A Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person. When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . . Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

  ~Author Unknown

So, we’re all happy and lovin’ our horses… All of us came from nowhere… brought together to RHO.  IS that fate or just the way things happened? Who knows?  For me, I’m sure it was fate from the beginning from “Rivendell” to where we are now.  We’re together for a reason, and hopefully a lifetime.

So as a barn, we did everything together.

We started out with horses from all over...  now, with horses from RHO. Tom made the ridiculous mistake of telling us that “Soon” we would have branding day and all these horses will bear the RHO stamp. We couldn’t wait!

Having said that, Tom should know better than to tell us something and not be definitive.  Like “soon” isn’t a time... its Tom Riley time.  For us, we need a TIME and answers.

Sue…. Sometimes she’ll talk to Tom…most times she won’t when requests or questions arise…

Donna… forget it... she won’t ask

Sharon… well... Sharon will talk to Tom anytime…. She’ll just say, “Michele has something to ask you”

Like the safety cones for example.   We all wanted them.  Ritchie got them for us… so we could play and do all the stupid stuff we learned at the Expo... but who’s tellin’ (asking) Tom? 

Me… Ummm Tom, do you mind if we put 12 giant LIME GREEN traffic cones in the outdoor arena so we could do patterns?

Tom: What the F*$#??? “Here’s a pattern for ya… go run around the damn arena in a circle and I’ll chase ya with a shovel… believe me when I tell ya”

Like the lounge, for example.  We all wanted it.  The hay loft above the barn was great… overlooked the front and back of the property… a few couches, pillows,  coffee table, a Keurig coffee machine,  a heater, nice old rug and maybe a microwave… a few magazines scattered  and a small rack to display our  wares… right?  How nice would that be… but who’s tellin’ (asking) Tom?

Me… Um Tom.. We really want a lounge.  A place to hang out after riding, etc.  It would be real nice if we could use the hay loft upstairs and turn it into a nice area to relax. We’ll keep it clean… and we won’t smoke.

Tom: “What the F*$#??? You ain’t touchin’ my hay loft. Go the hell home if ya wanna relax.  I don’t want ya hangin’ around.  Ride your horse and then go home dammit”

He loves us.

When all else fails… Courtney.. yeaaaa… let Courtney ask him.

So, Branding Day was going to be a big deal to us.  We couldn’t wait…. But again… I was always the one asking something….

Tom, when’s branding day?

~Soon.

2- weeks later….Tom, when’s branding day?

~Soon

 .. and later yet….Tom, when’s branding day? I was like a little kid...

~Soon. "Shut the hell up before I brand yer ass”

Soon came and we finally got a date.… and my ass got away unscathed and unbranded.   We combined branding day with Katie’s high school graduation party.  Katie, Tom’s older daughter was a true cowgirl.  Funny, strong and could ride like the wind!

Who’s bringing what food... decorations….music? RHO was plannin’ a party! It was a fiasco for sure…. But something that we have been waiting for …for a long time.

Branding Day was here!!   We set up a tent in the outdoor arena and decorated… food and deserts galore… and Katie was surprised. It was my ultimate goal, however, to capture Tom Riley on film carrying a handful of balloons to the arena.  Goal achieved!!!   But, I rather value my life and will not be posting pictures of that… but the temptation is so hard to resist.

Branding time was like a show we’ve been waiting for … packed into the aisle, of course, my Bizzy girl was up first… and what a good girl she was.  Not a flinch during the big ordeal, she turned and was led out of the stall branded as one of RHO’s finest stock!

So, me and my trusty clippers strategically shaved each one of our equine stars and one by one, they were marked as part of RHO and branded forever on our hearts.

 

Special thanks to Brett Dzadik for photographing all our events!

See more photos of our special day and more galleries of our barn and events at:

 http://www.brettsfirephotos.com/RHOHorse/Branding-Day-2013-and-Katies/

There's No Buisness Like Show Buisness

So, I’m trying to wrap up 4 plus years in these lengthy blogs. The time passed so quickly and memories galore have been made.  To start in the present, I have to go back just a bit so you understand the inner workings of RHO.

Richard was doing well on Bizzy.  She was kind and patient with him.  What is unfortunate and a true heartbreak for me, however, is Richard’s physical ability to ride.  Over the months, he became unsteady in the saddle and not capable of maintaining balance due to his diabetes. He slowly gave up riding.  I, too, became increasingly unsure of myself with Chill. Our constant battles became a test of wills, and she won every time.  She was and is still the love of my life.  She’s a great mare and needs a challenge.  Unfortunately for me, I was her challenge.

