6K8Fa8RSzDdfgBSiJr38B-vmhkppt6QnW76GqRN_m3lBA-SCz1r7QXUP/s400/Romey+Rodeo+2+09.jpg" />but Morgan rode it out, and then calmed her down to continue on.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381763343058117906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_dPygypRI/AAAAAAAACEY/yO9AJddqjFE/s400/Romey+Rodeo+3+09.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381763356017918594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_dQiypgoI/AAAAAAAACEo/TbZhN6fOPO8/s400/Romey+under+saddle+2+09.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381762765209139234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBsIYJZRt3DQ5MjI060GbqOATWWU8OrDkX4ybVp-OvcdQKV7zSG8q2eQwosrbB9U_kF99sZbxUj_a5gbmDh5PSEVlaRLwKPoSc9KsTEhdTyGrv_8LDzfD4UIOckJti82Gcp08Y8n3_GqE/s400/romey+in+hand+2+09.jpg" /><br />Ripley in the under saddle portion.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_ctmHfhgI/AAAAAAAACD4/a4veoQKO6FI/s1600-h/ripley+under+saddle+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381762755615229442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_ctmHfhgI/AAAAAAAACD4/a4veoQKO6FI/s400/ripley+under+saddle+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_ctPhM9HI/AAAAAAAACDw/7dczsRcYfSs/s1600-h/ripley+under+saddle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 84px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381762749549048946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_ctPhM9HI/AAAAAAAACDw/7dczsRcYfSs/s400/ripley+under+saddle.jpg" /></a><br />Ripley in the In Hand portion.<br /><br /><div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_cs0c2oLI/AAAAAAAACDo/YakRE9DZcIY/s1600-h/Ripley+in+hand+09.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381762742283051186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Sq_cs0c2oLI/AAAAAAAACDo/YakRE9DZcIY/s400/Ripley+in+hand+09.jpg" /></a><br />Morgan had a great time, learned a lot and even placed with her girls. We are looking forward to next years event. </p><div align="center">A few weekends later was a few open shows. Morgan took Ripley. She showed in Showmanship, Halter, English pleasure, English equitation, Ladies Pleasure. For fun, she ran in barrels and poles. Ribbons all around, well except for gaming. Ripley is not a speed horse, by any means. One of my girls, Becky, from my collegiate team, came to one of the shows as well, with my favorite Appy mare, Kammie. She showed very well.<br /></div></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDFzSi4BAI/AAAAAAAACFI/yiclReOsrYc/s1600-h/DSCN0073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382019039649858562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDFzSi4BAI/AAAAAAAACFI/yiclReOsrYc/s400/DSCN0073.JPG" /></a></div>Morgan and Ripley in Open Pleasure<br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDF0oUBGYI/AAAAAAAACFg/7NwIags8pTo/s1600-h/RSCN0227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382019062672988546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDF0oUBGYI/AAAAAAAACFg/7NwIags8pTo/s400/RSCN0227.JPG" /></a></div>Morgan and Ripley after Pole Bending<br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDF0Mr-ywI/AAAAAAAACFY/tLI-wSmrB1A/s1600-h/DSCN0081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382019055257307906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDF0Mr-ywI/AAAAAAAACFY/tLI-wSmrB1A/s400/DSCN0081.JPG" /></a></div>Getting ready for Equitation<br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDFzuMA2hI/AAAAAAAACFQ/wOuSJ-WKnAw/s1600-h/DSCN0087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382019047070161426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrDFzuMA2hI/AAAAAAAACFQ/wOuSJ-WKnAw/s400/DSCN0087.JPG" /></a> On course in Showmanship</div><div><br />The end of July brought 4-H County Round Up and torrential rain all week, so to say the ring was a mess was a huge understatement. Morgan and Malarky showed Junior Division in Showmanship, receiving 3rd place, Trail, receiving 4th place, Hunter Under Saddle Equitation, receiving 1st place and finally Hunter Under Saddle Pleasure receiving 4th place. She moved onto Districts in all her classes.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 157px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382030273723795810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6MrE3BFvdtmqYHsIO3-ewSlREE-AR9wkmqxhfRdPtjEObkC-kBCOIaU_0G5e7XeJAXWR31IG_BDaIYI1p7lycv2iG4EWZX0BXOKAe-wXN9bL6Oy8y_da4VJtjVe8WfNaY4rIA8FqnQWK/s400/Morgan+and+Malarky+Eq.jpg" /> Waiting to execute her Equitation pattern. </div><br /><div>The ring was just slop from all the rain.<br /></div><div>The second weekend in September was the 4-H District show. Morgan had developed a tremendous head cold and flu-like symptoms. As the day wore on and she waited to go into the trail class, her head got worse. It was finally time to go in and she and Malarky performed the obstacles well, not perfect, but respectacle. Malarky tried too hard to please Morgan, and he was sure he had read the pattern as well. Morgan took it in stride, came out of the ring smiling and patted her palomino Einstein. I will say she scored perfect on two of her obstacles, where others were crucified. I never realized how hard halting could be for some horses. Malarky just has a natural halt and stops square, and I have always taken that for granted as has Morgan. She was pleased over all with how she did though as was I.</div><br /><div>Sunday brought Showmanship, Hunt Seat Equitation and Pleasure. Morgan's cold was extremely worse, so much so, that I thought she might pass out from dizzy spells. A huge thanks to Scott for coming to the rescue with Sudafed. Without it, I do not think Morgan would have been able to ride in the afternoon.</div><br /><div>We did not expect much in showmanship. My goal was for Malarky to stand in the line up quietly and not fidget, beg for treats, fall asleep and cock a hind leg. Goal achieved! He also performed all his elements perfectly but one. His first 270 pivot, he stepped out a bit, mostly due to Morgan's head being stuffed up and her not being able to concentrate on much, but putting one foot in front of the other. Again, she and I were both pleased with the old boy.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383896385226679202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrdxPLzyI6I/AAAAAAAACGk/CwDh1tU2gjs/s400/Morgan+and+Malarky+Showmanship+focal.jpg" />Showmanship<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383893032618883250" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SrduMCXy-LI/AAAAAAAACGc/nC4jYTvA_5Q/s400/Morgan+and+Malarky+Showmanship.jpg" /> Standing in the line up in Showmanship<br /><br />The afternoon brought a bit clearer headed and less achy Morgan. She and Malarky warmed up great, after a minor argument over how to ask for the counter canter, which was a required element in her Equitation pattern.<br /><br />The Hunter Under Saddle Jr. Equitation class had 21 entries. Only 2 riders executed the pattern correctly. Most had trouble with the counter canter. Morgan started out flawless then I watched her tense up as she asked for the flying change. She had worried to much about it. That was alright though. She went to the rail with the other 20 riders and began the rail portion of the class. She quickly forgot the mistake in her pattern and put on her winning smile and began to negotiate her rail work with Malarky. Their transitions from canter to walk and back up to canter were beautiful.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 196px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383911186575302770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Srd-svISoHI/AAAAAAAACGs/g0f26jSF6h4/s400/Morgan+and+Malarky+Pleasure+2.jpg" /><br />Their Hunter Under Saddle Pleasure Jr. class also had 21 entries. I was actually surprised they did not split either class. In the past they have done this, plus the dust was horrible. I don't know how the judges could have seen through it. Morgan and Malarky again had a great ride. I think it is one of the best rides I have seen on him. It was certainly one of Morgan's best rides and that is and always will be her goal, to improve from the last ride, regardless of the placing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383911195288214450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Srd-tPlnG7I/AAAAAAAACG0/kVJU0w5kaiM/s400/Morgan+and+Malarky+Districts+2009.jpg" /><br />Unfortunately, Morgan and Malarky were not what the judges were looking for that day. Morgan asked the judges for comments and stated she was on the only palomino and the judges couldn't remember Malarky or her. They stated they were looking for "scopey" horses. When Morgan mentioned her palomino horse is 15.1 and a bit stocky, they had an "A Ha" moment and they told her that those types of horses do not fit, nor place in Hunter Under Saddle. She was a bit disappointed in their comments, but she knows it is just their opinion. She and I have both seen shorter horses do fantastic and the judges like them, her own Ripley included, who is quite stocky and only 14.2. I would have like to have seen them use a rated judge at Districts, but I was still extremely proud of my girl and Malarky, who came out of a two year retirement due to an arthritic knee and showed fantastically.<br /><br /><br />Below is a video that shows part of her Eq. and Pleasure classses and better shows the less than ideal show conditions.<br /><br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F41fNX7C3C0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F41fNX7C3C0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br />So with that comes the end of another show season for Morgan. Her and Malarky will be working hard over the winter months, as well as Romey being developed more. Looking to hit a few early shows in the spring with them both.</div><div align="center"><br /><strong><em>Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. ~Rabindranath Tagore</em></strong><br /></div><p align="left"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" /></a></p><div align="center"></div></div>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-48276750031745247642009-08-21T13:05:00.007-04:002009-08-21T16:12:03.148-04:00What I'm reading....and How it relates to today<div align="center"><strong><em>We pass through this world but once. Few tragedies can be more extensive than the stunting of life, few injustices deeper than the denial of an opportunity to strive or even to hope, by a limit imposed from without, but falsely identified as lying within. ~Stephen Jay Gould, The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mismeasure</span> of Man</em></strong></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">During my confinement after surgery, there was little I could do. What I could do though was read. prior to surgery I ordered several books, okay twelve to be exact. I'm an avid reader. Anyway, I started reading Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged". I had saved this book for last because it was 1168 pages. I can read very quickly, but I wanted to savor this one.<br /><br />All I can say so far is <strong>WOW! </strong>This author was prophetic in her writing. As I read this book, I have to keep reminding myself that she wrote it in 1957. She could very easily be talking about today. It is a fictional novel, but I find myself so absorbed by her thought provoking phrases that I find myself thinking she knew what was coming.<br /><br />"Atlas Shrugged" deals with how we as a people have to have a standard, a code that we live by and that we must have a moral compass, if we do not, we allow ourselves to become slaves and we become hopeless. We have to know right from wrong and we have to strive for and fight for what is right. I am only a third of the way through this book thus far, but the following excerpt slammed me like a ton of bricks and summed it all up for me as to how society has denigrated to what we see now. I know it is lengthy but please read it to the end.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Francisco speaking to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rearden</span>:<br /><br />"... Did you want to see it used by men who could not equal the power of your mind, but who would equal your moral integrity - men such as Eddie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Willers</span> - who could never invent your Metal, but who would do their best, work as hard as you did, live by their own effort, and riding on your rail - give a moment's silent thanks to the man who gave them more than they could give him?"<br />"Yes," said <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rearden</span> gently.<br />"Did you want to see it used by whining rotters who never rouse themselves to any effort, who do not possess the ability of a filing clerk, but demand the income of a company president, who drift from failure to failure and expect you to pay their bills, who hold their wishing as an equivalent of your work and their need as a higher claim to reward than your effort, who demand that you serve them, who demand that your strength be the voiceless, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">rightless</span>, unpaid, unrewarded slave of their impotence, that yours is only to give, but theirs only to take, that yours is to produce, but theirs to consume, that you are not to be paid, neither in matter nor in spirit, neither by wealth nor by recognition nor by respect nor by gratitude - so that they would ride on your rail and sneer at you and curse you, since they owe you nothing, not even the efforts of taking off their hats which you paid for? Would this be what you wanted? Would you feel proud of it?