Half the year gone...

I bought myself a new saddle today...sometimes doing that just makes me feel so attached to the world. The butter soft leather is going to feel incredible and boost my confidence in myself and Cleo's showing...it is a LONG ways off to the October Paint show. We are headed to Virginia in about three weeks to take a couple of the clients' horses to the Lexington facility for the southern Regionals show. I so wish I could piggy back another Paint show in like we did last year...it was amazing fun.
Anyhow the saddle is a French-made close contact Huntseat-er that I just couldnt resist. My Collegiate is fantastic but time to move up in the world.
Spent all day watching the world show live-stream on the internet and cataloging models...going to sell off everything but a very precious few...Some of my other artist customs I just will never part with like Sawyer (Sue Thompson) and my Carol Williams pieces. The other stuff is just that, stuff...The custom glazes will all stay, Leslie's especially but I am ridding myself and my cabinets of most everything else. Some of the pieces from the 1920s, 30's and 40's will stay as Caitlin says she wants them. I cannot believe I have close to 50 of those Peter Stone messes that are pure worthless...good thing I have so many custom orders for stock horses!
Here's one I will never get rid of...he is awesome and he reminds me of the fun I had in El Paso with Renee and Caitlin...

This is the show shirt I made Kaily.


View from my office window...


View from the other window in the office.

Pictured is me on Foxy, Caitlin on Cleo, and Evanne on "Crackhead" the rescue horse! This was from a recent show where the Paint gang RULED!

My truck is BROKE!!!!!!!!!! Dammit, I feel stranded! Yeah yeah, I can drive one of the other 4 vehicles sitting around here but I hate to be in a strange one...
Renan comes today to put shoes on the Crushpuppy...he is ready for them. Last weekend, once more, we were GRAND CHAMPION walk/trot horse at the open show...Not only that, we actually loped his first canter class and he ROCKED my world!!!!!!!!!!!
I also am back on Cleo and am so happy with my big girl...I missed her. Tho there is nothing wrong with Miss Piggy, I love riding Cleo huntseat...I am in the process of buying her a new english saddle...
Pictures coming...camera keeps getting left behind. We MIGHT show this weekend if it doesnt rain.
I am LOVING the gym...I am getting definition in my torso, and I actually am getting a cute ASS!!! Jimmy finally noticed! WooooHoooo! My english boots are too big thru the calf now...Caitlin says I will need new boots before we do the World shows~! Oh rats! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sewing again...got the coolest outfit almost finished for Kailey (so easy to sew for little girls!) and the just delivered the fabric from Joann's that I will turn into a new railshirt for me! I love this sewing machine, it is so much better than the Singer I had as a kid!

Busy as hell...as usual...bought myself a sewing machine and off I go...I sewed as teen and here I am, back at it again...I am making Kailey an outfit, most likely Amanda is next, and I am working on MY OWN too!
Showed all weekend...first time I have showed Cleo since last November! We earned 5 firsts, three seconds, two thirds...and nothing lower than that...I ended up Grand Champion Sr. rider and won an etched glass plate, huge long streamer ribbon, and an etched crystal goblet!
Caitlin showed Crush in green horse and ended up reserve grand champion! He was such a good boy! Caitlin's attitude towards him is finally changing.
We are joining the Silver Sands Bridle Club...love that place...
More to come....gotta go work!

Oh yeah...Fuzzy died. His owners are so sad...his portrait model sits in the middle of a memorial to him...faithful beloved horse owned by the same people all his long long life. Cleo's sire died last week too...

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The essence of showing...the anticipation is just killing me...this weekend will be a tough one as I am determined to start my foothold on making top 20 in the masters division in APHA...Me and Foxy can do it...and the way I feel right now after nearly three weeks at the gym, I may even start her back on poles/barrels and stakes to add the points...We shall see.

The Region X Roadtrip custom is coming along and is amazing...He is going to be a stand-out...I have never seen this position done before..(well anyhow) and no one will be able to tell what he started out as...poor little hurricane victim...

Here is a pic of the retired quarter horse I just finished...looks just like the ol' Fuzzy Man...(wonder what his registered name is?)

Yep behind again...what's up with me...well, I didnt go to New Hampshire thru no fault of my own (long story) but in the end I got a BETTER gig judging at Region X Roadshow...OMG mini NAN! Can't wait! That's in November!

Joined a gym...and I truly LOVE it! Working out with the stud muffins on the weight machines and eliptical machines...I am even running on the treadmill...I thought I would like manage a half hour three times a week but I find myself there every freaking day for over an hour!!!!! Now I know at my age, I will never have a beach-buff body but I am damn sure gonna give it hell...Actually my back feels much better!

The work is pouring in...who knew everyone wants a copy of their favorite horse...the one I am working on right now is so cute; he is just a coppery red chestnut but he is so loved, so cared for...it inspires me to work on that representation of him on this Lady Phase...he even has a notched ear!

What else...today it is pouring down, and has been since yesterday...I have done nothing but work on the models and clean house and barn...Cleaned out a whole new storage area in the trailer bay; think I will see about getting about 200 bales of hay in there. Nothing makes me happier than giving the guys all the hay they want.
Started riding Crush again but today he came in out of the rain on three legs...think he was running around the studio side of the pasture (HUGE amount of land) and hurt himself...Since he is going with us to Tampa next weekend, I gave him bute, another 10cc of penicillin and he will spend this week in one of the paddocks staying quiet.
Got to get shavings this week, and Renan comes on Tuesday to reset shoes...money in, money out...
Speaking of the studio, it dodged a bullet yesterday when a huge old oak fell during the rain storm and missed the studio porch by feet...C'mon, God, I have really good this year...don't take my studio again!!!!!!!!!!