Finally, an Update

The Arizona Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show came and went. Mom was super busy during the show and after as school and my training occupied most of her time. This of course made her neglect to give me time on the computer to update my blog. I kept trying to tell her all my followers would be disappointed in me and here we are, almost two months later and I'm only now getting to update my blog. So I'm sorry for the delay!

This year at the show I had my own custom set up. I'm pretty sure that the trailer was bought solely for me so that I'm able to have a stall at my shows, though Mom insists its also to haul the other horses in. With some nifty miniature horse sized stall panels, some hay, and a bucket of water I instantly had a place to relax while waiting in between classes at the show. Friday I was even nice enough to share some extra space with Missy. I had a lot of visitors come up and pet me while I was waiting for my classes, I always enjoy meeting new people and they seem to enjoy meeting me just as much!

I ended up being the smallest full grown miniature at the show with my official measurement being 25.5 inches. Friday I had three classes: Open two year old stallions under 28", amateur junior stallions, and liberty. I placed third, second, and fourth respectively. While fourth may not seem so great for liberty that class was the largest I've ever been in. There were 14 horses! I was not only the smallest but the youngest. As soon as the music started and I felt Mom take off my halter I took off running! The judges said if I had only trotted just a little bit more I would have place much higher, if not have gotten the blue (first). That gave Mom and I a goal for next year: more trotting!

Saturday I only had one class and that was costume. I was up against a pretty little filly dressed up as a male trainer (yuck!). I'm happy to report that I took first place in my pinata costume! The crowd went wild over me. After the class a few people came up for pictures and just to meet me. All I wanted to do was follow that filly. Even if she was dressed up like a man I was in love! Mom had to ruin my new found love by reminding me about Missy who was waiting for me at home.
On Sunday I didn't have a class so I stayed home while Missy went to show. She had three classes that day: open senior mares under 28", amateur senior mares, and solid colored mares. Mom was showing Missy in the open class and got second place then reserve champion out of all the senior mares. Amanda showed Missy in the amateur class and got first place! Unfortunately Missy wasn't exactly thrilled about showing (she's not like me, she'd much rather stay at home than be in the lime light) so by the time the champion class came around her attitude was sour and she wouldn't put her ears forward for the world. It cost her a championship. Maybe next time Missy! In her color class she placed third, not too bad.

Since the show life at home has been pretty quiet. I've been training and conditioning with Mom but I haven't gone to any more shows. The last show here was an AMHR show. Mom didn't think I had AMHR paperwork and wanted to wait a little longer before hardshipping me into the registry. Turns out that I DO have AMHR paperwork! Mom was updating my breeder on how my show went and discussing future plans to hardship me into AMHR when Janet told my Mom that she had filed the stallion report just didn't finish actually registering me. All Mom has to do is send in the paperwork and I'll be fully registered. This is a huge relief as it wont be even half as complicated to register me now as it would've been to hardship me.

I didn't end up going to the Phoenix Pet Expo, sorry if you were looking forward to seeing me there. Mom's car had been having problems and she didn't want to risk getting stuck far away from home with me. She was keeping my safety in mind, like all good mothers do.

Mom is done with school for the summer, well, save one online class. Next fall she starts her student teaching then she graduates with her bachelors. Until fall comes though her days will be devoted to me. Maybe I'll even get to go to her work again like I've done every summer. I love seeing the kids!

Oh, I also got a twitter so that I can do small updates through out the day or at least during important events like the horse show. Follow me to receive fun updates on my life @thekinson

Well, that's it for now! I promise I wont let Mom keep me from updating for so long again! Until next time, I'm out!

Welcome 2011

Happy New Year! Have you all quit or broken your New Year resolutions yet? Mine was to not bite any more... I broke it within a day, oops! I hope 2011 brings you lots of good luck and happy times, especially with your horses. I know 2011 is bringing me a lot of shows and a lot of training.

When I made the long drive from Wisconsin to Arizona I was in a horse trailer, but I've never ridden in one since. Mom and Amanda were working with Missy on loading into a trailer so I thought I'd go see what all the fuss is about. I hopped right on in with out any hesitation and to my surprise found treats in this wonderful horse box! Of course once I discovered that trailers hide treats I couldn't stay out of there. Mom finally had to lock me up in my stall to get me to stop.