<br />"I'd blast that rail first," said <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rearden</span>, his lips white.<br />"Then why don't you do it, Mr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rearden</span>?..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Does this sound familiar to you? Do the actions of the "<strong><em>whining rotters</em></strong>" sound like anyone you know. I could name about half of our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">goverment</span> as the "whining rotters". Heck, I could name a slew of people in my own community.<br /><br />We live in the greatest county the Earth has ever seen. We became great through our freedom, our right to pursue our dreams, our right to fail and pick ourselves up and to then go on and succeed. When did we become a nation of whiners with our hands out? That is not what made our country great. Hard work, determination, integrity, honesty, vision and pride in a job well done. That is what has kept us strong and it is what we need to get back to, not sitting waiting for our next <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">goverment</span> handout as we stand idly by watching our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">goverment</span> tear apart and throw away what has been our greatest strengths.<br /><br />I don't know what the answer is or what the most effective way to help people wake up to what is happening, other than to read history and see what has and has not worked in the past and do my best to let others know and to tell it the way I see it. You might not agree with me, but hopefully it will put you on the path to see all the sides and not just listen to the mainstream, but to question them and listen to your own mind before you just follow like blind sheep. Inform yourself, don't rely on just one source, find and search out several till you are satisfied you have turned over every stone.<br /><br />If you would like to now more about Ayn Rand you can learn more </span><a href="http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index"><span style="font-family:georgia;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. I highly recommend her books and don't be surprised if you see more rants from me and a quote here and there from her books.<br /><br />I'm off my soap box for today. I will get the pictures up from the few shows Morgan attended so far, with more coming, along with other stuff that has been going on.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-3782059574610468552009-07-30T20:31:00.008-04:002009-07-30T20:51:18.264-04:00To Hell and Back Again<p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-family:georgia;" >Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open. ~B.K.S. Iyengar</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Wow! It feels good to be back again. For those of you who didn’t know, I have been laid up for several months. In all truthfulness I have not been myself for over a year. To go back to the beginning of my saga, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was in high school. Never one to let things get in my way, I have always sloughed off certain aches and pains to a bad arthritis day, and moved on, albeit a little slower. Well, for the past year it had become increasingly difficult for me to get through my day without significant pain. Back in February I awoke to stabbing pain under my shoulder. Thinking I slept wrong, I took my ibuprofen like a good girl and began my day. The next morning the pain began down my arm. Within a few weeks I had probably dropped and broken more coffee cups, than I had actually held onto. My left arm was on constant fire and I was beginning to lose feeling in my hand. Thinking I had the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome, I made an appointment to see my orthopedic Dr. Well he felt an x-ray of my neck was in order. Me being the argumentative patient, I have been known to be, told him no it was Carpal Tunnel. He asked me to just amuse him with the x-ray, so I begrudgingly did. What he saw on my x-ray horrified him. I was not surprised by the results. My neck is curved absolutely wrong. I had seen this before several years ago and no doctor had ever made mention of it except to point out places where osteoporosis had begun to set in. I still was convinced at this point that I had the Carpal Tunnel thing going on and argued this with my doctor. To placate me, he ordered an EMG test along with an MRI of my neck. To give you an idea of what my neck looked like I have found the following pictures. The first is what your neck should look like.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-6zAg5bgEbcMb9onJdPHQz1fi2uhAwSNdHgEcWN3wENdoXS0st7pJ87exKewukj_VTBz2wvA5Z7Tb5ABNGq-LIfHN5ilUZPr1E4XX7uhaDX3OrgrKvJ-z8n3uq8PJ6079FBcOxw997mI/s1600-h/correct+curve+of+neck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-6zAg5bgEbcMb9onJdPHQz1fi2uhAwSNdHgEcWN3wENdoXS0st7pJ87exKewukj_VTBz2wvA5Z7Tb5ABNGq-LIfHN5ilUZPr1E4XX7uhaDX3OrgrKvJ-z8n3uq8PJ6079FBcOxw997mI/s400/correct+curve+of+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364416242516084274" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >not what my neck looked like.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;">My neck looked more like this, well not quite like this. The red line shows how badly curved I was. I had no luck finding one quite like mine. Lucky me!</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi08cMJ7jM_5ndTreINfnfu55qCmr71IEDAk_U8voYL5fDv6D7VxB9CpT0_G-X2E2tiAeIk4ph7PVhoXZKsUGiL7xTSMMyQHesuWb8QBnqUmaqWZoJHQ2QcwxUmoUgQV8ztBWEL_OhWznU/s1600-h/incorrect+curve+of+the+neck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi08cMJ7jM_5ndTreINfnfu55qCmr71IEDAk_U8voYL5fDv6D7VxB9CpT0_G-X2E2tiAeIk4ph7PVhoXZKsUGiL7xTSMMyQHesuWb8QBnqUmaqWZoJHQ2QcwxUmoUgQV8ztBWEL_OhWznU/s400/incorrect+curve+of+the+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364416249303712930" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The red line shows where my vertebrae actually were. They were essentially pushing into my spinal column. If they have a phase for where my neck was at I would hazard a guess at phase 3, or more appropriately find that girl some bubble wrap quick!</span><br /></span></p> <p face="georgia" style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Again, I was not terribly alarmed by this, because no other doctor had been. Like a good girl I went for my MRI and then a few days later my EMG, which let me tell you, it was a good thing I couldn’t feel much at this point. First they attached little metal electrodes to my wrist, hand and fingers and then brought out a mini stun gun and began shocking me. This was to determine if I was receiving electric stimulus through my nervous system, better known as a nerve conduction test. I watched my fingers move involuntarily and imagined it probably felt like grabbing the electric fence over and over again like a moron.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8KY79HAI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/vNxYQZb5pM4/s1600-h/nerve+test.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8KY79HAI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/vNxYQZb5pM4/s400/nerve+test.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364416255341960194" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >This is similar to what I went through during the first part of the test.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Once that was over, I became the human pin cushion. Have you ever seen the needle they use for this? Well leave it to me to show it to you.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8JytMlzI/AAAAAAAAB_A/JE7VLOAF9dg/s1600-h/emg+needle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 398px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8JytMlzI/AAAAAAAAB_A/JE7VLOAF9dg/s400/emg+needle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364416245079512882" border="0" /></a><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Believe me when I say that needle is big!</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The doctor pointed out where he was going to start, which was basically the side of my neck and work down my arm till he got to my hand where the last two points of insertion would be. I turned my head away and a few minutes later the doctor asked me if I was feeling anything. I stated that it felt like a felt tip pen putting marks on my arm. He made a sound that sounded like disbelief and I looked to see a needle buried into my arm and he pointed to the monitor screen and that it basically showed a flat line. It made me think of the Star Trek line “it’s dead Jim.” The doctor continued with his needle down my arm with very little activity on his screen. When he moved to my right arm, we had a bit more activity, but not much. After the test was over I asked him if he thought it was Carpal Tunnel and he felt it was possible.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now I had to go home and wait a week for the test results to get back to my doctor, all the while the pain in my arm and shoulder becoming more excruciating. Sleep was near impossible and I was becoming quite short tempered to those who dared be around me. Trying to get my barn chores done took me all day, driving anywhere was unbearable. Riding any of my horses was out of the question. Needless to say I was calling my doctor almost daily for the results. Finally on a Thursday, my doctor called to say I had an appointment with a neurosurgeon the following morning. I asked why and he said the neurosurgeon would tell me. I called Jeff in Indiana and cried to him over the phone. What was going on with my body that I could no longer make function normally?</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The next morning I went to see Dr. Conry, the neurosurgeon. He sat me down in his exam room and began to explain all that was wrong with me. He used words like spinal stenosis, which according to the Mayo Clinic is: “a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine — most often in your upper or lower back. This narrowing can put pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves that branch out from the compressed areas.” Mine was in my neck. I had two herniated discs and a few vertebrae that had seen their better days. I had lost 40 % strength in my left arm due to the C6 and C7 nerve being put under pressure due to my really bad neck curvature. Surgery was my only option and I needed it right away. As Dr. Conry spoke to me about the surgery, I willed my tears to hold back from the flood that was about to come. Would I be able to brush my horses let alone ever ride one again? He could see the fear written on my face and asked if anyone had come with me like my husband. I squeaked out a “no”. He asked if anyone could come to meet me. I again said no and told him Jeff worked three states away. The tears were slipping out of my eyes. I asked him in a whimper if I would be able to ride again, expecting to be chastised for being so greedy. He smiled a warm smile and happily told me yes. I would ride again. He had been having tremendous success with this surgery, and as long as I behaved myself during the recovery I would be riding in no time. He requested that I give up starting any horses though and leave that to the younger generation. He has a daughter who enjoys riding and all too well understood the craziness that is horse people. He did caution me though that I had to be extremely careful in the meantime. One hard tug from a horse was all it would take at this point to paralyze me. He then began to explain the surgery to me. He would remove my herniated discs, clean up my over worked vertebras, attach cadaver bones to the affected areas and then fuse together my C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae with metal. He hoped I would get some strength back in my arm, but was not overly hopeful. So much damage had happened. What I had mistook for arthritis pain the past few years had been my neck. Granted the arthritis had taken its toll, but we are still unsure as to how my neck became this bad. One just has to look back over my past history of klutziness, several car accidents, genetic makeup and just general way of my life and you can come up with a plethora of ways I could have become like this. You have a better chance of me remembering what I was wearing under my cap and gown at my high school graduation. Talking about memory, the other thing that I found out was that my short term memory had been greatly affected, due to my spinal column having so much pressure on it. HA ! IT’S NOT MY FAULT I CAN’T REMEMBER ANYTHING. I had a bona fide reason now. Jeff was not buying it, but he did begin to slowly realize it held merit.