Richard wasn’t coming up to the barn much.  I maintained the brunt of dual horse ownership.  Slowly but surely, I was riding Bizzy.  As the weeks went by, Bizzy got quite used to me and I her.  What I discovered with her was that she was the perfect horse.  She stood still at the mounting block and only did what I asked when I asked.  Her gait is strong.  She is made of muscle and power, yet she is as gentle and kind as one could ever imagine.  She was the perfect horse for Richard… I say was, because she is mine now. The perfect horse for me.  She just doesn’t care what I do.  I could ride her for hours and she will respond like she was fresh out of the stall. I could walk back to the barn and back to the field and she won’t flinch or put up a fuss. I can do anything at all with her.  Now, Chill is and always will be my special horse.  She is amazing and riding her after months of riding Bizzy is like coming home.  Thanks to Aly, Sharon’s daughter, who spent a few weeks tuning her up, I can muster up the courage to get her to do what I want... WHEN I want.

So here is where I say… for the first time…I found my Satin in Bizzy. 
Hoping all of my horses turned out like Satin was just that... a hope... a dream. I was so desperate to find Satin again that I overlooked flaws in each horse. Finding and riding Bizzy was because of an extremely wise and astute trainer who never gave up… who had the foresight once again to match horse and rider.

The great wizard of RHO had two… not ONE but two special things in his black bag for me.   

Satin was my true "heart" horse and the love of my life.

 I never knew or remotely thought Bizzy would be Satin… that she would be the one, but she is.  I wasn't looking... or thinking of another horse for me, but you know what? Richard was.  All along he knew.. and he bought yet another horse for  "him"...well, let's say it started out that way... but he knew I would be the one for Biz. 
I can finally say that as Satin (and Chill) did… Bizzy has shown me how to have the courage to ride again. 

It can happen. It did for me.

It’s What We Do

This barn has turned out to be a true family.  The RHO family.  Whatever we do, we do it together. Always. What happens to one, happens to all.  We have been at this barn for about four or five years now. So many changes, sorrows and joy have ensued over the years. Sue lost her dear husband and our friend, Pat.  That was hard on us all, but of course especially Sue and Donna.  Pat was easy to talk to, a gentle man, and one of Ritchie’s favorite  people in the barn family. He was devoted entirely to Sue and her crazy horse habit.  It was a common sight to see him sitting in his chair on top of the hill watching over the arena and cheering Sue on.  It wasn’t final though, until Tom announced our loss at one of our Penning shows.  The moment of silence with hats off and Tom’s speech  not only  made it a reality, but brought us together in sorrow as a barn.

 

We lost boarders.  Elaine and Ted moved closer to home. We gained boarders. My meeting with Gail at the Equestrian Center months back proved to be lucrative for RHO and Tom Riley. I told Gail to come and see our place  and that Tom would be able to fix any issues she was having with Arlo. Gail and Norm fell in love with the place!  Norm turned out to be a great help to Tom and an asset to the daily workings of the farm and Gail and I were finally able to ride together!

Mike was here!  Mike, from our old barn, was a symbol of stability. His quiet nature, and calm, collected aura was just what we all needed.  Mike is the only one who, to this day, will stand with me while I attempt to climb onto my paint mare… no matter how long it takes. He keeps our barn running, keeps us sane and most times keeps Tom calm.

We gained a few stragglers and unfriendly boarders that turned out to be not-so-good people… One thing we can all say... It’s one thing to argue and disagree amongst ourselves, but don’t dare take it public!  Once someone crosses the line outside the barn walls, they are banished forever.  Needless to say, those unwelcomed boarders got out of Dodge… and we were glad to see them go.

We partied together, played together, traveled together, rode hard together and cried together.  I was finally home.

It’s what we do.

A Step Backwards

If anyone would have told me I would be dancing with cows, I would have a new horse and actually ride again or that I would give up mani-pedi’s, shopping and an occasional restaurant dinner, I would have laughed in their face.   Tom and Courtney Riley knew I would.

I was known as the miracle child of RHO, as Sue named me, and Tom, Courtney and Chill were the reasons.

Linda told me! http://lindalauren.com/ How foolish I feel and how embarrassed I am not to have believed her! My psychic and friend told me long ago that I didn't find Satin yet...
Who would have thought my manicures and pedicures would be given up for weekly penning and sorting? That my favorite place to shop is Tractor Supply and my favorite place to eat is The Mediterranean Grill http://themediterraneandiner.com/? Go figure.

But, enough of that.  I’m doing it. We’re all doing it. Each weekend brought a new adventure.

