As we welcome the New Year
we are reminded how fast our lives fly by.
It is a gentle reminder that events of the past year
are just that...the past.
I don't know about you,
but I feel the speed of life
increases as we age.
but I feel the speed of life
increases as we age.
We all are amazed at how our
children have grow and left the nest.
children have grow and left the nest.
How fast the grandchildren grow.
Another "year marker" for me are the foals
that are born each year on our farm.
that are born each year on our farm.
They start life on our farm.
Their moms and dads are horses
that have played a large part of our lives.
that have played a large part of our lives.
Dam of"Oh My Lila Rose"
Sire of "Oh My Lila Rose"
Each foal born represents a
little package of "hopes and dreams"
little package of "hopes and dreams"
Some of the foals steal our hearts more than others.
One of the foals that has stolen my
heart from the day she was born.
heart from the day she was born.
"OH MY LILA ROSE"
She is out of a mare, "OH MY LENA",
I showed "Lena" for 2 years
and then she was retired
to the farm to have babies.
I showed "Lena" for 2 years
and then she was retired
to the farm to have babies.
"OH MY LILA ROSE"
was born early in 2009.
was born early in 2009.
The first 2 years of her life she
"entertained" us on the farm.
"entertained" us on the farm.
When she turned 2 all the fun and games were over.
It was time for her to "go to work"
For the last 18 months
she has trained to be a "Cutting Horse"
she has trained to be a "Cutting Horse"
It is hard work.
For all the shenanigans she pulled when she was a youngster
she is now VERY SERIOUS about her job now.
How do I know?
I would love to tell you the fairy tale version that is often told.
"Oh I just knew from the moment she was born."
We have heard that so many times
when it comes to very successful horses.
when it comes to very successful horses.
But I have learned that we have
high hopes for all the foals.
high hopes for all the foals.
Certain foals that I think will be super stars,
sometimes are not.
sometimes are not.
We rarely hear that side of the horse business.
It can be heart breaking when high hopes don't happen.
But..high hopes did happen for
"OH MY LILA ROSE"
"OH MY LILA ROSE"
Just recently she was shown by
my husband in the most important show of the year.
my husband in the most important show of the year.
The NCHA futurity, is thought of as the
"first jewel" in the cutting industry's triple crown.
"first jewel" in the cutting industry's triple crown.
The show has around 600 entries,
all the horses must be 3 years old
(yep they check all horses mouths)
and have NEVER have been shown.
all the horses must be 3 years old
(yep they check all horses mouths)
and have NEVER have been shown.
The odds are against you from the start.
So only the very best are entered.
Only 30 horses make it to the finals.
It doesn't make sense to
It doesn't make sense to
even show up...but this is where the
dream kicks in again.
dream kicks in again.
So you enter your best horses
(you can only show 2)
(you can only show 2)
and wait for your chance
to show your horse(s) in front of 5 judges.
to show your horse(s) in front of 5 judges.
Oh "My Lila Rose" did her "job"!
She made the finals!
To top things off one of our
other foals made the finals too.
other foals made the finals too.
He was the first foal of 2009.
His name is "Cheldaichi".
His name is "Cheldaichi".
He is all grown up now and has
made an outstanding "cutting horse".
made an outstanding "cutting horse".
Its hard to imagine 4 years
have gone by so quickly.
Now we wait for the
new super stars to be born.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wishing you Health and Happiness!
Kelley
Kelley
7 comments:
Awesome post and photos ! I cant wait for our saddle club to start up again in the spring . I used to ride and have my own horse years ago when I was on the farm not in the cards right now but next best thing we are the clubs photographers and photographing the events and being around the horses again is wonderful ! Congrats on your new foals and your winning buckles !
I loved these photos. Oh my, I do know indeed the skill and talent of cutting horses. They are amazing. I have gone to a few shows myself.
And the riders....WOW
We have 2 horses (Canadians...yes that's a breed) that we are contemplating breeding this spring.
We have never had the experience of a foal, but my hubby is itching to experience it.
Darling Kelley,
I love horses, and I think you may recall that. I am a city girl however, who has only ridden a horse maybe twice in her life. But their beauty and strength draw my imagination and love.
Let me just say that this story you have presented is speaking DIRECTLY TO ME. I see myself at this very moment like one of those foals, in whom some have HIGH HOPES. But some don't make it. I feel I am on the cusp of finding out many areas of my life where I simply will not live up to the expectations of some....
This hit me just right. I am also so happy to see you blogging again. Thank you for viewing my work, and Iwill be by to check on your blog. Much love and THE PHOTOS OF THE HORSES ARE SO ENCHANTING! Anita
I have not had the pleasure of sharing my life so closely with horses....I think I'm truly missing out....such beautiful, strong creatures!
Love to live vicariously through you, Kelly :)
Love your horse photos!!! I had a horse in high school and did the 4-H thing. What a nice way to grow up.
Your farm is just beautiful. I was browsing through your posts and couldn't believe what a gorgeous place you have - like a dream. Our barn was old and rickety, but we had lots of fun in there. I guess that's all that matters.
Cindy
My grandfather who retired in Acton California, also bread and showed horses. I grew up with horses, and road everyday. Such a wonderful life. My grandfather was an art producer for Paramount Movie Picture Studios and when I was very young I could not understand why he could not bring MR. Ed the talking horse home with him.
Horses were always a big part of our family as well.
Your beautiful life surrounded by horses bring back a time and life for me when growing up was so filled with dreams as your life is with your horses.
I love that first photo it's so soulfully spiritually majestic.
I am so happy you found me from visiting Anita, I ador her, we put on French performances from time to time with the creating of our théâtre where creating an opéra or play for a holiday delights.
Anita is someone to love, she soulfully tells stories through the most inspiring photos, I am sure you agree :)
Kelley I am so going to enjoy getting to know you so much better.
See you and all the beauty you grace us with soon.
Xx
Doré
Oh those ponies, those children...sweet as PIE!
Dearest Kelley, thank you so much for visiting yesterday! I so appreciate your kind words. I was substitute teaching yesterday so I was out of Blogland, but it sure is fun to come and see what everyone is up to. So glad to see you are back. I am looking forward to your next post! Anita
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