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">I left his office and walked to my car so suddenly aware that one wrong move could be it. I sat down in my car and began to bawl my eyes out. Neck surgery! Is that not what everyone fears? My prayer up until the day of surgery was that Dr. Conry would not sneeze during surgery with a scalpel in his hand. </p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">May 26<sup>th</sup> was D-day. I went in to the hospital at 5 in the morning. I was first on the table. I was nervous, terrified and hopeful. Please don’t sneeze was all I kept saying under my breath, and then the “count back from 100 was all I heard. The next memory I had was waking up in the recovery room. I did a quick check of all my limbs. YES! They all worked. Better yet I had absolutely no pain in my shoulder or arm. I had been in pain for so long; I had forgotten what it was like to be in the absence of pain. It was euphoric. I was such a stellar patient, I was released the next morning to go home and begin my 6 weeks of doing absolutely nothing. While that seems tempting and you might even be envious of doing nothing, let me tell you it is not all it is cracked up to be. That was the toughest 6 weeks I have ever endured. I had to give control of my barn and animals over to Jeff and the kids. While I will say they did a fantastic job, it was not me doing it, which means I can do it better. I also read about 10 books, watched every movie I had not had time to before and basically sat staring at the 4 walls around me. Sleep again eluded me due to the not real comfortable cervical collar I was in. I had to turn to a prescription sleeping pill to get some sleep. I tried to remain extremely grateful though. No matter how hard I tried, I did slip into a bit of a depression. I had my little pity party as I watched Morgan ride Romey, envious of her youth and good health. I kept counting down the days till my release. I thought of posting here, but typing for any amount of time in a collar just was not happening. I did get out of baling hay though. That was a good thing. Finally July 7<sup>th</sup> rolled around and I was able to go get my x-ray. The techs showed me the metal in my neck. I had grown a little alien in there.</p><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI9K4DJv8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/6Ztahafkm6w/s1600-h/side+view+of+metal+in+my+neck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 377px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI9K4DJv8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/6Ztahafkm6w/s400/side+view+of+metal+in+my+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364417363205275586" border="0" /></a><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> <span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Side view of my little alien</span><br /></p><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8xItemOI/AAAAAAAAB_g/lGVtBE4-JzA/s1600-h/titanium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SnI8xItemOI/AAAAAAAAB_g/lGVtBE4-JzA/s400/titanium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364416921001171170" border="0" /></a><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >I have three of these now in my neck, mine are purple though. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">That Thursday, back into Dr. Conry’s office I went to review my x-ray and see if I could get out of my collar. Other than a slight chastising for sweeping my floors in the house, he was more than pleased with my recovery. My neck is still not curved the way it should be, but it is much straighter than what I had. He is concerned about C3 and C4, they are somewhat pressing into my spine and he warned me that in 5-10 years I might have to have those fused as well, but my prognosis was good and I have begun the slow transition back to normal life now pain free. He strength in my arm is slowly retuning which was a surprise to my therapist. Now to just work off those extra pounds I packed on for 6 weeks while doing nothing.</p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Stay tuned for my catch up posts.</p><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-36146850716189498472009-04-19T06:16:00.010-04:002009-04-19T07:53:34.693-04:00Fun at Lesson Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" >Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Hcenry L. Doherty</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Saturday was lesson day here at the farm. Janice Behrik</span> is a local Dressage instructor who I truly respect as an educator and mentor. My friend Karen introduced me to her a few years ago, and I am so thankful for that introduction.<br /><br />I have encouraged the girls on my collegiate team and my boarders to seek instruction with Janice when she is here. I am fairly certain they have enjoyed every moment of it. I know my daughter, Morgan relishes every moment with Janice.<br /><br />Below are pictures from the day. Jess brought a really cool camera out to use. Most all of the pictures were taken by her friend Jean. A few by Jess and a few by me. It was just a gorgeous day to be out riding.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9LWQR-zI/AAAAAAAABYU/luuwXa6o3Cc/s1600-h/janice+jess+and+jean.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9LWQR-zI/AAAAAAAABYU/luuwXa6o3Cc/s400/janice+jess+and+jean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326347880713288498" border="0" /></a><br />From left to right: Janice, Jess on Romey and Jean on Buck.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser_TWlY4oI/AAAAAAAABZk/32Ow5X7ZGUI/s1600-h/sky+and+Chris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser_TWlY4oI/AAAAAAAABZk/32Ow5X7ZGUI/s400/sky+and+Chris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326350217264030338" border="0" /></a><br />Chris on Sky. Is he not just the cutest thing?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-fcxILgI/AAAAAAAABZc/J5qJDkL7v8s/s1600-h/romey+eye.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-fcxILgI/AAAAAAAABZc/J5qJDkL7v8s/s400/romey+eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326349325570682370" border="0" /></a><br />Romey, my soon to be 6 yr. old mare.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlY8RMJVaNA_oR0P02oA6LiFqm7fLZmUaML9Cc_FemNB0rlxGQByuWl9FFyScucLGmbAgUVchBmnqDYPDwrrhZNUFwCPygCMf_v8DwMyqBzpN3-A0VqEyMxH31c2iZzqABL0r7K8hxUAk/s1600-h/romey+and+morgan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlY8RMJVaNA_oR0P02oA6LiFqm7fLZmUaML9Cc_FemNB0rlxGQByuWl9FFyScucLGmbAgUVchBmnqDYPDwrrhZNUFwCPygCMf_v8DwMyqBzpN3-A0VqEyMxH31c2iZzqABL0r7K8hxUAk/s400/romey+and+morgan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326349317094150914" border="0" /></a><br />Morgan and Romey. A new team this year.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEffi2AkcMHRCQzjnT_ezHVGIGiiW-Ty0afAPp3R7g7m4eNLiqvAlch2PnQJTI3p2YDq0JqbwkeZhtefB4n2vFrxFTXLocs6jdQpcuTbxS7NfeXyXCbtuFzEBLvfOJOJZKnj5sJ4NIUMb_/s1600-h/quest+eye+bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEffi2AkcMHRCQzjnT_ezHVGIGiiW-Ty0afAPp3R7g7m4eNLiqvAlch2PnQJTI3p2YDq0JqbwkeZhtefB4n2vFrxFTXLocs6jdQpcuTbxS7NfeXyXCbtuFzEBLvfOJOJZKnj5sJ4NIUMb_/s400/quest+eye+bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326349313388264290" border="0" /></a><br />Quest, an OTTB and Nicole<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-eXAIIaI/AAAAAAAABZE/RwTVtuz-rog/s1600-h/nicole+and+quest+sky+focal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-eXAIIaI/AAAAAAAABZE/RwTVtuz-rog/s400/nicole+and+quest+sky+focal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326349306843111842" border="0" /></a><br />Jean took this picture of Quest and Nicole. There is such a story here with this pair. One day I will tell it.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-efYAFhI/AAAAAAAABY8/_ohnbVwbqI0/s1600-h/quest+and+nicole.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser-efYAFhI/AAAAAAAABY8/_ohnbVwbqI0/s400/quest+and+nicole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326349309090731538" border="0" /></a><br />Quest and Nicole<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9MTwIlFI/AAAAAAAABY0/GrR0jYEk4Lg/s1600-h/Kammie+focal+bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9MTwIlFI/AAAAAAAABY0/GrR0jYEk4Lg/s400/Kammie+focal+bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326347897221452882" border="0" /></a><br />Elizabeth and Kammie<br />Elizabeth is my rider who is heading to Nationals this week. Kammie is owned by another rider on the team, Becky, who was kind enough to offer up her mare for Liz to practice on.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9L8Rr0LI/AAAAAAAABYs/ViwD0h5Eh0Y/s1600-h/jess+and+romey+canter+sepia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9L8Rr0LI/AAAAAAAABYs/ViwD0h5Eh0Y/s400/jess+and+romey+canter+sepia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326347890919723186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jess and Romey. I met Jess about 3 years ago. She rode on the IUP english team. She started coming down to ride in her off time after classes, and has been such a huge help to me in getting horses ridden. She is such a lovely rider, with quiet hands, confidence and dedication. She graduates this year and then will soon be married to a wonderful man who complements her well. I will miss her not being here throughout the week, but she promises to come and visit.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9Ls7HngI/AAAAAAAABYk/7Odd9WKje9U/s1600-h/Jess+and+romey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9Ls7HngI/AAAAAAAABYk/7Odd9WKje9U/s400/Jess+and+romey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326347886798544386" border="0" /></a><br />Jess and Romey<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9Lk6Y0UI/AAAAAAAABYc/pVEyBIi_WuE/s1600-h/jean+and+buck+canter+bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser9Lk6Y0UI/AAAAAAAABYc/pVEyBIi_WuE/s400/jean+and+buck+canter+bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326347884647993666" border="0" /></a><br />Jean and Buck<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser703t2UDI/AAAAAAAABYM/7s226YDERP4/s1600-h/morgan+and+romey+turn+focal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser703t2UDI/AAAAAAAABYM/7s226YDERP4/s400/morgan+and+romey+turn+focal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326346395047055410" border="0" /></a><br />Romey and Morgan<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70sLXZkI/AAAAAAAABYE/9vel-ymkq6I/s1600-h/morgan+and+Romey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70sLXZkI/AAAAAAAABYE/9vel-ymkq6I/s400/morgan+and+Romey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326346391949633090" border="0" /></a><br />Romey and Morgan. She is blossoming into such a nice rider. Lesson day was her 4th time on Romey. Romey is so different then the other horses Morgan has ridden. Romey is much softer and more willing to come to the bit. Morgan is still in her mind riding her other horse, Ripley, who is so vastly different than Romey. It will take time, but this pair I think will be riding and showing for years to come.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70W6fXTI/AAAAAAAABX8/KQcBTRcITlg/s1600-h/buck+and+jean+sepia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70W6fXTI/AAAAAAAABX8/KQcBTRcITlg/s400/buck+and+jean+sepia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326346386241707314" border="0" /></a><br />Jean and Buck<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70Nxh4jI/AAAAAAAABX0/SMBEQ7qZcXY/s1600-h/buck+eye.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser70Nxh4jI/AAAAAAAABX0/SMBEQ7qZcXY/s400/buck+eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326346383788204594" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Buck<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser7zw1ZlpI/AAAAAAAABXs/7XT05aHflwg/s1600-h/Kelly+and+buck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser7zw1ZlpI/AAAAAAAABXs/7XT05aHflwg/s400/Kelly+and+buck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326346376019809938" border="0" /></a><br />Kelly and Buck. Kelly is a rider on my collegiate team. She has really improved her skills. I also am thankful she has taken lessons with Janice, because it gives me an oppourtunity to just sit back and watch just her and see things I might not necessarily see during team lessons when she rides with three other riders.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGFxSLSAI/AAAAAAAABag/08r6_BaAXkE/s1600-h/Liz+and+Kammie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGFxSLSAI/AAAAAAAABag/08r6_BaAXkE/s400/Liz+and+Kammie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326357680494430210" border="0" /></a>Elizabeth and Kammie. Wish her luck for Nationals!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGFiCepZI/AAAAAAAABaY/yoEnIOOMwgc/s1600-h/Liz+and+Kammie+Legs+BW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGFiCepZI/AAAAAAAABaY/yoEnIOOMwgc/s400/Liz+and+Kammie+Legs+BW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326357676402058642" border="0" /></a>Elizabeth and Kammie<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGl6JyInI/AAAAAAAABao/82ehZD45wcU/s1600-h/chris+and+sky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesGl6JyInI/AAAAAAAABao/82ehZD45wcU/s400/chris+and+sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326358232630960754" border="0" /></a><br />Chris and Sky. Chris is fairly new to horse ownership. It was a bumpy road at first for her and her husband, Ron on horses. A couple bad deals, and then with help, they found the perfect horses for them. Sky is a 6 year old Tennessee Walker, who has a been there, done that attitude. Chris and Sky enjoy trail riding, but even though she has no plans to get in a show ring, the benefit of lessons has been fantastic in helping Chris to have a secure seat and softer hands.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesPTyOLoXI/AAAAAAAABaw/_GmlBUCqQ7A/s1600-h/Kelly+and+Buck+focal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SesPTyOLoXI/AAAAAAAABaw/_GmlBUCqQ7A/s400/Kelly+and+Buck+focal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326367816868929906" border="0" /></a><br />Kelly and Buck<br /></div></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser_T0CEn5I/AAAAAAAABZ0/glsU7_0QY28/s1600-h/Tracker+Snooze.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/Ser_T0CEn5I/AAAAAAAABZ0/glsU7_0QY28/s400/Tracker+Snooze.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326350225168965522" border="0" /></a><br />Tracker taking a nap. I'm sure at the end of the day everybody felt like this.