Thursday, May 3rd found Robert, Erin, Rick, Laurie, Don, and
Nancy all heading south for a weekend devoted to rest, relaxation,
and fellowship in the Big South Fork Recreational Area. They
met Doug and Jill at Renfro Valley and then traveled on together. Steve
Heuslein met the SRF and crew shortly after they arrived at the
cabin.
The group started the weekend off right with a fantastic dinner
prepared by Terry Kleier. They enjoyed BBQ ribs and all the
trimmings.
I headed down after school on Friday. The Holly Patch Cabin
had five bedrooms and a futon that allowed all of us to be together.
On Friday, everyone hit the trails. What a beautiful time of
the year to ride! Rick, Laurie, Erin, and Steve decided to go for a
20 mile ride that wound down beside the river. Robert, Don,
Nancy, Jill, and Doug went on a shorter ride to Bronco Overlook. Both
groups had a great time. The horses were just phenomenal!
On Saturday, we awoke to rain. Fortunately, we were able to take
a short ride between showers. In the evening, we enjoyed
watching the Derby. Congratulations to Landy Williams who drew
the winner, Street Sense, and won the cash.
After supper, we decorated Derby hats that had been auctioned. Myra
decorated her hat and put it on H.T. who strutted down the sidewalk
that doubled as the run-way. Not to be out done, I placed my
decorated hat on Robert and he followed suit. Don Copland, Doug
Eskew and Larry Patterson were given hats too. Debbie Flynn
(Phil’s wife) was the only genuine lady in the bunch. Everyone had
a blast. They were too funny for words.
Several other games were played. Stick horses were auctioned and
the traditional Run for the Carnations was completed. Robert’s
team won a competition where they had to drive nails, hit a birdie
with a racket, and burst a balloon. There had also been a
‘poker’ run during the morning where riders were given cards
based on the trail boss’s list of items. The rider with the
best poker hand was the winner.
Finally, there was a drawing from among all the individual game
winners to determine who would get to play Deal or No Deal. Jamie
Derickson was the lucky one. He held out to the end waiting for
his ‘case’ (Vanessa actually used cards). Prizes such as
money, a new saddle, Wilderness Resorts vacation, stallion breedings
etc. were available. Just as luck would have it, Jamie ended up
winning a pair of fuzzy dice. Oh well it was all in good fun
for a good cause. All proceeds go to the Mountain Horse
Associates’ fund that was established several years ago in order
to help trainers with catastrophic losses (fire, injury, etc.).
On Sunday we had to prepare to return to our homes. It was
so easy to feel like the world outside our little cabin had faded
away while we were at Big South Fork. We had loads of fun and
can’t wait until next year.
Congratulations!!
Doug & Jill Drenik have two new grandsons (Jill’s daughter
and Doug’s daughter-in-law). We wish them good health,
prosperity, and happiness.
Important Dates:
June 8-9 First Annual Gaited Gala, (formerly the
Summer Celebration) Fletcher, NC with reservations at the Holiday
Inn Airport 828.684.1213
June 22 (Friday) UMH Bourbon County Fair Mountain Horse
Show
June 29-30 UMH Kentucky State Championship, Harrodsburg,
KY with reservations at Days Inn (formerly Best Western) –
859.734.9431
July 12-14 Indiana Celebration, New Castle, IN with
reservations at the Best Western Host Hotel 765.521.0100
July 20-21 Great Smokey Mountain Championship, White Pine,
TN (counts as 2 shows) Super 8 Motel 423.318.888
July 28 James Powell Memorial, Stanton, KY
Aug. 12-18 UMH World Show classes will begin on
Monday not Sunday as previously planned), Harrodsburg, KY
The Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg is also
available. It is a fantastic place to stay.
Welcome
We’d like to welcome Scott & Barrie Hughes’ mare,
Lightfoot, to the barn. She is here for a ‘tune-up’ and to
be bred to Merry Go Blue. We also welcome another Stormy,
Knight’s Sudden Storm. He is a beautiful two year old colt
who is owned by Harold Brown from Allentown, PA. Jeff Lainhart
also had his mare, Snowy’s Little Honey here for a month ‘s
training and to be bred. Natasha Larson also sent her
filly , Appalachian Spring, here for some ground work. Welcome
everyone; we’re glad you’re here!
