These Boots Were Made For Walking....

...at the Wildrose Classic. This was a first trial hosted by Don Grant and his family, and it was going to be the one in history for the muddiest. It started with a great bang after a hail storm on the night prior to the trial - of which I was not in attendance...thank God. But, the storm allowed us all to show off our fashionable footwear.

The ever popular Muckboots were everywhere.

They come in all colors as well. In this family, it helps prevent people from mixing up each others boots.
For those people wanting hide from the others, they brought out their camo-boots.

Of course, there were the old standbys...I remember when I was 6 my first pair of boots were this kind. Shiny black and red ones.

They now come in different colors now, tan...

.....and green soles.

The red ones outnumbered the rest.

Then there were the ones that were quite more fashionable. Reminds me of That 70's Show. I feel like a brownie.Expect a cover spread in next month's Vogue...or perhaps Working Border Collie.

I promise I will shave my legs for the photo shoot Bruce Fogt.

Being the first trial in Alberta this year, it was time to reminisce with old friends.

The sun did come out momentarily throughout the weekend.

Being the social butterfly I am, it was hard to spread my time evenly between all friends.

The ghost ewe showed her presence fleetingly during the trial. Perhaps she will be found next year.

When it got too cold outside, Jaimie VanRyn and I kept warm, and hydrated in the warmth of Dora (the Explorer).

I ensured that my drink was the healthiest possible. The nectar of the fruit flowed freely.

Jaimie and I rocked to the tunes of Sugarland. I also showed her my prowess in drumming. A skill I never knew I had.

Of course, we couldn't go home that night (due to the mud of course, please tell that to my mother). Chris Jobe graciously put us up in her trailer. Chris got up 5 am to graze the sheep, and at 5:10 I heard her trying to get her truck out...the purr of the diesel led me back to sleep. At 5:55 I awoke the the sound of the diesel again, albeit a lot quieter. I thought to myself, "Did Chris get stuck again?" Then I realized that growling of the motor was actually Sleeping Beauty (aka Jamie VanRyn) in the bed beside me.

The next day was a warmer day. Fly did her runs from the sidelines.

Many of us went up and helped set out. By the second day all glitches were worked out, and the sets were brought out quickly.

Don and Randy discussed how well the trial was going, and how much fun it will be to do the next year.

Looking west from the setout, I am sure Don was not looking forward in pulling everyone out of the field.

I ran Floss, Creed and Gin on the weekend. Floss did not do spectacular - forgetting her flanks, cutting her flanks, and not doing her flanks. Back to the drawing board with her. Creed did quite well. Of course I can say this, since I did not get any pictures of him.

Gin did her best, and got 3rd overall (behind this Scott Glen fellow and his dogs). However, Gin did beat Don (yes, whipped his sorry ass) on the second day. (Sorry Scott, I get to say this so rarely, I have to announce it to the world. I will expect an ass whipping at the next trial. The ass of course being me!)

After the trial we all packed up, I packed up my new dog (well really it is old...his name is Dan, and in a year's time he will be the spitting image of Gin...and with his attitude I also will be spitting up blood from the ulcer he will cause me.)

Don Grant had to pull each and everyone of us out. We didn't get home until 12 am....time enough for a quick 4 hour sleep so we could pack up again to head to Calgary to the Stampede.

Red Bull, the reason trial people are in the vertical position. I may sell them next year the first morning of Stampede. I could make a killing.

Stay tuned for the ongoing saga of .....As The Wool Turns.

I'm Just Saying...

...I feel like a semi has driven me over. Over the past years, we had held a few trials before Stampede, and was worn out from the early morning drives, late night finishes, and the socializing required for the events. I would have thought it would have been better this year - since we weren't hosting anything, we would be well rested right? Wrong!!! I have come to the realization that it is likely the socialization which is the culprit. Jaimie VanRyn, I blame you for the headache I got the next day at the Wildrose Classic. I do believe the wine that was drunk had turned into vinegar. No, wait...the wine was consumed in the Ewe box in the Saddledome. Chris Jobe - I will never trust you again. My mother will be very disappointed in the road you have made me follow. Shame on you!! On second thought, I will blame Les the bartender at Stampede. You all better sit down and relax as I recall the escapades over the last few days. I had asked a bartender at the Saddledome for a drink, he came around the bar and asked, "What can I get for you Sir?" Now, I did cut my hair, but I do still wear a size C bra! Maybe his real name was Leslie - (s)he had earrings on. After he had apologized, Chris (husband, not Jobe) and Jaimie VanRyn watched the end of the cattlepenning. Then Andy, the security guard (which I was very leery of, he had beady eyes - or at least that was the way they looked through my eyes) informed us that the area was going to be closed. Not wanting to go empty handed, I asked Chris to get me my final (at least I thought that at the time) drink. He came back and told me dear old Les said the bar was closed. I jumped up (rye allows me to do amazing feats) and asked Les if this was true. I said he had hurt my feelings by calling me Sir and he should apologize accordingly. I was about to walk away and he whispered for me to come back - he made a special rye and coke for me on the house. Les is now my favorite bartender...I will look him up next year for sure.
By this time, Security Andy said the area was closed and they would have to escort us out. I quickly drank my drink, and we were whisked away to the elevator...and I was concerned. The elevator said capacity was 10, but I was sure I saw 12 people...but then again, I had been drinking for quite some time at that point. We got settled in the bleachers to watch the rest of the dogs run, and then Chris Jobe came to me, Chris, Jaimie and Pat Winters, asking us if we trusted her. Of course we did! We then ended up in a private box to watch the dog trial from...all supplied with wine....and a private bathroom!!! We called it the Ewe Box, and soon we were filled with a few more old ewes over the course of the evening, a few more sire rams were added as well. We decided Randy Dye would be the ram for the yearling ewes, and Chris (husband) would be the herd sire due to his thick neck.
A few glasses of bubbly was done, a few trips to the special bathroom was done, and I was almost done. Joey my nephew came back from riding the rides with Towles grandson and watched the rest of the trial from the comforts of the Ewe Box. By the end of the evening, we had found quite a number of friends in low places, and the whiskey (well really wine) flowed and the beer chased my blues away....and that was okay!
After the trial was done, we were about to back to the barns, but a sudden downpour erupted. What was one to do? Take solice in the comforts of another rye and coke. The final order was done...a beer for Chris, a rye and Coke for me and a Coke for Joey. By the end of my rye and coke, I was wondering why it had tasted so weak. I then asked Joey if his Coke had another flavor in it.
It did, and it wasn't vanilla ice cream.
There went our designated driver.
I am now his favorite aunt.
I'm just saying....I had alot of fun this weekend!
After I have a good restful sleep this night, I promise I will have some pictures to show. Quite likely there will be ones that bribes can be sought.

