August 26 - Placings and earnings for Gunner

I went through the Olds show site and found out the placings etc. to see where Gunner was in the group.

On Thursday - points needed to place were from 142 - 145.5. So even without the deductions he would have been 2 points shy of winning money.

And on Monday - points were 141 - 146. So again he was just shy of the money. Jason won the Monday class with his own colt. He had a fantastic run - two really good cows.

I also got my earnings cheque from Moose Jaw. Gunner has a MASSIVE NCHA earning cheque in the amount of $46.19. Apparently, Jason was mis-informed as they only paid to 8th place. Gunner placed 8th on the first day and 9th on the second. But he has EARNINGS nonetheless. That makes me happy!!!

August 25 - Gunner at Olds

Gunner was a good boy today at the Olds show...at least for the most part. LOL

Chrissy warmed him up as Jason had both 3 year olds draw the same herd today. He talked a bit when she was walking him so Jason told her to trot him the entire time. Poor boy needs to learn to behave even when Jason isn't on him hey?

Once in the ring, Gunner was all business. Very alert and eager to work. He had 3 really good cows..but was a little slow in listening to Jason to get back for the third one so just about ran out of time - had about 5 seconds on the clock when Jason dropped the reins.

He scored a 138 today...which was on par with his score on Thursday before the rider deductions.

There were a few people who came up to Jason again and said that they were impressed with both his rides and horses again today. And those inthe stands around me and the girls said the same thing - that Gunner did very well today.

I did play with my camera and while some of the pics are decent...none are breath-taking.

August 21 - Gunner shows at Olds, AB

He is at the Olds Futurity this weekend and showed this afternoon.

He scored as well as Moose Jaw - a 64 from one judge and a 65 from another. Would have been 6 and 5 points higher except for rider error - Jason was very quick to tell me that. Not quite sure what happened but it involved his 2nd cow and his 3rd cow and getting back to the herd or something like that. LOL

Also was told that he would probably not be in the money.

Jason, however, was tickled "blue" about it all. Said he is soo strong right now...and getting better everyday. He did some different stuff with him since Moose Jaw as well. Rode him hard all last week and the weekend after they got home...then lightly Mon and Tuesday and not at all on Wed - said Gunner didn't feel right when he took him out so put him away. Then hauled to Olds on Wed afternoon. Didn't do
anything with him this morning and then got him out for the warm up. Said he felt very fresh and alert...good to go.

And go he did...lol

Jason said he had lots of compliments and comments on Gunner after his run. Lots of questions on him - where he came from etc.

Gunner shows again on Monday - and I WILL BE THERE. I am going to drive down on Sunday and take some practice pictures so that come Monday morning I will be all set!!!

August 20 - weaning

Weaning is going okay. No more mishaps with the mares. What a mess that could have been. Dolly figured out that a gate was not closed properly and took all the mares out to find her little baby (who was safely inside the barn).

Main problem was that Hyde's new pen was right along side where the mares were running. Bailey and I managed to get all the mares through the barn to a small pen. We then led them one at a time over to their pasture MAKING SURE that ALL the gates were closed properly.

We put everyone out into the back pasture. Dolly goes way back and then meanders back to the top by the barn and yells for a few minutes and then goes away again. Wish she would just stay away and then Pheonix would stay settled. I am going to try to put them (Molson and Pheonix) outside - in the inside outside pen - for an hour while I clean stalls...LOTS easier that way. Molson is still in the neighboring stall.

August 20 - Busy times

It was a busy weekend here. Spent more time online working on the website and the blog - didn't get very far though.

Went into the city with Shayne and Bailey on Friday afternoon and did all the school supply and clothes shopping. Wasn't too bad this year now that Bailey is going into Junior High and doesn't need so much crap. School fees are going to break us though at the beginning of September.

Didn't get any riding in, however, as I am still struggling with a headache that started last Monday. Not sure what the problem is but both chiropractor and massage haven't helped much. Bright light bothers me the most...but it doesn't feel like a migraine. Weird. I am going to go in for an eye check up soon - maybe that has a bit to do with it.

August 17 - Fencing options

Well, now that Hyde is home and we are going to stand him to the public for sure in 2009, we are on the hunt for fencing options.

We do know that we will have to make up at least 4 nice stallion pastures...just so we can move them around and keep the grass growing.

We have figured out that we need 600 posts, 250 boards (2 x 6) for a top rail and at minimum 12,000 feet of some kind of wire.

For wire choices we are looking at "coated" wire (not sure if it can be electrified though); no climb fencing; and electrobraid.

We are also looking at doing "outside" mare pens. We have a small area by the house that we used to use to foal our mares out in...but it all needs to be re-done...so have decided to put the pens there. I think we will do 4 larger ones and two smaller ones. Now to decide how to fence them. LOL

August 17 - Gunner ponderings

As for Gunner...his studdiness is calming down...he does not like the use of regumate. Said that more than his studdiness, his lack of attention and "drive" is more worrisome. Said he sometimes has to really push him to concentrate on working - that Gunner would rather just be lazy.

We are going to show Olds, the Supreme and Utah...Calgary is not in the running right now (but that could change if he does really well at Olds - but doubtful). Jason said he may need a break after the Supreme.

So all in all this could be very worrisome. I sure hope Gunner has a break through and soon.

August 17 - Pondering stuff

Ahhh...the trials and tribulations of horse ownership.

With how busy Doyle and I are right now with our jobs and the amount of money pouring out in the near future for Gunner...we just don't seem to know whether we are coming or going.

We would like to seriously get down in numbers. Have pondered selling Ace and Angel...but have definately decided to sell Gidget, Dolly and Molson.

Molson will be listed as a stud prospect but will be gelded in the fall or early spring depending on when I have time and if he is still here. If he is still here over the winter, I have talked to Jason about taking him and putting a month or more on him and then putting him through the "Cow Horse Sale" up here. With his color etc. we may make a few dollars on him but who knows.


Dolly, of course, has been for sale for a couple of years with little or no interest. She is a nice mare and put really beautiful foals on the ground. So if she ends up staying, I will just breed her to Hyde or Gunner and sell "penning/all around ranch" horses.


And Gidget...hmmm...she is put together okay...a really nice mind...so if she is here in the spring...I think I will breed her to Hyde and sell her in foal...maybe that will help.


But the main goal is to get down in numbers.

August 15 - Website has been updated

Spent a few hours this morning working on the website. Added new pics…and did new write ups for the home page as well as all three stallions.

It was lots of fun trying to find all the info I wanted on the horses. Found some great pictures of Haidas Little Pep and Young Gun for my personal files so I can continue to compare the boys to them.

Thanks to Paige for all the great pictures she took this summer while she was here.

August 13 - Bailey rides

It is a perfect day to be riding - not too hot - not raining - not really windy - but VERY SUNNY. I went out and took about 50 pics of Bailey and her horse.

Bailey did really well...catching Skeena by herself and tacking her up by herself as well. As you can see by this picture, I had to re-show her how to put a bridle on properly.


Bailey is definately more comfortable when she has her hand on the saddle horn or just beside it...but I am trying to get her to let go to improve her posture.


And "voila"...better posture..even if it is with a "whine"!!!