Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all! The poem was just to  fun not to share!

Thank you  to All our war Veterans for your service, we are because of you!

The photo is of  my Grandfather Robert Pennington Evans and my Mother Louise Pennington Evans 1943. Grandfathers service starting as a mule skinner for the Army Calvary, on to Army Air Force and then the the United States Air force. A long line of veterans from this side of the family and as far back as I know in the United States to William Sanford Pennington of the Revolutionary war and 6th Governor of NJ. 
Robert Pennington Evans though is the one I knew and was able to touch and love. Thank you Eric Evans also for carrying on the family service for our country to this very day. The Veterans are those that have made this country so dear to us. 
Liz

I have a few friends beside myself that have always fancied dragons.I think of horses as modern day dragons.
Being kind,compassionate, intelligent beyond me and very misunderstood! Oh dragon (horse) tell me about you and I will listen as your dedicated student.

         The Drone Horse

Some thoughts on those drone made horses which so many admire or try to create. Beware! The drone horse can be a dangerous horse in some instances if just that one or even multiple buttons get pushed. Either by enough accumulating times or just that one moment that creates the perfect storm. A drone horse learns how to go inside themselves.

Some will live their entire lives with tolerance as a drone horse.Others will wait, they will tolerate, they collect and  accumulate every emotion of every moment one has pushed them deeper inside themselves, until that one stimulation that brings them out to the surface. It is not pretty. It is not fun for them or you. Their life to them may not be worth one more abuse be it disrespect, another days pain in use, or one more tolerating moment whether known or unknown to the handler or rider.

It is to them worth the scream they make physically to express and be heard while unknowingly that is could even cost them a trip to the  slaughter pen.

Sometimes by some looking back on the big picture of these horses lives by the loving and compassionate that were watching from the outside with no avenue to help, it was of no surprise in the end. 

That moment of the perfect storm.

No horse deserves the life of a drone, just as we would not of our own.

Elizabeth Graves 2015

 

http://trailridermag.com/article/conformation-and-gait-15283

This is an article linked above that Lee Ziegler and I did  for Gaited Horse Magazine and reprinted in Trail Rider Magazine. Lots of good helpful info.  here to help the gaited horse community.

Liz

2015 EquMania demonstrations conducted by Elizabeth Graves on How to Buy a Horse at MN State Fair.

Some really deep stuff tonight but if you know me at all,one tiny bit, I come from a little deeper and larger thought process.

I believe in being one of many stewards in our local community, then as stewards within our state,next stewards in our country and then acting as stewards of the world. Every decision I make I go through this thought process. Not what it does for me personally and my gain but how it may effect everything and everyone as a whole.

I don't want to make decisions out of anger, emotion,  or my own personal weakness which I may have done,but learn from. I have to be mindful beyond self.

Hiding behind fences,friendships, political  preferences be it local or up to governmental of others. I feel is no way to live. No way to live free and freedom to just be as in one very small piece of one huge canvas we all live in and create in what ever community we include our selves in. Be a voice if you choose but be one of honesty to ourselves first and then it passes on hopefully into a positive to all.

Liz Graves 2015

What is in the inside of you will always show on the outside of the horse.

Liz Graves 
2015

Throughout our training of the riding horse it is our object to 

attain lightness in the front through increasing activity of the 

quarters; but lightness alone is of no value unless we 

maintain ...and improve, free and generous forward 

movement... In fact if we had to choose between the two, 

free forward movement would be more the important quality.

Henry Wynmalen

Dressage A Study of the Finer Points of Riding

1971

Below is a list of upcoming sound gaited horse shows for anyone wishing to show, have some fun and share you gaited horses.
I will gladly post any other sound gaited horses shows you may like posted to get the word out.

July 12, 2015- Quentin All Breed Show - Quentin Riding Club, contact Bob Kleinfelter announcer@hotmail.com

July 25th, 2015- PPWHA Fun Show_ Diamond 7 Arena, Dillsburg, PA

July 12 or 13 (TBA) - Quentin Riding Club All Breed Show- Quentin, PA
Contact Bob Kleinfelter announcer@hotmail.com

Sept. 19, 2015- Candy Clopper Memorial Gaited Horse Show, Located at the Thurmont Riding Club in Thurmont, MD Contact Michelle Guinn 
443-722-2462

Oct. 17, 2015 - Fall Harford Gaited Horse Show- Harford County Equestrian Center, Bel Air, MD Contact: Jan Harrison 410-404-5681

A long time ago, at Frying Pan Park, VA
Aside on Sonny Bright Eyes.

This is  a 5 year old Fox trotter  named Jesse  owned by Merri Ann Morrell of NM. After his long trip here today it seemed like he was rested enough for Jesse and I  to have our first ride together. He was everything  his owner said he was , sweet, great listener, gentel and calm.  I think we have a great match with him and his owner and he is here for advancement in his education.. Thank you About the Horse Saddles for your great designs that make my job easy and the horses comfortable. 

All TWH's from TW ranch in Russell Canada.

Bare-foot, bit-less and natural gaits and HAPPY!

L to R: Katy of Canada, Yvonne of Germany,  Wiebce of Germany ,Liz G of USA, Sarah of Canada, Sarah of Switzerland.

This is Gideon a 9 year old Rocky I have just started under saddle. 
The pure  sweet and softness that he expresses through his eye is about  honesty and trust. Although he had never been taught anything in his 9 years with people, he was never abused and lived in a peaceful, trusting environment. It made my job easy and fun as he had no baggage with him in his starting. He loves his job in riding and living with people. I love this quote as it is so true.
Liz 

A wonderful Clinic  at Spinning Wheel Farm, Geneva, OH
Below  L to R, Liz Graves, Victor the mule and Mary, Victors owner and trainer

Pop Wagner and Andrea Kahn  doing a bit of  fun fiddle playing
 at Shades of Oak Ranch. Nice relaxing evening after a good days
 work in the barn and Cinch making in Dave's shop.

 http://wendywolfe.com/successful/

 Animal communicator and life coach Wendy Wolf is offering a free call seminar on Tuesday March 10th at 7:30 PM.
Above is a link for added detailed info and how to make contact and sign up for this  seminar with Wendy.
It really sounds like a very interesting and helpful one for those  interested in  self growth.

Liz

Horse World Expo MD  Gaited events schedule Jan. 16-18, 2015

This is a fun  photo taken last night of the first time I have ever seen Mood dogs, taken from the back side of the main barn.

It was a slow exposure and I was shivering  taking the shot with no gloves in -40 degree temps with windchill and was so surprised by what I had when I down loaded  it. Kind of neat!

Liz