That’s all we heard this spring.  Winchester, Winchester, Winchester…Well, I guess, it is a pretty big deal.  He was second 3 out of 4 weeks and then won the $50,000 Grand Prix in Gulfport, Mississippi and was, obviously, Circuit Champion.  Then a few weeks later, he won the FEI Speed Derby at the Omaha International Horse Show.  What a dude and I knew him when!  We were all so happy that Miss Paula got to see both of his victories.  He will be showing at Devon and Spruce Meadows this summer and I think she already has her bags packed.

We had another foal in February , Ituzaingo “Tango”, a colt by Richard, out of Riches in Glory.  He is quite the looker and is very playful.  Since we only had the one foal, he wants to play with Alan and Miss Paula…he needs a playmate … badly!  I think one of the ponies will be sacrificed, I mean, will have the opportunity to keep him company.

Freeport BF “Elroy” and Kodiak BF “Judy” are both doing well having been started undersaddle.  They should be top notch hunters.  Elroy has come along so well even Miss Paula rides him.  He must be quite a good natured three year old for Miss Paula to trust him.

I have to admit that I am a little bored at the farm these days.  I get ignored alot and, frankly, I have gotten lazy.  I have learned that bad attention isn’t all that great and attention for being good is just not that fun.  Of course, I like any attention, but I’ve lost some of my motivation for mischief.  Wasn’t that part of my charm?  I’m always anxious to go out to the farm, but soon enough, I’m just as anxious to go home at night.  Has Miss Paula tamed my wild side?  Ah, the price of devotion.

I’ve noticed that the young horses start putting aside some of their mischief, too, when they are being trained, but they seem to enjoy the attention they get, as well.  Maybe it isn’t such a bad thing – this “being on your best behavior” stuff.

Here’s hoping everyone has someone to behave for!

Your canine philosopher,

Spot.

First of all, I must apologize for not keeping up with my blogging duties.  I can’t quite believe how long it has been myself.  I have no excuses other than the fact that Miss Paula has been keeping me so busy, I hardly have time to scratch.

Well I guess she doesn’t keep me busy all the time.  I have had a chance to enjoy my new surroundings.  Working at the farm is fabulous, but c’mon, man…there is more to life than begging for treats, eating hoof clippings, watching people ride around the arena, chasing the vet truck, and rolling in..ahem, well, you get the idea!

 We have sold horses and said some permanent goodbyes to some old friends, but life goes on with young horses starting in training (Jasmina BF “Desi” and Freeport BF “Elroy”) and others continuing their successful show careers.  Winchester competed in his first FEI World Cup class in September.  Mr. Jim and Miss Paula went to Kentucky to see him and they said he performed very well for his first time at that level. 

He is in Wellington for the month of December.  Kona is there, too, doing the Junior division.  Miss Paula and Miss Patty, one of our friends from the barn and the mom of some of my cousins, went down to see both of them, Miss Patty’s horse, Hogie, and our old friend, Rafael.  A fun time was had by all – or so I heard!

I didn’t have a great Thanksgiving this year.  Snickers and I were left at a kennel while the rest of our “family” went to Indiana, but I had so much else to be thankful for, I couldn’t be upset for long. 

Earlier this month, one of the trainers at the barn, Michelle, had everyone… well not me and Snickers.. but everyone else from the barn over for a nice Christmas Party dinner.  No one even brought us back leftovers.  When I asked Miss Paula about that, she said it was so good, there weren’t any leftovers…hmmmm?

I do want to wish all my peeps and furry brothers and sisters out there a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I hope you will find the time to enjoy family and friends and remember the reason for the season.

Signing off for now.

Catch up with you in 2013.

Your friend, Spot.

My biggest news is that after a little dustup with my buddies at the farm (I may have started it, but I also got the worst of it!), I am now living with the love of my life, Snickers.  Miss Paula and Mr. Jim (and Snickers) have welcomed me into their home and I am loving it.  I never could understand why Snickers wasn’t that sad to leave the farm at the end of day… now I get it.  Nothing like having the best of two worlds.  I do have to have more baths, but that is a very small price to pay.