<br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-69782975860142600132009-04-09T12:12:00.006-04:002009-04-09T12:29:23.088-04:00So What’s Your Story<span xmlns=""><p><strong>This fun little quiz was on <a target="_blank" href="http://browneyedcowgirls.blogspot.com/">Brown Eyed Cowgirl's</a> blog a couple of days ago...Feel free to play along!<br /><br />1. How old were you when you first started riding?</strong><span xmlns=""><strong> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">My</span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> first time on a horse, I was three. Consistent riding did not happen until I was eight when Borr came into my life.</span><br /><br />2. First horse ridden? <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A friend of my mother owned a gorgeous Clydesdale cross. She would put me in front of her to ride him. </span><br /><br />3. First horse trotted on? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">The same horse as above.</span><br /><br />4. First horse cantered on? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">My first horse, a Polish Arabian, named Sky High Mr. Borr.</span><br /><br />5. First Horse fallen off of?<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">That would be Borr as well. It happened quite often the first year I had him.</span></span><br /><br />6. Most recent horse fallen off? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">IRS, two summers ago. She picked up the wrong lead, so I put her on a small circle to encourage her to switch, which she didn't and I realized she was going to lose it and I was adamant she was going to switch, so I got my feet out of the stirrups and tried to help her, and instead she fell on me. Then she just laid on my leg, like she knew once I got up we were going to do it again. It took a few minutes to get her off my leg. She finally did get the lead. We were both fine.</span><br /><br />7. Most terrifying fall? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Nine years ago when I blew my knee out. Not really terrifying, more like an "oh shit" moment.</span><br /><br />8. First horse jumped with? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Borr</span><br /><br />9. First horse that ran away with you?<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Borr</span><br /><br />10. First horse that scared the crap out of you? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Borr. Are you beginning to see a pattern here? We had a whole lot of scare the crap out me moments, but I would not have traded that horse for the world.</span><br /><br />11. First horse shown? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">BarBNite Trouble (Glory). She was a beautiful bay Quarter horse mare who my Dad bought for me when I was 11. We found out soon after that she had done lower level eventing. So of course I had to try that out.</span><br /><br />12. First horse to win a class with? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Glory. It was a Hunter Hack class.</span><br /><br />13. Do you/have you taken lessons? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. I never had taken a formal lesson though until I was in my twenties. Prior to that, my thoughts were, as long as the horse stayed between me and the ground, all was good.</span><br /><br />14. First horse you ever rode bareback? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Borr</span><br /><br />15. First horse trail ridden with? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Borr</span><br /><br />16. Current Barn name? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">SkyBar Farm. I came up with that when I was twelve. It uses the first three letters of my first two horses' names. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Sky</span> High Mr. Borr and <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Bar</span>BNite Trouble. It has been my farm name ever since.</span><br /><br />17. Do you ride English or western? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I only rode English for years and then began riding Western later. Now I rode both.</span><br /><br />18. First Horse to place at a show with? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Glory</span><br /><br />19. Ever been to horse camp? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">No</span><br /><br />20. Ever been to a riding clinic? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Several.</span><br /><br />21. Ridden sidesaddle? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">No, but I give anyone who has a lot of credit.</span><br /></span><br />22. First horse leased? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Never leased one for myself. I have leased a few of my horses to people. I leased Avalon to a fellow boarder when I was pregnant with Zared.</span><br /><br />23. Last Horse Leased?<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Same as above.</span><br /></span><br />24. Highest ribbon in a show? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Champion. Glory, then Avalon and several since.</span><br /><br />25. Ever been to an 'A' rated show? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. Some Arabian shows and Hunter/Jumper shows, years ago. Looking to go to a few this year.</span><br /><br />26. Ever competed in pony games/relay races? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">No, but they always sounded fun.</span><br /><br />27. Ever fallen off at a show? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Not technically. It was in a warm-up ring the night before the show and a friend asked me to jump her horse. She neglected to tell me the mare had never jumped before. She tried to duck the jump and I pushed her straight, she got over the jump (not pretty) and promptly began bucking. I bailed.</span><br /><br />28. Do you ride Hunter/Jumpers? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes</span><br /><br />29. Have you ever barrel raced? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes</span><br /><br />30. Ever done pole bending? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes</span><br /><br />31. Favorite gait? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Depends on the horse. I loved to canter Borr and Avalon. They were just so smooth. Malarky has a fantastic jog, but an equally nice canter. Same with IRS. Romey has a nice jog, but the canter is finally getting better. (Only took four years) So I guess it just depends on the horse I'm riding.</span><br /><br />32. Ever cantered bareback? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. Used to a lot as a kid.</span><br /><br />33. Have you ever done dressage? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes.</span><br /><br />34. Have you ever evented? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. I used to love it. Had my kids though and lost my guts so to speak.</span><br /><br />35. Have you ever mucked a stall? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">I am a stall technician professional!</span><br /><br />36. Ever been bucked off? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes, a few times.</span><br /><br />37. Ever been on a horse that reared? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. Dummy me trained Borr to do it on command. He learned to do it fairly easily, and then would do it to get out of stuff.</span><br /><br />38. Horses or ponies? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Horses. My daughter has had a few ponies that have been invaluable to her learning, but I will always prefer horses.</span><br /><br />39. Do you wear a helmet? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Not regularly, but I do when I show, or when I'm on a horse I think might give me trouble. </span><br /><br />40. What's the highest you've jumped?<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">4+ feet.</span><br /><br />41. Have you ever ridden at night? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. We have done some moonlight trail rides.</span><br /><br />42. Do you watch horsey television shows? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Not really. Movies though, like Seabiscut, Hidalgo, The Black Stallion, Phar Lap etc…</span><br /><br />43. Have you ever been seriously hurt/injured from a fall? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes, when I blew my knee out nine years ago. Ten months of living on the couch.</span><br /><br />44. Most falls in one lesson? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Never had a fall in a lesson. Came close a time or two. </span><br /><br />45. Do you ride in an arena/ring? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes. I have an indoor and an outdoor. I used to only ride on trail, but as I get older I do a lot more in the arena.</span><br /><br />46. Have you ever been trampled by a horse? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">A few times.</span><br /><br />47. Have you ever been bitten? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Yes</span><br /><br />48. Ever had your foot stepped on by a horse? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">A few times, with the mashed toes to prove it.</span><br /><br />49: Favorite riding moment? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Oh this is tough. I have had a lot. With Borr, it would have been trying to reenact the scene from the movie, The Man from Snowy River, where the horse and rider leap off the side of a mountain and go running down. With Glory, it would have been our second Cross country course. She sailed through it and was just a dream. Avalon, it would have been on a ride in Missouri and we were doing tempe changes through a field of flowers. Malarky, the first time we went into a pleasure class and for the backup he stretched hi whole body back, but never picked up a foot. The judge came up to me and was laughing, and said that was the nicest back he had ever seen without it ever being a back. So many more I could go on about.</span><br /><br />50. Most fun horse you've ridden? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">Hands down, Avalon. I had him for almost twenty years. He was just enough of a challenge to keep life interesting. He could do things that some people only dream about doing. He always was ready to go for a ride. He could go from babysitting my kids to turning a barrel. He was probably the best trained horse I ever had.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Okay, so not the most interesting life, but it's been fun thus far. I think this was more an ode to my shortcomings and accidents. LOL I continue to strive to improve though</span></p></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-86749691316006211222009-04-02T06:11:00.006-04:002009-04-02T06:25:52.057-04:00Now for Something on the Funny Side<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" >Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place. ~Mark Twain<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" >I felt things needed to lighten up for a bit, since the loss of Kody. There is still a hole there, but each day gets a bit easier. I also felt I better get some humor on here before my next post that is in the works, which gets a bit serious and political.<br /><br />So without further ado...</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;" ><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SdSQy8yFr7I/AAAAAAAABWs/jzqVuIgbSgA/s1600-h/Seahorse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SdSQy8yFr7I/AAAAAAAABWs/jzqVuIgbSgA/s400/Seahorse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320036264815472562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now is that not just fun? I could definitely picture doing this to Malarky or IRS. Flash would be appalled. Dell would be saying "Aww Mom! Why me?" The others probably would not let me get near them with the flippers.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-50900674280330691412009-03-23T21:00:00.008-04:002009-04-02T06:43:59.780-04:00Farewell Good Friend<div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:420px;"> <object width="415" height="270" data="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_site_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D61088907%26t%3D1238668187&wid=os"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#e8e8e8"/> <param name="movie" value="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_site_noautostart.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Floadplaylist.php%3Fplaylist%3D61088907%26t%3D1238668187&wid=os"/> </object> <br/> <a href="http://www.profileplaylist.net"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/create_site.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/standalone/61088907" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/launch_site.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player"/></a> <a href="http://www.mysocialgroup.com/download/61088907"><img src="http://www.profileplaylist.net/mc/images/get_site.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones!"/></a> </div><br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A goodbye isn't painful unless you're never going to say hello again. ~Author Unknown</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Farewell Good Friend</span><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjGhwVxlyI/AAAAAAAABUs/mKqALkbKM-Q/s1600-h/Kody.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 158px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjGhwVxlyI/AAAAAAAABUs/mKqALkbKM-Q/s400/Kody.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316717643325085474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Your road has been long,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For me, the journey to brief.