a different show

The June WQHA (Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association) show got moved. Inconveniently to a different venue over two hours away. On a holiday weekend. Not sure what they were thinking. I know there are issues with the preferred little-big city venue, and attending numbers continue dwindling. All Breed classes were added. Sadly, entries were still pathetically low.

Brad showed in one class (two different days) which is less than two minutes. Driving over four hours to wait around for unknown timing, in humid heat with nothing to do. Did not make sense for me to go. Someone has to take care of our other animals.  

It would have been nice to be there to support him and his horses. Not going to lie, it made for a long lonely four days. Thank goodness for our animal family at home!

Hope (separated by divider) Nemo and Harmony
7.3.25

Cierra is no longer retired. Brad "tuned her up" himself at home and hauled her to the show. He did not show Padame by choice. He bumped his lessons on her to twice a week. They are going really well! Brad's thought is they are at a good place as a team. He did not want a set back due to show nerves. Sorry no visuals of his blond beauty.

Brad is really (really) proud of Cierra!! She was only recently ridden at home a handful of times, and then he hauled her to ride once at the trainers arena. Cierra came home and was retired in 2020. A sign of good training.

A couple show pics from Brad:

Cierra

For many years, Brad wished for a directors show chair that would be easier on his knees.

 

day one 7.2.25

We finally decided on a land logo. Always harder creating your own stuff. 

Brad's directors chair

The show went on without me. Can you even believe it lol?! It was a different show. Brad chose to ride Cierra in an All Breed Open Ranch Riding class (vs AQHA). She is on allergy meds that AQHA does not allow. Breathing is apparently considered enhancing (insert eyeroll). You are done showing if you get caught. Not a big deal. Cierra already has plenty of points. His goal was to practice showing in front of judges. 

They had a good first day showing. Brad and Cierra took second to his trainer (riding Padame) in a small class of three. Padame went on to take "first" in her Ranch trail class, as a sole entry. Not sure about any other classes. 

Padame threw a shoe and sadly was only shown the first day. Brad didn't want just anyone slapping a shoe on her, considering her past lameness issues.

Brad & Cierra's second day of showing went even better. Scoring 73.5, 69.5 and 70.5 on their pattern. Every Ranch rider starts with a score of 70. They get plus or minus points from each judge, on required pattern/skills. They ended up Circuit Champ at that level. Padame would have most likely won, had she shown both days.

Showing is not my jam, but Brad is very happy living his show dream. Even with smaller numbers.

At home, we had to shift the herd. They were a noisy bunch, calling out. Harmony was turned out with Nemo, which left Hope with Koda. They were really good for me at chore time :)

Hope says "you can have Cierra, but please don't take Harmony"

happy fourth

Well folks, we are 100% immersed in July mode and it just started. Low 90'sF and 95-100% humidity. The mosquitos and biting flat flies arrived in full force yesterday. UGH!!

My head net has been clipped to my belt loop for weeks. I knew this day would come.

smile, what else can you do?
7/3/25

Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do for the dogs. Tank isn't bothered by biting pests. He has a thick course light colored coat. On the other hand, my old grand dog Jameson gets attacked ruthlessly by swarms of biters. The flat flies draw blood and create welts. The F-ers love his ears. J is a trooper, but I just can't allow it. Until biters calm down, our time outside will be limited. 

Before the swarms arrived, I enjoyed a different kind of float in our lil' Cowgirl Pool! It stayed in storage last year. I missed it. Such a great way to cool off at the end of the day, and relax without going anywhere.

floating to tunes (with a Bloody Mary) 

7/2/25

The Fourth of July was my favorite holiday. Best memories as a kid was decorating my bike for the neighborhood parade, and of course watching fireworks. I found a somewhat similar kid parade for my country raised children to experience.

We enjoyed watching little-big city firework displays from our old house. Rhythm N Booms fireworks were coordinated to music. You could tune in on a radio. It was epic! A huge event that drew massive crowds. We lived on top of a hill and hosted family friends for years. Brad would also light off his chosen impressive fireworks for our guests. Complete with a large self made PVC pipe fireworks holder. Ohhh, the memories!!

