first and last

This weekend is/was Padame's first and last time showing this season. Although she attended five shows spread out from March to end of August. The first was for exposure/training. She needed it. At her second show in April, Padame came up lame during practice and ended up not showing. 

An MRI revealed nothing in particular. Her course of treatment included a shot of ReNovo, followed by no training with continued partial turn out. She eventually began incremental rehab workouts.

Padame attended her third and fourth show with the trainer, to continue rehab. At least she got some kind of show exposure. Earlier this month Padame was deemed sound, and cleared to go back to full training. It took around 4 months. 

I am glad ReNovo worked for Padame. It did not work for Koda. He remains lame off/on.

Brad opted not to ride Padame during rehab. What little time was spent under saddle, was better done with the intuitive trainer she lives with. Just a few weeks ago, he started riding and connecting with his horse again.

Onto the first and last show:

Wisconsin Horse Shows continue to shrink. This season ending five day AQHA State Show was no exception. Almost all Youth classes have no one entered. How sad!! Hunter Jumper classes were also empty. Those folks chose not to attend, rumored to be because of venue/footing. The largest Ranch class I saw had 10 entries. Almost all had a lot less (4-5). It is a good thing Horse Showing is an individual sport.

Padame was only shown by the trainer. Although Brad did ride Padame in the practice rings, on no-show days. He noted a significant difference in her maturity.

Below are a few no so great cellphone shots of Brad's blondie, who turns a lot of heads.

Padame 8/31/24

For the show inclined, Padame's Ranch Riding scores ranged from a high 72.5 to an odd low 64. There was a judge that didn't like anyone she saw and scored much lower than the other two judging the same ride.

The scoring can drive a person bat shit crazy!! Everyone starts with a score of 70. You go up/down from there in .5 points increments, based on skill execution aka personal opinion...every skill, every judge opinion, two different days.

The State show was double sanctioned by both the Wisconsin Quarter Horse and Palomino Associations. On Friday, the two Palomino Judges placed Padame 1st (5 entries) in riding and 2nd in conformation (4 entries). No scoring. Saturday she got 2nd in riding and was scratched from conformation, so the two ranch horses could go home at a decent hour. They were so ready to leave the show chaos.

Padame 8/31/24

It was so fantastic and heart warming to see our long-time horse friend at the show, overcome her serious health problems. We used to all trail ride together back in the day. Most people never ride again after having a stroke, and she is even back showing. Nothing short of a miracle!! So well deserved. Brad has his show buddy back :)) Below they are getting ready to load horses.

Padame & Brad with Checkers & Peggy

web of wonder

Nature's wonder has eluded me this warm season, unless we are talking storms. The steady dose of volatile June weather we've been enjoying (?) has kept me out of our woods for the most part. I have barely used my camera. Bringing horse in/out and vegetable gardening are done in rushed swatting spurts. 

Summer is officially my least favorite season.

Consequently, more time is spent indoors appreciating cooler air. With too much time to ponder. What is my purpose? Damned if I know. 

I try not to spend too much time in my head. Letting thoughts circles, and circle AND circle.

Thank goodness there are breaks between storms. One was just long enough to enjoy a family reunion on my Mother-in-Law's side, at a park. After 18-ish years, everyone is noticeably aging. 

A few bike rides along the river have been enjoyed. Moving faster than the speed of mosquito helps avoid the blood suckers.

Dogs walks are infrequent and very short. Our older Lab is black, a flying pest magnet. I spotted a web glistening in morning light. It inspired me to make a second trip (via putt-putt) and dust off my dormant camera. 

6/24/24

I also made a quick stop at my Butterfly Garden. Glad it is being enjoyed.

closed wing Viceroy (those spots!)

open wing Viceroy
6/24/24

Our weather isn't all bad, but it sure makes a person wonder.

peaceful pastures

Hello Blogger friends! Long time no type. I hope you are all enjoying your respective Springin' into Summer. It has been quiet here at Hidden Cactus Ranch.

In April, we took a chance and introduced Koda and Hope without barriers. The first indoor meeting was so non-eventful they have been turned out together with Harmony ever since.

