Since I didn’t get a chance to say much last time Jill said that I could go first this time.  All I have to say is that it has been a busy summer around here.  Things finally got a little quieter and a little cooler, thank goodness,  so Jill and I have been going out on trail rides almost every day.  Kyle usually rides me and Jackie rides Jill.  I think it’s kind of keeping the guys and the gals together or something like that.  I am really starting to enjoy these rides but to be honest with you; I wasn’t so sure in the beginning. There were so many things to hear and see that I was a little nervous.  Kyle keeps reassuring me that everything is ok and I’m starting to believe him.  I now know that the mud in the woods is NOT quick sand and that it’s ok to step in it.  I’ve also learned to be the leader too;  Jill and I now take turns going first.  

While Jill took a trailer ride to meet her “man”, I got to take a ride to the Buckeye Horse Park.  Kyle was taking Margee and Jethro to a show and he didn’t want one horse left alone in the trailer while the other one competed so I was taken along to keep the horse left in the trailer company. other one competed so I was taken along to keep the the horse left in the trailer company.  Hanging out in the trailer really wasn’t much fun so when they took me off to get one Magree off I refused to get back on the trailer!  They weren’t very happy with me, but come on, they took be on a road trip and I didn’t get to do or see much.

Road Trip - Margee is explaining things to me

Sometimes I just don’t understand people very much.  There were two people here that were all excited about Tintin but Jackie and Kevin seemed happy for them but kind of sad at the same time.  That’s when I found out that Tintin was going home with Amy and Meredith.  Kevin and Jackie were happy that Tinners was with some good friends of Jackie's and that Tinners had an important job to do.  I was curious what could be so important.  It seems that Meredith likes this sport of Eventing but she hasn’t been able to compete above the Novice level yet and Tinners was going to help her to move up the levels a bit like he did with Kevin.  I just heard that they went to their first competition together and Meredith’s first time at Training level and that they did really well and everyone had fun!!   Sounds pretty good to me…

It seems that Kevin was really missing Tintin and they found a young horse from the racetrack for him.  Boy is this new guy ever tall!!  But then again Kevin is a tall fellow so I guess it’s a pretty good match.  Anyway, Rugby is a very pleasant fellow and he fits in with the guys just fine.  And believe it or not, Jethro (the boss man) has been hanging out with me more lately.  Don’t ask me why, but it’s kind of nice. 

Rugby and me meeting for the first time.  That's me on the right

Well I hear things are to start getting crazy around here soon as they are getting ready for another ‘event’ at the farm.  I don’t mind so much except Jackie doesn’t have much time for us and she’s even been riding me a little which I kind of like.  Oh well, not much I can do about that. I am looking forward to the Hunter Pace, that sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

I guess that’s it for now. 

Jack

Jack has pretty much covered it all.  I have really been enjoying the  trail rides and Jackie seems to be enjoying them too (she's been riding me a lot lately).  I was suppose to go to a Mini Trial tomorrow for my debut at Intro, but Margee is scheduled to start at 8:30 and I wasn't going to be done until after 5:00 so they decided that it was going to be too long of a day to be hanging out in the horse trailer especially since Kyle has a lot of work to do around the farm.  So the debut will have to wait for awhile.  There's always the Hunter Pace ;)

Check out the picture of me in the latest USEA Magazine.  It's from the FEH class here in the spring.  It's kind of a little picture and they're calling me Key to the Stars instead of Jill so it might be hard to find it, but  I still think it's cool.  I hear it's my show name which is a combination of my mom's and dad's names.  I guess it has a nice ring to it.

That's it for now.

Jill

Catching Up & Jill's Big News

Well one thing is for sure, we’re not in Barnsville anymore where Jack & I spent the first three years of our lives!! At Harmony Farm we were turned out in a big pasture with a bunch of other youngsters.  Other than  someone coming to check on us and feed us some grain daily; it was pretty quiet.  Well Stone Gate Farm is much different.  Since I last reported in May (can you believe it’s been that long?) there have been all sorts of stuff going on like hunter paces, clinics, mini trials, camps you name it. On top of that all sorts of horses have been coming and going; horses in training, horses for sale, visitors etc.  I’ll try to give you a quick recap, but I really don’t know what all this stuff is all about but I hear that in 'all good time' I will understand better. 

