This message is from: "Dave and Patti Walter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Home from a long 4 days at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI. BUT....WHAT A GREAT 4 days it was. We had some VERY trying times. Poor Mike and Susie Sadlon arrived at the fair only to have their mare colick shortly after arriving. Pat Holland, Nancy Hotovy, Susie Sadlon and myself loaded her up and off to the vet hospital we went. The vet on the grounds told us to get her there quick and that is what we did! Tana, had to spend 2 days at the hospital but good for Susie and Mike no surgery was needed. Susie said after getting the news that she wasn't going to need surgery , "I feel like I'm $5K richer". We were all relieved that everything went well. Of course, Tana and her team mate Sterlyn didn't get to perform with us, that we were all saddened by, but Tana is healthy that is most important. Those in our demo were, Gary Holland driving their Stallion Wood's Sven. Both were fantastic. "Woody" took it all in stride, I believe he loved showing the crowd his "stuff", in that he is very well behaved, has very nice movement and is very agile. Really a nice driving horse. Good looking too, lovely dark golden brown color. Pat Holland has transformed yet another stallion! We also had 6 riders, Nancy Hotovy, Dawn Schlickman, Lisa Lovett, Joni Griffin, Pat Holland and myself. 3 western and 3 english. We did a simple drill team pattern but it was great! The theme this year was dancing with horses and at one point the riders were all on the center line side passing to the left and then back to the right. The music was achy breaky heart and it really looked and felt like we were line dancing. Very cool! We definately looked like a "team" in my opinion, I know we sure worked like one. It' s A VERY HARD fair to show at. We come from 4 different states, we don't get to practice together, and many times there is no place to warm your horse up once you are there. There is an outdoor ring, but if it rains, you are out of luck. I "think" we did the breed proud. I know I sure am proud of the horses and the people. We had a lot of things thrown at us this year. New management at the fair, lots of changes with the fair, lots of changes with our riders/drivers, and even last minute changes with our routine. I changed things the MORNING of our first demo. Definately was for the best, but talk about stress and I am forever considered a drill sergeant, guess someone had to do it! Doing patterns is addictive, you just want to do more and add more steps. WATCH OUT team for next year!!! I also did Horse A Rama in Manitowoc WI, the weekend before. I took 3 Fjords and Karin Peterson brought 2 along. Her and her daughter Ali rode with us. We did a pattern and had some jumps in it. Sat. we did really good! Beginners luck I think! Sunday my mare Heather, caught the jump and took it with her, bringing the pole up to around 4ft. Tomas my gelding was behind her with Eby Higdon riding and Tomas saw the pole up there and went. OH YA!!!! He REALLLY took a 4ft'er and I think it was even higher then that. The crowd went nuts! Eby loved it -she would, me, i got flustered and forgot where we were in the pattern. Shocked by the whole thing I guess. Kind of funny, sure most didn't know I messed up but take about going brain dead in the ring, geez. TWO GREAT weekends of showing Fjords, what more can I ask for!! Patti Jo Walter www.franciscreekfjords.com Please note NEW email address [EMAIL PROTECTED] The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
