Shaeya's Turn to SHINE

Israel got to go on the walk today. It was raining just before the walk but was barely drizzling during. He couldn't figure out why we were walking on the same drives without actually going somewhere. After the walk we got dressed warm and brought Sangria, Serenity, Oksana and Darla inside and put them in stalls. The rain was a cold rain, the horses seemed to be fine but with these two youngest foals I thought they should come in and dry off. Oksana and Sangria were thrilled as they get grain when they come inside.
Shaeya was in the indoor arena working with Evan. He was nervous at first with the sound of the heavy rain pounding on the metal barn roof but Shaeya soon reported he YAWNED and not just once. We have been working hard to get Evan to relax and today was a breakthrough.  Once Evan was put away Karin and Shaeya each rode 8 horses. Their bottoms were sore after that work out. When we walked in Karin was working with Jenis and just finishing up. It is so cool to see Jenis rear and hold it. The two pictures below are of the same rear.

Shaeya was warming up Ayanna for Karin and having a ball on this big mare that is such a big mover.

Israel was put to work cleaning manure out of the indoor.

He is a good helper for grandma Judy.  He had lots of fun today working.  Shaeya will be in the youth judging at the IL Horse Fair on March 3rd and will be riding Oksana in the walk, trot, canter class. So today we wanted to watch her canter but not just Oksana. We started her out with Jenis.

Israel needed to go down to the house for a restroom stop, as soon as we got back to the barn he was put to work cooling down Jenis after her work out.

 He likes that job!

I needed to go to the stall barn to take Sangria and Serenity out for a few pictures before putting them back in the paddock. Serenity was laying down and just stayed laying down while I brushed her. I asked her to get up to brush her legs and she stood quietly without being tied while I gave her a quick once over before taking her outside for a few pictures.

When I got back in the barn Karin had Israel doing another job, he was using the clapper to help desensitize the mares while Shaeya and Karin were riding.

 He loved that job too. 

The next mare Shaeya was asked to canter was Zalena.

 That went well but it wasn't until she got to ride Rosalie and asked her to canter when the BIG smile came out.

Shaeya even sat BIG Rosalie's BIG trot.

 Indy, Galena and Anna were worked while I was out of the arena so I didn't get any pictures of those 3 working. I brought Oksana in but left Darla in the stall. Darla will need to get use to being left in the stall while Oksana shows at the fair. Both Karin and I were well pleased at how Shaeya worked with Oksana. She was very responsive to Shaeya's aids, slipping into a canter with no hesitation when asked. 

It is Shaeya's turn to shine! Karin told her that she must be careful or her character will be ruined. She will be handling the big beautiful Friesian stallion Evan at the fair, riding Oksana in the show, then is the Christmas tree for the play. She is going to get so much attention that it is going to be hard not to get a big head! The SCHEDULE for the 2018 Illinois Horse Fair is now up. If interested in finding out when the Horsemeister play and  Shaeya &  Evan are on click HERE. 

When Shaeya was finished with Oksana, Darla was brought over from the stall barn to the arena and then out to the field with her mom so I could get a few pictures for the website. Darla is 5 months old and will be weaned as soon as we get home from the fair. She is such a friendly filly and very well behaved for her age. 

The day just seemed to fly by. This evening big thunderstorms came rolling through scaring Emma until she tried to climb under my desk.  We are having heavy rains tonight but at least it will stay warm not dropping much below 60 tonight and staying warm tomorrow.