training> training notes from elizabeth > august 21, 2004

This is the page where Elizabeth and Barry will share training tips and give updates on the horses currently in training at the farm. Each weekend the boarders and the "Friends of Bits & Bytes Farm" do a group training lesson either at the farm or on the road.

Shamrock Hounds Poker Ride

Saturday, August 21, 2004 was a fun day of riding at the Shamrock Hounds hunt country. A poker ride was held and it was just another excuse for us to take the horses on the road and get them experience with large groups of horses.

Brewster, Fort Mason, Freddy White Shoes, Darcy, Mactavish and Grayboo. -- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

We took Brewster, Grayboo, Freddy White Shoes, Fort Mason, Darcy, Big Money, Two Thumbs Up, Mactavish (formally known as Te Conquistar) and our newest boarder Hoopla. Hoopla, and his mom Angela Jett, just moved down from Cleveland, Ohio.

Brewster, Hoopla, Grayboo, Freddy and Fort Mason.-- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

All the horse enjoyed the day and the riders did as well. We had the opportunity to see old friends and make new friends during the relaxed ride.

Left column: Hoopla, Brewster, Freddy White Shoes, Fort Mason in front.
Right column: Big Money (ears), Darcy, Mactavish, and Grayboo. -- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

Angela Jett, Robyn West, Barry, Lise Matte, Alex Matte Santos, Leighton Price and Elizabeth enjoy the party trailer. All the is missing is the food! We had plenty of that after the ride. -- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

If you are a regular follower of our site, you know we always travel with food! We had a great spread that was provided pot-luck by our group of riders. We had plenty of food and we were able to invite our friends from Shamrock Hounds to join us for a meal and drinks. The party trailer awning was provided by Robyn West.

This was a great pond to teach the horses about going into the water. Freddy plunged his whole face into the water to get a drink. -- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

Grayboo loves the water! Grayboo and Elizabeth worked on water obstacles at the Shamrock Hounds Poker Ride. Grayboo willingly went into the pond without hesitation. But, while Elizabeth's attention was focused on saving Darcy's galloping boot (see it floating in the water) Grayboo decided to drop and roll.

Elizabeth had to fall back into the pond to get her foot out of the stirrup. "At least it was warmer and more shallow than the last swim in the pond", Elizabeth was heard to say. --- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

Grayboo is totally unconcerned that he just dumped his rider into the pond. -- Photo by Marie van Roekel.

Grayboo enjoyed galloping over the beautiful Shamrock Hounds hunt country. He learned to jump stone walls and coops at the Poker Ride - not too bad for a horse just a few months off-the-track!