4/25/24

Instant love, even with a mouth full of hair
(21 secs)

Hope says "I am a big girl now!"

We are thankful to not be doing half day turn-outs. Swapping one boy out for the other is a thing of the past. Someone was always in the barn alone. Letting us know they were less than happy, although both boys were good sports in general. It wasn't fun for us either. Cleaning stalls dragged on all day and it is hard to go most anywhere.

Nemo and Koda are still not pastured together and at this point never will be. I still find it very odd after being inseparable for so many years. They are stalled next to each other, but we plan to move one of them.

Cierra continues to be possessive with Hope, so she is Nemo's pasture mate. Our horses really all want to be together. At times they operate as a herd, even with a fence between them. 

Harmony, Hope and Koda are very happy sharing a pasture. Their herd interactions are funny to watch. They do most everything together and seem to have zero issues. I couldn't tell you who rules, but I can tell you who is the fastest. Hope by a landslide. She outruns everyone. That girl is fast! She also continues being sweet and level-headed. Hope seems to have calmed Koda down. Significantly.

Peaceful pastures are pure bliss. So are rainbows.

view of our barn from the house deck
 6/5/24

wide angle

(my old phone didn't pick the second one up very well)

Be well, until next time.

Midwest Horse Fair ~ 2 of 2

If you missed it, here is the link for the first half of Midwest Horse Fair.

............................

This PRCA event was our first time attending a rodeo this decade. Two nights of rodeo at MWHF always sell out. We either get tickets early, or simply don't go. This also applies to attending music events. At this stage of my life, nose bleed seats just don't appeal to me. 

The rodeo at fair was something else this year. Freshest calves we have ever witnessed! They literally were like jumping beans. Non-stop bouncing off the ground. I wonder what they fed them to make them strong, big and fast. With a dose of crazy. One calf repeatedly tried to kick a cowboys face off. Some ended up running towards the Tie Down horses, instead of away. Expressions were priceless. The cowboys wrassled, got tangled up, fell backwards, tucked-n-rolled and tried their very best. In the end, the four legged animals won most of the time.

I tried to get a few key photos from my seat. We were sitting behind/next to part of a drill team that performed at the Friday Night rodeo. I learned a few things. Fun chatting with the spicy one sitting next to me, when she wasn't going in/out of our aisle 50X (insert eye roll).

Onto the photos! 

10 horse all gelding Belgian pyramid hitch

I not so secretly want to drive a single or pair of drafts. The lead Belgian was so proud and confident!

The Fox Hound group was fun to watch again. The red jacket rider is a distinguished experienced lead. This lady has led for decades.

calling in the hounds (with a whistle) 

The well-known award winning rodeo clown John Harrison and announcer Kelly Kenney were entertaining as always.

double trouble

Harrison's rodeo act with his horse Peanut was just as cute as the first time I saw it.

the horse was playing dead

trying to get his horse to stand up

I only took a couple shots of the cowboys, mostly because of our seating situation. We were plenty close to the arena, but most of the shoots/my shots were blocked. Totally okay. Rodeo shooting is just for fun.

I thoroughly enjoy watching the fearless talented pick up riders and mounts. They are life savers.

sadly this bull rider got hurt (stomped on)

I am a big fan of the acts. The endless hours these folks must put in to showcase their talents.

Liberty Cunningham

This young roman rider is only 13 years old. I cannot imagine the confidence it takes to trick ride in a sold out arena. At any age.

The main entertainment act was a highly award winning Roper & Trick Riding husband wife team (Rider & Bethany Kiesner). I had the most camera fun trying to catch this acts non-stop action.

Some entertainers use spotlights, which is ideal for photos. Otherwise rodeo shots have very busy backgrounds. Here is just a small fraction of the duo's snappin-n-jumping-riding act:

closing out with the stars of the rodeo, horses

............................

Well, that's a wrap. I hope your eyeballs didn't fall out. In conclusion, I really enjoyed attending fair again this year. I will go as long as I am able. There is something to be said for hanging around like minded people and watching the incredible talent presented. Not to mention the gorgeous equine!!