MZ Zip To The Blues (aka Blue)

Blue is technically Mom's horse but I have been showing him this season. Since the points from the most recent show have been loaded to the national website I thought I would give an update on how Blue and I have been doing.

The first show we attended this season was the Firecracker Classic in July. The show was five days long and was actually two shows in one. I only participated in the second show which was on Saturday and Sunday. There were high points awarded for each individual show and the two shows combined. I won highpoint hunter type horse for the second show.

The second show we attended was the Summer Classic in August. Again we won highpoint hunter type. I added two new classes at this show: disciplined rail english and disciplined rail western. (Think simon says only on horseback). Disciplined rail was the first of the new classes and Blue was doing really well until they asked for the side pass. We ended up third of three horses under all judges, oh well. In disciplined rail western we had a good go and ended up winning the class overall.

(This is a picture from 2005 (courtesy Tom), Mom doesn't take very many pictures at the shows.)

On the national level Blue is having a great year. He is top ten in the nation in Western Pleasure, Ideal Pinto English, and Ideal Pinto Western. (Hunter Type)

He also has is register of merit in the following classes: English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Ideal Pinto English, and Ideal Pinto Western. I think he also has earned his Certificate of Ability.

Sadly, this October will probably be the last time I show Blue. I am having a great time showing and winning with such a wonderful horse, but Smiles is doing really well so I will be showing him next season. Isn't he cute! In the picture below he is only a yearling, he is much bigger now. If I get around to it I will have someone take a picture the next time I ride Smiles and post it.

(2005, courtesy Tom)

Marathon Weekend

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Life seems to have been very busy this past week, and we had quite the busy weekend.

We were up before 5:00 on Saturday and left the house around 6:00. The first order of business was 18 holes of golf at a small 3 par course. Once that was finished we headed over to Mom and Dad's place.

The Osterud farm was running low on hay (3 bales left) and the only way they could get delivery was if there was someone to help stack the hay. So I volunteered Tom and myself.

Each bale weighs about 125lbs and we stacked a total of 5 ton. It really wasn't that bad (at least for me). Tom and Ziggy did most of the work.

After a quick shower for Tom we headed over to Ma and Pa's house. We went with Ma to get lunch for everyone and ate back at the shop.

After lunch I got to hang out and talk with Ma while Tom worked on installing a web cam. Since it was after 3:00 by the time he finished and I had to be back in Aurora early the next morning, I decided I would crash at Mom and Dad's.

Before heading over to the Osterud household Tom and I joined Ma, Pa, and Kathy-Bob (Tom's aunt and uncle) for dinner. Tom headed home after dinner, but the "party" was still going for me.

The crew headed over to Wilsonville for a couple games of bowling. Kathy whooped on everybody, I did not even break a 70 :-). After bowling I treated the crew to Coldstone ice cream.

Finally, I arrived at Mom and Dad's. After a "cat"asrophe (I would explain but then this post would be even longer) I went to bed.

Tom was up early for another game of golf, this time with Pa and Dad. And I was up early for a 10 mile trail ride through the hills of Silverton.

All in all it was a great weekend. Now if only I had a weekend to recover from my weekend.

"The Extras"

In some of my posts I have referred to Ma, Pa, Mom, and Dad. It occurred to me that not everyone might know who exactly I am referring to.

Introducing the extras:
*Disclaimer-"I only make fun of the people I love"*


"Ma" - Always there to lend an ear or a hand (especially when it comes to Tom's injuries).


"Pa" - Will fix anything that breaks (even if it is stuck on I-5 at 8:00 at night).



"Dad" - Enjoys everything in life with a smile and a laugh (even when it takes him two minutes to finish the computer mini golf hole and Mom is making fun of him).



"Mom" - Drops whatever she is doing at a moments notice just to spend time with her family** (even when it involves driving from Aurora to NoPo).

**Woody

Tom and I are truly blessed to have such wonderful parents, who put up with all our crazy antics.

Random Picture Post

Hope you enjoy these random pictures. Bonus points to the first person to guess what the mystery picture is.

I think Tom has outgrown the playground.

Yes, Vladimir is wearing a diaper in this picture.

Ma's version of a shrunken head, cool!

MYSTERY PICTURE???

"Woody the linebacker"

Whadya feed your corn Ma?

For The Record: Part Deux

Tom did not find his ring, so he is now indebted a half hour massage. But...



I made a deal, and you're going to think that I am too generous. Here are the new "terms":

• A: If he finds the ring by the end of the month he does not have to "pay up" on the massage he owes me (no reward for Tom). If no ring he best get the massage oil out.
  
• B: If he does not find the ring by the end of the year he has to buy a new one.

So the saga continues, expect a new update at the end of September.