Things are quiet now. I don't even decorate the house anymore. One thing that hasn't changed, is my appreciation for freedom (that isn't free).

For those of you celebrating, have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!!

 

What Leo thinks of our July weather
7/3/25

land of wonders ~ may version

Our land continues to be a huge blessing. It fosters interests and offers wonder. It also gives us endless work things to do. Natures elements make every year different. 

Much like life, our land is an ebb and flow. 

With such varied ecosystems, we come across things we never knew existed and learn more about the ones we did. I know I titled this post ~ May version, but had to include the cool tiger.

Natures patterns fascinate me!

Arge Tiger Moth
4.27.25

First time finding these growing on our land! We are usually too dry. They are poisonous.

Jack in the Pulpit
5.3.25

Mid May I enjoyed hiking with a friend and showing her Pewit's Nest. I snapped a quick pic of a wildflower that does not grow on our land. I usually hike there in the Fall, best time to go.

Mayapple

5.19.25

Back to our land finds. All iphotos on this post.

pollen (pine) cone
5.21.25



white fungus started appearing
5.21.25

orange octopus in our trees
5.22.25

(aka cedar-apple rust fungus)


pineapples in our woods
5.29.25

AI failed ID this is *not* American-Cancer root

tiny pollen cones are forming (achoooo!)

tiny green friend
5.29.25

aka Gray (concrete?) Tree Frog


Hairy/Carolina/Hoary Puccoon
5.31.25

After (re) watching my favorite Disney movie/s ~ I FOUND MAUI'S HOOK!!!!

Maui's Hook
5.26.25

aka a powerful Makau 

hot horses

This stretch of muggy/horrid/hot and rainy weather we find ourselves in has been hard on all critters. We do what we can to lessen their discomfort, and ours. 

We take shorter dog walks, earlier in the day. Potty breaks happen between rain drops, whenever possible. Dog towels hang by exterior doors and water bowls are filled more frequently. Hummer feeders and bird bath water also gets swapped out more often.

My heart goes out to the farmers doing what they can to keep livestock from overheating. Our friend shared multiple calfs aborted due to excessive heat. I can only assume similar happens with wild life altho they may/may not have more options.

As for us, we are thankful for air conditioning! I come in/out often, to feel renewed. Gone are the days of spending time planted in front of fans. For fear of melting. I used all the tricks to keep a house cooler. The old farm house shaded from large oak trees was appreciated regardless.  

Our horses let us know it gets hot out here in sand country. When they really want to get out of the elements, our split herd uses the shared shed (with divider) or they hover around the gate. Swatting bugs with their tails/legs/nose. Hoping their staff will notice and bring them inside for relief, and OH what a relief it is! No plop, plop, fizz, fizz required. All you have to do is walk through the barn door to feel cooler air. Our arena stays amazingly cool. Without air conditioning. Nice for when Brad is working with Cierra and/or Hope. Which he has been doing more frequently.

We are not bath crazed equine owners and do let our horses be horses. Mother Natures showers are the best. However after repeated hot-n-sweaty days our horses do appreciate getting hosed off and faces wiped with a cool wash cloth. 

Even Ms. Hope. Who turns into sweet softness with a wash cloth rub. They all do to some extent. She is too funny! Hope wants to drink the hose water, and have water run onto her nose/nostrils. Hope does need to be reminded that big girls stand still, but is doing really well.

Below is a short clip of our trio coming in early from the back pasture. Not Harmony's normal response. It is usually a race and "whoa" can be heard. She must have been too hot to run. 

6.23.25 (26 secs)

Later in the day, Brad spotted light beams peaking out of the cloudy sky. By the time I grabbed my phone and got outside, the first beam that went straight up had all but faded. I enjoyed watching the sky morph, and wondering...

6.23.25 around 8:35pm

We woke up to close to 5" of rain in our gauge the next day. 

Have I mentioned it is **STILL** raining and hotter than blazes outside?!!