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From the moment of your first breath,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You belonged with me.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You've guided me and protected me,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Always, have you been loyal to me.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Your heart always pure,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Your soul endlessly deep.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Know you were so loved,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">and forever, your memory I keep.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You were and always will be,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">such a huge part of me.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Go now and sleep,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">and feel no more pain.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Find beloved Kish, and both of you,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">wait there for me.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Godspeed and find your well deserved peace,</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My dear loyal friend, a part of my heart, you will forever keep.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">SkyBar's Kodiak Bear</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">December 28, 1997 ~ March 23, 2009</span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfMzMKfhJMhmNJyqipNimkYYD0Z-BbEgPDbyU42KGlplVvU-Kh4uLXqqc0TMdB6oD2gk0K02umhDSUMHFBOUftKQBRJWWeCuWgKsUre5vYm2RC1d_uehmOjoGLyHyxRULXI9MdGeDWXQI/s1600-h/Image3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfMzMKfhJMhmNJyqipNimkYYD0Z-BbEgPDbyU42KGlplVvU-Kh4uLXqqc0TMdB6oD2gk0K02umhDSUMHFBOUftKQBRJWWeCuWgKsUre5vYm2RC1d_uehmOjoGLyHyxRULXI9MdGeDWXQI/s400/Image3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714829862917042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Kody and Kish playing Tug-O-War, 1999</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4oVsQPI/AAAAAAAABUU/bYli2NdAkko/s1600-h/iadogtraina.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4oVsQPI/AAAAAAAABUU/bYli2NdAkko/s400/iadogtraina.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714737779359986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kody 2nd from the right, 1999<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4ln248I/AAAAAAAABUM/a4jSYEtONPw/s1600-h/Image5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 378px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4ln248I/AAAAAAAABUM/a4jSYEtONPw/s400/Image5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714737050248130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kody (in back) with his half sister, Akira in 2000, at a GSD Specialty Show, 2000<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4inzXfI/AAAAAAAABUE/--OxsPFBggI/s1600-h/Image6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4inzXfI/AAAAAAAABUE/--OxsPFBggI/s400/Image6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714736244710898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Kody during the summer of 2005</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4LMsAdI/AAAAAAAABT8/pHG4c8lcdOI/s1600-h/Image7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScjD4LMsAdI/AAAAAAAABT8/pHG4c8lcdOI/s400/Image7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714729956966866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kody, January 2009<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T9oi0kl4_lm80ACmF_6sN6jmMfblbZTW2PBJda0bk0OqU1k6T_6AhWWGhB-J9Wq5PH5SjxoYjToqVykbJd8Nj_h22dPaBDv2eD0fLj3CSrvdsxm91nAO6gACjKOq1hxvBWdpZ9G7F_Wc/s1600-h/Image8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T9oi0kl4_lm80ACmF_6sN6jmMfblbZTW2PBJda0bk0OqU1k6T_6AhWWGhB-J9Wq5PH5SjxoYjToqVykbJd8Nj_h22dPaBDv2eD0fLj3CSrvdsxm91nAO6gACjKOq1hxvBWdpZ9G7F_Wc/s400/Image8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316714727338888786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kish ~ Kody's ever loyal Dam 1994-2000<br /><br />Dearest Kish, protect him and love him, till I'm there with you both.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~ From the television show The Wonder Years</span></span><br /><br /></span></div>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-76980510659143409262009-03-18T06:58:00.028-04:002009-03-18T13:34:45.072-04:00IUP Western Team Spring Show and Regionals Update<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. ~Clay P. Bedford</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last weekend was our IHSA Spring show, hosted by West Virginia University. I know I have said it before, but I want to say it again. The WVU team did a great job of hosting. I always enjoy their shows.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqTUqjwn4M57kYg_qrP7zzvbmcQg46S_bMTmyMU37eu535as84RGHpVU-cv86X0snv4DNUMCedD_hAmMt3qHGlebLOoVCk_Pdt56pnbc39FfUg3PXei8abA4O-zOaEe77NC9wkoAPz8yo/s1600-h/pattern+Talk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqTUqjwn4M57kYg_qrP7zzvbmcQg46S_bMTmyMU37eu535as84RGHpVU-cv86X0snv4DNUMCedD_hAmMt3qHGlebLOoVCk_Pdt56pnbc39FfUg3PXei8abA4O-zOaEe77NC9wkoAPz8yo/s320/pattern+Talk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314576959859198658" border="0" /></a><br />Liz, Becky, Me and Becky's Mom, making a game plan as to how to ride the square in their pattern.<br /><br /></div>My girls made me proud as always.<br /><br />Results are below.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beginner Western Horsemanship</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Courtney placed 4th in both shows. I really liked this outfit on her. Courtney is the rider that just makes everything fun. She graduates this year, and I will miss her. I will miss her whining, her laughter and her twist on life. I know my daughter, Morgan, will feel like she has lost her soul mate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDcqnMuCdI/AAAAAAAABKM/B2Eu4OeuRhE/s1600-h/Courtney+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDcqnMuCdI/AAAAAAAABKM/B2Eu4OeuRhE/s320/Courtney+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314490184932133330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDgkUVucCI/AAAAAAAABKs/UqVmk6mw5Zw/s1600-h/Courtney+WVU+09+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDgkUVucCI/AAAAAAAABKs/UqVmk6mw5Zw/s320/Courtney+WVU+09+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314494474836930594" border="0" /></a></div>Danielle placed 3rd in the morning show and second in the afternoon show. She should have been first in the afternoon. I and the two other stewards were blown away at the first place pick. I won't say anything more about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDcO-61OII/AAAAAAAABKE/TI4o9xjcQkM/s1600-h/Danielle+WVU+1+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDcO-61OII/AAAAAAAABKE/TI4o9xjcQkM/s320/Danielle+WVU+1+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314489710263220354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDgjtyE_WI/AAAAAAAABKU/MZOBXZCC_X4/s1600-h/Danielle+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDgjtyE_WI/AAAAAAAABKU/MZOBXZCC_X4/s320/Danielle+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314494464486866274" border="0" /></a><br />Kelly is brand new to showing IHSA and she did fantastic at her first show. She dealt with crowding and with a young man riding his horse right in to her. She made me proud with how she just took it all in stride. Kelly placed 5th in the morning show and 6th in the afternoon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDKE8UGfGnG2e6efrmbmpWq8YzUTu7A6XVb5OCc0QVEx_O8DNtC8RTkJ29Y_SodHtEliyVskpVJ6469eC0llo9BJAp1C2b2SnJ5sWYA1nZkaBgVFoDk-OsGQdnBFwc86nHz2dLckaR2sw/s1600-h/Kelly+WVU+09+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDKE8UGfGnG2e6efrmbmpWq8YzUTu7A6XVb5OCc0QVEx_O8DNtC8RTkJ29Y_SodHtEliyVskpVJ6469eC0llo9BJAp1C2b2SnJ5sWYA1nZkaBgVFoDk-OsGQdnBFwc86nHz2dLckaR2sw/s320/Kelly+WVU+09+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314495397162629794" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g2BkEFliG1fSsZyuPJL1zhlSvrPzMPP_pGByAn3-LeHIAmrbeSrn0lLVodZy8S66DcBIh8JreCiFvMYGKMEggxS1lx0ZkM3Of_4wPvOWCTqr6wShhYJ70jftfel0O1tCJG-X5nTH-aYN/s1600-h/Kelly+Wvu+2+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g2BkEFliG1fSsZyuPJL1zhlSvrPzMPP_pGByAn3-LeHIAmrbeSrn0lLVodZy8S66DcBIh8JreCiFvMYGKMEggxS1lx0ZkM3Of_4wPvOWCTqr6wShhYJ70jftfel0O1tCJG-X5nTH-aYN/s320/Kelly+Wvu+2+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498728773674098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intermediate Horsemanship II</span><br /><br />Carrie showed as well this past weekend. She was in a tough class. Carrie and I have some work to do on body position. She performed her pattern well under pressure. She placed 6th in the afternoon class.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliGDvcpi4vjtT4TwpGQsnwomIBnR9r5xPJsQXpfMGfxUa9ykoFPDZ2J-pwEIi5RpGpQgR1-z6IDBLpmN6qts8F1Y1GJyB1dFbIDmHi5vnqeknCaL624AAXX_9hZGRIzIbfxxRlsHnIRrb/s1600-h/Carrie+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliGDvcpi4vjtT4TwpGQsnwomIBnR9r5xPJsQXpfMGfxUa9ykoFPDZ2J-pwEIi5RpGpQgR1-z6IDBLpmN6qts8F1Y1GJyB1dFbIDmHi5vnqeknCaL624AAXX_9hZGRIzIbfxxRlsHnIRrb/s320/Carrie+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498363816789730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDkGMI_kcI/AAAAAAAABK8/keUy_-fncJM/s1600-h/Carrie+WVU+09+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDkGMI_kcI/AAAAAAAABK8/keUy_-fncJM/s320/Carrie+WVU+09+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498355286479298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Novice Western Horsemanship</span><br /><br />Amy is one of those riders who makes a coach think hummmm..... I have watched her riding improve steadily over the last few years. She has all the tools she needs to be a great rider. Occasionally, though she does not believe in herself even when others do. Her morning ride was tough. It was a testament as to how important it is to go into the ring with the thought in your head that you are the best in there. Amy unfortunately had other thoughts I believe. Her afternoon class was better, but she still had doubts about her abilities. I was proud though, she improved from her morning ride and as a Coach that is all I ask of My Girls, to continue to improve and achieve their own personal best.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDozVFqWwI/AAAAAAAABLU/TzjQ9StbaQQ/s1600-h/Amy+WVU+09+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDozVFqWwI/AAAAAAAABLU/TzjQ9StbaQQ/s320/Amy+WVU+09+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314503528829049602" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CrqPKts44L211fv5_98kV05-Re8C2Avz2P-VMjsbWLYNID0rXZs0X0O7wHPb8lTzTLaPhAlji-Ceqlyvd5Y1Rd1peIMDg8iCrH33LCnjQDWKjDpePYEsh9wwWymglGcIwNQAOY9VwLgi/s1600-h/Amy+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CrqPKts44L211fv5_98kV05-Re8C2Avz2P-VMjsbWLYNID0rXZs0X0O7wHPb8lTzTLaPhAlji-Ceqlyvd5Y1Rd1peIMDg8iCrH33LCnjQDWKjDpePYEsh9wwWymglGcIwNQAOY9VwLgi/s320/Amy+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314503529760201730" border="0" /></a>Lark also is new to IHSA, but not to showing. I watched her this past summer show her Appy at some local shows and do a great job with her. When I found out she would be attending IUP, I asked her to consider joining the team. She surprised me in her abilities this weekend. I was not sure how she would take to riding a horse she knew nothing about, nor have the chance to really see what she had in a horse before going into the ring. Imagine my surprise when she took to it like a duck to water. She looked confident and comfortable. She placed 3rd in the morning show. She did not place in the afternoon. I'm still scratching my head on that, but I felt she had a great ride.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEC3QKcRCywxd8VrPlJ-U0iyZpNIU6YkIJE5ZBdhkFLgbRuwPLP5S3I-JkYgzZIIdh_QTv7quts5tl5oCjaNfPbie2SvzbUgwEFDxtnkHlART8EPa4kSLf48X5i_TOADLTW3qVh-3jVN9/s1600-h/Lark+WVU+09+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEC3QKcRCywxd8VrPlJ-U0iyZpNIU6YkIJE5ZBdhkFLgbRuwPLP5S3I-JkYgzZIIdh_QTv7quts5tl5oCjaNfPbie2SvzbUgwEFDxtnkHlART8EPa4kSLf48X5i_TOADLTW3qVh-3jVN9/s320/Lark+WVU+09+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314514306849908850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDyl8lmtfI/AAAAAAAABLk/Y6k6RtLiMlY/s1600-h/Lark+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScDyl8lmtfI/AAAAAAAABLk/Y6k6RtLiMlY/s320/Lark+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314514294030120434" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Western Horsemanship</span><br /><br />Becky is one of those riders that you just know is going to make it to the top. When she classed up from Novice, I bumped her up to the Open Horsemanship Class, skipping Advanced Western Horsemanship. I have done this once before with great results. Becky is in a class where the competition is fierce, riding against some of the best riders in the country. This was only her 2nd and 3rd time in the Open Class. I could not have been more proud. Watching the confidence in her as she learned to maneuver a horse she had never ridden was awe inspiring. I know she will become a rider others will envy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEAiaeSjCI/AAAAAAAABL0/u2r5626BoCY/s1600-h/Becky+Rail+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEAiaeSjCI/AAAAAAAABL0/u2r5626BoCY/s320/Becky+Rail+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314529626495814690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEAjGO82xI/AAAAAAAABL8/-VmKqEZT9Hc/s1600-h/Becky+Rail+WVU++1+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEAjGO82xI/AAAAAAAABL8/-VmKqEZT9Hc/s320/Becky+Rail+WVU++1+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314529638242638610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Reining</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />This was Becky's first time competing in <span>IHSA</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>Open Reining</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><span>I was extremely happy with both her rides.