As the days rolled by, Chill and I continued to Sort and Penn.  Something was changing, though.  I could feel it in both of us.  Chill is such a good horse.  She is sweet, talented and responsive.  But she is moody and when she decides she is done with whatever we’re doing, she’s done.  I’ve improved my riding, but   not my fear.  It didn't take Chill long to figure that out.  She started acting up in the arena, not standing still and not wanting to go out on our field rides.  If the barn was within eyesight (or not) she was going back.  She isn’t barn-sour, nasty or vindictive.  She just decides to shake me to the core when she’s had enough and she knew I would concede to her.  She snorts, rears (well, pops up enough to scare me) and fights every step of the way.  Sue, Donna and Sharon always encouraged and helped me but to no avail…“Get after that mare, don’t let her get away with that “You have to win this” Yea, but I didn't want to win.  I didn't want the battle and I was scared to start a war.

I use the mounting block to get on her. Still, it takes me at least 10 minutes to get the courage up to swing my leg around. I was doing good for a while.  
One day, in the indoor...here I go..
climbing onto the mounting block, 
foot in the stirrup.. 
foot slipped off the stirrup and down I went, flat on my back…yup... in front of everyone… yup.. Sorting.  Instant pain hit and breathless, all I could do was lay there and moan like a damn fool.  Tom Riley, of course, was the first one at my side… After seeing I was OK, his laughter and comments didn’t stop.  I knew this was not going to be something I would forget for a very long time.  I did something that I never got to do after a fall… get back on.  I am still proud of that… I did a sorting run... with pain down my legs and in my back.  All I could think of was the injury I sustained with my crazy-ass Boston Mac quarter horse…it felt the same. It kept me from riding for a year and a half.  Not this time… not again.  I gave Tom the high sign that I was done... and… slumped across my paint mare; I trudged back to the barn.

Little did I know that this not only hurt my back, but my confidence to get on my mare.  This was a huge step backwards.  Each time I got hurt, it was getting on a horse... I didn’t need this...… not with this mare. 

Yea, again.  Time after time I spent countless minutes trying to get on.  Up the mounting block I went...If she’d move a step... I got down, adjusted the mounting block and stepped up again.  I would pound the steps… the second Chill heard me, she swayed her butt away.  Can you imagine the horror of doing this in front of the whole barn?  Tom especially.  "Get the hell on that mare, dammit.  She ain’t gonna stand there all day.  Go on, one...two... three'.  Sharon hysterical each and every time… EVERY time. Between her and Courtney, I didn't stand a chance!!!  Laughter ensued, but still I didn’t care.  I couldn’t get on.  Donna in front, Sue behind and Sharon on the side, it became a ritual… a horrific ritual to get me on that damn horse.  Once I did get on... each time in tears… I was fine until Chill wasn’t.  It was becoming a fight and I was getting frustrated.  This was entirely all my fault. My horse was still awesome but really sick of me!

However, the rest of the barn was moving forward, except my husband. His new mare, Tangles, was an awesome mover and a beautiful mare.  She was young and had far to go.  Richard already spent quite a bit of money and time waiting for her.  We did realize, unfortunately, that this wasn’t going to be a good match for him.
Courtney...

It was Courtney this time, who changed our lives. Courtney had a natural talent for riding. To this day, she is one of the best riders I have EVER seen. Ever. Courtney always got the first and the best horses to ride.  Every time she found a horse she liked, Tom sold it from under her!

This time, it was her choice.  Courtney rode a big brown mare, “Show Biz Lady”. She was awesome on cows.  Bred to the withers, she could cut and sort and do it all.  We watched, week after week, as they performed.  It was Courtney’s telephone call that changed us forever. “Michele, we know Tangles isn’t good for Ritchie.  Sometimes, it takes a while to really see a horse develop.  She’s a great horse, but not a great fit for him.  I want him to ride the Show Biz mare. You should think about getting her” I was floored.  I literally thought she had lost her mind… one, for giving up her mare and two, this was a cutting machine.  She insisted that he ride her. She reassured me that this was the only horse in the barn she would trust her five-year old on and Tom agreed. “Bizzy” as we called her, was an extremely talented powerhouse.  Reluctantly, I said, "sure".

The next weekend, Ritchie climbed aboard.  He sorted with the crew and rode her around the field (alone).  I was a wreck, but Courtney just kept on insisting that this mare was fine. 

By the end of the day, the deal was made on the back of Tom Riley's truck. Tangles was gone and Ritchie was the proud owner of a new mare that he could ride…right now… and finally, his dream of owning and riding a cutting horse came true!

....Not so fast!!!