Summer Is Here

Thank goodness! Summer has finally arrived in Wisconsin! It may be August, but it hasn't felt balmy until now. Heat - bring it on! I love it!

Sad stuff: Had to say "Good-bye" to my son, Jordan, who left yesterday to go back to Ocala, Florida to attend wrestling school.
He didn't want to go, but knew he had to, and it sparked memories of my college days, watching my mom cry as I drove away from that lonely farm in Wisconsin. It was bittersweet for me, as I wanted to stay for her but knew I had to get back to college to finish my teaching degree in Illinois. I guess Jordan must be feeling the same way. I wanted, as a mom, to go with him to ease the transition, but as always my own job kept me here. It makes me a bit angry and frustrated inside to realize that no matter how many years go by, my life is really not my own in terms of what I feel I want to do as a mother for my four children. Money is money, time is time, and the important things often are not given priority.

Speaking of important things, I had not heard from my friends David and Mary Ann Crook of Viola this year. David, Mary Ann, and I go back more than 20 years as horse lovers. David originally worked with my dad in the 80's, installing satellite dishes. I later learned that David was a horse enthusiast and trail rider, and this was the beginning of a long relationship that included endless trail rides, a horse named Bud, later an adopted horse named Jalind Rose, and many nights under the stars listening to music and sipping on Point beer after a good, long ride. Shockingly, today my sister sent me an obituary of David, who passed away on August 2. Yet another blow - another good friend of many years - who influenced my life in so many ways. David, 64, died of esophageal cancer. Hardly anyone knew he had been ill. I will pray for Mary Ann, his wife of 37 years, who must be so devastated at this time. A touching memory I have of David is when his father was sick, in his late 80's. David and Mary Ann lived next to him, and he was a widower. David took care of his dad all the days of his illness, and when he died, David was the man who personally carried his dad in his arms from the farmhouse to the vehicle that would transport him to the funeral home. Such love had this man - such devotion - it was simply amazing. So another great loss too early.

Fun News:
While Jordan was still home we took a boat ride out on the river. Rachel, Jordan, Craig and I enjoyed the evening sunset and the kids threw out a line. Jordan had a good feeling that he would catch something, and catch he did! A five pound catfish!
Rachel caught an almost-15 inch Walleye! Craig caught a catfish, mooneye, and I am happy to say that all fish survived the ordeal and were mercifully pitched back into the river (mom's along, that's what happens!).

We went to Duck Egg County Park to ride over the weekend. Cole, Remmie, Janimal, Fargo, and Cricket made the trip with us. I would like to say I had a great ride, but Cricket (the half-Arab that she is) spazzed out when we arrived over a herd of cattle that were hidden behind trees across the road when we were tacking up. She almost ran me over, head butted me, got herself into a full sweat, shaking and petrified, and was head butting me to avoid the tacking process. Guess I have never seen this kind of behavior out of her before, which made me fearful. Ah, give me the Standardbred! All three Standardbreds were perfect for the entire ride, and we rode back at sunset when the bats were circling around and every trail going through the woods brought pitch-black darkness. Jordan offered to ride Cricket, and I took my trusty gelding, Cole, the rest of the way home. We made a great memory!

I have nothing to report about the ACTHA ride - have had one response that said they would love to go - please give me your feedback?

Upcoming events:
Wild West Days parade - tonite at 6 pm
August 22 - Open horse show - Viroqua
Carriage Classic, Vernon County Fair, and Super Night - all in September.

Thanks to IHHA for their recent contribution to ASAP! Without them it wouldnt be possible!

Susan

September 26?

We are constantly looking for ways to bring money in to the organization to help provide for the horses. The American Competitive Trail Horse Association has graciously offered to assist ASAP with putting together a competitive trail ride this year.

We are considering holding a trail ride on Saturday, September 26. We would have the option of camping overnight at Yellow River State Forest. This is a beautiful place to ride and camp! It is located about an hour from La Crosse, WI and less than an hour from Prairie du Chien, right over the Iowa border. It also is a nice location for us, since it takes us only about 35 minutes to get there.

By this date, the county fair in Viroqua will be over, and the Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien, as well as Super Night. It seems like a great time to see fall colors and still not be too cold at night.

If we can get at least ten riders (25 would be best) we will commit to the date, but we need to hear from you. The ACTHA ride costs to participate, but you would be eligible for money prizes and ribbons/trophies. There are judges appointed to different places along the trail, who rate each rider on their ability to maneuver through and around obstacles, back up in a figure eight pattern, or open and close gates. It looks like a lot of fun...............would you consider joining?

The entry fee amount depends on whether you are entering as a professional or for pleasure. The proceeds go to ASAP. Please RSVP if you would like more details, or go to the ACTHA web site. If we get enough responses we'll begin advertising!

Chevie continues to get better. As soon as Wawatassi makes it to Iowa we will reunite him with Idlewhile and Miss Molly P. We got a wonderful adoptive home for Irresistable Lou and Lyric!

We are looking forward to Josh Potts doing a story on Timesareachanging and Taser Gun, and are still waiting for the arrival of an IHHA member to tour our farm.

We had one donation of $150 from a race owner this week. Thank you! Other than that no income to report. Lou and Lyric were both gifted to the adopter. Three square bales left, but eight round bales from donated fields are ready to be picked up.
Hoping to ride Yellow River today if the weather clears!

Hugs,
Susan