Update Much?

Hey all! First, can't say how happy I am to have HL back *luvz* I can't even remember my last update but pretty sure I had Cinder, Eve and Ransom at that time...wow alot has happened! Where to start...

Let's start with my superstar - Justus. My precious 2005 Welsh cross foal that sucked my thumb until her dam, Dove, was ready for her - she's coming 9 years old this May and is the most amazing, well behaved, obedient and yet quirky pony I'll ever have the priviledge of owning. She really is my heart horse...I had gifted her to a wonderful young teenager when Justus was 3 and helped to coach them through 2 fun filled years before the young girl gave her back to me, yearning for a horse to own outright. So in 2011 I was given back my ponyface It's been a LOOOOOOOONG road getting her to where she is now. That first summer was back to riding basics, manners, and improving the fundamentals of riding. Taught to lunge in sidereins and actually GO on the bit, Justus has come...a LOOOOOONG way. For example...

Before:


After 4 months:


Last year was phenominal We went to 2 schooling shows where we cleaned house placing in every single class. Dressage up to 1st level, hunter/jumper 2'6 and gaming. She was just so amazing...I can't even explain the pride I feel when talking about her because I've been there every step of the way - she is who she is now, because I trained her that way. That and she's just an amazing soul of a pony! Justus' canter especially has come SO incredibly far. She flat out refused to canter. Like, would trot faster than a racking horse to avoid cantering. The satisfaction of getting her past that and now progressing to smooth and balanced has just been incredible!

Here are some proud mama shots from last show season

Dressage, June 2012






Hunter:




Barrel racing, July 2012




Cross Country, August/September 2012




Started working with kids and sharing my horses more



2013:








I have worked so hard on this tail for so long...


Favorite picture from last year:


Favorite winning Jumper round:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQiydakXuQU&list=UUjVC6W2YwKc0HkLhY0wduVw&index=9

Justus is also trick poneh extraordinaire
She smiles:


Lays down on command from the ground:


And mounted (sorry, poor quality...):
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=10150942361165622&set=vb.527110621&type=2&theater

And our 2013 trick...roll over. Oh yes, that's how we roll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmGMJ8CRJqk&list=UUjVC6W2YwKc0HkLhY0wduVw&index=2

Justus has been such an amazing experience so far, and we're just getting started. Taking an easy season for 2013 to let my tendonitis in my left wrist heal thoroughly and sticking mainly to western gymkhana and play days to just have fun Get back to work for next season!



Now my second mare...Dove, the horse that got me started some 13 years ago. I bought her with my babysitting money when I was 15 and she was a 3 year old Appaloosa x Mustang. Untrained 3 year old. And the best teacher in the world. From day one she has been nothing but love and try, no spook, rear, bolt, bite or even bad thought comes from this mare. Dove is as steady as they come and she really brought me through a dark time in my life...we really can't thank our horses enough for what they do for us.

I traded my beloved Dove to my mom when I was 16/17 for my retired and now rehomed, Cinder. Dove stayed at my mom's farm where I continued to ride and enjoy her awesomeness, though from 2008 to Dec 2011, she was nothing more than a pasture fluff. I purchased her back from my mom in December 2011, best purchase ever. Missed this horse so much! But again...been a looooooong road to get where we are now!

Before:




After 5 months of back to basics:




I now have an AWESOME part boarder for her, been with me since last June and has now decided to try a full lease! Dove's leaser is a 14 year old dedicated figure skater and horseback rider, amazing kid with great parents Very happy with their plan to lease Dove, they intend to continue with dressage and jumping lessons to try a show season with Manitoba Horse Trials and try some 3 day eventing! So excited for them, continueing to help with Dove's training and exposure, they will do fantastic!



Kid's just as crazy as I am!


Progress


My Lovey Dove


The horse that starts towards the gate when she hears me calling <3







These two horses, they are my life. I work, eat, sleep, and ponies. Year round you'll catch me at the barn 3-5 days a week, sometimes more! I can't imagine my life without them and love sharing them with anyone wanting to enjoy horses. I just love sharing the feeling I get from horses, like I'm on top of the world.

Cookies if you got through that all - still have to update on Cinder, Eve and Ransom but that's for another day

Gah I missed HL <3

Yay! I'm so proud of Dove and Justus! You must be ecstatic!

It's great that you found someone to lease Dove as well, hopefully it will be a rewarding experience for all involved.

Thank you, ecstatic is an understatement! I think my heart melted a little in re-reading my post, I love them so much! Haha, sappy moment...

I'm very excited for Dove and her leaser Can't wait to see them competing! Dove's such a trooper <3 They're far from high level competition, but I'm sure they'll do well in the beginner and lower levels! This is going to be a great adventure!

What wonderful improvement, I can't get over Dove, BEAUTIFUL! I look forward to more updates and photos of everyone !

Thank you! I must say Dove's turnaround was incredible...she was basically a trail horse, not really asked to do too much, and then had 3 years off completely to just get fat! Haha, Dec 2011 she was just shy of 1300lbs standing 15hh. Moooooo. Now she's hovering around 1050lbs which is a beautiful happy place for her - she's a big boned girl as is being have Mustang

I'm really hoping to get back into pictures, seemed to tinker out this last year. Now I've got an amazing new phone for photos on the fly and a nice camera for planned events For myself this summer will be fairly low key due to healing, but Justus is soft as butter so some fun will be had!