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>She placed 5th and 6th against those same riders in her Open Horsemanship class. Very respectable places when your in that type of company. We have a few things we need to work on to improve her, but she is a stellar student and I know she will shine next season.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Class 13 Regional Class<br /><br /></span><span>This was a heart breaker for me as well as Becky. She showed a tough horse who can be difficult at times. Becky executed not only her rail work, but her pattern flawlessly and she knew it. Unfortunately, the judge felt differently and placed her 4th which kept her from moving on to semi-finals.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>The video below shows her rides.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KYTkw8ncQcI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KYTkw8ncQcI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Alumni Horsemanship</span><br /><br />Before I go much further, I have to give a big <span style="font-weight: bold;">thank you</span> to Anna and Sara. Without them, Elizabeth would not have been able to ride this weekend. They had already qualified for Regionals and didn't need to ride on Saturday. Ride, they did though and without them Liz would not have been able to accumulate enough points to compete at Regionals. Thank you girls.<br /><br />Liz bought a brand new outfit, something I had not so secretly been hopeful for. Her old outfit, although nice, hid her from the judges. She is a very accomplished rider and needed to show herself and her abilities. I was not disappointed. She recieved two second place ribbons this past weekend and earned enough points to ride in the Regional show Sunday morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElsozVXXBlWH47Bf-TCC7733PI0gmhWcx6ZC8NENzbobsAWUskWhFqDHcgRs8nIerY4ZdVoBg_Ym7SRjLsw3FIzfthJVhoBZKe8k6d7ECWJl0dEXzWqs0taaCBGPV27yzfZAfqiOjMBy3/s1600-h/Liz+WVU+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElsozVXXBlWH47Bf-TCC7733PI0gmhWcx6ZC8NENzbobsAWUskWhFqDHcgRs8nIerY4ZdVoBg_Ym7SRjLsw3FIzfthJVhoBZKe8k6d7ECWJl0dEXzWqs0taaCBGPV27yzfZAfqiOjMBy3/s320/Liz+WVU+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314560474111938818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Regionals Alumni Horsemanship</span><br /><br />Sunday was our Regional show and the air was thick with excitement. Liz entered the arena poised and confident. She rode extremely well and performed her very difficult pattern with ease. I knew she had it just based on her rail work. I was so nervous for her I couldn't watch her pattern. I had the girls tell me how she was doing because I just couldn't look. A coach from another team told me she had a perfect pattern. Only when they called her the Reserve Champion did I finally take a breath. She was moving on to Semi-Finals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_ppsrjkcNPQvx57AkyF7CJEpcYVGiIfiCZN-W7m-7FrajezNP1UFyOJ4GV-Y02b8m98P-lAHQmUBxZDpCo0wrrQSjRZJ7xDqoq01siCSp7jJ_1LyBox3mHqGKThlQ6_sTX1YNRUcN2Bv/s1600-h/Liz+WVU+1+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_ppsrjkcNPQvx57AkyF7CJEpcYVGiIfiCZN-W7m-7FrajezNP1UFyOJ4GV-Y02b8m98P-lAHQmUBxZDpCo0wrrQSjRZJ7xDqoq01siCSp7jJ_1LyBox3mHqGKThlQ6_sTX1YNRUcN2Bv/s320/Liz+WVU+1+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314561270362616594" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The video below shows her Regional Ride.<br /><br /></div><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/23WrGtwPBAo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/23WrGtwPBAo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />We just found out yesterday that there will only be 4 riders at Semi-Finals in Alumni Horsemanship, so Liz is automatically qualified for the 2009 National Championship Show, which will be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the Miller Colliseium, April 23-26. Looks like we're heading to Nationals! Wish her Luck!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEtSbVd3jI/AAAAAAAABMc/eJ9w5Skw67o/s1600-h/IHSA+Regional+show+team+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/ScEtSbVd3jI/AAAAAAAABMc/eJ9w5Skw67o/s320/IHSA+Regional+show+team+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314578829872586290" border="0" /></a>Part of my IUP Western Team<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-70375015492369678762009-03-16T15:28:00.005-04:002009-03-16T16:33:35.663-04:00My Girls<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;">We do not remember days; we remember moments. ~Cesare Pavese, <i>The Burning Brand</i></span><br /></div><br />I just wanted everyone to know how proud I am of my collegiate team. We had our spring show this past weekend. It was probably the happiest as well as saddest show with my team over the years.<br /><br />Elizabeth qualified for semi-finals in Findlay, Ohio. We will be heading there this Friday. Wish her Luck!<br /><br />I will have a more detailed report from the weekend soon.<br /><br />In the meantime enjoy the video below.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Kyva44--wU8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Kyva44--wU8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-24992416035803317562009-02-25T09:38:00.004-05:002009-02-25T09:43:49.712-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUARm7cHRqoRvvACIzm4Cuj9g9fW6mq_37zO2kf9kQtlhYj3DtKXacDbTmvAncDNYitklor5AmkLilPTaowZgXwFE9Xwo2fZl2K8tMV_YWKyDvw7Tk5cOqAbw-RwQPynw0m8QYwyQ9KLFf/s1600-h/DonkeyBball2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUARm7cHRqoRvvACIzm4Cuj9g9fW6mq_37zO2kf9kQtlhYj3DtKXacDbTmvAncDNYitklor5AmkLilPTaowZgXwFE9Xwo2fZl2K8tMV_YWKyDvw7Tk5cOqAbw-RwQPynw0m8QYwyQ9KLFf/s400/DonkeyBball2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306744537374657970" border="0" /></a>I will offer an explanation to this tomorrow.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-79289643252783099112009-02-22T08:09:00.002-05:002009-02-22T08:13:11.574-05:00Silent Sunday<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SaFPQMRXitI/AAAAAAAABGI/RIxSW_yuSJU/s1600-h/Cancun+October+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305608975609727698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SaFPQMRXitI/AAAAAAAABGI/RIxSW_yuSJU/s400/Cancun+October+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-73413724187351141122009-02-20T05:54:00.001-05:002009-02-20T06:00:12.620-05:00Friday Fill-Ins #6<img height="50" alt="ffi" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3200015130_1ceb740230_t.jpg" width="100" /><br /><br />1. Give me <strong>a good book</strong> and I'll be <strong>happy for days</strong>.<br /><br />2. Whenever<strong> I hear a politician tell me what he is going to do for me, I cringe.</strong><br /><br />3. I wish <strong>people were not sheep</strong>.<br /><br />4. <strong>Pork Loin</strong> was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.<br /><br />5. To live in this world <strong>one must learn that they cannot allow their government to control them or be a teat for them.<br /></strong><br />6. Other than this one, <strong><a href="http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/">Wonderful World of Wieners</a></strong> is the last blog I commented on.<br /><br />7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to <strong>Jeff being home</strong>, tomorrow my plans include <strong>barn work and lessons</strong> and Sunday, I want to <strong>catch up on housework and reading</strong>!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-54920867295714583162009-02-09T08:00:00.004-05:002009-02-17T10:17:01.815-05:00Look What I Got....<strong>I can live for two months on a good compliment. ~Mark Twain</strong><br /><br /><div>Two Wonderful Blogs that I frequent, have thought enough of my quirky style of writing to bless me with the coveted Lemonade Award. </div><br /><div>A huge Thank You to <a href="http://abayhorse.blogspot.com/">A Bay Horse </a>where you can learn about Armani, a beautiful Trakehner cross and Huey a very cute Appendix QH who are working in Dressage. I always enjoy reading her posts. </div><br /><div>Another equally great blog who awarded me as well is <a href="http://easycooking.today.com/">Quick and Easy Cooking.</a></div><br /><div>Her blog is very simple in the recipes it offers, which is great for people like me, who have no time to cook. I always hate making the same drab thing. Her recipes offer a great variety. Check out her sister site as well about her two fabulous Grey Hounds at <a href="http://twogreyhoundtown.blogspot.com/">Two Greyhound Town</a>.</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300442513610245026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaD_iyLwjBmPLMRuRImWkhSv6d_3o3SmHQVxwSyYwcM2HaRY994YREe7Yfj00K-wdr67yO8dzbJiRMHbLEYrqlQoF_WPh8a4dJQ7eSBJljDddhEcjAXtfOFZIGXsgZZRD79ksc7huf31n/s320/lemonade.jpg" border="0" /><br />The Lemonade Award is for sites that show gratitute and a wonderful attitude. I am thrilled to be part of this group!<br /><br />Here are the rules for the award:<br /><br />1. Put the logo on your blog or post.<br />2. pass the award on to blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!<br />3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.<br />4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.<br />5. Nominate your favorites and link to this blog.<br /><br />My Choices for the Lemonade Award are: </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.cowboysandsunsets.com/">Cowboys, Kids & Sunsets</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://thehorseshoeinghousewife.blogspot.com/">The Horseshoeing Housewife</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://functionalshmunctional.blogspot.com/">Functional Shmunctional</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://behindthebit.blogspot.com/">Behind the Bit</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-68656906610678399392009-02-08T07:11:00.003-05:002009-02-08T07:14:15.708-05:00Silent Sunday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SY7MD8cIS1I/AAAAAAAABE4/XD2W77iDfbg/s1600-h/Babe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SY7MD8cIS1I/AAAAAAAABE4/XD2W77iDfbg/s400/Babe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300398179597437778" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-21883949867785484222009-02-05T08:43:00.010-05:002009-02-05T09:39:26.087-05:00My Next 30 Years<strong>A New Skill or Better yet, what has she Gotten Herself into Now?<br /></strong><br /><strong>You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. ~Clay P. Bedford</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>I have always appreciated a good all-around horse. Almost thirty years ago I started out with Arabians, Polish ones to be exact. They fit into my all –around usability. My first one was SkyHigh Mr. Borr an own son of Naborr. He was medium boned and 15.2+ and we did everything we could. There was nothing that I didn’t try with this horse. If my imagination came up with it, we did it. How he put up with me I will never know, but he did. Every little girl should have a Borr. One that gives her wings to fly with and dreams to pursue. My last Arabian was RR Sahara Sands (Avalon), a son of Desert Sands and grandson of Naborr. What I didn’t do with Borr, I did with Avalon. Every adult should have an Avalon, one that makes you comfortable and builds you up and lets you continue with your dreams. Avalon came to me as a 3rd level Dressage horse. He taught me the importance of learning the art of Dressage. I started my reining pursuits on him when he was in his late teens. I even worked a cow or two on him around that same age, and he didn’t let me look like a total idiot. He always showed well and was always in the ribbons and he always was ready for the ride. I lost a part of my heart the day he passed away five years ago.<br /><br />I have always had a Quarter horse or two while playing with my Arabians over the years, but I never really went fully fledged into them until Malarky came into my life over 10 years ago. Now I only have Quarter Horses and one Kiger Mustang.<br /><br />I have found over the years that the disciplines are becoming very specialized in the Quarter Horse world. People no longer prize the all-around horse in the show ring as they once had. This has always bothered me. You wouldn’t take a Shining Spark reining horse into a Hunter under Saddle Class, nor would you take a Kid Clu halter horse into a reining class. Most of the Quarter Horse Breeders have effectively bred the versatility straight out of what made this breed so popular.<br /><br />I have always walked to a different beat and when it has come to breeding, I have always said I would never breed more than I could afford to keep, which meant I had to like what I was breeding because there was always the possibility that it would live out its days with me. I have never bred for the fads going on in the show ring. My goal was always a good, solid using horse that was pretty to look at as well as nice to ride. Versatility has always been my goal. Malarky is a grandson of <a href="http://www.bobettfarm.