[AnitaAnne]

WOW Phantom!! Phin is so beautiful, I could look at pictures of him all day! He is whiter than white. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!

It is amazing to me how much Phin has grown and developed under your expert TLC and careful training. I remember when you first bought him and he really doesn't even look like the same horse. Much improved!

Was :rofl: reading how he wanted to be with other greys! What a character he is. Speaking of character, George's antics had me laughing so hard I nearly burst! Your DH must have been furious with him, but I think it is rather sweet that George forced you into riding together. I think he needs a carrot reward

Hoping you keep writing about your rides, this journal is very good reading.

 

[AnitaAnne]

WOW Phantom what a weekend you had! Rain is good but that downpour was horrible! Terrible to have the mudslides and flooding of that town.

Reading of your DH and Sultan's ride had me on the edge of my seat. So thankful to hear Sultan is ok. Vet is very good to catch the arrhythmia.

Was a bit funny to hear Sultan was ready to go on and acting up! Guess he was feeling much better.

Sure hope your next ride is much improved!

 

[AnitaAnne]

You are very fortunate to have so many brain-finding hills to climb! Phin is quite the character. He is just trying to keep your attention :wink:

The horse eating hay fan is great! We had a big fan in the hall for two whole days until the BO saw it and said it must go back. Anyway, had great fun walking horses past it! Most of them were ok, until passing it and the big wind attacked them in the rear...had some tail-tucking, sideways jumping WTH moments

 

[AnitaAnne]

Jeez Phantom, Phin gave you quite a scare this time! Horses are always changing one's plans :icon_rolleyes:

You have mentioned several technical terms I was not familiar with so need to educate myself a bit. Always learning something on HF

Very good to know Phin will be ok. The picture watching the fireworks is cute; nice to know they are ok with them. Here they are much closer to the horses and much scarier, but mine tended to watch them too.

Love reading your posts; have you ever thought of writing articles for magazines? You have a lot of knowledge and a fun writing style.

 

[AnitaAnne]

I have no idea what a "dink" is...or how to treat one :redface: or what else it could be besides a dink, whatever that is, lol.

 

[AnitaAnne]

Dang Phantom, another missive from you where I am sitting on the edge of my seat as I quickly read of the latest adventure!

So wish you had taken a picture of the truck! Your DH and all the others are fortunate to have you crewing. You might have worked harder than anyone...

So sorry to hear of the accident and hope they both make a full recovery.

Congratulations to your DH and Sultan 4TH PLACE in the 75!! WOOHOO!!

Congratulations to Adrienne, Liz, Sammy and Muse too! Great riding everyone :clap:

 

[AnitaAnne]

What a beautiful ride! Lots to see and big fields to ride in. Must have been such fun to have a nice ride with Phin's brain intact the entire time.

Then find swelling on the dink :sad: Going to hope it is a bump from the shoes. Hope the month passes quickly for you

 

[AnitaAnne]

Wow Phantom, what fabulous pictures! Where you ride looks so wonderful. Great news that George is feeling better!

Very good to hear the swelling is gone in Phin's Dink. I am trying to get used to that word but it is just really odd sounding to me :shrug:

 

[AnitaAnne]

Great to hear how well George is doing! The area is so beautiful, every picture is so lovely to see. Even the muddy horse picture! The joys of owning grey horses :wink:

 

[AnitaAnne]

@phantomhorse13 Really enjoyed watching that video of you riding Sultan and ponying George along the 2 mile winter practice route! Have done my fair share of pasture riding (doing it again) so I understand how much you enjoyed that...But I just can't stop laughing at George! That tongue wagging has me :rofl: He looks like he is cantering along with his eyes closed and wagging that tongue! OMG I love it!!

 

[AnitaAnne]

What a perfect end to the season! Huge congrats to you and your DH and of course Duroc and Sultan!! Fabulous to finish in the top 3 on his first 100!

The area looks lovely too, but cold and dark on an unfamiliar trail is a challenge for sure! Good to hear you didn't have to ride an extra 15 miles, TG for the Garmin

 

[AnitaAnne]

Sorry, I am just getting a chance to sit down at the computer today, so hadn't seen the question.

And I don't know the answer. I have never been to that ride before, so don't know if the camp is at a public facility or a private farm. Your best bet would be to contact the ride manager and ask.

The camp is at Warden Station in the Talladega Forrest, so no not a private campground.

 

[AnitaAnne]

@phantomhorse13 what an exciting time you had! Dealing with FEI sounds like a real PIA, then getting tossed by Bunny; ouch! Those random spooks are concerning. Chivas has tossed me that way before and it can be a hard landing. Glad to hear you are mostly ok.

Very disappointed to hear you won't be coming to the YellowHammer this year. What about bringing Flo? She seems to be coming along well.

They are all very beautiful horses!

 

[AnitaAnne]

Hombre is adorable and Mia is grateful a path was shoved for her!

As for all that snow! In March?? Holy Moly. How long will it take to dig everyone out, lol

 

[AnitaAnne]

WOW, an adventure indeed!

Love the new browband on Phin!! He was such a good boy too, chasing the runaway Polo!

Polo was not very nice to his momma! :falloff: Good thing he went home though and didn't get lost.

Everyone is ok, thankfully.

 

[AnitaAnne]

Fun times! Nice to have a ride only 90 minutes away. Considering there were storms the day before, the trail doesn't look too bad.

I just love watching your rides. Looks like so much fun. Laughed when both boys went :shock: at that big trash bin out along the trail!

All the pictures are fabulous, y'all are very photogenic!

 

[AnitaAnne]

Wow. @phantomhorse13 you are a superhero! You, your DH, and all the others who selflessly assist your fellow competitors.

Sportsmanship at its finest.

Very thankful that Melissa and Emu were not out on the trail when this happened. My first though was stroke or aneurism for poor Emu. Praying for a full recovery for them both.

Iggy is adorable! Congratulations to Patti and Iggy on the fabulous Turtle award

Congratulations also to Rich and Kathy on their 6th place finish!! WOOHOO
@egrogan was this your first time at an endurance race crewing?

 

[AnitaAnne]

@egrogan yes, very fortunate to learn from the best!
@phantomhorse13 Thank you for updating us on Melissa and Emu! Good news indeed

We survive in the south by not admitting how hot it is. Only a bit warm or a bit cool, never hot or cold, lol!

Plus tea. Lots of tea, and big porches with rocking chairs.

 

[AnitaAnne]

WooHoo!! What an adventure! You and Phin doing it cowboy style...first a little rodeo (bucking) then some herding (Polo) with a bit of Dressage (light in front) thrown in!

That does look super flat and super hot. Would have been tempted to jump in that water for a bit along with the horses.

Congratulations on the 5th place finish!!

Congratulation to Nicole too on her completion on her first time! She definitely is fortunate to have you to herd oops I mean mentor her :grin:

Does Phin need a new saddle or a second saddle?

Love all the videos too. Really great pictures of you and your DH.

 

[AnitaAnne]

This is still kind of up in the air. DH agrees the current saddle is likely not going to work for longer distances.. but whether I keep the rubicon or sell it to help finance the cost of a new one hasn't been decided yet.

I am inclined to keep it, as it does well for Phin in the 50s and maybe it will fit whatever horse we get when George and Sultan retire.. but that is easy for me to say as the non-working member of the household! :hide:

Let me know if you are interested in a FreeForm...girth placement seems to be similar to a centerfire, at least on my horses anyway.

IMO you need two also, as his skin may get sore in any girth for extended distances. Or I guess you could ride bareback :razz: