Northern Lights show

It was a small contingent that weekend — one trailer load, in fact — but the scores were where we like them: in the high 50s and into the 60s. Elsie and Melissa tied for the barn's high score of the weekend: 61.628 percent. Elsie at Third 3, Melissa at Fourth 1.

For Meredith and Callum, at least, it was a tune-up for the regionals. For Elsie, it was her last show of the season. Two weeks later, she up and left for college! Name the horse, name the rider:

The Splish-Splash Show

Dog Days? Drenched Days would be more like it. What a weekend! Thunder. Lightning. Sheets of rain. Flotation devices (just joking!). Puddles. Mud. But ... the show went on — between rain delays, that is.

Rachel and Finnegan and Erin and Arriba brought some nice scores from their Training Level tests. Erin snagged a 63 percent!




Elise and Ernie, riding First Level, got very nice scores, too. He very carefully did not get his feet wet in the process -- no extra credit for that, though.



Laurel was the queen of rain delays. How many riders can say they were rung into and out of the ring in less than a minute! Twice even.



Elsie and Schnecke caught a small break by riding on Sunday, when it was a titch drier. Sunny, even. Anna and Niamh toughed out the weather and they, too, did well.

Identity Confusion ...

So. Derry. Who do you think you are. Planxty?

And Then There Was July

It was another scorcher two weeks later for the Great Arabian Get-Together in Sauk Centre. Erin and Arriba, Laurel and Derry, and Elise and Bailey were there. Derry didn't care for the applause from the next ring, but some nice ribbons came back at the end of the show, regardless.

Erin and Arriba:


Elise and Bailey:


Laurel and Derry:


There was barely enough time to get the trailer emptied and reloaded -- the next weekend, it was off to Washington County again for the Midsummer show. This is always a fun weekend, but it was especially noteworthy this time: It was Skye's debut! Barb Anderson rode her on Friday and Barb Taylor rode her on Saturday, just four days before she, Skye and Leisle moved back to Texas. This is Skye's first-ever entrance:


And, the rest of her test on Friday.






A special shout-out to Anna Koch. She rode Niamh in third-level tests and scored in the 60s! At her very first show, no less! Go, Anna!

Some Catching Up to Do -- the June Shows

Here it is, August already! It seems like summer is whipping by, doesn't it? Caille Farm's riders have kept up nicely — and have some great scores in a busy summer. Remember the SunDance shows? Everyone came home with lots of ribbons and some qualifying scores for the regionals. Among them were Abby and Charlie, who won their First 4 class on Friday. They snagged their second qualifying score on Saturday. And, as insurance, they got a 66.8 percent in the same test on Sunday. Yay!

On Saturday, Brittany and Capri won their Training 1 class. In third place was Rachel and Finnegan. And, Flannary was a smashing success in the in-hand class: 80 percent!

Two weeks later -- the annual trip to Mason City, which is always great fun. The Caille riders broke into two teams this year for Friday's portion of the weekend:

Hannah and Retro, Melissa and Phoenix, and Elsie and Schnecke


Elizabeth and Planxty, Elise and Ernie, and Meredith and Callum


It was another busy weekend, but Caille Farm put in a fabulous show! Many, many scores in the 60s, some 1st and 2nd place showings, against some strong competition. Several more qualifying scores to boot. It was plenty hot -- remember the sunscreen next year -- but at least there were no gullywasher rainstorms this time. We can't say enough how handy it was to have WalMart and a coffee shop directly across the road. At least one mom is now a card-carrying member of the Cabin Coffee Co. customer club ...

We were so happy that Abby could come down on Saturday and spend the weekend with us. And, thanks to BT for lending her truck and trailer. Retro got to ride in the luxury suite! If you have a minute, here are some pictures from the weekend:

St. Croix Classic Results

OK. So it rained. A lot. The Caille Farm contingent still did very well at a very wet show:

Elsie earned a qualifying score at Third Level. She and Schnecke rode the test twice and won their class each time! They also rode Fourth Level tests — go, Elsie! — and snagged a Second Place in both of those.

Elise! We need your scores!

Elizabeth and Planxty brought home Second and Third Place ribbons riding Training and First Level tests in all the muck.

Hannah now has a spare qualifying score at Third Level. Among the tests she rode with Retro, she collected Fifth, Second and First Place ribbons.

Everyone's had a few days to dry out, so now it's on to the Sundance shows! It will be warm and sunny. It will be warm and sunny. It will be warm and sunny. It will be warm and ...

Hannah Qualified!

At Mason City two weeks ago! She and Retro won four First Places: Third Level, Tests 1, 2 and 3, plus they were named Champion at Third Level.

Elizabeth and Planxty also had a good weekend. They won two First Place ribbons and two Second Place ribbons in Training and First Level tests.

Caper was a very good boy. Barb rode him in some Third Level Test 1 classes and won two Second Places. Nice!

This weekend is the season's first Washinton County show. If you aren't busy with graduation parties or last-minute homework, go on over and cheer everyone on. It promises to be a lovely couple of days.