Thanks KY. We are just doing easy Intro stuff in the dressage and 18 inch to 2ft jumps. Nothing major like Cajun. We are just getting back into riding shape (Me and Buck). His owners seem to be happy with my riding him so hopefully they let me keep riding him. He is getting a LONG mane though. (His owners like him to be a horse which means no mane pulling or whisker trims for Buck). So Buck and I will do schooling shows while I save up for my own horse. But Buck has stolen my heart so I will stay with him for awhile.

wow, that is too bad...I'll never understand the no helmet thing...(even though I've been guilty of it myself when it's hot)..reminds me of a few years ago around here when two horses got loose from their paddock and went running up the highway ...both were hit by cars and killed while their 16 year old owner watched.

I hadn't heard about this Genuine. I will send good thoughts his way.

You know, I haven't sticked her yet, but I would say about 16.1. She's pretty short coupled too and a real pain in the arse when it comes to standing still! :D

Genuine, I will keep him in my prayers... it is so dangerous riding on a busy street... the reality is that even the quietest horses can tend to be very spooky when they make up their mind to be that way. :(

Just the thought of watching that makes me cry. I hope the owner is OK.

Buffy, I'm not doing anything major lately either! I haven't shown A circuit in a long time... I'm not even sure I still have what it takes. Post some pics of you and Buck, ok?

Nah, I don't want people to actually see what I look like! Why I only post pics of Buck. :)

If I can figure out how to do it, I will PM some to you. :)

Something similar to that happened down here ten years ago... it was awful... they got hit by a semi and I'll never forget how devastating it was to their owners. :(

One of the favorite horses at the stable where I ride was hit by car on the way back to the stable (the a**hole driver took off). He made it back to the stable with his rider and then collapsed. Symphony-- former racehorse, now that I think of it. Big red chestnut; kind as could be. We were all devastated.

I checked out the NYDaily News and it looks like the kid will make it. Thirteen-year-old; riding for a few years now, but unclear whether he had a helmet on. He was thrown before the horse leaped into traffic. His mom was quoted as saying she didn't want him to ride anymore, but his dad said he thinks the accident won't keep the kid off horses. Awww.....

One of the girls I ride with (she is 12), well her mom died a couple of years ago after falling from a horse. She hit her head on the fence. It was a very sad time from what I have heard. Her father let her make the decision to keep riding or not. She chose to ride again knowing it was an accident.

That's awful, Buffy... :(

I wouldn't quit riding either... I just love the horses too much.

Wow. That's a really sad story. She sounds like a tough kid, though. I don't think you really ever get over losing a parent when you're that young, but you do get past it eventually. And that's really amazing that her dad let her choose to keep riding. Good for him.

I think he asked her to ride one more time after her mom's death and then told her that it was up to her. She chose to keep riding. She is a very mature young woman who has a heart of gold. I just adore her. I adore all the young girls at the barn. They are all sweethearts. I keep telling them "stick with the horses, boys are NOTHING but trouble" :) Their parents love me.

THOUGHT I WOULD UPDATE FOR THOSE WHO MAY CARE...

Buck and I got reserve champion for the season at the hunter show we did. Hee hee. It was a total surprise and I am guessing that they didn't have a lot of people in my division, but I will take it. OUR FIRST AWARD! Buck got lots of treaties after I found out!

Oh and an update on the girl that I told you about whose mom died... On the anniversary of her mom's death, she was at a horseshow and got her FIRST BLUE RIBBON! I as was many of the mom's at the show in tears as they took her picture afterwards. It really was an awesome moment.

Buffy,
That's wonderful!
Thanks for sharing the good news.
DTS

Thanks DTS!

Congrats, Buffy! That is awesome news! :D

OK, MY LAST POST IN THIS THREAD. We had our last combined training show today. I am exhausted. Went to an awards banquet for the hunter series I did, the one where Buck and I got reserve in one of the classes. Didn't get home until 11 or so. Got up at 5:30 to get out to the barn before 7am to feed Buck because we had to walk our jump course at 8:30 and I had training at 8:45. YIPEE!

OK, first class we were the last to go. Buck was feeling good because it was in the low 60s out. We ended up scoring a 72.5. The best I think we have ever done. Scored all 7s and 8s. WE GOT THE BLUE!

Intro B was next. I have gotten second a few times, but never won the class. We scored a 72.40. HEE HEE! ANOTHER BLUE!

Next was the jump class. Which the barn owner made a TOUGH course which included a "BOUNCER" or a death jump as I like to call it! :D I had never jumped one before. I was very very nervous because the course also included a jump that I dubbed the "POPPER" since Buck liked to "POP" his back legs up on everytime we went over it. Well there were only two of us in the jumping and the young trainer woman went first. They went clean. Now it was up to Buck and I. First jump good. Next jump was a sharp turn to the right. We came into it ok, but afterwards was not good. We rubbed it but it stayed up. We straightened up before the next jump and flew over that jump. Went over the next four jumps without touching them. NOW the bounce is coming. (By the way the bounce is also called an "in and out") Well in we went. Buck popped right over them both! We finished the course with about three or four rubs BUT NO FAULTS. We went clean. ANOTHER BLUE!

THREE BLUES TODAY FOR THREE CLASSES! I WAS IN HEAVEN! Buck got many many treaties and a linament bath.

THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF! They did the final tally for the year end awards and guess what!!!!!

Intro A: CHAMPION

Intro B: Reserve Champion

Combined: CHAMPION!

Well that was our season and we are now done for awhile with showing. Thanks for listening to me ramble the entire season! Going to go order Buck a "CHAMPION" halter now!

Buffy: Congrats on your great season! Lots of hard work paid off....nice job.

Thanks Timm. Going to bed now. Stayed out too late last night and OVER DID it today. Chat at you guys tomorrow if I get a chance. I have a big project at work that has to be done.