Old News:
A bit later in Oct 2007:
Well... best laid plans and all that.... Probably the very day that I posted the news about Miss Mellie, I had a nasty accident down in the pasture after dark Sunday evening. It's kind of a stupid story, but if you have a bunch of horses at home, you can maybe relate. With the pastures drying up, we had sorted critters out in order to put a big group in the new pasture that we bought last year. It had recovered nicely this summer and John had been able to mow and spray for weeds. He's been busy filling in ground hog holes and trimming trees up and had burned the big burn piles of brush and small trees from the clearing last year. So I'd had the boys down there for a week or more and they'd all gone across the creek a bunch to where there's more grass, etc. Well something happened that made me take Tokay out of the group and he got Ripley to play with so that made the big group (only 6) 3 mares and 3 geldings. In their infinite wisdom (not) they picked Kayla as their leader. Kayla who was not here last winter. So all day Sunday they were up in the run in shed and I did not give them any hay. it was warm, but the bugs are about gone. that evening, I put hay down in the shade in the new part and penned them out. So they all trooped down and were starved eating the hay, but Kayla spotted the neighbors goats across their driveway. That was just too much for her... good grief. They all munched for awhile, but Kayla finally couldn't stand it any more and dashed up to the gate on the hill and away from the goats.... and the morons all followed. So fine, you guys are going to have figure it out... I hate catering to their stupid ideas, they just need to deal with it. After dark I went out to check on things as Paris and Mel were getting re-aquainted, too. I hiked down to the new part and that group was all standing on the hill by the gate. They felt sweated, so maybe they'd ventured down to the hay but Kayla ran them back up. I tried leading Kayla down with her mane, but a cat appeared, so no dice. it was dark by now. So being a good mommy, I thought, I went for a halter and lead. I figured I'd get Kayla across the creek, the others would follow and I'd take her out of the field from that side, up the road and into another field. I probably just should have taken her out and let the others figure things out from there. The creek is tiny and we even had crossings made last year, with nice approaches so they're not sinking into mud. Just as she was gathering herself to jump, I turned to get out of her way and duck behind a tree that was just on the other side. She jumped into me whacking my leg just above the ankle breaking it. I went down, crawling for the tree. I still had her rope and I turned (a big crap in my head, as I knew it was broken) and pulled her to me to unhook the rope. Lucas (the Clydesdale) was with her so, in hind site, I think he came up behind her just as she jumped and probably pushed her further than she (and I) expected, so hit me. I waved me arms getting them away from me and sat there for a bit thinking and thinking. I was in big trouble as I didn't have my phone with me. John was doing his part time job and it would be hours before he got home and how the heck would he find me. I was several hundred yards from the house with a creek, thorns, pastures, driveway, stones, etc, between. The other direction was the neighbor from whom we had bought the pasture. I had to get across maybe several hundred feet of pasture and maybe some swamp, up a grade, under the fence that was not currently electrified and thru a bit a yard, a wooden porch to a door. I began shouting at first just hoping they'd hear. I could see a light, but couldn't see vehicles at that angle, so didn't know for sure anyone was home. They're retirement age. So I started skooching across the pasture on my left hip... trying not to think about the bones moving around in my leg. I did not think a bone had come thru as there was not a lot of sharp pain. Discomfort and the knowledge that I could not stand up. I knew even if I could get up on my good leg, the weight of my foot dangling at the end would not be good. So I dragging myself along. Did not hit a thistle patch and the swampy area was pretty dry since it hadn't rained in ages. it's about 8-8:30 by now. I was shouting and shouting the whole time. I had to get under the fence and within 30 feet of the house before they heard and investigated. I was so happy to see the porch light come on. Sharon called for the ambulance and she and Roy waited with me. Brought a cell phone out so I could tell John where I'd have the ambulance take me and bring the insurance stuff when he could. He called someone to finish his milk route and came as soon as he could.
The medics wrapped the ankle up in a pillow and took me to Hershey Med. Center, my hospital of choice. The emergency people got me on pain meds, poked at my arm a bunch before finding a good enough vein to start the drip. I was shaking a lot by then, kinda shocky probably. After the x-rays, they tried setting the bones. I was sort of doped up for that and when I came to, I knew that wasn't going to work as I could still feel them moving in the cast. The doctors concurred and said they'd have to take me into surgery to affix an external fixator or "the erector set". At this point we still thought I was going home fairly soon. But it turns out there is a big risk of infection having one of those things on. They needed to keep me until the swelling went down enough for an operation to install a plate. Both bones are broken, but they only plated the big one.. fibula?. or tibia, forget. So there I was in bed with the leg propped up and nurses cleaning the pins about 3 times a day... something I really looked forward to (NOT). But everyone was very nice. About Wednesday, I ended up with a great roommate who stayed until Sunday, so that was nice. There was some talk of moving me to the Ortho wing, but the beds filled up before things could be settled. Dr. Molly Black and her team was my surgeon for the plate. Dr. April Armstrong was on call for the ER surgery and she was very nice. Visited me twice after her part. Dr. Black was as nice as can be and I thanked her several times for being so cool and not talking down to me, etc. She was also the one I was able to ask about my cell phone. I saw them wearing them, and she said since there were no monitors around, that would be fine. Being able to do my dispatching while in there was a huge load off of John. She was on call the following weekend, so if she could fit me in and the leg was ready, she was going to do it then. Monday, if the helicopter came in too much. Early Sunday morning, they took me down and Dr. Black was very very happy with how the bones went back together. She said she never gets to use the word perfect, but she could this time. So I got off the morphine by Monday afternoon and John brought me home Tuesday afternoon and the house is so clean! They say 12 weeks of no walking, but I'm taking a homeopathic remedy for bone healing and I'm hopeful that the 6 week x-rays will be amazing! crossed fingers.
