Sunday, June 14, 2009

driving clinic .. day 2

Well, we had ONE beautiful day (weather wise) for the driving clinic... this morning I awoke to a steady rainfall.... (oh no!!! ) I kept hoping that it would let up, but that proved not to be the case. However, everyone arrived for the clinic this morning, all in high spirits after yesterday's successes...and willing to do whatever we could get in today.

We started out by bringing Tonka and Duke out into the alley way and having everyone practice their tacking skills. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful barn to work in.


We laid the harnesses on the floor, and the students had the fun of tacking Tonka with his leather harness and/or Duke with his biothane harness. It was fun to hear people talking and laughing and simply enjoying the day, despite the weather.









Here is Tonka, playing teacher. Gordy, a friend and assistant this weekend to Butch, helped guide two students with tacking.

Somewhere along the line, a heard a conversation with regards to Duke... and the possibility of riding him!!!! And before I knew it, Butch had
Tonka's saddle on Duke.. and I heard "not a bad fit"....







then I look out the barn doors (into the pouring rain!!) and see Butch mounting up....












and heading down the driveway!!!! Duke looked great under saddle, he was a little confused at the first, but with Butch's gentle guidance, he seemed "game" for this idea. Butch thinks there is a chance that somewhere in his life, he has been ridden since he did go so well.










And then, who is on next... but Becky!!! by now the rain was really coming down, but she didn't mind.... and neither did Duke!!!










But the best of all, was when Betty wanted to try him out as well (I never got on him myself....) she hopped right on and took him for a short ride herself......it really isn't in my game plan to make Duke a saddle horse... but I am also learning that you never say "never" in the world of the horse...so who knows? Duke will be a part of our family for a long time, so I won't make any future predictions....






Now, one of the gals that came is our neighbor and "new" friend, Belinda. Tomorrow is her birthday, and this weekend was her birthday gift from her hubby. So, of course, we can't let a birthday get by without a cake... I think we surprised her!!!!








After lunch, it was all about minis.... we brought Mocha and Alice out to play "tacking up with them". I was determined to get Mocha back in her cart... rain or shine!!!! (How many people does it take to tack a mini???) It was nice to have these two to work with, because their harnesses are quite different from the drafts, and the students had the opportunity to work with both.







Deb was determined to get Alice into her cart as well. She had a great day with her yesterday and she felt it was time for Alice to work with her cart. The rain did let up a little, so while Mocha was being tacked up by some... Alice was being hitched by others.....






And here we are ... two VERY wet Mom's and Minis.... but we did it!!!! Next weekend, is the mini's second anniversary with us... I told Deb, we should go for an anniversary ride next weekend!!! I have a feeling there will be many mini rides together from now on!!!!! (and yes, we shared them with the others, and they got to do mini driving as well!!!!)









just as I knew it would... the weekend went by way too fast, and it was time to pack up and head for home(s). Because the big guys had been out in the rain all day... Butch brought them into the barn to dry them off and warm them up before their trip home....






so, we laughed, and learned.... played and worked.... and enjoyed a weekend of good friends, fun times and horses......









The end!!!!!