Letter From Sandee About the Minnesota State Fair!
Susan,
Jacob and I had an incredible time.
I am not sure I told you, but before this, I had never driven a trailer much less one with an 1100 lb. animal in it. I borrowed my neighbors trailer and my husband taught me to drive it one week before the fair. Jacob and I had to master backing up and parking in a tight spot (I have a very protective husband so I had to pass a test). All Saturday we practiced until we were perfect. On Tuesday we took Broadway for his first haul to the vet to get his coggins test. Wow, what a high we experienced after we were done. All went well, and Broadway hoped right on and off. He had to be loaded with a butt rope when we first got him, so his relationship with Jake has definitely blossomed.
On Thursday morning we woke up at 5:00, so that we could pull out by 6:30am. I had purchased a foam board and Jake and I set to making a sign out of construction paper. I was worried that I would let you down since we did have anything fancy, but it worked beautifully and Broadway himself was the star of the show. Again he loaded wonderfully and off were went, only 15 min. behind schedule. We made it there in one piece with butterflies in our stomachs. When we unloaded Broad, he stood tall and regal and started taking to anyone who would listen. He was a good boy as we walked up to the barn. He didn't spook or act badly. All day he let anyone who wanted to pet him, pet him. He stood in the open doorway (I blocked it with a lead rope and my body) sticking his head out so that the children could pet him. Jacob and I were invited to walk in the parade (Broadway stood in his stall and waited for us). It was such fun. Broadway stayed in his stall that night. Apparently he didn't care too much for that and made some racket and played with the chain in the next stall, etc. So he was pretty tired the next morning. That being said, I decided to walk him around so that he could stretch his legs. That was Friday and there were lots of people and horses around even though it was 10am. Broadway was very high strung and we had to lounge him to help him calm down a little. It took a bit, as he was very interested in what was going on. It was almost like he thought he needed to race or do something other than calmly walk around. Anyway, back in his stall, we again allowed everyone to pet and love on him. The smaller the child, the lower he would place his head. We were invited to walk with him in the parade and initially decided to do that. However, when he was approached from behind by a team of draft horses pulling a wagon, he decided that was entirely too much for him. So we took him back to his stall.
Jacob and I are very proud of us and Broadway. We have all learned a ton and have awesome memories. Jacob says that he and Broadway need to work on bomb proofing and games this next summer (2007).
This summer Jacob and Broadway have really grown. At the beginning of the summer, Broadway was in charge of Jake and would not move, not even a walk. Now, Jacob can get him in all three gates, they go over cavaletti's, small jumps and play games. The only thing they are still working on is bridges. Broadway locks up and won't budge. Oh well, they will figure that one out too.
Hopefully you will get some inquiries from the people we talked to at the fair. Like I said, he generated a ton of attention (in a good way).
Thanks again.
Sandee
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in!
If you have adopted a horse from ASAP, please send your own "farm
updates" to Susan at asapinc@mwt.net
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October 1, 2006
  
Hello Everyone!
The sun is shining, but it is chilly outside. I think the horses like it.........but it only reminds me of the season to come. At least the flies are gone - almost........now to get those bot eggs off the horse's legs!
Super Night at Balmoral was a pleasure. My mother in law, two youngest children Zach and Rachel, and our family friend and chore-boy, Ethan, traveled along. It was a trick to pack our bags and sneak them out to the truck without my rat terrier, Tina, seeing them. She gets separation anxiety when we go away from her, and I was careful to conceal my plans while she snoozed on Rachel's bed. Right before we left we acclimated Laramie to the bottom arena, where he trotted off in fancy, Holsteiner-style as curious Skippy, Ciao Baby, Mc Dominant, Lucky, and Morena Hanover looked on. They must have observed that he, indeed, was a bay, but he was not a Standardbred. Within the first 24 hours, Laramie calmly established himself as lead horse, dethroning Uncle Skippy. Lucky, being the only pinto color, is just happy to be Lucky. He is such a silly, smart, mischievous pony..................and has so much talent to show someone who will work with him. As a matter of fact, on Saturday a gal named Amy came down and rode Lucky for most of the afternoon. His ground manners are atrocious, but he has always been safe to ride....with a saddle. Without a saddle he tends to be more resistant to cues (smart pony again!)......but I have a very good feeling that Lucky may soon be in his new home with a young teen who has the time to dedicate to him.