Blaze & Kevin / Laura & Witchit at the Hunter Pace

First of all Kyle has been busy training a bunch of three year olds like me for other people but since they are guys they have been in separate pastures so I haven’t had much contact with them but I hear that Blaze went in the Hunter Pace with Kevin and Laura on Witchit (who was sold to Gabbie Van Scoy)  and they won first place!!  I'm not sure what a hunter pace is but it sounds like a nice long trail ride and I like those so Jack & I are looking forward to doing the hunter pace in Oct. Oh yeah, since my last post I have been started under saddle as they call it.  But before that Kyle worked me in long lines, I think that’s what they’re called. Anyway he spent a few weeks long lining me all over the farm. I even did a dressage test, cross country course and show jump course in long reins. I don’t know what the big deal was it was very easy and the jumps were so small I don't know how they can even call them jumps, I just walk over them. 

Now that I’m being ridden I can do all that stuff with a rider on my back instead of Kyle running behind me. I’m not so good at the dressage; I still really don’t like the bit in my mouth, but the other stuff is interesting and I even got to do “real” cross country jumps the other day.  They were making such a big fuss over me for going up and down a bank and in and out of the water.  I don’t understand what’s the big deal; Kyle asked me to do something and I did it.  They keep saying what a brave girl I am. I just didn’t get it until I went out for a ride with Jack. Jackie rode me for the first time (I think she really enjoyed me) and I was following Jack and he was being such a “weinerschnitzel” (that’s what Jackie and Kyle called him) because he had to take a second look at everything and was wiggling all over the place.  I’ll have to have a talk with that boy when I get a chance.

Check out the videos of Laura and me showing the D 1 kids how to do the Intro Cross Country course and Kyle and me jumping the bank and water jump.

                                                                                  

Monroe

I have some “big news” to report; I’m going to be a mother!!  I know, I know I’m just a baby myself but I will be four years old by the time the little one comes along.  I really don't know how all this happened but I heard that they were going to breed Margee and that’s when I heard Jackie saying "ya know it's better to have two foals instead of just one; what about breeding Jill?".  Then she said something to Kyle that if I’m going to be as good as they think I am (well why  wouldn’t I be?)  he won’t want to take the time later to breed me. The next thing I knew I was on my way to Cool Springs Farm to meet Blue Ridge Monroe a handsome Connemara stallion.  He may be a small dude, but he moves big, has good bone and is very even tempered... all good things to cross with a TB mare.  They must be talking about Margee; I already have all of those traits!   

Unfortunately Margee wasn’t very nice to Monroe the week before I arrived and the last thing Monroe wanted to see was another TB mare.  So that’s when they decided to get the “man in the can” to get the job done.  Don’t ask... it’s rather personal.

Anyway the training is going to continue as usual though the fall and I might get to do a Mini Trial if I can get better in the dressage.  Then, from what I hear, I can be ridden all winter and into the spring and that they will concentrate on dressage.  There they go again, talking about that pesky dressage.   I’m not so sure about that …

Well that's it for now.  I hope they'll give me more alfalfa today, I really like that and after all I'm eating for two now.

Jill

Jack here.  With all Jill's news I think I'll wait until next time for a report but I am getting braver on the trail rides.

Jack

Jack & Jill Make Their Debut @ the FEH

Well things have been really busy around here lately will everyone trying to get things ready for the horse trials.  I’m not sure what all that is but everyone was busy moving jumps into our pasture, putting flags and numbers on the jumps, mowing and a lot of primping up.  The primping included me so I looked nice for the Future Event Horse class.  I got my first bath, got my mane trimmed and whiskers clipped.  Any both Kyle and Jackie were saying how they couldn’t believe how much I have grown!!

So the big day came and it started to storm so we were told to wait for a while.  Kyle brought me down to the ring where there were a bunch of other horses.  I was really interested to see all the other young horses who came for the show.  One was a yearling filly who has the same dad as me.  She was very cute and very well behaved. Then it started to thunder and lightening again and we all took cover in the stabling barn.  I would have preferred to stay out in the rain but I had to stay in the stall.

The thunder and lightning subsided so we went back out.  There were a few ‘real’ boys there if you know what I mean and they made things a little exciting.   I just took it all in and was told I was a very good girl.  Finally it was my turn to stand in front of the judge (in the rain) and walk the small triangle and trot the big triangle.  I’m not sure what that has to do with becoming an event horse but at least it rained enough to have BIG puddles to show how bravely we could trot through the water.

