The End

Not really, not really at all. Tomorrow we get in the truck and pick up the Commandant and Rob and drive to our next Vacation Location. The Clan MacVile (sans Jake this year) will assemble on an island in Lake Champlaign to celebrate Independence Day in grand style.

The reason for the title, since this is really yet another beginning, was to work in this great shot:

The Last Day

Was just a few minutes of cantering and jumping in the arena, then a quick trail ride to work on rules of the road. The whole thing deteriorated into a big Fluff and Buff with braids and Sparkle Toes on return to arena. I missed it again, but the Commadant and Teh Princess apparently did a little jumpin' too.

High Tech Day

Hailey's mom wanted to ride with us today, so she came along today on Rox. She was very impressed with our trails- it's a lot cooler back in the woods as well being a lot more interesting.

Bubbs nanna came to take pictures but didn't stay very long; she has a big lens so we should get some cool shots. Bubbs had a very special mount:

Jumping

Today was jumping, which turned out to not be good for pictures, particularly trying to take them from a young, greenish tinged horse that doesn't neck rein. Turns out Pirate is a one way jumper (guess that's better than 'No Way!'), which will require some work tomorrow. Roxie did amazingly well, making Hailey look good going over in her fancy western saddle. The girls rode independently in the woods afterwards. There was some issue with a banana spider but it was otherwise apparently without incident.

Screw Top and I spent quality time learning to stand quietly for mounting. This involved a lot of getting off and on for me, and considerable trotting for her. She does more or less behave now though, allowing for a bit of dignity during that least graceful of equestrian activity. Previously it was grab some mane, bounce around on one foot while trying to avoid being stepped on by the 1500# pony, and jump up when the momentum felt right. She's only 14.2 hands, but we are too old for such nonsense.

GG

He's the least personable of the bunch, go figure:

Day #2

Video doesn't post, probably for the best; today was the first time for Hailey and the Rox to canter. Bubbles has of course cantered a lot, but its always different in a new place on a new horse, particularly one that's a little amped and hormonal. If you look closely at Bubbs leaning through her turn, you can see the photo is being taken between Red Screw Tops ears.

The day started off with tacking (duh) and putting on Polo Wraps. Those are inventions of the devil, sent forth to drive us mad, cleverly disguised as leg support for your equine companion. They still take me a half hour to put on, if said equine will stand still, and the Commandant always makes me do them over anyhow. The girls took about an hour to do front legs only, to the Commandants specs, which really isn't too bad.

Rox has stripes, Pirate has pirates:

No Drama!

Poor planning, the phone was full this morning, so no photodocumentation either. Despite the rampaging hormones in the front pastures, the girls seem to have sorted their differenced out amongst themselves, and they all behaved politely today. Everyone rode well, practicing safe distance keeping and steering for the trails.

The Commandant cantered today, first time in about ten years, really wishing there were pictures of that!

It's Hailey's birthday today, so the girls are off to one of those putt putt/laser tag/bumper boat places. Roxie got some tiger striped polo wraps, gold Sparkle Toes, and a scrubby brush for her spa at home.

Tomorrow

Is the Official First Day. We've done a lot to get ready, but it will no doubt be exciting regardless; three young hormonal mares and a mature pony, two rank novices, one accomplished rider, and Thank the Maker, one Equestrienne. Today everyone was ridden hard, tied up next to their nemesis, bathed and buffed together, and generally maximally provoked. No drama though. I can only ride one at a time, so there's still likely to be excitement out on the trail.

Here's some camp photos. Featured is The Spa, complete with fancy multiple function sprayer, basket of equine beauty aids, and comfy bench. You can see how the arena and round pen are set up, and also see some of our extensive collection of whips:

Manly Arts

Apologies for the poor picture quality:

Rodeo!

Horsie Camp always starts off a bit bumpy, sorting out and adjusting tack, settling into routine, you know the drill. This year, it turns out Screw Top hates Pirate. Screw Top behaved verily aggressively towards her, threatening to kick, turns out Pirate is in heat. Not sure how to fix this, but we've got a couple days to sort it out,

Red Screw Top free:

Kevy's Field Trip

Video won't post.

That's for the best.

By the Way

Did you know GWB painted my ass? I think it looks pretty fine:

Hooptie

This my Truck. It's a 1995 F350 Power Stroke diesel dually with not quite 400K on it; it's on his second clutch. It has a local aftermarket customization package which was very popular years ago, Centurion. That's properly pronounced sin-tur-i-on. He is one of two here in our county, and a good friend has the other, which is shockingly blue, but otherwise identical. Interestingly, GWB, picked up an identical Hooptie the same day mine rolled out.

This is my daily driver and gets filled up every other week, not too bad considering Occupy Workplace is about an hour away. It can be tracked at night from the Space Station due to all the festive lights. It has a four (really!) speed transmission and will go Almost 75 MPH, but sixty is much better. First gear is used only rarely but moves mountains. The elegant mahogany trim is the real deal, and I suspect the TV connection works, and plan to test it if we ever get a TV:

Best Thang Evah!

I now have The Worlds Oldest ZTR. It's Yellow. It's life changing. SHG is now pretty much manicured, at all times, in all places.

It cost $200, and did need some work of course. It's now fully functional, thanks to our engine guy, John, who you'll recall repaired the Single Weapon. To demonstrate my gratitude he's gotten a pie to share with his grandson almost every weekend since, so it's working out well.

At any rate, here's a picture of Teh Zipper (in a rare moment at rest) and a glimpse of our now park-like farm: