First off, I just havehavehave to give an update on Ace. He was a STAR all weekend, totally relaxed and calm and basically a completely different horse. He didn't even try to kick me TOO hard when I put his Freedom 45 on his hocks... hooray! Anyway, I rode him Saturday AND Sunday, and he was totally sound both rides, head down, riding on the buckle very, very quietly; he was alert but kind of had a "been there, done that" sort of attitude. I say bravo, Acey, because he was definitely a stud muffin.
Speaking of being a stud muffin.... that there is Ace, being a total P-I-M-P and checking out Alygal, my TB project. More on her later, but isn't my boy soooo cuuuute? He's seriously such a hambone, too. He and Aly both were literally begging for the camera all weekend. You know, the big eyes, stretched out neck, "I know that's not a treat but it's a CAMERAAA!" kind of face. Makes for kind of craptastic pictures, but it's pretty funny to watch.
And, here's my moose, Captain. I've had him for five years now, and the story of how I got him is kind of cute, really. My mom's friend bought him for an unspeakable amount of money six years ago (he's the Canadian National Pinto Champ in a ton of events and has an ROM for APHA), but then he sat in pasture. She had him shipped from Canada and everything. Well, anyway, she had him passed onto me, to tune him up to be sold and show him a bit, so she could advertise him as being retrained by an 11-year-old. I wanted a reiner, but I fell in love with Captain instead, so of course I got him for a third of what he's worth. Now he's a total family horse and unfazable on the trails (unless there's some spooky water, then he's just an idiot, LOL), and we have a ton of accomplishments on our belt--dressage, jumping, a little cross country, lots of western pleasure (the good kind, don't cringe), equitation, etc. He's now my mom and sister's horse mostly, but he's definitely the ranch favorite, cause he's such a clown. I mean, really, that horse has more personality than I can even explain, and he's so much fun. I'm his mommy and always will be, but he likes grandma and auntie, too. He just doesn't listen to them as well. ; )
Anyway, onto Alygal. She's off the track, but then was a barrel horse after her stint as a racehorse, so she's never really had that mentality "trained out" of her. Aly's lovely on the ground--except when she's nervous, then she sort of has little conniptions, or rubs ALL over me, which I hate--and lunges wonderfully. Anyway, after she was a barrel horse, somehow she ended up with the Asshat of the Year, Red. He used to work at the ranch on maintenance, but got fired after he bashed his girlfriend's truck windshield in with a Louisville Slugger. Yeah, I'm telling you, he's a real choice kind of guy. Red's also the same guy who completely neglected his horse, Trinket (who is now owned by a 12-year-old named Katie), and basically almost killed her trying to shove her into the trailer so she'd go to slaughter. So, basically, Aly's pretty messed up, but luckily Jamie (who works in the office) rescued her and now it's all happy days.
Jamie's not done much with her besides groom her, so I've taken her on as a project. She's a real pretty mare, a nice mover and all, and level headed despite all the craptastic things that've been done to her. I fiiiinally got on her on Sunday, and wow she was tons of fun. I have to ride her in a sidepull because she's got tumors in her mouth--oh, the joy of gray horses--but Aly responds really well to it. She was definitely waiting for me to give her the go-ahead to take off, but we were in the roundpen and Aly found that it was much easier to walk than to hop in place and try to run. It was all in good fun though, and as soon as she walked quiet I hopped off. I'm stoked to ride her again, to say the least. 
My other main project right now is Cheyenne. My mom's friend owns Cheyenne, and she needs to sell her asap because her landlord is saying no more. She hasn't really been ridden lately--actually, in almost four years, but she's such a nice mare it really hasn't bothered her much. I've ridden her a few times now (actually, I'm going out tomorrow to do so again), and am very impressed. She needs some of the finishing touches, like collection and softness on the bit and moving off of legs, but she's basically dead broke. It's sad to have to see her go, but I hope she finds a good home. Phew. I got tagged to do that "six things" meme, but I think I'll save that for a later date and quit my babbling. Happy trails everyone!
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