Thanksgiving weekend and Horse rides

Well, Buzz was helpful in showing Zech and Grace what it feels like to ride a horse!! I think that they both enjoyed riding and "controlling" the horse!! I taught them how to guide Buzz by using his mane.... they're on their way to riding bareback and bridleless! : )

Jack Brainard Clinic

Last weekend I attended a 4 day clinic with an 86 year old legend in horsemanship, Jack Brainard. He still rides and trains young horses. He has had 7 world champions in 3 different fields, and bred many more. He is famous for helping people learn flying lead changes. That has been something that I've been trying to do all my riding career.... well, this past weekend, I got my first flying lead changes!! : ) YEA!!!! At the end of the 4 days, there was a little fun competition. There were 3 different sections; pleasure, reining, and obstacle course. I'm so happy to announce that after placing 5th in pleasure, 2nd in reining, and 2nd in obstacle, Buzz and I were named All Around Champions of the 12 participants!!!! That was so cool; especially since there were 2 parelli instructors and a number of very talented horsemen in the class!!! Buzz is still the wonder horse!! Now in WESTERN too!!!

Back in Murphy's!!

The other weekend, we decided to head back to the land where we tied the knot. Ironically, without even knowing, we went back to Murphy's for the biggest event of the year-- The GRAPE STOMP!!! We had wanted to avoid the crowds (There was a big wine tasting event in Plymouth involving all of the wineries in our area) but instead walked smack dab into the midst of crowds!!! But it was fun and we enjoyed the event in Murphy's...... They had teams of two stomping grapes and then they measured how much grape juice was taken out of each barrel. The teams dressed up and everyone had a great time!!! We went back and walked around Ironstone too..... memories!! (minus my pretty cinderella dress ; )

Orchid madness

Well, as many of you know, I love orchids. I've been attempting to grow them in my house with some success.... although it can sometimes be a LONG time before you see the next flower! ( It's not uncommon for orchids to bloom only once or twice a year.) Well, this year I'm cheating! ; ) I went to the orchid store with my friend Monica, and together , we went mad buying orchids! Since I didn't want Rob to feel left out, I bought him a Venus Fly Trap while I was there----- it seemed like the "manliest" plant there!! And I'm happy to report that it's cought 3 flies!! Whoohoooooo!!!

Buzz the Wonder Horse

Here is a picture of me during a dressage lesson with Tanya Vik. She is helping me with my riding position. As Allison knows, I have never been a very good rider in regards to my position. Allison always used to beat me in the shows! But Tanya has really been helpful-- and in this photo Buzz is doing the best that his little quarter horse self can!! ; ) Tanya is currently showing in the Pris St George division. This is just under Grand Pris... which is Olympic caliber.

New Addition! BROKEN!!

Well, reluctantly Rob is allowing me to have this little "special kitty" named Lamb ( Lamborgini for short, or as Rob affectionately calls him, PEG leg.) Now, Lamb is currently on probation. He has to demonstrate that he can poop in the right spots and will go outside at times.... And he can't be on the bed!! That's Goat's spot!

But why this kitty? Because as my parents know, I have a knack at finding special cats. This one seemed right because he is orange, my preferred colored, and has a broken leg--- this is my M.O. Ever since the original SLINGSHOT, I've been drawn to broken orange cats!! Funny, but Monster, my female orange cat, wasn't broken, but became broken somehow here at Seeking Unity Farms!! She now has a plate in her leg.

Now, in an effort to KEEP UP WITH THE JONES'..... ( i.e. my sister! : ) I've included Lamb's radiographs showing his fracture. For all those out there worried about him, no fears, he's healing well; and should have his cast off in less than a week!!

ALASKA 2007

Fun, friends, and lots of FISH!!!

Rob, and Will had a great time in Alaska. Details of their adventure will follow, as soon as I pin down Rob to write them!! ; )

SPORTHORSE shows

Well, the last month has been a time of FISHING for Rob and Horse shows for me..... We both have been able to indulge in our passions..... I am very proud to say that Rain, my "first born", was Regional Reserve Champion Anglo Arab Gelding ATH. He got a huge ribbon and a plaque and I think he hated every moment of it!! I will say that he was a very good boy for me though.....

A few weeks prior to that I took 2 of my youngsters who are for sale to an OPEN show--- much more competion.... some of the horses I was competing against were $40-60,000 horses! So, we took a third, and we were happy with that. I took Cloud, Rain's brother and Mitty..... the chestnut filly from hell!!! she was SO scared and hence SO BAD!!! She was biting me, rearing up, trying to jump out of her stall-and she got hung up on the door so they closed her into the small dark stall and she cried and cried. I wanted to go home!! It was a really hot day too..... thank goodness my friend Kris came with me. ANyways, I survived and the chestnut filly's price went down immensely-- FIRE SALE!!!! ; )


I've also been taking dressage lessons with Buzz my quarter horse, Rob's mount!! ; ) We are doing very well..... I'll send pictures later.


See you!

Rob's 20th High School Reunion

Susanville Class of 1987!!

Last weekend, Rob and I ventured to Susanville for his 20th high school reunion. I can't even believe that we are as old as we are!! I feel lucky after learning that Rob was a good guy then too!! Not much changes.....
On Saturday, Rob and 6 of his friends played a LONGGGG!!!!! game of golf..... I had to join in for the second half if I wanted to see Rob at all that day!! I was scared to even try golfing; for fear that I would suck horribly, but was surprised to find out that although my style was not great--- ball bounced on the ground the whole way--- I could hit it straight and actually was able to contribute to our team at times.... it was a good time had by all!
We also had a chance to visit with Rob's parents, who had new siding put on their house in the 2 days that we were there!!! It looked really nice when it was finished. We dropped Rob's mom off at the airport in Reno for her "stamping" conference trip to Arizona with her best friend... then we were off to home, where I had to go to work until midnight! Yuk..... such is life! ; )

After our wonderful wedding..... we were off to Costa Rica. We had a wonderful 2 weeks together, doing all kinds of fun things. We started off the trip repelling off waterfalls in the rain forest, had dinner while watching an active volcano erupt, and sat in rivers of natural hotsprings fed by the volcano. This was followed by zip lining through the cloud forest and happening on a costa rican rodeo! Later we headed down to the coast where we went deep sea fishing for 2 days ( whose influence was that?!) and I had a big sailfish on, that I promptly lost!! ; ( It's now just one of those fish stories!!!), went horseback riding up to a waterfall, relaxed by a pool with a swim up bar, met lots of nice people, and got to see lots of wildlife like monkeys and sloths..... Oh, and the coolest frogs too!! Overall, I think that we would both agree that it was a great time-- and the best part was being together!! When I figure out how to do it, I will have a link to our pictures for anyone interested!

Our Wedding Album

Take a look at our wedding album!

www.kirkners.com/HodgsonWeddingAlbum.pdf