2012 Texoma Horse Expo-Breed Alley

Its that time of year again! This past Saturday, October 20th, Pie and I attended the THIRD annual Breed Alley during the Texoma Horse Expo in our “hometown” of Wichita Falls, Texas. This event, if you are a new follower of our blog, is an event that I organize each year thru the area horse committee in conjunction with the expo. The goal of Breed Alley is to introduce folks in our area to the “lesser known” breeds that live in our area, which is traditionaly Paint Horse and American Quarter Horse Country.

Each year we learn abit and improve. This year, breeds represented in the alley included Chincoteague Pony, Gypsy Horses, Tennessee Walking Horse, Arabian, Missouri Foxtrotter, Foxtrotter Pony,Peruvian Paso, and Freisians.

Each breed is alocated booth space, a stall and also gets time in the arena to showcase their breed’s unique attributes.

Pie enjoys going to this venue, but, without fail, each year, by Saturday evening, she is ready to go home. I think it takes every ounce of self control to stay clean and confined to a stall all weekend. 🙂

We arrived Friday afternoon to set up, get Pie settled and work her. She worked well..one thing I can always count on is her not being goofy in new places..that is why I love her so much. After, I got her settled in her stall and got to work on the booth. I think this was our best design yet!

Then outside for some graze time for Pie mental wellness.

We also caught up with our friend, Michele, who runs Underdog Ranch, a new horse rescue in our area. Kate, the worlds first painting border collie, was donating a painting for the rescue to sell. We had photo ops, shopped thru Underdog Ranch’s used tack sale (’cause you never can have to much tack!), fed Pie and headed home.

Saturday went extremly well..everyone’s demos in the arena went well and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Pie did some nice things during her exhibition and , as always, loved getting on her stool. A Professional photographer got some AWESOME pics of us!

 

 

 

 

 

A Video of our demo!

And the expo participants

We then, as last year, got our picture taken with the horse expo banner..Fletcher came with me on Saturday and of course, had to be in the picture. It took about 20 tries to get the perfect picture..trying to get a Border Collie to stay put and Pie to put her ears up proved to be quite the task!!! 🙂

As always, I enjoy tremendously talking with folks about Pie and the Chincoteague Pony breed. Ive said, it is wonderful to see folks walk up, read the info and slowly a smile starts to spread across their face..you can tell they remember the book..THIS is a pony from their childhood, standing before them, real. 🙂 Pie never ceases to amaze me in how adaptable and amicable she is. She is so incrediably special.

Saturday evening, we headed home..and Pie was finally able to get dirty again..:)

Another expo in the books! til next year of course! 🙂 Thank you to everyone who brought their wonderful horses, came out to see the alley, came to the expo, offered support and help..you are appreciated more then you know!

 

Blessing of the Animals-2012

October 6th, Pie and I (with Kate!) attended the third annual Blessing of the Animals at Park Place Christian Church. This is the third year for Kate attending and the second time for Pie. Many will remember last year, Pie actually went into the sanctuary, surrounded by people and dogs. She did exceptional! This year, we were asked to do the same. Pie clip clopped over the tile floor onto the sanctuary again this year, stepped on her stool and proceeded to entertain everyone with her exhuberent attitude..:)

I spoke abit about the ponies, the island and Misty..Pie got to perform afew of her tricks too.

The fact Pie can walk into a building, that was not made for such a large animal to get thru, always amazes me…she is such a trusting, easy going pony..I also think she enjoys being the center of attention too..

 

A reminder!

Pie will be, again, representing the Chincoteague Pony breed during the Texoma Horse Expo in Wichita Falls. Make plans to come out and see us! We will have an informational booth and will be doing a riding demo during the Parade of Breeds starting at noon on October 20th. We will be joined by the Gypsy Horse, Frieisans, Arabians, Peruvian Paso, Tennessee Walking Horse, Mo. Foxtrotter (and Foxtrotter pony!).

Please come by and see us!

Wrap Up 2011

Happy New Year to all our followers! It’s been abit since I’ve posted, with the holidays, Pie has taken a well deserved “winter break”, although Pie is not one for “breaks”..she thrives on mental stimulation, so these past few days she has created her own fun by learning how to sneak out of her gate while feeding!

I always take a moment to reflect on the previous year and what we accomplished..2011 was a significant year for Pie, it was her first full year 1. being ridden and 2. actively doing demos and presentations.

Lets take a run down memory lane!

April 2011-Pie and I gave a demo to the Obiedience Training Club of Wichita Falls

just like Misty!

