Optimism

Optimism is the cheerful frame of mind that enables a teakettle to sing, though in hot water up to its nose~

Sometimes the the times seem very suppressing and the downer days can be long, threatening to strangle ~

You must decide to SING!

Pony Club

When I was 7 years old I dreamt of joining Pony Club. I had my pony and was wanting to go to the local Hunt Club with my older sister and ride in that Huge arena and on the Polo fields out back. I had to wait till I was 10, those were the rules of membership.
Yet, I did have fun while that time passed, riding the trails and fields near our home . My father made of a large track in the bottom field. There were creeks to jump and a personal race course, I devised. My neighbor Mike with his pony, would come over and we'd go till dark.
Though I could ride all the way to the Lake Oswego Hunt Club from my house back then, I waited till the right time.

Finally, the day came and we trailered my Welsh,Pinto pony, Trixie, on over. We had a horse boarded there for my sister already. It was okay to ride Trixie...but we had no crupper strap and the saddle really would not stay in place for my jumping lessons. She would balk and the saddle and I- would go over towards the jump, without her!


So I began riding our grade Thoroughbred mare, "Bunny". She was named that aptly so...she would jump anything you pointed her towards and sometimes also at a gum wrapper she saw, in an open field!
I loved riding in Pony club and learning all the cool things that had to do with Dressage, Cross Country, and Stadium jumping. I usually scored well but my written tests were a pain as I hated to read. Now I know that my dyslexia hindered me some with a poor ethic for studying.
Now, I do still remember some of the cool tricks I learned hands on( a better way for me to learn) Like this Tail Trimming Technique. You place the brush under the tail, and it duplicates the raised tail, as if they were traveling. The end result is a very even trim- whatever length you wish for the discipline you ride

Riding Fall with my "Shadow Rider"

Lovely days and nights, we've had here in Oregon...the leaves are QUICKLY changing now that we've had frosts and the weather people are forecasting rain...so I'm taking the mare to the beach...for a quick trip with my PBO~
See ya all later in the week!

INTREPID RIDERS FACTION 2nd bestowing

Thought it was time to share the fun again with this award....Please accept this, my friends, knowing that I appreciate all you are to me here and also what you are to your Equine partner(s).

I adore Kate over at "A YEAR WITH HORSES" She always has practical horsemanship knowledge, laced with humor to share. She inspires me.

I also want impart this award upon a new - local -riding friend. Michelle from
"Chocolate and Marmalade Tea" She totally impressed me with her willingness to try new things when we met last week to ride at my place. Her caring nature towards the horse by wanting to learn; why we do -what we do, as we groom and tack up. She allowed me to share everything I could think of, as we readied for an adventure. It was her first trail ride on an English saddle. She did wonderfully and I now claim her as a "permanent riding partner", having come along when I had lost one.
ENJOY you lovely women!!!


This Award is dedicated to those Horse lovers and riders that inspire others to go deeper in ability, knowledge and understanding of the Equine(s) they have been entrusted to.

The good of the horse is the ultimate goal apart from pressures to achieve ribbons and fit into lesson schedules.

These riders are fearless, when it comes to weather conditions and the forecasting of them...being with their horses, fills these folks' soul and takes the cares out of daily routines.


They are unconditionally loving to the horse and may have rescued it from known ailment or living condition. Others have researched and purchased/ acquired their horse, to find a difficulty in temperament or a physical burden within the animal. Yet, Being dedicated , they have persevered to proudly be in partnership with their horse, lovingly striving for deeper awareness's between them.

They might have been riding for years and suddenly had an accident that takes them away from the great joy and freedom they have, being aboard such a magnificent animal. They have allowed the healing horse to rise in their hearts once again, and beckon them back~

INTREPID RIDERS FACTION ~We strive to go where others only dare to go with our horse loves...healing, riding, playing, camping, jumping, swimming and traveling down the trails of life. . . . with the horse in Heart~Overcoming many obstacles and sometimes weather, to ride!


I really wanted to follow through with something I have wanted to do here in bloggerville, Create an award. Actually, it is a symbol or an emblem to show for loving their wonderful Equine in a special way, the way only they can and have.