We had quite the shuffle of horses in June.  Kalli went to live with her new owners, Princess is going to live at another local barn with her new owners, Bam Bam has retired from racing and is now with Dean Graham, and Kona is home from Wellington.  Everyone is happy.  Miss Paula has been having fun riding Kona so he is top horse at the moment.

Since my last post, we had another foal born and we are already getting close to weaning time.  Three colts and a filly this year.  Just what Miss Paula wanted.  They really are a good looking bunch.

Part of the reason for the fracas with the dogs was that Alan’s dog, Cesar, died suddenly a few weeks ago and Alan now has a new puppy, Lincoln.  I think I was a little jealous of Lincoln and without Cesar to keep everyone in line, it got a little out of hand.  I miss him so much that I wrote a poem.

                                                       Ode to Cesar

 I once had a friend named Cesar.  He was handsome and strong.

Sometimeswhen I misbehaved, he would tell me I was wrong.

Although I was older, he was bigger;

And you didn’t want to cross him because he had a temper like a trigger;

But if you were ever in trouble, you wanted him on your side.

He would protect you and you could hide.

Cesar, my buddy, you will be missed

By everyone at Bridlebourne for reasons too many to list.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Spot

We have had such exciting times to go along with our beautiful spring weather.  We have had two foals.  Romeo and Hansel.  Again, Miss Paula is all agog over other guys.  I don’t have nearly the competition when we have fillies.  I have to admit, though, that both young men are handsome.  Nothing compared to yours truly, but that should go without saying!

Special Blend (Kona) won a Small Junior Hunter class in Wellington this weekend.  He is a great guy – rock solid.  I’m glad he is getting the recognition he deserves.  Katie, who rides him, really shows him off well.

Tigers and Bears (Tigger) who has continued to do well in the eventing world, went to a dressage show for a little practice and ended up receiving a qualifying score of over 68.  Hunters, eventing, now dressage??? Talent and good looks.  Some guys have it all. 

Drum roll, please!   Winchester won his first Grand Prix today at Gulfport Week VI.  He has been knocking on the door for weeks.  Second, third, and now…first place.  Way to go, W!  Snickers was always his favorite, but I don’t hold a grudge.

If it weren’t for us hard workers at the farm, our equine buddies wouldn’t be able to do what they do at the shows.  We know they appreciate us holding down the fort..farm.   We get lots of special treats and pats.  I wish someone could let Miss Paula know that the baths aren’t really looked upon as a reward.  Oh well, it is true that I get more attention, the cleaner I am.

Your happy hound, (well not really a hound, but I was going for alliteration!)

Spot

We have had an exciting 6 weeks since my last post.  Miss Paula did indeed visit our horses in Wellington.  Raffie was showing and was a star, Winchester also showed and was a star, and Kona had the weekend off, but he is a star, too!  Raffie actually was sold in January so Miss Paula was glad that she had one last chance to kiss his nose and fondle his little ears.  (I have told her repeatedly that I have a kissable nose and fondleable ears!).  Winchester went on to Pensacola where he placed in all the Grand Prixs, and Kona has been super in the Small Junior division.

Smooth Romance, “Princess”, and Kalli went to two weeks of the Jacksonville Winter Series where Princess was Champion the first week and won a Baby Green class the second week.  Kalli was just hanging out, learning to be a show horse.

Tigger was in his first event and was fabu.  Did I just say “fabu”?  I meant unbelievable!  He has since gone clear in the cross country part of two training level horse trials.  Two more clear cross country rounds at training level and he can move up to preliminary.  We are all learning about the Eventing world, but his trainer, Dean Graham, who is from New Zealand, says that Tigger is “bloody awesome!”

On the foal watch front, Red Hot Star, had a beautiful thoroughbred filly by Pioneerofthe Nile.  We think she looks like a champion. 