I hear that I scored very well and that I tied with a big Holsteiner filly for first place!  The other horse won the tie, but that really doesn’t matter to me.  I was just enjoying meeting all the other horses.  If you want to see pictures of Jack and me you'll have to look for Key to the Stars (that's me) and Colinwood Super (that's Jack).  I was given a new show name which has both my mom's and dad's names:  Colony Key & Ask for the Stars.  I like that better than Ohio Rocket, a little more fitting of a classy lady such as myself.

After our classes were over it rained and rained even more and from what I hear everyone was bummed because they weren’t able to do the cross country.  If you want to hear more about the Winona Horse Trials and see some of the pictures go to the SGF Blog. All I know is that everyone seems to have more time now and Kyle is going to start riding me again if it ever stops RAINING!!

Jill

 

Well Jill pretty much covered it all except I got to stay up in my stall during all the storms.  By the time it was my turn it was just raining.  I have to admit I’m not quite as open to new things as Jill is.  All the activity and strange horses on the farm made me a little nervous.  I did settle down by the time I had to be presented to the judge.  I behaved pretty well but as I was trotting back towards the tent I wanted to slow down, but other than that I was a good boy. 

Jill doesn’t know this so don’t tell her but she scored two points better than me…  something about me toeing out a little on the right front.  Picky, picky, picky.

I’m glad that all this horse trials stuff is over so Jackie and I can spend more time together.  Don’t tell her, but I have been feeling rather neglected lately ;(  She’s out of town judging at an event in Wisconsin (wherever that is) but she promised to start spending more time with me when she gets home; I can’t wait.

That’s it for now.

Jack

A Royal Wedding and Rolex to Celebrate Jill's Birthday

Well I'm told that today is my birthday.  I'm also told that there was some Royal Wedding today and some big event in KY called Rolex!!  They both sound pretty important to me and I think it's only fitting that they both are happening on my birthday.  I spent a quiet pleasant  albeit a chilly day hanging out with my friends. I don't remember it being this chilly the day I was born.  Thank goodness it is suppose to be sunny and warmer tomorrow.

The big news, besides cantering with Kyle earlier in the week, is that they opened up another pasture with plenty of lush grass.  And because there was so much grass they decided to turn us all out together; all nine us!  I heard something about us eating enough of it so they don't have to mow it before the horse trials. Hey, we may like to eat, but we are not lawn mowers. I keep hearing things about this horse trials; I guess it's another one of those things that I will find out about in due time but there seems to be a lot of stuff going on around here trying to get the farm ready for it when the weather cooperates.

It was kind of interesting with all of us turned out together.  Kyle and Jackie seemed pretty happy that there was no drama.  Actually, with the exception of Diamond & Blaze, we all knew each other and if Diamond or Blaze got the wrong idea there were plenty of horses to put them in their place;)  I kept wandering off by myself to check out the new pasture with three little ponds in it.  Kyle calls me bold and independent; I say that's just me. To begin with we stayed in our own groups but after a day; we were all hanging out together. 

Jack and I are getting our feet trimmed again tomorrow so they look good for the Future Event Horse class coming up.  Kyle has been spending a lot of time grooming me and Jackie started to trim up my mane.   They're getting me all primped up for the big day.

That's it for now.

Jill

Happy Birthday little sis!  You may be bigger than me right now, but I'm still older. ;)

Jill pretty much summed it all up. Being out with the whole herd is nice and for the most part everyone is getting along. Blaze and I are becoming pretty good buds but I don't cling to him like I use to do with Jill.  I guess I'm growing up a little.  But this riding thing is a little confusing.  I was ridden with a bit in my mouth in a bigger area with this little white fence around it called a dressage ring.  Too many different things for me to deal with at one time.  I almost reverted to donkey mode.  On the bright side, I practiced jogging next to Jackie for the upcoming show and I did pretty good.  I hear there are seven horses in my class, the most for the FEH classes.  Jackie tells me she doesn't care how I place as long as I do my best.  I think I can do that. 

Things are getting pretty busy around her, it may be awhile before you hear from us again.