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=31" target="_blank">Rugged Lark</a>. His pedigree is virtually a who’s who in the show world of not only reining, but Western Pleasure and several cow events. Rugged Lark was the epitome of Versatility. He started in Reining; he competed easily in Western and English events. He won the title of AQHA Super Horse not once, but twice and is still the only Super Horse who has managed to produce two more Super Horse’s. Rugged Lark was potent in how he passed his genes. He stamped every foal with his desired traits, and his sons have managed to do the same. I look at Malarky’s progeny and I still can see a huge resemblance to Rugged Lark, not only in looks, but in usability and demeanor.<br /><br />Just to brag a little more on Malarky, (this is heading somewhere I promise) Malarky came to me as a breeding stallion with virtually no riding skills. Oh he would pack a saddle, a bit and a rider, but he had no skill. I swear he couldn’t walk a straight line for 5 feet without me guiding him the whole time. In 3 months we entered our first show. Just to get him out and about. He treated it as old hat and did well in halter. That afternoon we entered our first Western Pleasure class. Other than wondering why all the horses were passing him on the rail and not stopping to chat with him, we did respectably well. We still had work to do, don’t get me wrong, but we had a great start. While I was learning and competing in reining on Avalon, I worked on Malarky learning more, so that he and I could compete in reining. We managed to get to a few shows and scored well for our skill level. I tried my hand at riding him English. I have always thought he was a cutie in an English saddle. He has even jumped a few cross rails and verticals. He has been hooked to cart and pulled my butt around the back roads. He has gone hunting with Jeff and packed out deer. Malarky even tried his best to turn a barrel and a pole here and there over the years. A few years ago I had the opportunity to try team penning. Malarky, now my “Steady Eddy” was my horse to take. We turned back a few cows, we sorted well and I had a blast. He has been an IHSA favorite to take to the shows. Girls from the other colleges always ask when they see me, “Did your bring Malarky?” He always has given each rider a consistent ride. He is Mr. Dependable. When I made the decision to retire him last year due to his arthritis, the IHSA teams were disappointed. They still all ask about him along with their coaches. He has left that much of an impression. His versatility and his personality has always been what I have wanted.<br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eaMRoTbpU7HzVS5ZPaYALw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/STrRLYZ958I/AAAAAAAAAjc/Q4U93V68tC4/s288/Malarky%20collage.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />With our upcoming move to Indiana, I of course, being the proper horse person I am, first looked to see what horse clubs and show grounds were in the area. I found <a href="http://www.crossroadsarena.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Crossroads USA</a>. A brand new show facility that is utterly immense. One of the organizations that hold shows there is <a href="http://www.americanranchhorse.net/index.htm" target="_blank">the American Ranch Horse Association</a>. This is what my horses are bred for, to showcase their versatility. They offer halter, pleasure, trail class, reining and you must do one roping event at a minimum if you want to be competitive. Well, I can handle the first four, but roping? Bwwaaaaaaaa!!!!! Let me tell you, I am the most discombobulated person ever. A farrier of mine years ago, who was a professional Roper, attempted to teach me to rope. Suffice to say, he gave up on me after the fifth lesson. So what’s a klutz of a girl like me to do? Convince a friend who ropes that he and his friends can practice in my arena during the winter months for free as long as they teach me to rope. Yes, I am evil, and nope he had no idea what he was getting himself into. I did give him a small warning. He is probably still shaking his head thinking what he got himself into. The video below is self explanatory. Mind you I have improved immensely since this first lesson almost a month ago.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUSkjEEPKSLks1j--TEv9GuPef1MyJwR6LPIMBQLAUj9xkBVnLC1k86HD2YIm02qrlVE9JtmXAJIQnvze84Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>So which horse will I use for this, which one will be the sacrificial lamb so to speak, to pack me around while I attempt to rope a plastic cow on wheels? Who will no doubt have their ear, head, tail, leg and Lord knows what else, roped before I ever get near to roping the plastic cow? Well of course Mr. Dependable, Steady Eddy, my Go to Guy, Malarky. Yep, I’m pulling him out of retirement to help me learn how to rope. So he is officially only semi retired. God Bless his poor soul.<br /><br />This past Sunday, Malarky and I managed to rope Sparky while my friend and his horse towed Sparky around. No pictures or video of that, but believe me we did amazing! Well amazing for me. Malarky tracked the plastic cow on wheels, dealt with my fumbling of the reins and rope, ducked his head as I threw my rope and WaLA we had one roped plastic cow. My only flub was my rope slipped down to his neck and didn’t stay right below the horns as it is supposed to. My next lesson is this Sunday, so I will try to get pictures and video for your amusement.<br /><br />My goal in all this is to get me good enough to transfer what Mr. Dependable and I learn to his daughters. They will be the ones who I hopefully will compete on once we live in Indiana.<br /><br />IRS, the 16.1 hunt seat horse, will now have to learn how to track a cow.<br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_gmrVEGKOldSHWZXhf22hw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTnmnExxolZhp-CSLRb3HUm2XmKmZ4GdEq7EHbA6pHSnaxJK7lvDT2bzgXj5DcZ_82uKJkhz4Z3OKjedgyu0LHtLNCOguFsISX5spZyylW0dniu-LUqChq-uAZaV7kbe_UNAFRyHvpE5K/s144/DSCN0136.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Romey as well will have to tolerate the occasional ear roping from me.<br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6DqCiS3eHkj3j8FAFYzWZw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0lzXLIKU4hXsaAt3LYLo2q8QiIll5gJZYUweWhoRecvdqZFnldrd8AtmTYltkXTWzCSVNS6RPgyEbxEPqf7kRgrcWQ_bxcgB_IWEOQCn-1_BuLSJNQi6l03QjZ_6h8Le3HMWtPrUj1Pz/s144/Romey%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Flash will have to learn not to eat the cow. He has cow blood coursing through his veins. I look forward to finally finding a job well suited to his abilities.<br /><br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Cfo29K5yyG_G16T0WAftCQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYrz3F58BnI/AAAAAAAABD8/66cL-49Qf5o/s144/Flash%202005.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I think Triples will also have to try her hand at roping a cow. She is young and newly under saddle, so she has time while I learn on Mr. Dependable. Even though its is blazing obvious that cow work is not her thing. Hunter Under Saddle will be her calling, but we will be versatile and rope a cow someday.<br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/noPi3s7akOM0ow4nc5X_DQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYr3IM0lIOI/AAAAAAAABEI/HxE34PvQQKs/s144/Triples%20September%2008.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Dell though is the one I think will be the one who is most like his Dad, Malarky. He will be the one to put up with my whimsical fancies, my want to try new things and have the most dependable horse under me while I learn new skills.<br /><br /><table style="WIDTH: auto"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HciKg_LD7JYEUdqyiHINXQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SRDWuKlD-oI/AAAAAAAAAOY/PIbSVLUreF0/s144/Dell.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skybarfarm/SkyBarFarmStuff?feat=embedwebsite">SkyBar Farm Stuff</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />He will be my next 30 years.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-9802135267533585012009-02-01T22:28:00.016-05:002009-02-01T23:33:09.639-05:00We Are The Champions!!!!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZypeMmz7I/AAAAAAAABC8/ifhUV6Uq8f0/s1600-h/Santonio.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298048068454109106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZypeMmz7I/AAAAAAAABC8/ifhUV6Uq8f0/s400/Santonio.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong>“At the end of the day, Steeler football is 60 minutes,” Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach) said of the comeback against the Cardinals.</strong><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298039184820157602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZqkYFOPKI/AAAAAAAABCE/b0HuxKUSPqM/s400/steelers_6-Pack.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>In a nail biting 4th quarter finish, the Steelers showed yet again what they are made of. Pure, raw and full of heart. The Pittsburgh Steelers have made NFL history by being the only franchise to win 6 Super Bowls.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298043472809969138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZud-FqRfI/AAAAAAAABCc/P0rEwZUu7bg/s400/09000d5d80e848ea_gallery_600.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>James Harrison made the longest play in Super Bowl history, running an interception for 100 yards, resulting in a touchdown.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298043854023893138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZu0KOJIJI/AAAAAAAABCs/MmwRCYVJb4w/s400/J_Harrison_090201_2_IA.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298039337804229426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZqtR_d6zI/AAAAAAAABCM/SNW4ug-nmGk/s400/James+Harrison.bmp" border="0" /></div></div></div><div align="left"><br /></div><p align="left">Santonio Holmes was named MVP for the game, with the game winning touchdown clinching his place in history.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298041644756646514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZszkDyOnI/AAAAAAAABCU/-tBtDbLZ8RI/s400/S_Holmes_090201_QT.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298044047297346674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZu_aOH_HI/AAAAAAAABC0/mbAs9FhE1Kc/s400/Santonio+Holmes.jpg" border="0" /> I would be remiss if I did not metion the outstanding efforts of Kicker Jeff Reed. He is truly one of the most important parts of this team. BTW did anybody catch the video of Jeff during the postgame show? His hair is wild.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298049821028226994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SYZ0PfC1l7I/AAAAAAAABDE/FQQa421ZF7s/s400/610x.jpg" border="0" />Thank you Guys for making the Steeler Nation proud and giving us bragging rights!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a><br />PS: I promise now to get back to horse related topics.SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-38071498341045749922009-01-29T13:38:00.008-05:002009-01-29T16:39:29.562-05:00Pittsburgh's Heading to the Super Bowl!<p align="center"><a href="http://www.flmnetwork.com/"><img alt="Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Gitter Provided by FLMNetwork.com" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o26/digitalicing/ClipArt/0a4f04ad.gif"/></a><br /></p><div align="left">So this is shaping up to look like it is going to be one heck of a Super Bowl. The Steelers will win. They have more heart, courage and determination then any other team in the NFL. They also have they absolute best and largest fanbase of any team out there.<br /><p align="center"><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UZERVtF4xvA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UZERVtF4xvA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></p></div><p align="center"><a title="Amazing Steelers" href="http://www.graphicshunt.com/index.php" target="_blank"><img alt="images" src="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/a/amazing_steelers-11636.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Enjoy the game. Cheer Alot and Enjoy the Commercials!<br /><br /><span style="color:#840084;"><b><img style="VISIBILITY: hidden; WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height="0" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyMzMyNjAzMjEzNTcmcHQ9MTIzMzI2MDM*MDcyNyZwPTQ2OTMxJmQ9Z3JhcGhpY3NodW5*JTJFY29tJmc9MSZ*PSZvPTZlZTI4MGZiOTcxZjRhYWI5YTExZmIwMDY2MGNkYTA4.gif" width="0" border="0" /></b></span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-55024671710806891872009-01-27T12:40:00.002-05:002009-01-27T12:43:06.978-05:00Three Years Ago Today<span xmlns=""><p><strong>The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac<br /></strong></p><p>Three years ago today I did one of the hardest things I have ever done. I said Goodbye to my Mother for the last time. I sat next to her bed holding her right hand while my Father sat on the other side of her bed holding her left hand. We told her how much we loved her and that it was okay to go and be at peace finally after so many years of pain and sickness. For the last six months of her life she had been on life support. We didn't know if she knew we were there during that time or not, but as I sat there holding her hand I knew she felt me there. I never cried more than I did that day when I knew she would leave this world forever. The hardest thing I ever did was sign my name, giving permission to take her off life support. I watched my father lose his wife, whom he so dearly loved as he faced his own mortality with cancer raging through his body.