Until the next time, boys and girls (especially the girls),

Your friend,

Spot

Alan has been planning for foaling season with our first mare due the end of January.  It is hard to believe the little babies will now be yearlings.  I heard that we will only be breeding three mares this spring.  I guess a couple of them will be getting a much needed break. 

On the racing front, Federal Exchange got claimed, but Popular Demand and Astronautica (homebreds) are in training in Ocala.  Miss Paula is hoping Popular Demand “Bam Bam” will be sent to the track soon.  I wish I could go see him race – that would be something.  I could really get him going out of that starting gate.

I have started some new routines lately that I really enjoy.  One is that I am now allowed into Miss Paula’s office when she gets to the farm in the morning.  She gives me and Snickers treats and I can stay in for a little while to visit.  I can tell she doesn’t like to let me out of her sight.  I told Snickers that she must  think that I am really handsome, but Snickers said she is just afraid I will do something untoward!  I can’t imagine why she would think such a thing…

Signing off,

Your rascally friend, Spot

Gone but never forgotten.
My sister and lifelong companion, I will love you forever.
Your beloved brother, Spot

In the meantime, Alan, Kaelya, Marlon, Richardo, and Mario have been holding down the fort and doing an excellent job. 

We first had the weaning of the babies – Alan has it down to a science and it went great.  It was funny watching the four babies out in the big pasture for the first time.  It looked like one four headed, sixteen legged beast … you couldn’t tell where one began and the other left off.  They are a sweet group that all get along.  We found out we do have one jumper in the group, for sure, when they were all headed for the gate to be brought in with Ginger in the lead.  She knew if she stopped for the fence, the others would all run into her so she just jumped it – all four feet of it – only minor damage to the top board and barely skinned her “shins”!

Alan was busy getting prepared for Hurricane season – checking the generator, picking up loose items, clearing areas to park equipment under the arena.  He likes to be prepared and we all benefit from his planning.  Thanks, Alan.

Raffie did great at Pony Finals – he was first out of 99 after the first day, but fell back to 17th overall after the over fences – still good for having to compete with all those veterans.  It looks like he will qualify for Indoors – Go Raffie.

Zenith Dance was sold to a wonderful family in Colorado.  We hope he will continue his winning ways with Sarah Tredennick – Congratulations and Good Luck.  We will miss him.  All the girls call him adorable, but that is a little much for me to concede!

I love my Bridlebourne family and want to pass along Miss Paula’s thanks for all those who have been sending her well wishes.

Your ever faithful pal,

Spot

Well, I did get shaved for the summer – oh, the humiliation… but people do seem to like it and I get picked up alot more, so I’ll suffer through.

Two new boarders arrived yesterday.  Max and Skyway.  They are really cool.  Skyway is an older gentleman and Max is a young guy.  Miss Beth who owns them is very nice.  I’m hoping that by saying complementary things about all of them that Miss Beth might give me some treats – hint..hint!

I heard that Raffie did well at the Devon Horse Show and then was Champion at a show after that.  It won’t be long before Pony Finals - Good Luck, Little Man.

Zee and Chester continue to do well in the jumper ranks with Wilhelm and Theo Genn.  I did hear, however, that Mr. Jim and Miss Paula and Kaelya went to see Chester in a Grand Prix in Atlanta and it wasn’t his best effort.  Oh well..  not everyone can be on top of their game every minute of everyday like some …uh hem..  we know.  I really am one of a kind!

Miss Paula tried to take some pictures but the camera needs new batteries – maybe next time.  It is hard to get good help these days.

Happy 4th of July, fellow Patriots!

Your pal,

Spot

I have been wearing myself out keeping away from the washracks.  I feel a bath and a clip job coming and I want no part of it.  Everyone says I look so cute afterwards, but the whole process goes against my “au naturale” persona.

We have started back with the training of the three year olds and Jewel and Kalli are doing very well.  We have also started Dino.  Hailey is feeling very left out, however, because her peep hole under the wall of the training pen has been filled in and she has to resort to just running around the outside to help with the lunging.

I guess I’ll leave you with this thought….You’re no bunny ’til some bunny loves you, and I do!

Spot