September 22

DRACONIA KEEP where Magic and Dreams Become Reality

September 22, 2006

The first and foremost thing on my mind today is EF:JMARE, Elysian Fields: Justin Morgan Association for Retired Equines.

Recently I was nominated to be the Vice Chairman of the Board for EF:JMARE, and I am thrilled and honoured to hold the position. I believe firmly in the mission and the goals of EF:JMARE, and I am dedicated to helping the word get out about the wonderful things that EF:JMARE has to offer and assisting EF:JMARE in any way I can.

Quoting from the website: "Elysian Fields: The Justin Morgan Association for Retired Equines is a not-for-profit association dedicated to retired horses. The Association is an active care giving, educational and research association established to preserve and improve the health, dignity, spirit, usefulness, comfort and quality of life of aging horses, with special emphasis on the Morgan Horse, America's own First Breed."

Soon we will be looking for stallion owners to donate a breeding for the EF:JMARE Stallion Service Auction held in the spring. This Auction brings in much needed monies to sustain EF:JMARE and its residents.

If you are a stallion owner, please consider donating a breeding to EF:JMARE. What a wonderful and worthy cause, and what better than to give of the wonderful stallions that we have now to help protect and preserve the older horses--especially Morgans--who have earned their retirement. Each stallion owner in return gets a great deal of advertising and other benefits. (E-mail or call for details.)

If you are interested in donating a breeding, purchasing a breeding, have any questions or comments, or would like to help in any way, please send me or anyone at EF:JMARE an e-mail or call me at 330-335-8247.

Together we can give the older horses the love and devotion that they deserve.

On a private note, last night, we rode Mandy (Winning Ways Comanda) for the first time since she foaled Pepper (Draconia Gaelic Blessing). What a doll Mandy is! So smooth, so willing to please. Her ears stayed in what I call "show mode", listening intently to what she's asked to do. Mandy is primarily a driving mare, though she is trained for both riding and driving.

Mikyla asked if she could ride Mandy first, and I reluctantly agreed because she is a lot of horse for Mikyla, despite Mandy's small size (she's about 14.0-14.1 hh). When she knows it's time to show, she *shows*! Mandy adores the applause, the action, the energy and thrill of it. She's exhilarating in our riding arena, but in the show ring, she is electrifying!

So when Ky asked, I was admittedly nervous, but I should have known Mandy would take care of her. Those two trotted around, getting to know each other, and Mandy was listening attentively to what Mikyla was saying. An accord came quickly between them.

However, over in the round pen, Mikyla's mare, Rosie (UDM Maxicali Rose) was throwing a temper tantrum! *HER* girl was riding someone else! It was funny--and heartwarming too--watching her race back and forth, hollering at Mikyla. I swear I could hear her saying, "GET OFF HER AND COME OVER HERE! YOU ARE MY GIRL!!"

*laugh*

Mikyla didn't ride Mandy long, then she got off and went to calm Rosie down. Ky loved on Rosie and then lunged her for only two or three minutes, and Rosie was fine. She had her little girl back. <G>

Ky brushed her all up, and they went riding in the riding arena. Their session went great, and Rosie looked like the Royal she is... .

How comfortable and pleased Mikyla and Rosie were together. <G>

And Aleyna did magnificently on Dottie too. Doug and I were delighted to see Aleyna so calm on Dottie and watching her give lessons to her friend, Rachel, like there's nothing to be afraid of.

(Of course, Doug and Lance had to help with the horses--Lance rode Sweetie, and then off they went to do the important things--he and Daddy hit golf balls. <G>)

What a fantastic evening!

I hope yours was as enjoyable!

I invite your comments and your questions. tori@draconiakeep.com

Until tomorrow...

Thanks,

Tori Wilfred