October 2007:
I've just heard that Hollywood Cremella's oldest foal, Miss Mellie, (by the Arabian stallion, Cardsharp) won a 3 year old reining class in the Slide Out West reining show in Canada. She's owned by Dusti Worbets and trained by Lynda Smith, both of British Columbia. She was competing against mostly QHs. Congratulations Dusti and Lynda! And congratulations, Mel! I believe that makes her a "producer" (as she frets about her latest production, since I finally separated them 2 pastures apart the other day)
August 2007:
So our big adventure is over. Quentin is very close for us, so it's like playing at home. I took Reinman and his mother, Kala Kachina, (home 2 1/2 weeks) to the Eastern Arabian Horse Show. I was hoping to qualify Kayla for the EC Championships and then possibly a Top 5, at least, to finish her Legion of Honor points. Well she wanted the next day off, so won the open class to get her last point. Reinman was 3rd and then edged mom for the win in the AOTR to win a point for himself, Kayla was 2nd by half a point.... oh, lots of money, too! Thank you Kauffman Animal Health, Inc., Garvin and Lee Tankersley , Dr. and Mrs. Jim Meyer, and Mara Arabians for your sponsorship.
I only took Reinman back for the championships on Friday night and he won both the Open and ATR for 24 more points. Still 10 1/2 to go.... darn that Region 16 nonsense LOL. Oh well, guess he'll have to do it again next year.
July 2007:
Lots of big news. The "great adventure" is almost over. I'm about sick of the driving! Region 14 was a bit discouraging. Reinman just would not give me a good ride. We still got some ribbons and LOH points, but I was not too happy. Ended up 3rd in the pre show in the open and won the ammy. Reserve Regional AOTR. So across to 15 we went. On the phone to Terry, of course. Still having trouble with that left lead departure and the changes sometimes. A wrong lead is a 1 point deduction for every 1/4 (or part of that 1/4) circle we're out of lead. Breaking gait is 2 points. So with these kinds of problems, the scores can go down pretty quickly, no matter how good the maneuvers might be. So at Virginia, he got some schooling on left lead, side pass, left lead, change when I ask, not before, etc. Had a real good go in the first pattern until the last lead change... darn. Top 5 in the open. Top 5 in AAOTR, too. I felt encouraged as he wasn't spooking, and seemed pretty agreeable. Saving himself for 16, I guess, where he went off his rocker just because I used a spur for his left lead departure (I mean, can you blame me?)... and I think he still did one stride wrong... he bucked (5 points off) and went down hill from there. The only saving grace was he had to go right back in for the AOTR class and he was better behaved. So picked up 12 points in that class and some money. I don't think he's going to have a vacation between now and East Coast.
Well on to brighter things. BIG BIG news is Kala Kachina is coming back! A couple weeks ago the owner emailed offering her back to me. Loves the mare, but daughter is on to other things. Kayla is in foal to Painted Peppy Doc, a black and white APHA reining and reined cow horse stallion by Tejons Peppy Doc, a really great QH stallion. Kayla is Reinman's dam and LB's dam... though if she had called me after Reinman's latest performance, I might not have been so enthusiastic LOL. Oh well, I can't let him be smarter than me, I'll figure it out.
Mister Mello and Juliette's palomino colt are heading to Canada in August. I should be paying Hollywood Lights (aka LB) a commission, I think. His new owner and trainer love him so much, they want more. So now they'll have a horse for that Scottsdale futurity for many years to come! LB is going to local open shows and being a star and doing flying lead changes and spins. Adrienne's having a lot of fun with him. Scottsdale in February, barring anything unforseen.
June, 2007
So Reinman and I went to Buckeye. It was part of our "great adventure" of 2007. I'd never been. Never even to the show grounds there at Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH. It sounds like they had a real good turnout for the show. I saw lots of big names, some from very far away. We showed in the open reining class Friday morning. I'm still dealing with a horse that wants to look around a bit too much and is a bit nervous about new noises and sights.... but he's doing better. That first class was pretty ugly. Too many penalties. I was back hosing him off when they called for ribbon presentation. I didn't think I had beat anyone, LOL! I ended up 5th out of 8. The ATR class went much better late the next night. I used a different strategy and it was a great pattern (5). No penalties, and a pretty good run for a 2nd out of 7. So now he has about 5 weeks off till we hit the road on July 4th for Region 14, then across to VA to Region 15. He'll have one day to be back in the pasture at home before heading to Syracuse for Region 16! He may have to try a practice show somewhere close before then and a couple lessons. Thanks to Terry Ressler for lessons and letting me call and vent about my rides. He gives me some great ideas to try.
