Cute racehorses and vivid sunsets

I'm on mobile bigger still, so that means random posts. Posts that don't need picture captions.  I have been adventuring around Arizona and my what a beautiful state.  I have also been finding all sorts of cute racehorses, but no I'm not bringing one home. 

Before the snow

We are now buried in snow.

So Charlie is happy!

But before the snow came I had a lovely sunset ride on Prisoner and sprinklerbandit took great pics and video!

Quarter sheet weather

Into the sunset

Jumps look dramatic

He is really getting the hang of transitions with in the trot and staying steady in different frames.

Shorter steps

Looks like his neck is fascinating 

Stepping out

Fancy toes

Working on that lengthening 

Blaze face boy

Circle, because it is cool

Pretty much this post is just going to be all pictures and videos.  I love the colors and I love the horse!

Kisses

Hearts upon thars

Slow mo, ftw!

Also Micaylah, who took the xc photos from the last post, started a blog!  Go check it out!  twopointstacosandtiaras!

Autumn Sunsets

All a y'all know I'm obsessed with sunsets (and sunrises).  Most of all sunsets in the fall.  Over at the 100 acres sunsets reign supreme.

Be still my heart

I'm not usually at the barn where Prisoner lives at dusk, but last week we had a girls night photoshoot.  It was loads of fun and even involved the unsafe practice of riding bareback sans helmet...#gottalivealittle.

Rolly poly pony boy

He was actually pretty comfy for a thoroughbred.  In fact I think that some bareback rides with a helmet are in order for some real OTTB shenanigans.

He was ready to be done at this point

Ellie Cook was photographer (Alyssa also took some) and edited the heck out of them.  Like we were pretty much out of light and she made them downright glow, kudos!

The darkest of them and still awesome

At one point P-diddy was all, 'what is this nonsense?' and started rapidly backing up, Alyssa jumped in and led him around for a second.  He totally chilled out, racehorses are very comfortable being led around while ridden as it happens everyday at the track.

One of my favorites

As long as we walked around he was fine, standing still was the real challenge.  I was so impressed with him though, as we were in a totally new part of the property for him.  Not one spook, thank you track style desensitization.

Dreaming of the future

The gnats were also out in full force so the usual standing next to him and snuggling was out as he kept getting me with his slinging head.

Awkward pose is awkward

Seriously he could not keep still.

Who is crazier?  (all those white specks are bugs)

I do love me some hunky OTTB body though.

Um hello event horse

Lets just say he really feels like mine now that we have awesome 'a girl and her horse' photos.  He is even starting to shed some of his shell and enjoy loves.  The last two days when I've ridden him there has been a certain friendship vibe.  That silent communication while I tack him up, the same page during the ride, lingering when I turn him out.  His sheer talent has been thrilling, but the relationship is starting to materialize.

My other favorite

My blaze face dapple bay boy with the moostache.  Those things that have been the mist of dreams are starting to condense and become visible.  It almost scares me, the passion I feel.  I've had dreams with other horses and they crumbled, I am dredging up the courage to keep looking towards the future.  In a life that is often difficult (by first world standards) this horse is a beacon illuminating the steps I take.

exhausted!

Wow driving over 700 miles each way in less than 48 hours has me plum knackered.  Whew.  My dad drove back with me thank goodness, we just switched back and forth behind the wheel.  We both took a nap for about an hour on top of Donner pass and woke up to a snow storm with everything covered, needless to say we boogied on out of there!

brrrrr!

Fresno was fun, the track is super nice.  The tote board blew me away, it looks like splash mountain at Disneyland, complete with a waterfall!

Vine covered paddock

Twine breastplate

Waterfall and jumbotron

I wish it had been light out for more of the drive, but it ended up being over night both ways.  I did get some pictures through Oregon and Nevada though.  While I love greenery and lush landscapes there is something about the sheer size of the desert landscape that also tugs at my heartstrings.  

Rocks in southwest Idaho

Cowboy land in Oregon

Snow in Nevada

This is what I'm talking about

Incredible ranch in Idaho

Sunrise in Nevada

Just makes me want to go on a cattle drive, total bucket list item!

Eugene is headed on down to train in Phoenix, and there may be some great opportunities down there for him!  I'm sorry this is such a short post, I think I'm still recovering from all the driving.  More horse things tomorrow:)

??????

I have some seriously exciting news.  It isn't all hammered out yet, so I'm keeping it vague.  I'm comparing it to finally getting a splinter out while eating strawberry rhubarb pie.   I had had some nagging stomach pain due to indescision, and as soon as I commited to my plan my heart started racing in a good way.  I'm talking 12 cups of coffee combined with morning of cross country way.  I was trying to study for a test when my descision making went down (terrible timing brain) and needless to say not sure how the exam went.  School aside, lets do a happy dance.  Were you wanting some clues?
1. Pertains to some info from my husband (who is training racehorses in California).
2. May have something to do with this guy:

Hmmm

3. Nope no more hints.

I will give you some fall photos though

Getting blankets ready for winter

Desert clouds

It felt like you could reach right out and grab a handful of cloud

 

My ponies with the setting sun.

Toe trims

News bulletin here...Mojito just got his new shoes sans drugs and twitch.  The farrier and I were thrilled!  We really took our time and he would hit each hoof with the hammer until Mojo figured he didn't need to throw a fit and then we would go to work.  Keeping the pace slow really made a difference for him, he is the type of horse that once he gets a bit crazy he stays that way.  By the end his eyes were half shut, I was so happy to share my fun horse with the farrier, he won't think I'm nuts anymore.  Diva also got new shoes and her feet are looking really nice.  Bridger was passable and just got trimmed, he seriously has amazing feet.  Mojito actually has great feet too, but I keep front shoes on because he has a tendency to wear his toes off first and get a bit clubby.  I didn't take any pictures of their feet, boring, but I will share some sunsets and sunrises from recently.

Mojito likes a good view

Sunset over the little ponies

Sunrise on the way to feed my guys

a fall sunrise

A sparkly morning after rain

Sunrise make even road construction pretty

Sunset after an incredible storm came through.

I sometimes wonder about poets' tendency to over write about things like sunrise and sunset.  Then I will be enveloped in the rays of a glorious sunrise and as though it brings my creative blood to the surface, I start thinking in sentences ridden with convoluted usage of adjectives and personified objects.  Someday I will write a book, or many books.  They will books that transport you to another place or another life, an escape from whatever your norm is.  With a landscape so rich it leaps from the pages and fills your living room, I want to write a book that can't be put down.