It is with a very sad heart to share long time friend  teacher , mentor from my childhood to adulthood Don Burt has passed.

http://www.gohorseshow.com/article/AQHA/AQHA/AQHA_Icon_and_Past_President_Don_Burt_Passes/38234

Don was one of my favorite judges to ride under as a child and who inspired me to pursue my 31 year career as a judge myself.

Don  helped me through every phase I went through from my stock horse years through my hunter/jumper phase and recall him laughing at me when I asked for help in stepping into that time. Next came my gaited horse era which again he was there with a smile to help me in judging,teaching judges and developing judging programs.
 Don was a true Horseman's  Horseman of a time when  you worked and worked hard for what you earned in your education, no paying ones way in, bullying or marketing into it. One had to have hard earned experience to gain your skills, your work and respect in the industry.
 Don was the go to Gentleman to learn from.

 Don Burt was one of my finest teachers I will miss and remember always with the greatest of respect. 

Forever grateful I am for his willingness to share his great knowledge with a puny little girl from the Midwest.

Liz

Very busy here getting  the year end repairs and ranch upgrades done with  fencing, all new gaits up and   slapped 25 gallons of fresh fence stain done so far.

 After dragging my body to the house tonight  found my Uncle Bill had sent another great photo of my Mother as a child. What a nice end to a productive day and week for that matter, just hope this body can move in the morning! 

It's Official!!

The ticket of Sissy & Tony of the "Kibble Party" won the Shades of Oak elections by a land slide beating out Pretty Boy Floyd & Perfectin Gold Stryke of the "Hay Party"

Seems the main deciding factors by ranch voters were the non wasteful standards of the Kibble Party to not  allow one plate or morsel of treat to go unattended and managed properly.

The lack of support for the hay party was due to their unbridled behaviors, with no seriousness in any matter what so ever and felt leaping, running and rearing in a wide open manner at all times with disregard for themselves or others was not received well by voters.

Liz