<br /></p><p>My Mother was and still is one of the strongest people I have ever known. She was diagnosed with Chron's Disease when she was in her early twenties. At the time, there was no known treatment for this extremely debilitating disease, other than powerful pain medication. My Mom though never let it control her life. She showed and raised some of the best Bichon Frises in the country. She had the number seven dog in the country; Ch. Kingston's Stormin' Norman. Bred, owned and handled by her. No small feat in the highly competitive dog show world. Her dogs were her reason to get up in the morning, her reason to not let her health tear her down.<br /></p><p>My Mother was one of those people who, when she entered a room, everybody stopped and looked. She might have been small in build, but she had a commanding presence about her. She made people quake in their shoes if she felt they were not treating someone or something fairly. She was very involved with local politics and fought always for the little guy. She was respected and revered.<br /></p><p>Growing up, my Mom was my biggest cheerleader and my harshest critic. She held me as I sobbed uncontrollably when I lost my first horse, Borr. She held me again when my heart was broken the first time. She was at every Swim meet, Cross Country and Track meet and Softball game I ever participated in since I was 8 years old till even after I had graduated High School. She encouraged my horse endeavors, but from a distance. She was there for my highs and my lows, and even though we did not always see eye to eye, she loved me no matter what, unconditionally. I wonder now as I run my own children to their after school sports activities , how on Earth she ever did it, along with running her own business, keeping a home and being a wife, on top of her illnesses. I wish she were here to tell me, to let me in on the secret.<br /></p><p>She was firm with me when I struggled through months and months of rehab when I was 12, after falling from a ladder and basically crushing my whole right side of my body. She kept her face right to mine and said "You will do it!" "Can't is not in my vocabulary!" as I begged and pleaded with my therapist and her that I couldn't take one more step. She never let me quit. She is why I can walk today. When none of the doctors thought I would ever walk, she knew I would. She believed in me when no one else did. The following year I proved all the doctors wrong and went out for the Cross Country Team and within two years I was in league with some of the top runners in the state, all because of my Mom. She pushed me to achieve, to be better than I thought I could be. When I was 15 and diagnosed with Jr. RA, she refused to let the doctors tell me I had to give up my horses and sports. She knew that my love, my passion would keep me going. Through her I learned to push through it.<br /></p><p>When I married my husband, she took him in like a son, even at times siding with him over me. She loved him more than I think he will ever realize, because he loved me and that was all Mom wanted to be assured of, that I was loved and cherished. Jeff has succeeded tenfold in assuring my Mother of that.<br /></p><p>When Zared and Morgan were born, you never met a happier Grandmother. She spoiled them rotten. They learned quickly if Mom and Dad wouldn't let them have something, Grandma would. They have precious memories of her. I knew she wanted to be here longer for them, to be able to experience life with them, but I know she is happy watching them from above and giving us the air smack upside our heads that we sometimes need.<br /></p><p>Since my Mother's passing I have had moments when I know she is right there with me. Sometimes words come out of my mouth that were her words, not mine, and people, especially my family will look at me with bewilderment, and I reply to those looks with; "It was a Barb moment." I swore as a kid I would never be my mother, now there are days I cannot think of anyone better to be. Sorry Jeff. Deal with it. :0<br /></p><p>I love you Mom and I miss you terribly.<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">Barbara A. Stamoolis<br />June 9<sup>th</sup>, 1944 – January 27, 2006<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="color:black;"><strong>To Those I Love</strong><br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">If I should ever leave you,<br />Whom I love<br />To go along the silent way. . .<br />Grieve not.<br />Nor speak of me with tears.<br />But laugh and talk of me<br />As if I were beside you there.<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">(I'd come . . . I'd come,<br />Could I but find a way!<br />But would not tears and<br />grief be barriers?)<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">And when you hear a song<br />Or see a bird I loved,<br />Please do not let the thought of me<br />Be sad. . .for I am loving you<br />Just as I always have. . .<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">You were so good to me!<br />There are so many things<br />I wanted still to do. . .<br />So many things I wanted to say<br />to you. . . Remember that<br />I did not fear. . . It was<br />Just leaving you<br />That was so hard to face.<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">We cannot see beyond. . .<br />But this I know:<br />I loved you so. . .<br />'twas heaven here with you<br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><em>by Isla Paschal Richardson.</em> </p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><br /></p></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-50606785785088317672009-01-25T13:20:00.004-05:002009-01-25T13:43:54.501-05:00A sort of Bucket List<span xmlns=""><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:black;">I try to keep a few posts on the back burner for days like today when I am just too busy trying to stay warm and doing barn chores.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:12;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I found this Meme on T<a href="http://haleyhughes.blogspot.com/">he Beacon: A Journal</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;color:black;">, last month. I thought it was pretty neat to look at all the things I have done. And here I was thinking I had not accomplished much in life. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:black;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:black;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Things I've done in my life (in bold):<br /><br /><strong>1. Started my own blog</strong><br /><strong>2. Slept under the stars</strong><br /><strong>3. Played in a band</strong><br />4. Visited Hawaii<br />5. Watched a meteor shower<br /><strong>6. Given more than I can afford to charity</strong><br /><strong>7. Been to Disneyland/world</strong><br /><strong>8. Climbed a mountain</strong><br />9. Held a praying mantis<br /><strong>10. Sung a solo</strong><br />11. Bungee jumped<br />12. Visited Paris<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>13. Watched lightening at sea<br />14. Taught myself an art from scratch</strong><br />15. Adopted a child<br /><strong>16. Had food poisoning</strong><br />17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty<br /><strong>18. Grown my own vegetables</strong><br />19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France<br />20. Slept on an overnight train<br /><strong>21. Had a pillow fight</strong><br />22. Hitchhiked<br /><strong>23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill</strong><br /><strong>24. Built a snow fort</strong><br />25. Held a lamb<br />26. Gone skinny dipping<br /><strong>27. Run a marathon</strong><br />28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice<br />29. Seen a total eclipse<br /><strong>30. Watched a sunrise or sunset</strong><br /><strong>31. Hit a home run</strong><br /><strong>32. Been on a cruise (Loved it!)</strong><br /><strong>33. Seen Niagara Falls in person</strong><br /><strong>34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors</strong><br /><strong>35. Seen an Amish community</strong><br />36. Taught myself a new language<br />37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied<br />38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person<br /><strong>39. Gone rock climbing</strong><br />40. Seen Michelangelo's David<br /><strong>41. Sung karaoke</strong><br />42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt<br />43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant<br />44. Visited Africa<br /><strong>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight</strong><br /><strong>46. Been transported in an ambulance (More than once)</strong><br />47. Had my portrait painted<br /><strong>48. Gone deep sea fishing</strong><br />49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person<br />50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris<br /><strong>51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling</strong><br />52. Kissed in the rain<br /><strong>53. Played in the mud</strong><br /><strong>54. Gone to a drive-in theater</strong><br />55. Been in a movie<br />56. Visited the Great Wall of China<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>57. Started a business<br /></strong>58. Taken a martial arts class<br />59. Visited Russia<br />60. Served at a soup kitchen<br /><strong>61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies</strong><br /><strong>62. Gone whale watching</strong><br /><strong>63. Got flowers for no reason</strong><br /><strong>64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma</strong><br />65. Gone sky diving<br />66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp<br /><strong>67. Bounced a check</strong><br />68. Flown in a helicopter<br /><strong>69. Saved a favorite childhood toy</strong><br /><strong>70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial</strong><br /><strong>71. Eaten Caviar</strong><br />72. Pieced a quilt<br />73. Stood in Times Square<br />74. Toured the Everglades<br />75. Been fired from a job<br />76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>77. Broken a bone (several times)<br />78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (did not like it one bit!)</strong><br />79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person<br />80. Published a book<br />81. Visited the Vatican<br /><strong>82. Bought a brand new car</strong><br />83. Walked in Jerusalem<br />84. Had my picture in the newspaper<br />85. Read the entire Bible<br /><strong>86. Visited the White House</strong><br />87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating<br /><strong>88. Had chickenpox</strong><br />89. Saved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">someone's</span> life<br />90. Sat on a jury<br /><strong>91. Met someone famous</strong><br />92. Joined a book club<br /><strong>93. Lost a loved one</strong><br /><strong>94. Had a baby</strong><br />95. Seen the Alamo in person<br />96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake<br /><strong>97. Been involved in a law suit </strong><br /><strong>98. Owned a cell phone</strong><br /><strong>99. Been stung by a bee</strong><br />100. Rode an elephant<br /><br /></p></span></span><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;color:black;">I can tell you with certainty that I will never bungee jump or go skydiving. My husband has gladly done those things for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Georgia;font-size:12;color:black;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Want to play along? Copy the list to your own blog (or email) and highlight the things you've done. </span></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /></span><span xmlns=""></span>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-79014097589247437912009-01-23T04:06:00.003-05:002009-01-23T04:19:01.798-05:00Friday Fill-Ins # 5<img height="50" alt="ffi" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3200015130_1ceb740230_t.jpg" width="100" /><br /><br /><span xmlns=""><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#120217;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#120217;">1. Oh, I am so <strong>done with winter</strong>!<br /><br />2. <strong>I am preparing for</strong> changes, big and little.<br /><br />3. During <strong>the Super bowl</strong>, I <strong>hope Polamalu takes out as many Cardinals as he can</strong>.<br /><br />4. <strong>The Cardinals actually think they are going to beat the Steelers</strong>; are you kidding me???<br /><br />5. Right now I'd like to be <strong>anywhere warm with a beach</strong>.<br /><br />6. <strong>My phone (Blackjack II)</strong> is my favorite gadget.<br /><br />7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to <strong>cheering my son on at his basketball game</strong>, tomorrow my plans include <strong>barn work</strong> and Sunday, I want to <strong>do better at my roping lesson</strong>!</span></p><p></p><p></p></span><a href="http://skybarfarmstuff.blogspot.com/2009/01/friday-fill-ins-5.html"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85717/skybar/7ab41d09f2662c7356e352d412ccdce8.png" border="0" /></a>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523975658498906293.post-55090575975103891242009-01-21T07:00:00.001-05:002009-01-21T07:00:00.939-05:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SXb4BXzQ_CI/AAAAAAAAA-k/nRmHa_LM5Zs/s1600-h/Sunrise+in+Pittsburgh.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293691114473192482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pFtX2PGHQVo/SXb4BXzQ_CI/AAAAAAAAA-k/nRmHa_LM5Zs/s400/Sunrise+in+Pittsburgh.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>SkyBar Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18259491221540240852noreply@blogger.com3