Ladies’ Auxiliary Charity Horse Show
Prestonsburg, Kentucky was the site for the second annual
Ladies’ Auxiliary Charity Horse Show and it proved to be a great
location. The grounds are located just down the road from the
Jenny Wiley State Park. It is a great area for recreation - swimming,
boating, golf etc.
Cyndee Breslin, Judy Brummer, Carolyn Kenton, and Janie Bryson
worked especially hard to get the show organized and to help make
everything run smoothly. They generated many sponsors from
participants and local businesses. Several special gifts were
given to exhibitors including candles from Laurie, jewelry from
Erin, and a saddle from Diamond A Tack. Folks from Indiana,
Illinois, Vermont, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, and
Kentucky were on hand to show horses. It was a great show!
SRF did well in spite of Erin’s absence (she was in a
friend’s wedding). We really missed her, but she had worked hard
last week to have her horses in great shape. She gave several
lessons to those of us who were going to pinch hit for her. Congratulations
to Pepper’s Just Plain Pretty for winning the Trail
Obstacle, Four Gait Class (ridden by Charlie) and placing third for
the Versatility Award. Silver Sundown, also trained by
Erin, won the Pro-Am Classic (Charlie/me), Four Year Old Stallion
Class, Reserve Versatility and the Classic Championship (with
Charlie). Silver won the saddle for his outstanding performance
in the championship. Gumdrop did well in her class
placing third in the Country Trail Pleasure Mares (with Charlie) and
5th in the Championship (with Robert). Barb’s Stormy
Knight had another great show winning the Versatility Award, Gelding
Trail, Pro-Am, Ladies Trail (with Nancy), and placing reserve in the
Trail Pleasure Championship. Nancy and Stormy really make a
wonderful team. CD’s Crown Jewel showed first with
Charlie placing 4th in the 3 Year Old Fillies class. Jill
showed her the second day in the 3 Year Old Amateur class placing
first—woo hoo! Jill also showed Sands of Time in the
Pro-Am and Geldings Trail classes placing 3rd and then 4th. He
looked great. Toco placed second in his CTP class. Diamond
Girl placed 3rd in a strong Trail Pleasure Mares class with
Brian. Jazzy and Gail also placed in their
classes (see full results on the web site). We really
appreciate everyone’s help. Brian and Charlie worked
non-stop showing or getting horses ready. We really appreciate
Scott and Barrie’s help during our busy times since we were short
handed without Erin. Thanks guys! You all are super.
We Got People
We just can’t thank everyone enough for all the help and
support during the Ladies’ Auxiliary Show. Brenda Watson
brought chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, green beans, cole
slaw, cornbread, and strawberry short cake for all of us on Friday. Then
on Saturday, Scott and Barrie brought their grill and we had
hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and watermelon. Yum!!!
Thanks also to Don and Nancy for their generous gift of the western
Trooper. We’ll be sure to make good use of it. I know we
must have the best clients in the world. We couldn’t do it
without you!
Babies, Babies
We have the most outstanding crop of babies that we have ever
had! They are absolutely beautiful! Silver Sundown and
Merry Go Blue Babies are on the ground and are looking good. We’ve
had many repeat breeders this year. They love the looks of the
foals and want their mares bred back to the same sire. Come see
our fabulous
youngsters!
UMH World Show
Advertising plans are being made for the 2007 World Show. It
looks like it will be an exciting time. The theme is “Gaits
of Glory.” We are in the planning stages of what we want to
do for our ad, promotion, and decoration. Last year, we were
able to have a double diamond sponsorship ($2,000) to help the
association put on a classy show. With your help, we can do it
again this year. It looks like the cost will be about $200
per client. Your name and horses’ names will be creatively
displayed on a two page spread in the show promotion issue of the
UMH Mountain Horse Times. We need financial support in order to
continue the quality show venue that has been available for us the
last few years. Thanks for all your help! If you haven’t
already let me know, just email or call. I’ll invoice in
July. Thanks!
Summer Gala Kentucky State
Sponsorships
Thanks for your generous sponsorships for our UMH summer shows. We
are constantly looking for funding to support our programs. Please
ask your suppliers to join in for advertising benefits. I will
add your contribution to your invoice. Again, thank you for
your support and contribution.
