Horses | Willow House Chronicles

Archive for the ‘Horses’ Category

Riding Through Summer

Posted in Horses, tagged Cryztal-B, OCTRA, Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association, trail riding on August 16, 2016| 1 Comment »

ctr

This has been my summer for riding high as Cryztal-B, my arabian mare, and I have prepared for and competed in three trail rides. Our most recent event was last weekend, the Ontario Competetive Trail Riding Association (OCTRA) Merrickville Competitive Trail Ride. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

ctr3

ctr2

ctr1

We completed the 20 mile ride in 4 hours, with an additional half hour midway hold and vet check. Our riding partners were good friend Sharen Craig and her horse I Bee Jazzin’. Thanks to Ordinary Ripple Photography for the great shots.

ctr6

Read Full Post »

Sunday Snapshot: The Laugh

Posted in Horses, Sunday Snapshot, tagged competitive trail ride, horse lover on August 15, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Cryztal-B and I after completing our 20 mile Competitive Trail Ride at Merrickville on August 14th.Thanks to Gaelan Leckie for the photo.

Read Full Post »

Sunday Snapshot: Fall Foal

Posted in Horses, Sunday Snapshot, tagged arabian mare and foal, fall foal on October 25, 2015| 2 Comments »

Arabian mare Cryztal-B and foal Chanelfyre, age 4 weeks.

Read Full Post »

Sunday Snapshot: Five of a Kind

Posted in Horses, Sunday Snapshot, tagged mini horses on August 16, 2015| 1 Comment »

Five of a Kind: Mini horses at Merrickville Fair

Read Full Post »

Finnegan’s Big Day

Posted in Horses, tagged dressage, Finnegan, part arabian dressage on June 21, 2015| 2 Comments »

beautiful

Since Finnegan joined our animal menagerie last autumn, he has been gently training in basic dressage. Our smart boy has been doing well, and a week ago he made his debut in the show ring with Ponygirl in the saddle.

show29

In dressage competitions, each horse and rider team enters the ring alone and they must follow a prescribed pattern according to their level of training. Each movement is assigned a mark by the judge to compile a total score for their performance.

show3

We were so pleased with Finnegan, who delighted us with his calm demeanor and honest performance as he tried his very best to meet his rider’s requests.

show4

Our little prince has lots to learn, but he has already won our hearts.

show17

Read Full Post »

Birthday Girl

Posted in Horses, tagged 25 year old horse, arabian mare, horses and donkeys in spring, teddy and louis, wiregrass czarina on April 8, 2015| 2 Comments »

czarina5

April 5th marked the 25th birthday of our arabian mare, Wiregrass Czarina. Czarina celebrated with a quiet day spent in the company of her best friends, Louis and Teddy. Everyone is glad to finally be able to enjoy some warm, sunny days. Shaggy winter coats are being shed in handfuls.

czarina4

czarina2

czarina3

czarina1

Read Full Post »

Our New Boy

Posted in Horses, tagged anglo arab, dressage, Finnegan, horse meat market, Jade Deter, rescue horse on November 29, 2014| 2 Comments »

finnegan12

This autumn, we welcomed a four-legged addition to the family. What a beauty he is! Meet Finnegan, a 4 1/2-year-old arabian-thoroughbred cross (anglo-arab).

finnegan13

Finnegan has a very sweet personality, and takes all that comes his way in stride. He is calm and intelligent.

Finnegan17

He is currently living at a local stable so that we can take advantage of an indoor arena and training over the winter.

clinic3

Finnegan has a good start at basic work under saddle. My daughter Ponygirl and I are beginning work at building his dressage foundation. Above, Ponygirl rides with visiting Clinic guest coach Jade Deter.

finnegan11

We don’t know much about Finnegan’s background. We purchased him from a foster home after he had been rescued from an auction frequented by meat buyers. How he came to be in such dire circumstances is a mystery. He is a bit underweight for his size and age, and we expect him to do some filling out over the next year.

finnegan18