We’ve been busy! So busy Lori doesn’t even remember we HAVE plants, much less to water them. Thank goodness for Maryann Taylor for keeping all our trail class plants healthy (and alive!) If you ever journey allllll the way to the back of the ranch you might notice the two scarecrows guarding a large spot of fenced in tires. That spot is Maryann’s new garden. Almost everyday she can be found tending to her little seedlings growing up in the tires for protection from the chickens, squirrels and other assorted RLA wildlife. So far we have cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, corn, cucumber and carrots all starting to grow. Hopefully the next RLA cowgirl’s club party will include some fresh fruits and veggies!
Congratulations to Michell Kimball on the purchase of Nifty Dun It. Since Michell still wanted a bay horse we of COURSE got her another palomino. They are already working great together and Michell is already having tons of fun on her most favorite gelding!
Also congratulations of Jim and Letha Lowry of Vista, CA on the purchase of Summer Seabreeze. Doug Danner bred Summer and then sold her. Late last year he repossessed her after her previous owner abandoned her after several months of neglect. Doug fixed her up and set out to find her a good home. Jim, Letha and Summer should have many great years together.
The LAPD updated us on Destiny Seabreeze, whom they purchased last month. Destiny is doing GREAT, he fit right in with their program and hasn’t had a problem with anything they’ve asked of him. They absolutely love him and say he is the best trained horse they have ever had. He is also their first appaloosa recruit, and probably not the last. This is his official uniform, complete with face shield.
Well we haven’t stopped showing since last month! With such a big show team this year even Billy Bob (the blue dodge) has had to go to almost every show pulling an extra trailer.
April started with our second Ranch Horse trail Challenge. Saturday April 5th was the clinic and this time we separated the clinic into three class - 9:30-11:30am, 12-2:00pm and 2:30-4:30pm. The new schedule worked great and everyone was able to have one on one time with Lori and Katie. Sunday brought the trail challenge and the strong winds really made some of the flag obstacles interesting! There is one more challenge left for the 25th of May, SIGN UP NOW!!
The Nonpro and Open class walking through the course.
Caitlyn Owen and “Iggy” winners of the Youth Class.
Kim Lenahan and “Shotgun” - 3rd in Open
Caroline Dilman and “Sadie” - 4th Open
Lauren Haggerty and “Bara Ben Tov” - Winners of the Novice class
Caitie Corella and Elly
April 13th was the first Willow Glen show of the year. The saturday before the show it was 99 degrees at the barn while Katie was giving baths, so we were all a little nervous about how hot it was going to be. It turned out to not be AS hot as the day before but we all indulged in a 50/50 Orange cream float to help keep cool. It was a successful day and despite the heat all the horses were very good. A big thank you to Katrina Schrechter, our groom for the day for her many trips to the trailer and back for forgotten chaps, bell boots and hairspray and for taking such great care of the horses.
Lori and Taris Gold Dancer - 2nd in Novice Horse Open
Katie and Smart Like Jose - 3rd in Green as Grass
Julie Jensen and Rockin With Me - 4th in Novice Horse NonPro
Carrie Umphrees and Docs De Peppy Tops - 1st in Limited Nonpro and Nonpro
Martha Vargas and Masterful Reiner - 3rd in Limited NonPro
Michell Kimball and Nifty Dun It- 3rd in Rookie Professional
Michell Kimball and Smart Wimpy Lena - 4th in Rookie Professional
Carrie Umphrees and Docs De Peppy Tops, Martha Vargas and Masterful Reiner, Lori, Katrina Schrechter and Michell Kimball on Nifty Dun It
Michell Kimball and Nifty Dun It
Carrie Umphrees and Docs De Peppy Tops
With only one day to recover from Willow Glen, on Tuesday we took all the horses up to Del Mar for the Nationals. We brought Tigger, Nifty, Barbie, Iceman, Tony, Roxy, Gallo, Sunshine, Breeze, Master and Chiquita. Everyone had a great time in the show pen and on the sidelines in the sheering squad. Julie Jensen kept us fed everyday with a delicious lunch AND a key lime pie cheesecake in honor of Martha Vargas’ birthday. THANK YOU to Bob Kimball for being the official videographer and taping everyone’s rounds!!
Lori and Taris Gold Dancer - 4th, PCHA Open Reining
Michell Kimball and Nifty Dun It - 4th Senior Horse Reining
Michell Kimball and Smart Wimpy Lena - 6th Junior Horse Reining
Katrina Schrechter and Captain Iceberg - Reserve Champion PCHA Youth Reining
Julie Jensen and Rockin With Me - 4th and 5th Basic Amateur Reining
Doug Danner and Plaudit Seabreeze - 3rd, 5th Jack and Linda Baker Qualifiers
Doug Danner and Sunshine Seabreeze
Martha Vargas and Masterful Reiner - 3rd Novice Horse, 4th Jack and Linda Baker Qualifier
Carrie Umphrees and Docs De Peppy Tops - 2nd, 3rd Jack and Linda Baker Qualifiers
Martha Vargas and Masterful Reiner
Katrina Schrechter and Captain Iceberg
Julie Jensen and Rockin With Me
Michell Kimball and Smart Wimpy Lena
UPCOMING EVENTS - Hope to see you there!
May 4th - Willow Glen Buckle Series Show #2
May 10 - CRHA Jackpot Show, Casner Ranch - Temecula
May 24-25 - 3rd Trail Clinic/Challenge - Clinic is on Saturday, Show on Sunday
May 29-June 1 - Showtime Classic - Burbank
June 5-8 - Lights, Camera, Action - Burbank
July 13 - Willow Glen NRHA/Buckle Series #3
~ It’s a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider’s nuts, the horse bolts ~