SC Angels Star and Hollywood Cremella have both foaled fillies. Angel had a beautiful buckskin filly by Hollywood White and Mel had a smoky black by Klint Black++. Pictures soon. The Klint filly is just huge and I call her my percheron, much to the chagrin of Klint's mom, who thinks she's just gorgeous. Not saying she's not gorgeous!... just big! This one I'll have to teach to lead before weaning LOL! click here for Mel's filly photos
With mixed emotions I announce the sale of Hollywood Lights (aka Lightnin' Bug) to Barb Middleton of Alberta, Canada. Adrienne Herron, young up and coming trainer of working western horses is taking him on and is very excited to finalize this transaction. Adrienne and I have chatted on the phone several times and I know this will be a good match. They're hoping the Scottsdale Half Arab Reining Futurity will be in his future. Being 3, he'll have 2 opportunities as well as National futurities. He's certainly a pretty enough mover, he could go on to pleasure, too. Good luck Barb and Adrienne. LB is the one that has sold me on Hollywood White. Nicest horse I ever started.... and I've started some nice ones.
Juliette foaled on her "due date" of April 1, 2007. I had been thinking that all the babies would be buckskin and/or black this year and would miss the bright palominos. Well Jules was happy to oblige.
August 2006: I had a pretty good showing at the Eastern Arabian Horse Show and East Coast Championships with the reiners. I'm still working things out with Angel. We're getting along pretty well and the Clinton Anderson ground work that I learned at his place in May has done wonders. This is a mare who came with serious issues from an old trainer and we weren't sure if I'd ever show her. Well I showed her. At the pre show she was a little fresh. I zeroed the first class (got lost) and the AAOTR class she placed 3rd with a 68. Reinman was a good boy and placed 3rd in the open in the pre show and got a 70 for the win in the AAOTR. The next day in the East Coast championships, Angel gave a Yee Ha buck in the first run down for her stop. Five point penalty for that. Scored a 63. Reinman was a good boy again and scored a 68 for the WIN! Reinman dragged a lead in the ATR class for no ribbon, but Angel had fewer mistakes to beat him for the Reserve Championship. So each got some achievement award points, ribbons, MONEY and Reiny got a cooler and a belt buckle similar to the one his mom won in the same class last year. Pictured below is Garvin Tankersley, Jr. presenting the ribbon for the AAOTR win of the pre show. He's been immensely supportive of me and the reining at East Coast. He and his wife, Lee, donated a lot of the added money. I bought Reinman's dam, Kala Kachina, from him about 12 years ago. THANK YOU Garvin and Lee!
April 14, 2006: Lots of new stuff lately. We've jumped on the Hollywood White bandwagon since Hollywood Playboy won the Half Arab Reining Futurity at Scottsdale ($40,000). His full brother also competed and was sold at the show. We've booked both SC Angels Star and Mara Juliette to him and will breed them in a couple weeks. We also bought Hollywood Cremella, a 7 year old perlino solid Paint mare by Hollywood White in foal to Cardsharp, winning arabian race horse, from Forgotten Lane Farm. She foaled a big palomino colt today while I was at work. Sneaky girl. Both mom and baby seem to be fine. She will be one of Darkhist's test mares next year. The other exciting news is the building of a covered arena which is under roof now. Plus we have an agreement to purchase about 7 acres from the neighbor and we've had it cleared and seeded. Hope to have it fenced and usable this fall.
Hollywood Cremella with Mister Mello Hollywood White summer of 2007(Scott Gipson photo)
I'm excited to announce the purchase of SC Angels Star. We're anxiously awaiting her arrival by late March, 2006. John and I flew out to Elko, NV to meet her at Suzie Creek Arabians. Eve Roth, manager, and her husband Pat were gracious hosts and we enjoyed getting out of town and seeing the old west. Very cool out there. Angel is a 7 year old purebred mare sired by SC Buckaroo Bay+/ (Desperado V X Bay-Teza). Buck was reined for 5 years winning Championships at Scottsdale, Region 4 and 5, US and Canadian Nationals as well as many Regional Top 5's and National Top 10's. He died way too soon. Her dam is Abbsolute Angel (raced and then endurance raced) by Monarch AH (well over $200,000 in race earnings and valued broodmare sire) and from a *Gondolier daughter (almost 1/3 of competition points earned by *Gondolier get have been in reining). Lots of tough athletic proven horses through out her pedigree. Angel has an admirable show record including US National Top Ten Arabian Reining Futurity horse. She was the only 4 year old to make top ten that year out of a class of 25 4 and 5 year old reiners. Thank you Mrs. Dixon and Eve for making this happen. She's to be bred to Hollywood White
Angel about a month after arriving in PA Hollywood White summer of 2007 (Scott Gipson photo)
Mary and John Haldeman, 1157A N. Strickler Rd., Manheim, PA 17545
717-665-2288 house 717-371-3262 Mary cell email