Springamathing Live 2015

Held in Golden Colorado - and always seems to be the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend - Springamathing Live happened today (May 23, 2015).

I managed to do very well today and am so grateful for the judges and showholder!

Here is how I did today - placings only went to 3rd and in some classes there were 50-60 horses!

Royal By The Numbers - Memphis Belle Resin to a gelding - artist unknown

Anck Su Namun - Sandicast Arabian CM by Kathy McKenzie

Zan Parr Cindy Doc - Peter Stone Chip Cutting Horse OF

Luck Be A Lady - CM Classic Morgan by unknown artist

Lake Hill Rose Master - Finn Resin painted by Lori Daniels

Starwood in Aspen - Behning Morgan Mare Resin painted by Me - Tack by Kelly Dorman/Twin Maple Designs - Street by Karla Crosby

Resistance is Futile - Morgan Sporthorse mare- CM SM Breyer by WP Studios, Tack by Ebb & Flow Tack

Jay Spark Be Be - QH mare - CM BHR Hunter by Morgan Haberman

Elegant Conclusions - ASB Mare- OF Breyer SM

Jimmy - 1/2 Morgan 1/2 Mustang Gelding - Morgen Kilburn Johann resin painted by me

Ravondale Ransome - Kulfi Resin painted by Laura Behning

Aspen Majestic Lady - TWH mare - Mirriam Resin painted by me

Aspen Majestic Lady - TWH mare - Mirriam Resin painted by me
Reserve Gaited/Spanish Champion

Bellatrix Black - 1/2 Morgan 1/2 TWH mare - OF Peter Stone

American Idol - Miniature Horse Stallion - WBP Howard Huge Resin painted by Morgan Haberman

Bar LS Shadow Dancer - Miniature Horse mare - Heritage Hopeful resin Painted by me

Warhammer - Shire stallion - Snelson's Magnus Resin painted by me

Miss Robin Streakin - QH mare - CM SM Breyer painted by Me - tack by Kelly Dorman - props by unknown

Ima Navajo Lena - Appaloosa mare - Batgirl Resin by Morgan Haberman

Tack by Rio Rondo - YES the only SM set she made. 

Pillager's Debauchery - Morgan mare - behning western mare resin painted by me - tack by Kelly Dorman

Miss Robin Streakin - QH mare - CM SM Breyer painted by Me - tack by Kelly Dorman 

Pillager's Debauchery - Morgan mare - behning western mare resin painted by me - tack by Kelly Dorman

It was great fun and I can't wait for the next show. 

NAN - North American Nationals Part 1 - Entry

NAN - North American Nationals is the National Model Horse Show sponsored by NAMHSA - North American Model Horse Showers Association. The show is being held in sunny California at the Palm Springs Convention Center and is scheduled for June 26, 27 and 28, 2015.

Find out about NAN here - http://www.namhsa.org/nan.htm 

I had hoped to be able to go to Palm Springs to the show this year and then bop over to Riverside to see family; but alas the best laid plans they didn't work out.

I did ask around and found a Proxy shower and a helper. Stacy Quick is going to proxy show for me and Dayle Steinke is helping by actually delivering the models to Stacy. I am so grateful for both ladies!!

I am only showing five horses and today I completed my entry and sent the cards and fees. It's all official now, no backing out unless I want to lose the money!

I am delivering the models to their "driver" at a show here in Colorado at the end of this month and then in June they head to California.

I am very excited because I am sending three Fantasy horses out of my five!! Last year was the first year that the fantasy horses could show at NAN and I am glad to send my guys!

I am hoping Part 2 in June is showing my babies winning some stuff!

Ravondale Ransome - Morgan stallion
Artist Resin Kulfi sculpted by Kristina Lucas Francis customized by Laura Behning

AMB Strawberry Delight - TWH mare
Breyer Classic Keen Customized by Anna Bentley

Thessy - Thestral Mare
CM Breyer SM Citation by Danelle Vierkant

Pip - Unicorn Stallion

Kathi Bogucki sculpted Pipsqueak Resin customized by Sara Gifford

Riabhach - Unicorn stallion

 James Richmond sculpted Kilimanjaro Resin customized by Melissa Addison and Morgan Haberman

This is not my first time having horses proxied at NAN - it's like the 4th. I just keep hoping one of these days to actually GET to go and take my horses myself! 

Good luck to everyone at the show!! 

Jimmy

Every horseman will tell you there is the ONE. The one horse that taught them so much about themselves and gave them the most memories.

Jimmy was that horse for me.

I met him in 1993 when he came to the livery I worked at. I did not ride him that summer, he was “bronc-y” and while I thought he was an interesting horse, I only ever groomed him. He mostly stood on the guide rail unridden.

No one was sure exactly of his age but figured him to be 3-4 in 1993. He was 14 hands tall and a fireball. Most guests that saw him said, “Looks like a Morgan but I can’t tell what the other part is!” The most common idea is that he was 1/2 Morgan 1/2 Mustang. 

He came of the Navajo Reservation and has several brands on him (-N) (u2) (PTL) (UU)

In 1994, I started riding Jimmy. He was one you always had to be awake on. There was no sleeping! And I loved every minute of it. He taught me so very much about myself and about horses.