July 2011-

Pie visited both Christ Academy AND Day Z Summer Camp!

October 2011-

We visited Park Place Christian Church for their annual Blessing of the Animals. Pie got to go INSIDE the church and meet everyone!

We also again represented the Chincoteague Pony breed during the WCEHC Breed Expo

November 2011-

We were invited to the PETS Pantry fundrasier

Pie has really come into her own doing these demos, I honestly think she loves doing them and knows what a big responsibility she has, she has not put a hoof wrong doing all this, which is even more impressive considering she is only 3 years old.

Other significant events of 2011

-Pie and I had our story on the front page of our local paper in October

I also won the Gift of the Horse essay contest, winning a prize pack from renowned trick trainer Carol Fletcher, for writing an essay on why I was her biggest fan.

http://www.giftofthehorse.com/Page-8.html

September, Pie attended a SHOT clinic, where she worked a cow for the first time and did GREAT!

Pie also learned how to say “yes” and “shake hooves”.

She also created a special piece with the painting dog Kate to help the Chincoteague Pony Rescue.

A full year to say the least!

2012 I hope will be as successful. Some goals we are shooting for are

-do more presentations (we love those!)

-Work on Pie’s counting with her hooves

-Acheive success using the bosal

-Pie would like to compete at her first Stock Horse of Texas show this year too!

Time will tell…and of course, we will keep all our fans updated on the blog. Thank you to everyone who has followed us via the blog, offered comments and encouragment on the blog or in person. I am so grateful for the support Pie and I have received from all our friends. I am most grateful though for being able to share 2011 with Pie herself. 🙂

 

 

 

P.E.T.S. Pantry Fundraiser

If you know me..or even follow the blog, you know how passionate I am about animals. So when Pie and I (and Kate!) were invited to the second annual P.E.T.S. Pantry fundraiser on November 5th, I of course said yes.

P.E.T.S. stands for Preventing Euthanisia Thru Sterlization. This is a non profit group that offers low cost spaying, neutering and vaccinations in my area. The Pantry is a new endevor that P.E.T.S. is doing. By pairing with Meals on Wheels, they are providing pet food to families in our local area who may not be able to feed their beloved family members, if they are on fixed income or experiencing hard times.

This fundraiser raises money and accepts donations of dog and cat food.

Pie was quite patient on the trailer til her time to come out and perform. This was her first time doing her presentation on grass. Now Pie likes grass..alot..so I wasnt sure if I could hold her attention. She stayed super focused and performed very well.

She obliged a hoof shake

And then she met some of the people who saw our presentation..Pie was her usual social self..even though no one had any cookies for her (she did triple check!)

Diane (who bought Kate’s painting she did that day) poses with Pie

Pie gets a kiss…

Makin’ new friends

With the P.E. T.S. Pantry coordinator’s grandson, Elijah. He LOVED Pie so much, he kept trying to take her lead rope from me and walk her off. 🙂

Then Pie shook hands with Diane. I have never had her perform her tricks for anyone but me..and sometimes Casey. Diane asked for a hoofshake..Pie took just a minute and then offered her hoof! I was so proud of her for doing her trick for someone other then me. I am a firm beleiver it shows how well you’ve trained an animal when they perform for someone other then you cueing them.

And Elijah had to shake her hoof too..(yep, I helped with this!)

And, as I mentioned above, Kate painted a unique piece that day, which benefited the P.E.T.S. Pantry.

 

The Pantry raised over $1000.00 and almost 2000 pounds of pet food that day. I am so proud of both my girls for giving up their Saturday to help this cause!

2011 Horse Expo and Show

October 15th was the second annual Breed Alley at the Wichita Co. Horse Expo in Wichita Falls. This breed alley was my own brainchild, my goal being to bring attention to some of the “non quarter and paint horse” breeds of the general area.

It was a big success last year and this year proved similar. We had more horses this year. the breeds represented were Azteca, Chincoteague Pony (of course!), Friesians, Gypsy Horse, Mo. Foxtrotter, Shire, Warmblood, Morgan and Peruvian Paso.

Our booth

This year, Pie was actually ridden, unlike last year when I led her. Pie is not one to hold her feelings to herself and it was pretty obvious she wasnt super keen on spending 2 days in a stall, espcially being she lives outside at home. She did well, because I asked her..but I know she would have prefered her favorite dust hole to being CLEAN in a stall..Pie prefers to be filthy.