Jack

Happy Birthday Jack & Jill Gets Ridden Outside of the Round Pen

The boys and a Visitor

Finally a nice sunny day yesterday and a perfect day for Jack to celebrate his birthday and a great day for just hanging out and enjoying life.  Since we now have a new paddock fence we all can go out at the same time or if we have a visitor like we did last weekend he can go out for awhile without worrying about getting mobbed by the boys.  But yesterday Kyle and Jackie were busy putting up this little white fence (that certainly wouldn't keep any self respecting horse in) called a dressage ring and since it was a nice day and we really didn't want to come in just yet; they turned out the boys in the paddock and left us girls out in the pasture.  Well that was all well and good but what about nap time?  Well that's when we decided that a little sun bathing wasn't such a bad idea.

Girls Napping

We had all sorts of trailers coming in yesterday and I got to see a bunch of new horses and watch a few lessons but that got kind of boring so I went off with the girls to  munch on some more grass, take another nap and hopped up onto the bank to check out the grass on top.

It was well after lunch time when we were finally brought in for our breakfast!  But I didn't mind since it was such a nice morning albeit a little chilly.  I'm usually really good about going into my own stall, but when I saw that the door was open to the stall that has the straw piled in it along with the hay I took advantage of it.  You see since we have more horses than stalls right now I sometimes get put in the bedding stall while the night shift comes in and the day shift goes out.  The other day there was a miscommunication and I was left in the bedding stall for a couple of hours and I had the best nap on a big pillow of straw...so when I saw the stall open yesterday I took advantage of the situation and enjoyed the big pillow again!

That's me napping on my big pillow

Last night Kyle rode me again and for the first time I didn't have to be ridden in the round pen, yeah!!!  But since it was my first time in the open so to speak (we were in that funny looking little dressage ring) they hooked me up to the luge line.  It felt so good to be in a bigger more open area that I just trotted & trotted & trotted without needing to be reminded to keep moving.  In fact I even took a few canter strides ;)  I heard Jackie say something about me practicing my 20 meter circles.  Don't ask me what that was all about.  I guess like everything else I'll learn about that soon enough.  When we were done I gave Kyle a ride up the hill and he gave me bunches of pats & scratches and told me what a good girl I was and again kept saying how laid back I am.  I guess the 2 red heads he rides aren't so mellow ;)

Well that's it for now.

Jill

Well they say that yesterday was my birthday.  I don't quite remember what it was like when I was born except it had to be warmer than it was yesterday morning!  It sure was chilly in the morning.  But as Jill said, it was a nice sunny day and a good day to just hang out with my friends.  Yes you heard that right; I have friends now.  That little guy Blaze and I are hanging out together and playing and running around.  Some may say that I'm getting too attached because the other day when Kyle brought Blaze in I blasted through the new fence to be near him.  I won't do that again, that fence has a bit of kick to it that he other one didn't!  But since Blaze only goes down to the round pen to work and comes right back out again I don't worry so much anymore when he leaves.

I got ridden in the round pen again this week and Jackie just stood in the middle and didn't encourage me forward with that funny clucking sound or lunge whip so when I stalled out Kyle kicked me with his legs.  I didn't like that very much and I gave a funny little jump a couple of times until I figured out what he wanted.  So if Kyle closes his legs on me I'm suppose to go forward and if I don't he kicks me a little harder.  OK I think I get it, but I may need a reminder.  When we were done I gave Kyle a ride up the hill.  If you have ever been here before you know that is a pretty big hill and they were laughing at me calling me a drunk sailor.  I'm not sure what that's suppose to mean; I was doing the best I could.

I was going to get ridden in that funny little white fence yesterday too, but it was getting late and since it was my birthday I was told I could have the day off.  Then I got my favorite, rubs on my forehead and telling me I was a good boy even when I was just hanging out in the pasture.   I was a nice day; I really like it here!

Jack

Let the Riding Begin & Two New Horses Come to Stone Gate Farm

Sleeping through my first ride

Wow, I can't believe that it's been almost 2 weeks since we posted last.  Things have been pretty busy around here and then a lull in the action while Jackie was out of town.  But the new little redhead showed up and stirred things up a little. Then a small dark 3 year old gelding arrived the other day.  Since the mares and geldings go out separately I haven't had much experience with him other than him blasting into the wash rack where I was cross tied waiting to go out while the geldings came in.  That guy has to learn some manners!!

The first night Diamond (that's the redheads name, guess what marking she has on her head...original huh) was here she just got all of us running and running in big circles.  By the next morning I was whooped and that's when they decided to have Kyle get on me for the first time.  They didn't even wait for us to come in for breakfast and take a nap.  They said something about having to get going before it rained.  I don't care if it is going to rain; a girl needs her breakfast and rest but my vote didn't count.  Anyway it was no big deal, I almost fell asleep while Kyle was sitting on me.

