Ram Tap: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Reese's First Show: Part 2
A Lovely November Day in Fresno

Since Michelle took the horse's up on her own on Wed. night, Carolyn and I got to "sleep in" and leave home at 6am. We got to Ram Tap just in time to see Michelle riding Ceilidh in a vain attempt to try and beat the rain. In Scotland, today would be called "a soft day". Here in So Cal, it was "Storm Watch 2009!!!" Just kidding. It drizzled most of the day and was a balmy 60ish.

Ceilidh continued in her love-struck behavior, being an absolute freak in her stall and even under saddle until Michelle let her blow her jets out and gallop a bit. After that she looked great. Reese returned the nuttiness, bellowing from his stall for his new girlfriend until it was his turn to be ridden. No surprise to his mummy, Reese was picture perfect. He went right to work and didn't take a silly step the whole time which was really good since Michelle's neck and back are really bothering her. The only time he jumped is when he passed Carolyn and I as we got up to in the dressage judge booth we were sitting in to hide from the rain. Michelle worked him past it so hopefully tomorrow it will be no issue.

Braiding this afternoon was a real treat. No seriously, it was really nice to braid in broad daylight for a change instead of by flashlight. Ceilidh was a little wound up but Carolyn got the job done. Reese was stellar, standing there half asleep as Michelle braided him down as if he'd done this a hundred times before. Carolyn finished tying the braids up into buttons for Michelle in an attempt to give him a manly-looking neck. Did I mention Michelle managed to make about a hundred braids in an attempt to make his neck look long as well? We'll see how successful both were tomorrow.

It finally stopped raining late in the afternoon. A quick lunge for both horses, a quick scrubbing of Reese's legs in an attempt to make his white sock white, a few gin and tonics and the next thing you know, it's nearly dark. Carolyn had to clean her tack by lantern light - hopefully she either did a good job or the dressage judge is nearsighted.

Speaking of braiding by flashlight, poor Sara had to do just that since they had to wait for her to get out of school before leaving for the show. I'm sure it will look great --- or maybe she'll get the same nearsighted judge!.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the rain is over because soggy dressage would be a drag.

Here's the photos from today - enjoy!

Can't wait till tomorrow (picture me here biting my nails!)

Reese's first show: Part I

So Reese's first real recognized event is underway. As I sit here sipping my wine, Michelle is winging her way to Fresno with Reese and Ceilidh in the back... in the trailer, not the back seat. Although from her early reports Ceilidh is raising quite a ruckus just like a big sister. Or maybe a big sister from the south (since she is from Louisiana) as she is waaaaay too hot for her adopted brother. Four plus hours in the trailer won't helping the bonding issue. By the time the get to Fresno she'll be firmly in love and he'll be utterly confused. Sounds like the first boyfriend I had in college. Should make for just that much more exciting weekend for all!

Tomorrow... the day before show day and highlights of Reese's first haircut!

Everyone has settled into the new digs

It didn't take long for the horses or riders to settle in to the new digs at Day Creek Ranch. We all love how absolutely peaceful it is. I just wish I could have gotten some pics of all the guys who work there. They do a great job of keeping the place sparkling clean and the horses well fed.

Here's some pics of the place - enjoy!

On a side note, last week's fires in Moorpark came dangerously close to our friends back at Vista del Mar but thanks to the efforts of the fire fighters every one was safe and sound.

We have our sights set on getting a big group together to compete at Ram Tap in November so hopefully we'll see some of our local friends there.

New Home at Day Creek Ranch

It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to all of our friends at Vista Del Mar and moved to our new fancy digs at Day Creek Ranch. The move wasn't without some bumps but I think we'll all agree that the new facility is terrific and we're eager to get to work.

Click here to see the photos from moving day. It's better if you hit "slideshow" but be sure to stay tuned to the last photo - it's a winner!!

Jump Painting Crew Hard At Work

Thanks to everyone who helped with painting the old fences and making everything look brand new again. We're nearly ready for the big move to our new home at Day Creek Ranch come Aug. 1. A big thanks to Dusti, Patti and Michelle C. who did the lion's share of the work - it all looks great girls!!

For a look at the paint crew at work and the crazy new jumps, click on to the jump photo album.