Anyhow, back to Super Night.....it was great to see so many owners that evening. I want to personally thank Carol Longo, who went out of her way to make sure I had food while I worked at the table. She and her daughter were extremely hospitable. Thank you Carol!!! I also want to thank Balmoral Park for giving us two tables again this year. I had Ethan and Zach work the grandstand table, to hand out brochures and sell chances on kid's prizes. They enjoyed betting the horses (dont worry - it was pretend betting!)...........and greeting people.
The t-shirts were a hit, so we will plan on selling them again next year for most events. We are in the process of a new design and plan to have shirts printed by December if we have the dollars it takes to do it. The only disappointing event of the evening was I lost my Super Night t-shirts (given to spectators and fans as they entered the track) to thieves. It was the second year in a row!!! I had my t-shirts draped over my chair down by the Stretch Club party, and went upstairs to check on the boys. When I returned, they were SWIPED!! Foiled again! You know, people lose their senses when the Super Night t-shirts run out.........and they always do run out! I was so saddened that I approached administration the next day and asked someone if they could possibly drum up the two more? Bingo! Thanks to Sue Fee, the t-shirts are in the mail, so nothing lost! The evening ended at 1:00 am for us, and we drove sleepily back to our motel for a few hours of shut-eye. The next day we could not resist letting the kids swim............and about 11:00 am finally emerged from our motel to a sunny Chicago-land day and headed back to the track. I just had to go and see Keen Mind! After visiting a few barns and speaking with grooms and trainers, we found Keen Mind. What a beautiful horse! I was in awe of his liver chestnut color and the white on his face! He didn't really care to be bothered as he was munching on his hay, but put up with me anyway. I had my mother in law snap a picture of us together outside. I had the chance to also have a conversation with a trainer there who had been directly involved with DT. DT is now adopted by Kirsten of Minnesota, but he stands out in my mind as one of my favorite horses. Anyway, he described DT's accident at the farm, and the healing process. We are so grateful that DT is healthy and strong today and that so many quick-thinking, compassionate people were there for him after he was done racing. His owner and caretaker should be commended!
It is always hard to leave the track.............but we wandered home by 8 pm Sunday evening. Craig stayed home to hold the fort down (or was he hunting ginseng too?).............so all was done when we arrived. Good to be home, and Tina the rat-terrier cried. She cried for joy.......isn't it great to know dogs don't hold grudges?
We had fun last Saturday as open house brought many people to the farm. I got a chance to ride Candy Speed, and Frank. Two WONDERFUL horses!
The subject of my saddle keeps popping into my mind. You see, every time we go to saddle up people or kids who come to ride, I am painfully reminded of the theft of my Circle Y saddle and the hardship it has brought to both me and also ASAP. I could put that Circle Y on any horse and it would fit. I could adjust those stirrups........to fit long legs and short. Without the saddle we are forced to use the saddles donated that have very small seats and old leather. I am grateful for those saddles because they do work! But.......if the person who knowingly and willingly stole my saddle would kindly return it.....it would be appreciated. I just don't know if I can ever replace that saddle! Or, if you need a tax write-off, and would consider donating a saddle with a good wide tree...........please do!
We also are still looking for a good, light-weight jog cart to teach driving lessons to the children.
We are working on getting ready for next year's Midwest Horse Fair and Minnesota Horse Expo. If you would like to participate with us, we have 12 stalls at Madison again. Next year's theme is Rock........so be thinking of costumes and Theresa may take a rest next year so all inquiries regarding demonstrating should be directed to me. Yikes! One more thing to organize!!! If you want to help coordinate the event, also let me know!!!
Lots of positive comments coming from race owners and great stories of former racing champions coming forth lately. Good to know these horses (Too Good To Be True included) have stayed in the hearts and minds of so many, and still are creating memories today. That is why we are here!
I am still trying to get my digital fixed - bear with me as I order CD's from my cameras to share with you.
Until next time,
Susan
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