January Photos

January featured a lot of mild weather so we got more done than we usually do this time of year. Unfortunately, Mike's office job also meant exposure to germs, and we are both currently down with what appears to be the flu. I'm supposed to be starting a series of clinics on Wednesday so I hope whatever this grossness is passes quickly. Ugh.

I managed to get some trail rides in on Lucy, though not as frequently as I'd like. She continues to be the Best Girl.

Moody morning views. Driveway at the racehorse barn.

NYE champagne. 

Ubee has been coming along in leaps and bounds. He even went to an Amy Howard clinic and she was full of compliments about his training thus far. That felt pretty good!

My favorite goat.

Logan, my bosses' GSD, died this past fall. I had a photo printed and framed for them.

Our favorite waitress at Duke's started her own restaurant, Amy's Riverside Grill. Mike and I finally got out to try it. Delicious!

We also went to Fogo de Chão with Bryce and Eryca. We ate way too much food and it was incredible. Also, I'm a sucker for Crème brûlée.

After dinner, we were to full to drive so we went to REI to walk around and browse for a bit. I have many questions about this warning. It sounds like something I would have done...

Guess who! I rode Booger this past month for the first time in over two years. I am going to make a whole separate entry about all the drama surrounding my favorite black half-Arab mare, but I couldn't resist a sneak preview.

Lucy had a few weeks off over the holidays so I did some ring work with her before I got on. She was a bit sassy, and I was pretty impressed with her big, floaty trot. 

Herbie obsessively cleaning her very tolerant brother.

I rode Foxy a few more times. Absolutely love this little hony mare. She makes my day. Her owner is back to riding her now and is taking lessons, which I'm also enjoying immensely. 

Lynn gifted me with a Printique album in Ozzy's memory. I put it together myself which was cathartic. You can view it here. 

How Julio was sleeping while Mike pedaled. 

That ear!

Lynn and Pearly have continued to lesson and do really well.

Jess and Hawk have been working hard toward their goals, and I'm so pleased with the improvements in both of them.

Went to a barn holiday party at Ashley's and drank way too much. This guy was my best bud by the end of the night.

This little girl belongs to a client/friend. We do lunch every Monday before our lesson, and Lucy (the dog) is always super happy to see me <3

Emily, Jess, and Jess cleaned up at the show series in 2019. I'm so proud of these girls. 

Been trailering in to this indoor for some lessons.

This is Equaljusticeforall aka "George", one of the young racehorses we have in training right now. I'm very fond of him.

Helen is teaching Ubee to smile on command. He had an injury as a youngster so he's missing some teeth. It's not painful and doesn't affect his ability to eat or take a bit, but it does make for some funny pictures.

Wink's owner's confidence is soaring these days. She's been enjoying the occasional jumping in her western saddle, and I told her we should try him English one of these days!!

Found this old photo of Ozzy and me at Spook-a-rama one of the first years I owned him. I had a bunch of photos from this day online, but they have disappeared, so this is all I've got from this super-fun day. 

Mike makes an awesome breakfast.

Two kitties cuddling at Lynn's barn.

Gus and my favorite orange kitty, Frisky. 

Another spoiler for an upcoming entry...
Herbie can come for short hikes with us again and my husband is a saint.

We made cabbage wrap brats and they were delicious. 

Riding over the vineyards with Lucy.

Sarah went inside to grab something and Abigail came to pick me up at the mounting block. No tack needed!

Kyle and Tony on the turf course. Remember Tony as a foal? Time flies.

George learning the basics.

A typical night at Chez Turner.

Pearly looking awesome in the long lines.

Recent walk with the dogs.

We've been getting some great sunrises and I've resisted the urge to send the drone up every morning.

Herbie romping around in the woods behind the house.

I got to play with this super adorable pony, Teddy. He's a saintly in-your-pocket type, and I'm guessing he's part Morgan. I evaluated his lunging abilities for his owner, and he was perfect. He's clearly done this before. I would take a dozen of these.

Also, he can be pretty darn fancy!

I would spoil this face rotten.

I long lined and rode Pearly while Lynn was away. She was moving really well!

Mike and I have been on a roasted vegetable kick. This particular night we did our favorite Cajun steak bites with a side of roasted broccoli and cauliflower.

Another trail ride on Lucy.

Hawk had a rub on his withers (probably from a blanket?) so we couldn't ride him for a bit. Instead, we set up some grids and free jumped him. He looks good for 25!

CP's lease girl moved to Aiken for school and he has a new rider. They seem to be hitting it off just fine.

I was surprised to find this email in my inbox. I sort of stopped keeping track of ECTRA when they lost track of a ton of my miles (I should have close to 2,000, but they only have a record of 895). I tried to correct my record and even offered to "buy back" miles, but they weren't having any of it. I haven't decided if I'm going to the banquet or not, but I am intrigued...

Mike and I were driving to the airport when we spotted what looked like a bunch of herons in a corn field. That was unusual and I did a double take. Turns out they weren't herons at all, but Sand Hill Cranes!!! We don't generally have Sand Hill Cranes in NJ. Apparently, this particular flock has been taking a detour to this random field every winter for several years now. It's bizarre. I'm furious that we didn't have any of our cameras with us, but I found some pictures on IG.

I wanted to remove an ad about some pretty questionable horse training, and this option cracked me up. At least FB is aware that it knows too much. Is it bad that FB is becoming self aware? I feel like I just watched this movie...

And some videos:

Kyle, Captain, Quinn, and Tony.

Patty.

Herbie catching water drops in his stall.

Percy running around the dry lot and being goofy. He's this fun to ride, too.

Lilly, Pedar, and Blue romping around their pasture before a lesson. JoJo, not pictured here, was standing next to us watching them.