Sapphire Profile: Reese & Vinnie

Sire: Soul of the Matter
Dam: Alaskan Revelation (Reese)
Clippin Time (Vinnie)
Official Name(s): Top Gear (Reese)
Watsa Matter (Vinnie)

Born: 2005

Barn name: The Boys
Peanut and Captain Klutzy (Reese)
Hey, stop eating that boot! (Vinnie)

It’s hard to believe that the brothers Soul celebrate their one year anniversary with us today, June 2.

Last Memorial Day we skipped the usual celebrations. Instead, Capparelli, Michelle Emmermann, Carolyn and I headed down to Ramona for my first serious day of horse shopping. My past horses – 3 mares – had fallen into my lap at various times of their choosing. Since that method had what could best be described as “mixed results” Michelle (and others) were bound and determined that this time I would be much pickier. Ok, let’s face it; the general consensus was that I should have nothing to do with choosing my next horse. Prepared to leave it to the experts, I had girded my loins for months of searching, sitting on hundreds of horses to find just the right one. For the record, Reese was the third horse I rode. (Ironically, Vinnie was the second but more on that in a second.)

It was freakishly cold the morning we headed down to Ramona. I figured the purpose of the trip was to kick a few tires and dip my toe into the pool of horse shopping. Teeth chattering, I rode the first horse, who was nice, but I didn’t feel any magic in the seat of my pants. Surely if he was The One (cue angels singing) there would have been magic, right?

Horse #2, ironically, was Vinnie. It took me about a half of a loop around the arena to know that I was in way over my head. It took me five more minutes to convince Michelle that my “WTF” reaction was unshakable. The problem was that she was head over heels in love with Vinnie from the first moment she saw him.

Finally came Reese. I was cold, damp, and tired so when I saw him – all 16.3 hands of him – he seemed gigantic compared to my more familiar 15.3 little mares. I was less than enthusiastic especially after the woman who owned/trained him had to lunge him again because he was a maniac. I thought, “Seriously? This is supposed to be my chance to take my time and get my NOT crazy horse.”

Then I got on him. And..... yep, still nothing. No angel choirs singing under my butt. I rode him around, he felt ok but he was also in draw reins so who couldn’t feel ok? Then Michelle says take him over a few jumps. Seriously, in draw reins? I have (or hopefully had) heavier hands than the Iron Giant so jumping in draw reins seemed like a bad idea. Surprisingly, Reese couldn’t have been more perfect. He gallumped up to the jump, floated over it, and gallumped on afterwards. Considering the fact that I was used to riding screaming maniacs you may be asking, “what more does a horse have to do to impress you?” I’m not sure but I still wasn’t feeling the love. Be fair – it was only twelve hours ago that I learned my last beloved little mare had arrived safe in her new home. Did I really have room in my heart for a new horse?

Still, Carolyn and Michelle truly believed that Reese was The One, no need to look any further. Added on top of that was the pressure that someone else made an offer on the horse so it was time to poop or get off the pot. Part of me wanted to believe it was this easy but the part was thinking, “what happened to months of searching, endless rides, etc.?” What was left to say but the words every trainer longs to hear? “Well, if you think I should buy him, ok.” That leap of faith has proven to be the best step I’ve ever taken.

Long story (semi) short, a week later both boys arrived back home. They’ve been beyond fantastic since then and in time will prove that Soul of the Matter should be the daddy of the next generation of event horses. Too bad that his owners have stopped breeding him. Hopefully, once they start showing and revealing to all just how good they are EA Ranches will change their mind. In the meantime, I’ve grown to love and cherish Reese like no horse I’ve ever known.

Congrats to Caps and a Show Update

Congrats to Michelle Capparelli for her new horse, Cracker Jack, aka Jack.

He's a GINORMOUS 17.1 hand, 4 year-old Irish Sporthorse from Virginia (so he neighs in a brogue with a southern accent, y'all. don't make fun of him, he's very sensitive about it.)

He's a sweetie and definitely the horse she deserves after a long search.

And now for a show update:

Michelle E. and Dixie broke 30, getting a score of 29 on dressage, putting them in second place. Sarah and Calvin were in third after dressage. Don't know the results after today's show jumping so fingers crossed nothing has changed.