Practice Makes Perfect

The day started with below zero temperatures AGAIN. Joan's renter wanted to borrow the truck to haul firewood. The renter didn't want to wait until the weather warmed up so out Mark and I went to get it going for him.  Unfortunately the truck was hooked up to the stock trailer and we broke the crank on the trailer trying to get it off. Then the truck wouldn't start and had to be put on the charger. This extreme cold day after day is really getting old.
Emily and Mike took off early for Middle Grove. They needed to move bales over from the old land to the new land as Mike and Diane are leaving this afternoon for their cruise.
The morning was spent repairing, washing, drying and labeling the stall decorations for the fair. An email came through offering 40% off any single purchase at JoAnn Fabric so I was able to order another 22 yards of the blue sparkly material for $4.00 a yard.
Mom came over to play with the puppies and brought along some home made bean soup and  rolls for our dinner. She is always a welcome guest when it means I won't have to cook.
Karin had a Friesian practice scheduled for tonight so Rhoda and Emily went out early to start working the horses. While they were out there Lucas and Becca arrived to see the puppies.

Lucas helped hold Killian for the practice while Becca warmed up Ella for Emily.

 Below are a few random pictures of the practice. I'm not going to tell what this is about, if you are curious you will have to come to the IL Horse Fair March 7th, 8th, or 9th to watch OR if you don't want to go just wait until we get home from the fair and post videos of all the performances.

There was a nice email waiting for me when I got in from a lady that bought a Raven son out of Paris. She included this picture. What a gorgeous boy he is at 4 years old. 

She writes: I acquired “Mac the Knyfe” July 1, 2012 as a 2 year old.  The barn where I board and train (www.clemenequine.com) is small and locally owned.  I am very fortunate to have found this young horsewoman.  Now a wonderful 4 year old (this February), we started him using the Clinton Anderson Method.  He is so well mannered, calm (most of the time, though still a little full of himself from time to time) and so beautiful to my eye.  We started taking him for dressage lessons to Mississippi View Farm in St. Cloud this summer and I felt so proud when the trainer there said “This is the nicest 3 year old we’ve had come from the outside.’  That is, not started as a foal by them.