After the short ride we came in for breakfast and I finally got to take my nap.  I don't know how long I was sleeping for when Kyle came in to visit.  He was scratching all my favorite spots when he got on me for the second ride of the day.  I didn't mind at all. Kyle says I'm kind of an easy going kind of  gal.  I like the sounds of that.

The weather was really nice over the weekend and we got to hang out and relax all weekend because Jackie was out of town and Kyle was busy with work and helping around the farm.  Too bad that nice weather didn't last.  Boy did it ever rain, that meant another couple of days off.  Finally today the weather got nice again and it was time for another ride.  This time the boys were out in the pasture and Jack came over close to watch.  I showed him how to trot around and around the round pen on the lunge line.  Kyle really seemed to be happy with me and again said how easy going I am.  I guess that's a good thing.

I hope I can get out of the round pen soon; it's getting pretty boring. At least it's back to boring in the pasture again as Diamond is settling in.  It's kind of nice not being the new one anymore.  And it's really kind of cool that I'm the biggest of the four mares and the only non chestnut!

I'm looking forward to another nice day tomorrow.

Jill

Things have been a little crazy around here with two new horses coming for training .  The new little redhead Diamond goes out with the girls so I have only had brief meetings with her but a new guy named Blaze (guess what marking he has on his head) has been added to the guy group.  He's kind of a cute little guy and I was hoping for a new friend but that's going to take a little time. He is a bit nervous being out with all the big boys.  I definitely can relate and I tried to give him some advice but he wouldn't let me get close enough so he could hear.  So when he was rolling I thought it was the perfect time to get closer but that little bugger got up from rolling and kicked me square in the chest.  Well that did it, I wasn't going to try anymore!  All I've got to say is that he's lucky that Jethro isn't here anymore, although Gopher did a pretty good job of taking Jethro's place if you know what I mean.  It's nice not being the new one anymore and finally I'm not the smallest in the group!  

I was ridden by Kyle again on Mon and I had to walk right past all the girls on my way to the round pen.  I wanted to visit but I had work to do.  I did a little trotting for the first time with Kyle and it felt kind of strange so I trotted a little slower than usual.  I was told I was a good boy and got lots of pats; I like that.  I got to watch Jill work today and she looked pretty good. She did a fair amount of trotting on the lunge line with Kyle.  It seems he likes Jill better than me, but I'm ok with that me because Jackie is my human and Kyle is Jill's. Anyway I did get to do a lot of trotting today and I even got taken off the lunge line and Kyle rode me around the round pen.  It actually was easier turning with Kyle than it was with the long lines.

I'm with Jill, the round pen is getting a little boring but it did have a nice big puddle in it today so that was fun.
I think they have big plans for us tomorrow as it is suppose to be a nice day again.

Blaze also got to work in the round pen today and he seemed pretty good although he has to work on that joining up stuff.  He's starting to relax a little and we're beginning to hang out together ;)

Jack

A Shout out to EN & Jack Has a Video Posted

I hear that  Eventing Nation ran a nice story about us and that's no April Fool's joke (unlike that nasty white stuff this morning). Jackie says that whenever EN posts a link to our blog we get a lot more visitors. Maybe you should become regular followers so you won't miss any of our posts.

Thank you Annie and EN. Go Eventing! I hear John ends a lot of his posts that way so I thought I would too ;)


                                                                Jill

Look at me; I'm almost all grown up.  Check out the video of  be being lunged with a bit for the first time.  Actually it's not the best example of my work because I was too busy trying to spit out the bit.  I'm usually much more forward than this. Hopefully Jackie will get a better one soon.

After the video was taken I worked with the long reins again.  I'm getting this turning stuff pretty good.  Then Jackie stopped me by the mounting block . Mounting what I ask?  Anyway she was way up high and leaned on the saddle.  I'm not sure why she did that but she said the it was to help me with the next step of my training. I'm not quite sure what she was talking about but it wasn't too bad.  The best part is that I got my favorite: rubs on my forehead and a lot of good boys.

Jack

PS - I just found out what the next step of training is... I gave Kyle a couple of short rides today in the round pen.  No big deal, a lot of rubs & good boys!!