We Made It

I think back to May when I was first going to show JC and how I wasn't sure he was ready for an amateur. Boy was I wrong. That horse does whatever you ask of him. He has come thru for me in the shows whenever I have needed him to be there. Yes, we have had our ups and downs, but, mostly, ups. He has been reserve grand champion twice and has always been in the ribbons for me. He has never quit on me or given up even when he had reason to.

I remember our second show. I arrived and JC's leg was swollen. read the full story

Jet and the Mannequin

It is funny how horses get so set in what they are doing that they forget how to be a horse. We recently retired a mare we had bred years ago. My sister has been showing her for the past 10 years. Jet (New York's Best M&N) started showing at the age of three in 3 year old fine harness. She also showed in 4 year old fine harness and my sister began showing her at the age of 5. Jet turned 13 last year and we decided she had done enough and would take over for her mother, who passed away years ago, to keep that line going.

We moved Jet to a barn closer to where I live and to the clinic where we do all our breeding. The first day Jet was turned out into the pasture she didn't know what to do. Every time she couldn't see a person, she would have a fit. She was so used to being around people and had never been turned out since she came in for training at the age of 2. The people taking care of her thought she would adjust. After a week, they still couldn't leave her outside alone. So, the person who takes care of her came up with an idea. Kristin just didn't have all day to stay outside with Jet. Kristin got Jet a mannequin. She borrowed it from someone just to see what would happen. She put her jeans and another girl's sweatshirt on the mannequin and placed it under a tree. She then let Jet out into the field. read more

What a Journey it Has Been!

As I read back through my many posts about JC (Buck Almighty), I began to think about our entire journey together and what a journey it has been. JC came to Winsome farms in August of 2006 when he was a yearling. I had only seen him a few times at his previous home. We have been breeding a long time and, from the day he arrived at Winsome, I knew I had to have him. He was the one baby that just touched my heart. He was big and lanky with this wonderfully chiseled face and a flaxen mane and tail on a liver chestnut body. He was warm and loving and would run over to me whenever he saw me at the fence.

The first step was to get him gelded as that had not been done yet. We got him gelded and he ended up with a terrible infection and ended up at the clinic for over 3 weeks. It was a bit touch and go, but they said he was so sweet about the whole thing. They could drain the fluid and he would just stand there and let them. Remember-this is a place that none of us would want drained if we were males. I would visit him at the clinic and he was so sweet; he knew everyone was trying to help him. read on

4 Weeks and Counting

I remember a year ago, we were wondering if JC would make it into the show ring as a 3 year old. He did and he did us proud. Six months ago we were debating whether or not I would learn to ride him well enough to be able to show him as a 4 year old. It was questionable as my leg was broken at the time. Well, here we are 4 weeks from our first show and he is an angel. He tries to please every second from the moment you go to get on him. I am vertically challenged so it takes me time to get on. I have to use a three step stool. He just stands and waits until everything is adjusted and I am ready to go. read more

Raquel-the Filly

It is so much fun to watch the new babies come in each year. This year Raquel, our now 2 year old, came in. What a different personality she is from her brother. Raquel definitely has attitude. She is a mare and doesn't let anyone forget it. She tries hard, but gets confused, and then gets upset. It really is not fair to her that we keep comparing her to her brother. We have to remember that we have been breeding for over 25 years and she is still one of the best ones we have bred.

It is hard to remember to have patience. They are not going to look like show horses the day they come into training. She has a lot more attitude than JC, but doesn't seem to have his heart. That just could be because of her age. I remember when JC was her age. We were told he wouldn't amount to much and he certainly is a good boy. I have to remember not to lose faith in her and give her the time she needs to become what she can. She is a talented baby with lots of personality. She loves her carrots and you can play with her in her stall. She is not mean in the least. more

We're Getting There!

Wow, it's been 4 years since he was born, but I am finally riding JC. He has exceeding some of my expectations and didn't rise up to others. He is beautiful, but is not gaited. I can forgive him that. He is a gentle giant of a boy. Everything he is in his stall; he is when you ride him. He doesn't get angry or confused. He doesn't hold it against me that it takes time for me to get on him and end up hitting him with the step stool. He doesn't get upset that I hang on his mouth every now and then and that I don't understand him as well as his trainer did. He always keeps his head in a perfect place without me having to fight with him. I cluck and he steps up with no hesitation. I say back and he backs his three steps.

Through these years, he and I have developed a relationship; I believe that relationship has carried on to my riding him. He knows I am the "carrot girl" and I love him. He trusts me and I trust him. He tries to teach me to help him and I do my best. I don't always get it right, but he doesn't resent it when I make a mistake; which I do frequently. He never loses his temper or gives in to my frustration. It is like he is saying, "Will you chill out; we will get there together." He and I are learning to come together as a team. The 4 year old is teaching the 40 something how to trust him completely. more

Where Does Time Go?

Last time I looked it was the end of October and JC was being let down for the winter. We had just finished the last show of the season. Now, we are planning shows for this upcoming season, JC is back to work and everyone is discussing how they will fit into their riding suits. As for me, I have ridden JC once and I have to learn to ride him in order to show him.

Riding him was wonderful. He is the most honest horse I have ever ridden. He tries to please every step of the way. You tell him what you want and he does it. He floored me when I told him to back and, with me never touching the bridle or having him step forward, he backed exactly three steps and walked forward again. We had a few issues on the canter, but he tried to do it right. more

Horsey Aerobics

I have been pretty much laid up since September of 2007 when I got beat up in a fight at work. By the end of January, I had had two shoulder surgeries. I rode after my surgeries if you could call it that. When I got to the point that my shoulders were as healed as they could get, I broke my leg. That left me with another 10 weeks of not riding.

My arms will never improve; they are what they are. My leg has almost healed. I do have to get on and off with a 3 step stool. I am trying to ride as much as possible to get myself in shape to show JC this summer. Today, I learned something new-horsey aerobics. My trainer had me ride with free weights. OMG I never thought I would get through it. My arms hadn't really been used in well over a year. Now I was riding with free weights in each hand and posting at the same time. She was worse than any personal trainer I ever had. I didn't realize how weak I really was. more