Just before New Year's Eve it snowed in Arizona! Thats right, SNOW! Mom had to remind me what the cold white flakes were. I had seen them back in Wisconsin but had yet to see it out here. Appearently its pretty rare for it to snow in Cave Creek, or anywhere south of Flagstaff, Arizona. It was pretty neat to see snow here, but boy was it cold! That's not me in the picture by the way, that's Boogie Nights-a missouri fox trotter that lives here. But you can see my tarped up stall in the back around. Its officially known as the "Kinsita" in the summer and the "Aquarium" in the winter.

I'm becomming a stallion more and more every day which means Mom is getting more and more strict with her rules and my training is also increasing. I still have my moments though. Last Thursday while Mom was getting Amanda's whip from the car I decided I didn't want to watch Missy work then work myself so I made a run for it. I pulled on the lead rope when Mom was least expecting it, nipped her leg, then slipped right out of her hand and when gallopping up the street. Of course Mom yelled and followed in hot persuit, but I ignored her. I was free! Once I hit a crossroad I decided to take it, and started running towards a major and quite busy street. But my hoof caught my leaprope and that was my downfall. I came to a quick stop, allowing Mom to get pretty darn close to me. I made a mad dash towards her when she called my name again, then, at the last second, veered right and slipped free again! But again that leadrope stopped me. Mom managed to step on it, causing me to stop, then grab the rope. Mom said it was the scariest time in her life, I thought it was a blast! She keeps a lot closer eye on me now. I guess that wont be happening again any time soon.

Check out my tour dates page. I've added all the known stops for 2011. Until next time, I'm out!

Getting There

I think I'm finally getting the hang of this whole setting up thing. I'm not exactly sure why Mom makes me do it but I know how to and that I get a treat after. That's all I care about! Before leaving to go run some errands for the day Mom snapped this picture of me getting into my halter pose. I was sleeping when she came out (full out laying down sleeping) so I was still groggy and tired when trying to set up. I usually do better than this and look a little more lively. The more we practice the better I'm getting and the quicker I can do it too. Of course now I'm certain that every time that some one, be it Mom or another human, stands in front of me I should set up then get a treat. I'm just plain convinced that if I just set up when seeing a human I deserve a treat!! These next couple weeks its more training, more show prepping, and getting my Halloween costume put together. Oh, and of course, lots of pictures of who else but me!

Stay tuned for more, I'm out!,

Back to School

Training officially started yesterday. Today it was in full swing more than ever. I'm exhausted! Through out the day Mom comes out and teaches me various things for 15 to 20 minutes then I get to relax for an hour or two. Its different than last year where I did one or two long sessions a day. I much rather these short sessions. I'm young and can't stay focused for that long! I retain the information much better this way too. Already I've got how to square up down. I may not do it perfectly every time but I'm learning. What I'm really after is the treat I get when I square up just about perfect and cant hold it. I can't get enough treats! Of course now that its show season I'm on a diet so I'm limited in my treats. Sometimes I get these "low fat" ones. Mom can give me more of those than the other kind. I don't notice a big taste difference so I'd rather have more of the low fat kind!

Each day Mom has made a lesson plan for me (is the teacher in her obvious or what?!). We focus on one main thing (today was squaring up) then have breaks of lounging in the round pen. I'm learning and building my up muscles (and trimming my fat!). Another thing Mom is focusing on is in hand trail. She mentioned getting me to pivot and bend my body better. Trail looks like more fun than the stuffy halter classes I'm always entered in. I get to do more than just stand there (that means more treats, right?). I heard that if I compete in trail I get to have a new halter. I love buying new halters and looking my best!

After my training was mostly over for the day (we do a little bit in the evening after Mom gets off work) and Mom was busy doing homework my good buddy, Cody, decided to open our gate and let us into the grassy yard. I knew that he was good for something! It was a good half hour before Mom caught us. I may have to work out extra tomorrow but it was more than worth it!!

I'm out for now!,

  P.S. - Sorry for such an old picture of Cody and I. Mom promises to take a new one!