Pie trying to escape out the stall door

I debated on music to our freestyle and finally decided on Train’s “Hey Soul Sister”..this song always reminds me of Pie, its upbeat and happy..like her. Our freestyle went well..We had some speed change and a really nice turnaround to the right. We also showcased afew of her tricks.

Unfortunately, no video or pictures at this time…:(..hopefully, some of the professional photographers there got afew.

After the demo’s, Pie enjoyed meeting many new people who wandered down the alley..this seems to be her favorite part of these events, meeting people. 🙂

Sunday, Pie got to hang out while Casey, my son, showed Beebe. This was significant, as it was their FIRST show together. They had a great day, winning showmanship, placing third in the walk trot class and fifth in trail. It was a great gauge on how far they’ve come as a team in such a short time.

Another successful Breed Alley in the books!

A Pony in the Church

Let me back up abit though!

Saturday, October 8th, Pie, Kate and myself were invited to attend the second annual Blessing of the Animals at Park Place Christian Church in Wichita Falls.

Kate and I attended the first one last year and REALLY enjoyed it. Outside of the actual blessing, there was an animal services “fair”.

The forecast grew into rain..a VERY good chance of it actually. While positively stupendous due to our epic drought, I worried how Pie would be able to come. Kate can be set up inside, but Pie?

The day dawned cloudy, humid..but dry. I loaded up Pie, Kate, all their “stuff” (paintings, stool, cookies..) and headed to the church.

When I got there, I was asked if I thought Pie would go INTO the sanctuary..well, guess you don’t know if you try?

We did a small test run. What Pie had to do was walk thru a double “human” door, into a short foyer, and then a turn into the sanctuary. There was a tarp on the floo(in case of “accidents”!) I had my clicker and treats ready and Pie never missed a beat. she seemed actually quite curious to actually be INSIDE the church.

So, I took her back out to the trailer and waited til we were called for.

It then came time for us to go into the church. Pie never missed a beat. Kids, adults, wheelchairs, dogs all around her and she handled it like a pro. Stepped up on her stool and did all that I asked of her. Her “shake hooves” is getting so good I’d like to add..she is really thinking about “Giving” me her hoof, versus just picking it up.:)

We also gave a short talk on the ponies, the island and Pie herself. Newscrew even took a short video of her to put in their segment for the event later that night…they got her saying “yes”

KFDX Segment

Afterwards, we took some questions and then I walked Pie out…again, good girl among all the hoopla around her. she stayed pretty focused on me. and NO accidents!!!!!!!!!!!

This experience reminded me of when Marguerite Henry would take Misty to schools into the classroom. It was great, as it always is, to share Pie with others.

Day Z Farms Horse Camp

I feel sometimes I need to get Pie her own day planner to keep track of all her functions!

Fresh off of our summer camp presentation 2 weeks ago at Christ Academy, we went just a bit down the road to Day Z Farms and did a small presentation for the Summer Horse Camp!

Despite the heat, we had clouds that hung around for a good portion of the presentation..which kept it somewhat bearable.

A few of the girls had ready Misty, Stormy or Sea Star, so it was neat for them to put real people, places and ponies to the stories.
The girls then got to meet Pie, who was so happy to get off the trailer and be “part of the action”. She willingly showed off her tricks while we went over some Chincoteague pony traits and talked abit about Pie herself, her presentations and her being trained as a reining horse.

Then the girls got to each sit on Pie while she stood on her stool, a very special treat for all of them.

They all got to meet her as well, which she thoroughly enjoyed, as she always does..lots of mane braiding and scratching. 🙂

I was told their favorite part was when Pie gave me a kiss. 🙂

Casey also got to participate by showcasing Pie’s quietness.

Afterwards, we had a trivia game of sorts..up for grabs was a copy of Misty of Chincoteague!

It was an elimination type game and the winner won by answering correctly “who wrote Misty of Chincoteague?” (pssttt..it was Marguerite Henry!)

What a great day sharing Pie, Misty and Chincoteague with others!

Presentation for OTCWF-April 21

On Thursday, April 21, Pie was invited (along with myself!) to come and do a presentation for my dog club, The Obedience Training Club of Wichita Falls.

Pie is ready to go!

Being Pie, she of course jumped at the chance to go and meet new people and show off her clicker trained tricks..which is significant, as our club uses the clicker to train dogs..along with spread the history of her breed.

She was more than obliged to meet everyone after the presentation too..:)

I know I’ve said this before, but I will say it again. This breed continues to amaze me..she is a natural among people and truly seems to love doing these presentations for people.