First Practice

Right after breakfast this morning I left for Sam's Club as not only was Emma out of dog food we needed people food. Karin was scheduled to arrive at 9:00 am with Rebekah to start working horses before the 10:00 am play practice.  As soon at the groceries were put away the arena was watered while Karin and Rebekah were bringing in the mares. Jenis was glad to roll in the soft sand.

 Ayanna who had just taken a big bite of hay saw the pedestal, walked over and put her front legs up on it.  Anni was a little shocked until Karin told her years ago the mares were given a treat when they stood up on the pedestal and Ayanna is like an elephant. She remembers everything. 

 The munchkins started arriving by the van loads. Really it was just 3 van loads. AmyBeth brought one, Joan brought one and Anna brought one. 

 We have two types of munchkins, the vaulting munchkins and the ground munchkins in this play. The ground munchkins weren't required to be at this practice but we had some show up anyway and were glad about that. 

 Hannah had a young group meeting and was late so Ariya stood in for her until Hannah arrived. 

 Below Dorothy (Hannah) on Jenis and Glinda (Anni) on Ayanna are both up on the pedestal. 

 Below two of our ground munchkins Braelyn and Taegan, are dancing in joy that the witch is dead. 

 Faith leads the way down the yellowbrick road. 

 Sarah our wicked witch of the west couldn't make this Saturday practice so Karin filled in for her and did an amazing job considering she was not even riding Oksana. 

Below Karin is giving instructions to Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man and the cowardly lion.

 This first practice was a little chaotic but the play is coming together. We were well pleased with everyone's effort. Below the horses are untacked and ready to be put back. 

 Below they are putting the mares back in the paddocks and bringing Valiant out. 

 Shaeya worked with Valiant first on the liberty routine.  That went perfectly and we are very pleased. No pictures of that as I was helping. Rebekah finished up the riding today by working with Valiant on the stallion routine. Valiant was also perfect for that.

He is entered in Stallion Row and I just found out today that they have given each stallion 5 minutes instead of the 2 minutes in years past.  I'll need to let Rebekah know, although talking to Sally this afternoon, the lady in charge of the stallions, I told her we may only be 3 minutes. I just don't want it to be boring to the audience. If you would like to see the rest of the pictures taken at this morning's practice click HERE. 

We had a beautiful warm morning with melting going on and by the end of the practice the thermometer hit 40 degrees.  Mark has been scraping ice off our patio but not making much progress. The ice was just so thick. Anna brought the girls over to ice skate but there is too much snow on the frozen lake. By this afternoon it was much to slushy to make for good ice skating.  I was suppose to have Zion today and tomorrow but her parents were missing her and left from Gulf Shores today so Rhoda just kept her. Sarah and Nolan are going to pick her up tonight from Bloomington. 

This evening the meat was cooked for tomorrow's meal. We are all heading over to Phil and Anna's house for a superbowl party.