Pumpkin Play Day

Last weekend was the 2nd Annual Play Day put on by the "Wild Vaqueros" 4-H Club. 

Entry fee for this play day was simply canned goods, and a willingness to have fun.  Saturday, if you recall was a day meant just for fun horseback.  And fun we had! 

Before I go into photos of the day and my normal witty commentary, I want to thank the young girl, who is the backbone behind this club.  She did it last year, on a super cold day, so was rewarded this year by Sunshine.  This was one of her "Community Service Projects" and the canned goods go to a food bank right here in Mountain Home.  Preparation and worry goes into an event like this, along with dedication to the day and participants.  Her parents, Chance & Natasha also gave to your community this weekend (and last year) and I can't thank them enough.  I wish more folks would give just for the sake of giving.  Since the entry fee was canned goods, No money was exchanged.  That tells me that they had expenses out of their own pockets, so "Thank you, Tienharras"

Below is Michelle.  I've mentioned her, in this very subject from last year.  I was her 4-H leader when she was in school...for I don't know how many years. 

Mom and Daughter doing the Pumpkin Barrel Race together.

Kelley on ...guess who??? Marshmallow! 

have you noticed the recurring smiles?

These next few pictures are from the "Drink Soda, Eat Soda Cracker, Whistle" race.  You go to the 1st barrel, drink a dixie cup of juice, run to the next barrel, eat a soda cracker,  and at the last barrel, you have to whistle.  It aint easy..... The girl on the Palomino below gave me that look when I said smile!  Then of course I told her, "Shut your mouth with food in there, for Pete's sake!"

You'd think at least the adults would keep their mouth shut with food in there, but oh no....

Below is Christine showing the young children of our future how to cheat.  You are supposed to STOP at each station.  She of course blows right on by..... cheating with speed.  Smiling all the while

These next ones are of the "Ribbon Race"  The ribbon is a crepe paper streamer.  You have to start at the beginning, run together to the other end of the arena, go around the barrel, and race back across the finish line.  You know crepe paper tears easily right?  So, you have to communicate with each other....rate yourselves...etc.... it's fun!

See Marshmallow in the lead?  Amazing, cuz she doesn't really wanna go that fast. 

Michelle and I.  I love partnering up with her!  Our red shirts and blond pony tails made us a team right?  Wasn't even planned.

I love to see brother and sister teams

You could go as many times as you could get a different partner.  The boys were really getting into it.... speed was starting to happen

The little red head got bucked off first thing in the morning.  Michelle took her along nice and slow.  Makes me proud of them both.

We all do things with our horses.  Work, compete...all kinds of different things.  It's fun every now and then to just play.  See how fun?  We welcome you!

Christine the cheater and Michelle.  I'm sure somehow cheating was done!

This next few pics, shows how tough we raise them here in Idaho.  I'm not going to post them all, cuz I got the whole sequence...nearly like a video.  But this is one tough girl.  As they start to near the finish line, her pretty little Palomino decides to get a little "froggy"  At first she doesn't even let go of the ribbon. 

But then she decides to take a bit of control

You'd think she's bucked off here, right?

Or here?  For sure, right?

See her right foot?  She has thrown it up in front of the saddle to claw her way back INTO the saddle.  All the while still trying to stop the horse.  I don't know if you've ever ridden much, but that takes sheer determination and physical capability

Back in the saddle, and throws up her arm, in a Victory Salute!  AND with a smile on her face! 

Congratulations, Awesome ride!  What's even more awesome, is that she kept riding, and smiling.  THAT'S how tough we raise 'em in Idaho.  Cowgirl UP!

The following is the "Egg N Spoon" Race.  Each rider has a little plastic spoon, (you know how sturdy those are) and a raw egg.  With your egg n spoon out to your side, it's basically, Simon Says.  We do whatever the announcer says.  Walk, trot, lope, slide stop, side pass...whatever.  As the eggs drop, you are out.  You go to the center of the arena.  Those eggs really wanna fall off those spoons! 

Marshmallow and I, looking around checking out the competition.  She looks confident doesn't she?

It wouldn't be quite so bad, but those kids are in there too...and they know their horses aren't smooth, so they are racing around, creating havoc.

See Michelle keeping a close eye on her egg?  It takes immense concentration!

So much concentration.  I am talking to the egg, and threatening it with it's yolk

Christine lost her egg shortly after this, and came and tried to knock mine off..... I honestly have no idea how I kept it.

But I did ....this is a Winning Smile.  Immediately after this, I chased Christine and threw my egg on her.  It hit  her shoulder and bounced off her without breaking.... hit the ground and still didn't break.  Maybe I'm Evil...or she is.  Or the Egg was?

Natasha, Thanks again

Boys bringing the pumpkins out

Bo BSU BLUE!

Yep, we have speed.....

and....not so much speed......

Risha is obviously distracted by something, while Sweety still is concentrating on the game.  But still, gotta love those smiles!

Ever heard of the "Rough Riders"?

A good horse's job is never done.  Always a little child to give one more ride to.  This is Addi, who is the Grand daughter of Sharon.  Sharon is Ginny's Mom ....I was Ginny's 4-H leader also.

What comes around, Goes around...

Michelle and Sharon

There is so much fun to be had...we wish you'd join us!

Jessie