My water 'babies' have been enjoying the various rivers in Maryland this summer. Both Rascal and Trudy seem to enjoy the cool water.. although with this heat, its not even that cool!!

Well by big boy had the chance to be in a future model's portfolio this past weekend. My young friend, Carolyn was having her graduation pictures taken this past weekend and she asked to have them taken with her good buddy, Rascal. Both are beauties, don't you agree?

The summer of 2012 is in full swing and the dynamic mack trucks, Trudie and Rascal have been tutored by George Parris at the recent DDC drive at Grassymeade farm. The pair had their harness tweeked and adjusted and drove beautifully for the master. It was a good day!Had the husband, Bill, serving as grill meister for the event and its nice to prove I really have a husband!! LOL

Having a blast with the Spotted Drafts.. Here we are competing at the Brandywine Valley Driving Club's Continuous Drive in the adorable little town of North East, Maryland. What is a Continuous Drive? Well, it is a shrunken version of the 3 day event known as a Combined Driving Event. In a single day, the competitor, moves from a dressage test, directly to a cones course challenge and then finishes with a short cross country course. It's generally fun and not too serious and great for new and or green horses and drivers.

Brandywine Valley Driving club hosted the best little organized continuous drive last weekend and so I decided to invite a friend as my groom and take the pair! What fun! Relatively pleased with my dressage test for the pair.. only their second attempt as a pair with those devilishly difficult circles. Our backup attempt was unsuccessful and the x marking the spot at the halt was frightening but otherwise a good test. Then onto the cones where I have CRS (Can't remember s*&@!) and proceeded to DQ by missing cones 11!! Lastly, we played with the marathon course and my mare decided to drag her brother across the little stream.. a full leap of faith when a little walk across would have sufficed. Sigh.. we have a lot a work to do!

Well the count down to our little local show is on.. Saturday May 5 is my Delmarva Driving Club's 9th annual Spring Pleasure Show. Hope to have big success with my 'little girl' Trudy's Morning Dream... she the darker one :-) UPDATE: Well.. we did very well indeed! Took 1st place in Draft Horse Reinsmanship (judging the driver) and 1st place in Draft Horse Working (Judging the driveability of the horse). To say I am pleased is an understatement and the kind remarks from everyone are greatly appreciated.

Driving the pair on the historic Chesapeake an Delaware Canal

Well the spring has sprung in the mid-Atlantic region and I had the opportunity to take the Spotted Draft Horse pair to one of the most historically rich pieces of real estate on the eastern shore.. the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Centuries of history surrounding the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The C&D, a 300-mile shortcut that saves boaters the trip around the Delmarva Peninsula, is the only major navigation waterway in the United States that was built during the early 1800s and is still in use today. And no wonder: it plays a key role, connecting the Delaware River with the Chesapeake and the Delaware Bays and spurring trade and growth for the entire region as well as the United States. An engineering marvel and one of only two sea-level canals operating in the United States, the C&D runs 14 miles long, 450 feet wide and 35 feet deep and can accommodate all but the largest oceangoing vessels. Tons of cargo chug through its waters, saving shippers bundles in transportation costs. As well as its importance to the ports of the Delaware River, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the northern Atlantic trade route, this modern, electronically controlled waterway has also grown into a popular destination for pleasure boaters and tourists. During World War II, its waters sheltered dozens of ships from enemy submarines, and during the Civil War, its waters sent troops and supplies on their way. What a fabulous day!

Fox chasing adventures with a driving horse, Bucket List item #2184

So when a friend invited me to join the local casual fox chasing group, I 'jumped' at the chance! My gelding, Rascal, had already been trained to ride, canter, and jump and had the personality of 'Mellow Yellow', so I thought, "what the heck... let's do it!" Fox chasing or formerly known as fox hunting is an excuse to enjoy the countryside, listen to the hounds do their job and enjoy a tailgate party with friends. The hounds very rarely catch up to the fox and even rarely harm one. If one did, there would be no fun the next week!

The first time for me was exhilarating and scary all at the same time. I asked to join the 'slow' flight but unfortunately, we were too small of a group of riders, so we all rode together. Thus, when the first 'tallyho' was cried, off we all went.. at a hand gallop! YIKES! After about an hour riding at a much faster pace than I had expected or personally thought I was capable of riding, my hostess announced her horse was favoring an injury and thought she should 'hill-top' awhile, resting her horse from possible future injury. I was quick to join her and we enjoyed a leisurely walk on a beautiful day, listening to the hounds track and then pursue. Suddenly, the master of the hounds radio'ed Barb and reported ... "they're heading for the point, can you cut them off???" Barb answered a quick yes, turned to me and said, " are you ready?" She took off at a gallop!! WHEW! WHAT A BLAST!

I've been out with this group now three times and each time we both get better and better!

Mark off another item from my 'bucket list of life achievements :-)