It honors the unique bond they have for going the distance understanding the needs of their entrusted Horse(s).

Awards make me feel good...not so much(sometimes) that a specific award was given to me, but that someone thought of me for an award. This one is thoughtful because it is specific.

This award was born out of many people calling me a name...not a bad name, but one that I rather liked.

INTREPID RIDER~

After looking up the meaning, I agreed. I added the "Faction" to the Awards name; because I rarely fit into any large, organized group of people I find. I tend to stand out for being misread and judged for my joyful abandon to try things with my horse and to inspire others to do the same. Fear is not my normal response to things ... just a desire to achieve higher understanding of what may lay ahead of me with my mare. I always seek out knowledgeable and caring individuals to assist me, in any quest I may look into.

I am taking with me the good I have gleaned from others and am leaving the dust of the bad behind me, not allowing it to fetter my supreme desire to be all I can be -as a rider to my mare and also- to allow- her to be the Equine athlete she truly is!



There are not many rules with this award...

JUST :

1)that you give it to only one person



2)link back to this post,so they may have an understanding

to it's the nature



3) You may use any or all of the above written descriptions

You may use this logo or the one on my sidebar~

Long-Lost-Log-Cabin-ride

With hunting season upon us in Oregon as of last week, my MUST RIDE MONDAYS partners and I decided to trailer out to safer riding grounds. Here, were we live, there are many State parks and other Pedestrian /Equestrian parks to choose from.
It was a Nice break from wearing ORANGE/flashing lights/ribbons and the sleigh like sounds of bear bells! I am a spectacle back home when I go out!

Grooming is very realaxing for this young Paso Fino, as the sunshine warms us all up. It was very brisk and icy earlier.


Washashe mare eats a bit more breakfast as I tack her up and ready myself.

Off we go, into the gorgeous wooded acres of Hardy Creek, in the Molalla River Corridor.

Washashe mare hears her horse friends, up in the woods...

I split off from the girls for a time , and rode the flatter wider path, as I had my hoof boots on and some of the narrow trails were slick as snot and I do not have a plant- em- down- and- walk- trail horse in Wa...she flutters around and slips, especially with the boots!

I do have some at home with STUDS...but they are for walking -no trotting or cantering.

It was so very lovely in the woods with the bright colors just starting to appear for Autumn.

There are some very nice tree assortments too...I love the white barked Alders!

Peeka boo~

I could not resist a shadow rider shot....the shadow rider is a faithful companion on bright days.

So we rode and rode till we got to the end of the main roadway and it hit trails. I wanted to go right and head back towards home, as the two others had time lines. But there was talk of a log cabin and we turned left to seek it out.

The trail got so steep and too slick for my mare again...so I opted to take the boots off and pack them in a bag I brought . It was okay for a time, then it got dicey and even the others were wondering if we should go on . The trail said "Seasonal" which means, it closes due to the muddy slick conditions.

They persited in going forth, So I got off the mare, undid her daisy chained rope. Then I got her tail wrapped around my hand behind her and asked her to follow the others up and down some icky-slicky stretches. She was awesome! She would look back frequently, to make sure all was well, and I would rub her and say -yes, it is!

We got pretty far away...NO log cabin in sight. So we headed down a rode, hoping it was correct...we forgot the map! We prayed for help-"To find the way home". Not 10 minutes later...

we yelled YEA!!!!

Back towards home we went, and as we rounded one of the last miles closest to home...the cabin appeared. It was a shack like thing really...and we all laughed it up with how memory, sometimes makes things grander!
Home ward we ride!

All was well with us and after a few phone calls...plans were changed and we relaxed agian as we drove home with our equine partners.

This sunset is what I fianlly drove home viewing, later after putting the mare out in her pasture. We rode for 5 hours and though it was not planned to be that long...it sure was a beaut of a day !! Praise God for helping us find the way- again!

Macro Monday

I love these beauties on my trellis. A neighbor gave me a start, years ago, and they fascinate me truly~And with a cloudy day and a bit of moisture...a smile they did bring!

PLEASE CLICK the TITLE to go visit ED, our Host, for Macro Monday's and others views- close up!