Equine Affaire Ohio - April 9, 2017 - Part II

I must confess, the dates I have on this post and the previous post are incorrect.  It was actually April 8th...but I'll leave them as is. 👧

Here are a few more pictures from the day, as promised.

 A beautiful gypsy vanner!

All dressed up and ready for the show arena.

In an outside ring showing off their stuff!

One last picture from this year's Equine Affaire

Looking forward to next year's show!
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Equine Affaire Ohio - April 9, 2017 - Part 1

I absolutely love horses!! Never had any of my own, and probably never will.  A few years ago I finally signed up and took riding lessons for a couple of years.  It was so much fun finally being able to do one of the things I've always wanted to do.  I stopped taking lessons because I felt I had gotten as far as I ever would at my age.  Also, my left knee was bothering me a lot and made it almost impossible to mount a horse without too much pain.

Every year, for the past 10 years or so I always went to the horse show in either Indianapolis with my son's family or the last couple of years to the one in Columbus, Ohio.  I didn't go last year because walking had become too difficult.

After my knee replacement surgery last June, I was all set to go back to Columbus and walk all day!  This year, my husband Herb, our daughter, Emily and granddaughter Emmi, traveled to Columbus with me.  Our son, Eric and his family also traveled to Columbus.  It has become quite a family affair as well as an Equine Affaire!  Here are a few pictures from the day.

Love this little cutie standing in his stall ready to go out and perform.

 Here he is in the arena.  So cute.

This guy was all tuckered out and resting.

A few horses coming from their stalls heading to the arena.

One of the first clinics that we watched.

I'm sure this little guy wants someone to stop and get the "hair" out of his eyes!

I will post more pictures next time.  I won't bore you with all the pictures that were taken...but at least one more posting.
If you have time scroll down my page and check out some of my other entries you may have missed. Please and thank you!

Changes...Changes..Changes

I haven't been blogging much lately for several reasons.  One being that I've been busy doing other things.  Since I got a new puppy in June, I've been spending a lot of time with him and not taking very many pictures.  We hike trails and play in the back yard.  When we hike, I'm busy working with Finn.  He still wants to jump on people and kiss them.  He's just a little guy, 9 lbs or so, so he won't hurt anyone, but he still has to learn his manners.  A camera hanging around my neck just gets in the way when I'm tending to Finn.

One of our cats is not doing very well either.  Magnum has lost the use of his back legs.  He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but we do keep an extra eye for him.  Finn likes to jump on the cats and give them "kisses" too, and poor Magnum has no way to escape quickly.  We move Magnum to higher ground (the sofa) when Finn is out tearing around the house.  Magnum is having some litter box issues too.  His back legs usually don't make it into the litter box (he thinks they're in, but because he doesn't have any feeling in them, he doesn't realize they aren't in).  We have a pretty good system set up so the mess stays in a big tray, but it does take extra time and effort to clean up after him.

 These are a couple of shots of Magnum's spot when he wants to sit with us in the family room

Magnum in his safe spot on the sofa when Finn is running wild.

Magnum's other safe spot in the "cat room" only the cats are allowed in this room.  Litter boxes, food and water and of course, Magnum's special resting spot.  Magnum spends a lot of time in here away from crazy Finn, but he can come out whenever he wants. 








I don't get a lot of comments on my blog, and that's OK.  I know some people read my blog, but don't leave comments...I'm OK with that.  I read a few blogs and don't leave comments either.  I do appreciate anyone who stops by to read my blog leaving comments or not.

So, I've decided just to blog when I have something that I'd like to share with others or just for my own enjoyment.  I hope you'll tag along with me whether I blog once a week, once a month...or who knows, once a year!

Today, I've decided to share a video of horse I used to ride at Winton Woods Riding Center when I took lessons a few years ago.  His name is Sultan and has always been one of my favorites.  This video was taken by a lady who works at the Riding Center and was kind enough to share it with me.  This video shows off how beautiful Sultan is...such a handsome boy!  Horses are such magnificent animals! This is my first attempt to post a video, hope it works!  Enjoy!

My Adventure to Columbs Ohio and the Equine Affaire

Two weekends ago I decided to venture up I71 to Columbus, Ohio...about a two hour drive from where I live.  My husband had to work, so on the spur of the moment I decided to go any way.  The directions seemed pretty simple, a straight shot up I71 to exit 111.  Turn left, go a block a turn right.

I didn't count on the road construction 5 miles before my exit.  I got off I71 AFTER I missed the detour and didn't have a clue how to get to the Fair Grounds.  After driving around for about 30 minutes and stopping twice to get directions, I finally found the Fair Grounds!!  However, by that time, I was so frustrated I just wanted to go home.  Was I surprised to look up and see the Fair Grounds just before I got back on to I71.

It was a rainy cold day and I stayed for about 4 hours.  I would have like to have stayed longer but the old knees were starting to ache.  So I headed home.  I had no trouble finding my way home, but had to drive the almost 2 hours in a steady downpour of rain.  It was difficult to see and there were crazy people on the highway with no lights.  I was never quite sure the whereabouts of cars near me because it was so hard to see.  I made it home with no mishaps, but I was worn out, wet and achy.  Other than that, I had a wonderful time!

Here are some shots of the Ohio Equine Affaire 2012.

I didn't get to roam around a lot to the different buildings because of the rain, but here are some shots of the beautiful Gypsy Vanner Horses.

After the Gypsy Vanners, I stayed for a clinic put on by Stacy Westfall.  Stacy Westfall is a professional horse trainer who specializes in reining. She was the first woman to compete in and win the "Road to the Horse" competition.  In 2006 she won the American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle Reining competition on the black mare Whizards Baby Doll, riding both bridleless and bareback.

This next picture is quite a blur!  This will give you a good idea just how fast she was riding around the arena!  And doing it all WITHOUT A BRIDLE!  What a rider!!

 Two more shots...unfortunately, both from the back.

Horses from Winton Woods Riding Center

More beautiful horses from Winton Woods Riding Center.  Just love to visit with them whenever I can!

Another Evening at Winton Woods Riding Center & Parky's Farm

Towards the end of summer I just had to make one more stop at Winton Woods Riding Center and Parky's Farm.  I took a good friend of mine, Nancy, with me so she could experience the beauty of all the animals,  especially the horses.  October brings Parky's Farm Halloween Nights, which brings out all the little kids and limited access to see nature at it's best.  I know the kids enjoying going there, but it takes away the remaining days of summer and the beginning of October to those of us who like to stroll through the area.

Hueston Woods State Park - Part II

More pictures from Hueston Woods State Park.  Wasn't feeling particularly well that day, but got some good shots any way.  These pictures will be great to look at this winter when I'm snowed in and wishing for warm weather!

Some riders on horseback up high on the trail....guess you know where I wanted to be!