Canada Day Weekend

The Canada Day weekend started with the parade in Trochu. Joey, Hannah and I made it just in time to see the town mayor in his official suit.

We watched the parade, and Joey collected the proceedings of the parade.

The parade marshalls were in attendance.

The load of candy was worth it. The weekend was well on its start to be a blast!

The 2nd Annual Trochu Dog Trial was done in a skating rink on mats - next year promises to be in a dirt arena. There was slipping and sliding, and checks against the boards. Penalties were given out, and time behind the penalty box was done. I didn't get any pictures of the trial - I helped to announce. Joey had a bad set of sheep and Joy couldn't move them. My Creed had the only pen which allowed him to win first for the Open. The top 6 went ahead, and Corey and one of his many dogs (can't remember if it was Ben, Callie or Jill) won first, and I won 2nd with Gin. Creed decided to grip - so there you go. Jimmy Walker with his dogs Mitch and Angie won third and fourth.

After the trial, the kids and I quickly did the fair portion and then went home.

So being Canada Day, the kids and I waited until dusk to take in some fireworks. We drove into town with Joey and Hannah's sister Ashley and her boyfriend Jason to take in some lights. As we were driving to Irricana, we saw some fireworks in the distance - so we sped up so we wouldn't miss the show. We drove around Irricana about 10 minutes (not a big town), and decided we had missed everything. As we jumped out of the truck, Jason heard the booms of the fireworks - we ran out to the road to catch the lights - albeit 4 miles from town.

OOOHHHH!

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!

Then when Irricana was done their show, we looked over our left shoulder to take in Strathmore's lights (20 minutes away).

Happy Birthday Canada!!!!

After a fast sleepover, the kids and I went to Olds to the Old Dogs and Ewe Tricks trial. Yes, the ewes had many tricks up their fleeces, and penning wasn't to be one of them.

There was good dog work nonetheless. Jimmy Walker's Mitch (who at this moment is leading the Triple Crown event), moved the old cronies without biting. Mitch is, by the way, 2011 USBCHA National Cowdog Champion. I am sure, the dog thought he didn't have to travel all the way from Texas to get attitude from the Mountainview Colony sheep! Joey and Joy was in the novice class. They did well the first round and got right to the pen. They did their best, but a pen was not to be.

It definitely was not without the lack of trying.

Hannah then asked me if she paid me $5, could she take my dog and run. What could I do? We paid our entry fees, and Hannah and Gin (with me in tow) did her first dog run. The first run we almost got the sheep in, and after that, Hannah was hooked. Another five dollars was promised, and we went in again. During that run, Hannah spotted the big bouncy house, and asked if we could go into that after. I said we were in a middle of a run, and we should finish. Yup, no stage fright there.

Gin did well in the first round - up to the pen - where she had a ewe go after her. What could she do but to bite the old goat!

In the second round we had a blistering pace, but still could not pen. This better change by Stampede time!

Creed did pretty well, got to the pen the first go round.

But the second go round he did not fare as well - he lost his marbles so to speak - couldn't remember his flanks. This is much like his half sister Flossy - who totally flipped me the bird. And for that, she gets no pictures - maybe one on the for sale page perhaps.

The finalists to go forward to win the big one in Olds included George Walker and Lass, Corey Perry and the trio (Ben, Callie and Jill), Jimmy Walker and Mitch and Jill Brodie and Ryder.

George was the first one to go, and the first one to pen in the finals.
Corey and the others did his best to follow George's example.

In the end, it was Lassie, the Kelpie, to beat everyone. Kelpie prices are now going to be at an all time high.

After the dog trial, the rest of the day continued on - there was a heavy horse show. The teams and their wagons all shone.

Many hours go into to spiff these rigs up.

The finale was the pony chuckwagons. The thundering hooves of 36" and less powerful steeds.

Midget drivers are being sought.

And the winner, by a (little) nose!

After the day was over, the kids and I got back home, with a quick trip to Dairy Queen. There were a couple of snores on the way back to the farm. Dog chores had to be done, and Hanna was in there like a dirty shirt (of which she now had).

The best part of the weekend?

Was the the parade?

Was it the dog trials?

Was it the races?

I would have to say it was on the way home, when Hanna said, "Auntie, ...I love you."

Bless her heart!!