April 1, 2008

       Having made it through the spring rains, we are now ready for warm weather and blue skies.  With the spring of 2008, we have welcomed a number of new people to the barn and would like to congratulate others on their new horse purchases.  Congratulations to Candy Thompson on her purchase of Jerry Vaughn’s Chex That Out gelding ChexOutHollywoodChic.  She should have good fun showing him in the cow horse events…..especially down the fence!  Following Candy’s purchase, Jerry went on to acquire the very attractive 2 year old Custom Chrome filly of Dave and Becky Hanson’s.  She is a gorgeous filly and is currently riding well.  We wish Jerry the best of luck with her in the years to come.  Also, congratulations to Raney Fichtner on her purchase of McClenahan’s TopGun Whiz gelding, Top Gun Won It.  The pair get along well and we look forward to great success in 2008.   

January’s schooling at Rancho Murrieta was a great success for both horses and riders as it provided the perfect venue for people to prepare for the 2008 show season.  March’s Gold N Grand at Rancho Murrieta has since come and gone, and overall, it was a fabulous weekend, with a number of buckle winners at the end of the weekend.  Congratulations to David Hanson and Deb Lander’s  Ima Tuff Sug O’lena who split the Reserve Championship title at the end of the weekend in the Snaffle Bit Hackamore.  Also, way to go Renee Owning on your Reserve Championship title in the Green as Grass and to Laura Vaughn who was Reserve on Friday.  Renee and Mel did a great job for their first time out and we think this year will just get better and better for the two of them.  Then there was Cheyanne Carpenter and her aged gelding Woody who found themselves Reserve Champions in the Rookie Youth by the end of the weekend.  An honorable mention goes to Carson Kautz and Tee Key La for winning the Rookie Youth on Saturday and for doing an outstanding job all weekend as well and as to Kaitlyn Hurst who won the Youth class on Saturday and to Ricca McAlvey who placed 4^th overall on Friday.  Then there were all of the Rookies.  Raney Fichtner and “Derby” had 3 great runs and ended up with a 3^rd place buckle come Sunday afternoon.  Not too shabby for Raney’s first time showing good ole Derby!  Kudos goes to Lori Soma and her Topsail Whiz mare Elle for also putting together 3 very solid runs.  They were out of buckle contention, but did an outstanding job that hopefully is foretelling of the season ahead.  We must mention Christine, George, Ally, and  Melynda for their hard work throughout the weekend.  No buckles here, but hurdles crossed and goals met just the same.  You guys all did a great job and we enjoyed seeing everyone do well. 

As far as the Cow Horse stuff goes, the spring has been a fruitful one so far.  Last month, Dave and Dyna won both the Hackamore and the Two Rein class at the SCRCHA Green Oaks Classic at Tucoluta Ranch.  Then, this past weekend, the two won the Open Bridle Class at the Grand National Horse Show and Rodeo at Cow Palace.  Yeah Dyna!!  She is now at almost $25,000 NRCHA LTE.  Wouldn’t Rosemary be proud!

Last but not least, we would like to send out a huge Congratulations to Peggy Fry and JP Union Chic for not only a stellar weekend at Gold N Grand, but also for having qualified for the AQHA Select World Show in August.  Peggy and JP placed first both days under both judges at the March Back to Basics Quarter Horse Show.  We are so proud of you Peggy!!

So, now we have, Burbank, the first West Coast show of the season, followed by the new Derby at Rancho Murrieta.  Here at the ranch, we have our first baby…….a Ray Gay Quioxte out of a Chic Olena mare.  We are waiting on two more……….a Big Chex to Cash and a Rooster.  The grass is tall and green and the two remaining mares are ready to pop.  We wish everyone a great Spring and look forward to seeing you all at Brookside next month.