Smudge - a photo and YouTube Videos

Smudge.  She is a Connemara Pony and I rode her on a rocky mountain trail in the western saddle.  We both rode her english.  Below are a few videos of her at the Mountain Top Ranch.  The first one is from a year ago.

Smudge "In Training"

And here is one of her a bit later...

Smudge "more training".. a trail ride and lunch

and...

Smudge Jumping

and Smudge and friends on her first hunt...

Smudge Hunting

and he second one:

Smudge 2nd Hunt

And a short one I think is cute:

Smudge jumping in the snow

Hope you enjoyed our new pony.  We will pick he up the first of August!  If you are interested in following her and my interest in horses, I have my "Just Horses" blog.

Introducing... Smudge, our new Connemara Pony

We looked high and low in the state of Virginia and finally found our pony at the top of a mountain!  I can't describe the beauty and had NO time to really photograph what we were driving by as we were on a mission to see a number of horses and ride them in 90+ heat.  It was a lot of driving and tiring, but rewarding in the end.  I will be posting my future horse stuff on my "Just Horses" blog in the future.

I am back in North Carolina and will pick Smudge up the beginning of August.  I have a lot of house work and "chores" to do in the next few days, but hope to be "back in the saddle" in blog land soon.  Hope you are all having a wonderful summer.

So, this is a teaser... come back tomorrow to see the unveiling (here or at my "Just Horses" blog!

The first photo below is for "Perceptive Perspectives" - theme "Your Choice".  This gorgeous stallion below is a Gypsy Vanner (or Gypsy Cob).  I ran into him in the Appalachian Mountains and HAD to photograph this handsome horse.  These grand horses were bred in Romani to pull wagons (vardos).  They are a recently recognized breed.  The first registered horses were imported to North America in 1996.   

Where is Margaret?

I have not been able to keep up with my favorite challenges nor visit my blog friends lately.  I have forced myself away from the keyboard to spend time with the kids.  This summer we have had fun swimming and leasing a pony and a bit of bike riding.   This past week and probably next, I am busy looking at a variety of horses to buy for myself and my daughters. (within 150 mile radius)  As I said, we have leased for a few months and now want to be proud owners of a horse of our own.  I miss my poetry challenges immensely but hope to be back in the swing of things in a week or so.  I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer!  I won't be uploading many photos here, but every once in a while I post a horse photo on my horse blog:  Just Horses

23/365 "Grace in Motion"

"Grace in Motion"

I never tire of watching the horses in our neighborhood.  I love hearing their whinnying from my yard, seeing them standing under the trees during the heat of the day, and offering them a treat from my hand every now and then. 

"Escaping the Sun"

New Art Challenge!

"Charleston Laborer"

This is my entry for the "In The Moment Photography" Challenge.  The Challenge word is "Labor".  In entering this challenge, I am giving permission for this photo to be downloaded by artists who in turn, if they choose this photo, will post the result on the "In The Moment Art" Challenge.   So, please, feel free to get this challenge out there!

This grand fellow was resting his hind leg in the heat of the day - he was getting ready to tour the historic town of Charleston, SC.  He received quite a few pats from my daughters and me and we wished he had been able to be our escort about town.  This photo was taken from my archives from the summer of 2009.

"Patience"

Hot sun, over-excited children, 
physical labor...
this old girl took it all in stride

I need to channel her patience

See amazing photos by clicking on here... Macro Monday