Stars Top Joker (pending)

Starwalker X Stars Top Spark

Stars Dusty Secret (pending)

Stars Fim Koppur X Pratt Double Secret

Wow! already to the middle of July, where does the time go? Foals are growing well, both are of excellent quality. Very pleased with them. It has been a very busy month so far. So much for semi-retirement LOL.

Between catching up on farm work (that is a big dream), working with horses, fitting in some recreational riding, attending clinics etc. the summer is flying by. I have been trying to get the weed spraying done as well, weeds are so crazy this year, but the weather is not always cooperative and with the high cost of herbicide one does not want to waste it. Good news is that where I have managed to spray, it is working. Really don't like to use the chemicals, but sometimes there just is no choice. Breeding season is done for us so the long wait for new babies has begun. Stallions are doing well and will soon be back together. They seem to be quite ready for that. The tack door latch on our new horse trailer broke, so thank goodness we still have the old stock trailer for backup! Think the old thing could use a coat of paint......We have grass like we haven't seen in many years this summer. Hay fields are looking pretty good, my winter supply is ordered so just have to be ready for it when he is ready to start hauling. Helped a neighbour move cows to summer pasture yesterday, so much fun and the move went seamlessly. Moving cows with a horse is always a great experience. Hope the summer slows down some, so many things left to do especially riding!

Our new 2013 foals have arrived! Black fewspot filly by Stars Fim Koppur out of Pratt Double Secret on June 2, bay with blanket and spots colt by Starwalker and out of Arctic Top Spark on June 7. Both are excellent quality babies and we are very pleased, once again with our production. Filly is SOLD. Now if only it would stop raining for a bit.....it would be appreciated very much! I think even the ducks are getting tired of it LOL

Winter Babies

Stars Tiger Lily & Stars Dreamwalker

 

The two yearlings playing in the fresh snow - they are quite the pair of munchkins! Very frisky and playful, sweet temperaments. Sure do get running around that pen sometimes. Both are very good quality and cannot wait until they are old enough to ride! I know, at least a two year wait but am still excited........

Mickey & Ozzie

 

Ozzie

Mickey

 

 

We lost our beloved Buster to the wolves in early January, RIP dear friend. Oh how I miss him! But he died doing his job of protecting our farm animals from the predators. Poor Molly was so sad and lonely and beginning to get very tired trying to patrol and protect this large area all alone. She was also in lots of danger being by herself to do this job. We were able to locate a couple of young 8 month old Irish Wolfhound X Komondor pups and picked them up Feb. 2. They have settled in very nicely and are already working! Both have big, deep voices that might make the coyotes think twice at least. Quite a pair of sweeties and I sure hope nothing happens to them! These wolves need to be removed from the area, do not need them around the farm at all.

Goodbye 2012 and Welcome 2013!

What a wonderful way to say adios to the old year and usher in the new! The weather was as perfect as it could be, not too cold and not so warm that ice formed - and riding in a one horse open sleigh! Stars Ladyhawke did fantastic her first time hitched to the sleigh. We found that it does pull somewhat different than the cart for sure, but she had no problems adjusting. The driver on the other hand, took a few minutes to  get used to the different vehicle! It is always so nice to be able to spend time with family and friends. Got to babysit the grandson on New Years Eve, grand daughter had a sleepover with a friend. AJ and I had a great time as always together. Amma tends to play the little tyke out and he slept like a log.....he went sledding, helped split wood, fed horses, went for an adventure walk through very deep snow (thought I might have to dig him out LOL), quad riding.....busy little man. Here is hoping that the rest of 2013 is as great as the beginning has been!

Here we are, past mid-December with Christmas approaching quickly! We have had a LOT of winter already with a long way to go until spring.....temperatures have been somewhat below normal since October, but nothing too serious yet. Still feel like we are playing catchup with winter hitting so early, but we are actually doing just fine. Only a few days left until the shortest day of the year and our daylight hours will begin to increase again, thank goodness. It has been far too gloomy and dark the past couple of months, in desparate need of some sunshine. Horses are all doing great, have sold |Kidd and Foxy, they will go to their new home in the spring once the weather is more suitable for a long haul. Sure am going to miss them but the people are getting two exceptionally nice saddle horses that should do the job they want very well. Looking forward to Christmas with the family, dinner yummmm and just good times together. It is so much fun having little kids around again for the season...they bring much joy. Till next time.....

Wishing all our friends and family all the best for this Holiday Season and in 2013!

UK Was a Great Experience

Kristin and Stars Red Hawk

 

 

Here is a picture of my daughter, Kristin and Stars Red Hawk in his pasture at Blaisdon, Gloucester, UK taken on the second last day of our visit. We had an awesome time. Helena and Kyriako treated us like royalty and were great hosts. Helena purchased Red several years ago from us while living in Athens, Greece. The family made a huge move last winter to England. Of course, Red came along as well as Jojo their big dog. The climate, vegetation etc. are all very different from what we have here in West Central Alberta. The humidity is unbelievable! Nothing gets dry....it even smells like a musty basement outside, everywhere you go. Very different from here with our crisp, clear air. Roads are so narrow, lined by tall hedges and in some places you have to back up if you meet another car. The River Severn is impressive and dangerous. Gloucester Cathedral is a must to see if visiting the area. It is so old, the architecture is beautiful. More a piece of art than a building.....more pictures to come as I get time to download and sort through. London/Heathrow airport is an experience in itself. It was so good to see our little Edmonton International Airport again, much less initimidating.

 

Gloucester Cathedral