T-3 Days

Went out for a lesson yesterday to get ready for the clinic.

Trainer has painted a bunch of jumps so we had new stuff to jump and we were inside... oh and the rope jiggler was taking up 40% of the arena with her student and they were on the ground 90% of the time ugh!

Despite all that Henry was AWESOME and I did my part well. Woot!

Oh he did think the giant latter was scarrrrrrry but hey I'll take that over the new jumps lol

It rained almost all of last week and through the weekend so we haven't been doing much of this...

But have been doing as much as we can to get ready for the clinic.

Henry has been doing lots of this too...

It looks like Ireland here- the rain made the grass pop up hella fast!

Stay tuned for my outfit post and then clinic posts!!

No I don't run a petting zoo...

It's crazy to me how now that we have our horses at home, random people I meet (not old friends, they know I don't share well lol) ask if they can come over and pet/feed my horses... or even RIDE. WTF?!?!?!?!

I had a girl I just met as if her sons preschool could all come over and get pony rides... seriously?!?!

Another girl I met asked if her 2 year old could come over and feed and groom- meanwhile the kid was scaling the couches and tables at the persons house we were at and mom didn't say a WORD to the kid. Um no!

Does anyone else have people say these things to them?!?!

I don't run a petting zoo folks! I have performance horses!

And yes I have two young kinds but they have been raised around horses and know the rules.. and i am VERY strict with them!!

OK glad I got that off my chest lol!

Where has his tail gone ...

Since moving to our own place, Henry's tail has gone from decent and well cared for to thin and well cared for (well the best I can do).

So today I come to you asking for help...

He is constantly swatting flies (despite me having him covered head to toe with fly stuff) and his tail is SO dry.

I have been on the hunt for something that is SUPER moisturizing ...

I have tried:
Infusium 23 (had the most luck)
Equus (no luck)
Cowboy Magic (no luck)
Equifuse (no luck)

"Leave ins"
Laser Sheen (eh)
Equifuse Serum (had the most luck)
Show Sheen (eh)
Vetrolyn Shine (some luck)

Also tried tail bags and that was a big no no... his tail turns into three dread locks bc it gets so dry. I FREAKED out when I found that!

He is on Biotin and Biomane in his feed.. a friend suggested adding fish oil to his feed too, going to try that.

But NOTHING leaves his tail happy and soft for more then 10 min.

Any suggestions?! I need your help and tips! I have never had this problem ever with a horse- I am like a crazy clean freak!

Whats not to LOVE?!

Seriously how handsome is this guy?!

It's been exciting around here... we are riding like 4 times a week, trying to keep both our stamina up and polished for the clinic.

I have my breeches and belts picked out for the clinic.. still undecided for my top since I need to see what the weather is going to be like :)

It's been two weeks since I took a lesson.. hubbys work has been crazy and not allowing me to sneak a lesson in. Only a few weeks till the clinic so I need to squeeze in a few  before then.

I even snuck in on hack in the western saddle one night... It's so weird riding him in it ha!

It's been cooling off too... sheets have been needed at night for Henry and Jet. I plan to clip Henry but the longer I can wait the better.

Contest Time... Names, I need Names!

Our Farm/Ranch needs a name!! My Grandpa suggested I hold a contest to see if anyone comes up with a name we like...

I need this!!! LOVE!

So far the ones we have are:

All In Farm

Fuller Ranch

Neither of them I am in love with so what do you suggest?!

Yep this is on the dream list too... 

The prize will be a $20 gift card OR you can let me chose a product I love :)

Ready.. set.. go ...

Sacramento International Horse Show

This weekend a group of us from the barn went to watch the Grand Prix up at the SIHS.

Its a yearly event that I love to attend. Big name riders/trainers means some great riding ... awesome atmosphere ... shopping... and this year they had food trucks!

I went up early - hubby had the girls... i wandered around, watched the rings that had stuff going on in them and was reminded how much i love multi day shows and how I need to try and get to one or two next year.

The rest of the barn people showed up around 4 - GP was scheduled to start at 7. We ate, shopped, watched horses go and then snagged a couple rows of seats and took turns saving them. That place fills up super super super fast. Side note: it's crazy how people come late and expect you to accommodate them when you have been sitting for hours saving the seats!!! Um no...

Such a fun night, Rich Fellers and Flexible put on a heck of a show. 28 great riders!!

Confidence

Henry and I have been plugging along..

It has been hot hot hot so early morning rides have been our jam.

3' is no big deal :)

Still getting ready for the clinic. Thinking confidence, confidence, confidence lol

Who needs to be straight lol

Working towards longer rides and trying to keep them busy so neither of us get bored. Henry's always been a "harder" mouthed horse so I have been really working on softening him up. We are at the point where he's broke so it's just fine tuning and little stuff here and there to keep life interesting.

Random cool nights call for a sheet

New Pony Alert!

It's a bit overdue and if you follow me on instagram (narleykarley) you already know the exciting news...

Meet Jet!

He's a 5 yr old OTTB, a bit under 16.2 and I am sure growing. Clean xrays and passed the vet check with flying colors.

He ran a day before I got him... So he was a bit body sore but took everything in stride! Was such a good boy and didn't try to much with me!

After three rides with trainers help at the old barn I brought him home to have a few weeks off, chill and eat. He has taken it all in stride and is so laid back now!

One week of owning him shot

He's LOVING the daily turn out and all you can eat buffet.

He LOOOOVES the mineral block lol

I can't wait to get more weight on him and get back on him to see how he does!

This guys living the dream!! He has died and gone to heaven in his mind!! lol

WW- Horse Show Love

Probably my fav pic from the show... 

Our First Clinic Woot!

Eeeeeek I am spilling the beans. 

My first clinic will be with Susie Hutchison in November. Trainer is hosting her for a clinic and I am so lucky to get to partake!

I am excited, nervous and not really sure what to expect honestly ha! I signed up for the 2'6- 2'9 group. I want to go in doing something that I feel overly confident with and don't want to embarrass trainer.

Now to keep Henry and I in shape and healthy so we can put our best feet forward!

Oh and to pick out two perfect outfits for both Henry and myself!! Lets be honest, that is a big deal! What would you wear for a clinic in November in CA? :)