I rode him in 1995 and 1996 as well. And he was my best friend and confidant. I left the livery in 1997 – I promised him that I would come back for him and I never did because life got in the way and my dreams of owning him were shattered.

I have heard several different stories of what happened to him, I can only guess at the real ending.

It took me years and years of trial and errors with models trying to do one of him. It wasn’t until I saw Morgen Kilburn’s Johann that I knew.

Today – 22 years after I met him – the model in his honor is done. Thank you Morgen for helping me to bring my boy to life! 

Bar LS Shadow Dancer

Born on April 23, 1996, Bar LS Shadow Dancer aka Little Dancer, was a lovely Miniature Horse mare. She measured 31" and was silver dapple (registered as a grey). She was the great niece of my old mare Dancer.

Little Dancer was sweet where her great aunt was ornery. She had so little time in this world and it makes me sad. She passed in 2008.

I did a model of her in 2008 - it is the Heritage Hopeful resin sculpted by Kathleen Moody painted in pastels and earth pigments with acrylic accents.

Happy Birthday Little Dancer - you left this world far too soon. 

Tuckaway's Just Dandy

Born on April 19, 1985, Tuckaway's Just Dandy aka Dandy, was a great Miniature Horse stallion. He measured 30.5" and was black tobiano (homozygous). Dandy was AMHA 1991 AMATEUR HALTER OBSTACLE RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION.

Dandy would have been 30 today. Our family owned Dandy since April 7, 2005.  Sadly he passed away in 2010. He was one of the kindest stallions I have ever been around. He acted more like a gelding and was just a beautiful soul.

Happy Birthday Dandy - I hope you are galloping free in the Great Pasture. 

Skin Cancer

**PLEASE NOTE - Images may be disturbing to some - View at your own risk! **

In March of 2011 I went to my doctor about a spot on my forehead that was like a zit that would not heal. He sent me to a dermatologist who took one look and said THAT'S COMING OFF NOW. Immediate injection and a scalpel removed it. They tested it and it was positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). 

In April of 2011, I went in for surgery to have the rest of it and the strand of runners it had produced removed. Thirty-two stitches later, it was all gone!

My face was swollen and bruised for several days and when asked what happened people were like WOW skin cancer did that - Yes and I had the "MILD" version. 

Now you can't even see the scar unless I point it out to people, but I can see it. I know it's there and it's my constant reminder. WEAR SUNSCREEN!

So every April I go get checked out and this April was no different. It was concerning because of a spot on my shoulder. With much review, I am happy to say the spot is just a mole and nothing more. I am skin cancer free!!

PLEASE PLEASE - no matter your skin color - wear sunscreen 50 or better, preferably with Zinc Oxide & Nanoparticles in it. Get moles that just appear and zits that won't seem to heal LOOKED AT IMMEDIATELY - as some forms of skin cancer are deadly! And wear sunscreen ALL YEAR AROUND! Reflective sun off snow can cause skin cancer just like being in the direct sun itself!

Gem Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Gem Lake is a beautiful trail that starts at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead - I do have to argue the 3.3 miles round trip as my MAPMYHIKE brought me in at 4.79 but that was from my truck in the parking lot to the lake and back to my truck.

Round-Trip Length:	3.3 miles
Start-End Elevation:	7,882' - 8,830'
Elevation Change:	+948' net elevation gain (+971' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level:	Moderate-Strenuous
Dogs Allowed:	No
Bikes Allowed:	No
Horses Allowed:	Yes
Related Trails:	Bridal Veil Falls North Boundary Trail Twin Owls Loop

Here is what the park says about Gem Lake: 

Gem Lake is located 1.65 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead on the northeast side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a shallow depression near the top of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species and world class climbing.

Gem Lake is unusual in that there's no true inlet or outlet stream - surrounding rock traps, collects, and steers water into the small basin. The lake faces south at a modest elevation, meaning less snow and faster melt that make it one of Rocky Mountain's most accessible 4 season hikes.

In May 2007 the Twin Owls Trailhead was relocated approximately .5 miles to the east and re-named Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. The new trailhead - which accesses Gem Lake, the Twin Owls Loop and all Lumpy Ridge climbing destinations - holds more parking and updated park information.

Some maps do not illustrate the recent move. Signs at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead clearly depict new routing and distances affected by the relocation:

The trail climbs steeply through mature ponderosa and aspen all the way to Gem Lake. Sculpted granite boulders line the trail and lend to the area's unique aesthetic. Autumn visitors will enjoy brilliant colors and a gold carpet of fallen leaves.

Openings in the forest yield rangy panoramas that include Longs Peak (14,259'), Estes Cone (11,011'), Taylor Peak (13,163'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and the Estes Park area.

The moderately-strenuous grade levels out only upon reaching Gem Lake. The lake's west shore is beach-like, while the north and east shores are encased by vertical granite walls that can be reached from their flat base just above waterline.

The trail continues past Gem Lake on longer routes to Bridal Veil Falls and the Twin Owls Loop.

That was taken directly from the ProTrails page on Gem Lake.  http://www.protrails.com/trail/20/rocky-mountain-national-park-gem-lake 

Here is what I have to say - in just pictures - it was a great hike - only 1 other person on the trail this morning until I was most of the way down then ran into 30 people.