SPRING !!

What a beautiful time of year ! Our azaleas are blooming and the weather is wonderful. Our niece Melinda came for a week long visit and we enjoyed her company. She got our Dixie harnessed up and worked with her. We even took her down the street for her first "on the road" experience. She was very nervous so I walked along beside her with a lead rope attached as Melinda drove her. It went well for her first time pulling the cart out off of our property. She did better than I did when a big garbage truck went by, sped up, changed gears and HONKED as he passed us!! What a jerk ! We were giving him the signal to slow down as he came up behind us, but I guess he didn't care. We got her back in our yard and then worked her some more in her comfort zone, then ended the lesson on a good note. We took some videos and pics.

Easter day was great! We went to church and then came home to fix lunch for the family. We had Mom, Jenny, Robbin, Tim, JT, me and Bobby. (Melinda had to leave early in the morning to drive back to Nashville.) Everybody pitched in and lunched turned out yummy. After everyone was full and napping, Jenny and I loaded up and went for a ride at Sal Taylor Creek Preserve. We rode for 2-1/2 hours through some shady trails winding up at the creek - very few bugs and a nice breeze the whole time.

I also went on my first motorcyle ride in years and years. Bobby took me for a short tour of the neighborhood on Tim's bike. I was a little nervous, but it was mostly fun.

We are blessed ! He is risen !

Best Trail Riding and Camping Ever !

I just got back from the 20th Anniversary Osceola County Wagon Train and Trail Ride. BOY WAS IT FUN! It was my first week long camp out and also the first with so many riders. I heard that there were over 600 total participants and I think there may have been about 400 riders during the first part of the week. I camped with my friend Marilyn and her mule Clyde and met many new friends. I took loads of pictures and kept a journal so that I could remember each day. We were camped on the Whaley Ranch south of St. Cloud; it was very well organized and the food was delicious. Stylin and I both learned a lot during our week long adventure. Here's the link to my photo album and for those with nothing else to do, here's the link to my journal.

Ringer's Big Day

Ringer left yesterday for a month's trial with our friend Michele. She was looking for a calm, well started gelding and guess who fit the bill?

I spent the afternoon grooming him, lovin on him and then rode him for a little while before he went to his new home. He has a really nice set up with Michele and her current horse Dawn. Here's hoping that everything works out!

Uplifting, Inspiring and Fun

I was able to enjoy a wonderfully fun packed weekend which included riding my horse with friends, spending quality time with my church peers and also spending time with my family.

Friday morning I joined Marilyn and Cathy for a ride at Guana State Park at South Ponte Vedra. I had never had the opportunity to ride there before but had heard great things about it. I was not disappointed ... beautiful winding trails, marshlands on one side and the Tolomato River on the other. We parked at the main entrance in a lot shared with bikers, hikers and boaters. We had planned on setting off from the north entrance, but it was closed due to hunting. After riding for about 2 hours, we decided to check out the beach on our way home. We only had 30 min to play at the beach with our horses before I had to skedaddle back home.

Robbin picked me up from my house around 4:30 so that we could go to St. Simons Island. We had signed up to participate in our church leadership retreat being held at Epworth by the Sea. We spent Fri nite, Saturday and returned after lunch on Sunday. It was a beautiful river setting with majestic old oaks, manicured grounds and lots of Methodist history. We headed back home rejuvenated and closer to our friends at church.

Then this evening, we took Mom to dinner at a Japanese Steak House for her 75th birthday. Our chef was a lot of fun (of course, he had our group to work with) and we all had a wonderful time!

More pictures of the Friday ride and Mom's birthday dinner are at the Family Photo link to the right.

Not just for kids.......... :)

First Times

My pooch Sarah had her first haircut yesterday..... she was way too hairy for Florida and was shedding her fur everywhere in the house. I almost didn't recognize her when we picked her up from the doggy hair do salon !

I rode Stylin bareback, no halter - no bridle today for the very first time ever ! I did use a neck rope and climbed on her from the fence. She did really well! Of course I did it in the horse pen, not out in the big wide open, but she walked, trotted, turned, stopped and backed like a champ. I had Bobby taking pictures of me working Ringer in the round pen, but he was already in the house when I hopped on Stylin.

Ringer For Sale

We're planning to put Ringer up for sale - $2500 to approved home. 2005 APHA red roan overo gelding 14.1 hands - Cant Bayou Diamonds. Those who know us - know that he's been handled since birth, brought up and trained correctly. He's well started, has been ponied extensively since six 6 months old, and is being ridden on trails now. You can see photos from birth to present HERE. If interested please email zambito_oaks@yahoo.com.