Is it just me?

Is it just me or is it tough to find a positive attitude lately? I have to include myself in this diatribe. Its not that I am negative, I just feel incredibly drained and so very tired.
I wonder if we put so much collective energy into pre-election chats, blogs, discussions and personal thoughts that we've created some sort of vacuum. You know what they say about nature and a vacuum.
What are your thoughts focused on lately? Mine have been tuned into the economy and how to successfully work around its worrisome condition.
The news machine is always such a cornucopia of creativity stalling sludge but seems more so lately.
As a former member of the mainstream media and a current member of niche media ... I have to wonder does this much bad news really sell day after day?
All this time I have worked to write uplifting stories and entertaining pieces ... I didn't know that I could have made a million being a harbinger of doom ... dang, I missed my boat.
I don't care, I akin being a newspaper publisher today to being an oncologist. They pass out mostly horrible information and only rarely brighten someone's day. I have never looked at turning someone else's misfortune into a profit machine for myself. I think a lot of people that will ultimately grow rich during this time will be those that don't have a problem with this concept. I like to help people, I have always liked to help people.
That being said new ideas and new dynamic content will grace the HorseSouth website very soon.

Abundant Blessings (and yes, I really mean that)
Tess

The winds of change ... or not?

Wow, what an impressive, historic few days we have had. Sadly, what a bunch of whiners and snobs the collective citizenship has turned into too.
I can't say that I am happy totally about our new direction in this Nation. I don't know how much different I would have felt if McCain, Huckabee or Barr stood in Barack Obama's place Tuesday night.
See, I don't believe who is President will make or break me. I, for sure, believe the office can help or challenge. It remains to be seen what will happen. So until then, lets just roll up our sleeves and get back to work. I mean no disrespect to those that might be out of work with that remark. Until today, my husband, who works for himself was sitting around twitting his thumbs. His work grinded to a halt in anticipation of who would win the election. Fortunately today the phone started ringing and he'll be back out fixing and building things tomorrow. It's a scary time for all of us but what we have to do, in any climate ... be it political or environmental is just figure out how to make the best of it. Because, it doesn't matter how much we worry or rejoice tomorrow will come. Night will fall, the sun will rise and time marches on, we are better off to march with it.
President-elect Obama wrote a book called the Audacity of Hope ... so lets be audacious and HOPE that this man can affect positive change and stand up under the enormous pressure of the burdens this country faces. Let's face it ... both Barack, John and Bob were running for an office that thou prestigious, is a house of cards.

So on to much happier thoughts!

The Equine Extravaganza in VA last weekend was so successful! We were surprised at the great attendance. We expected a good turnout with lower gas prices in the area but we had a steady stream of attendees all three days and had the best Sunday in the history of the event! YAY!
Brock Griffith of NC won the trainer challenge! YAY Brock!
He drew a nice roan colt ... funny to call a 17H sport horse a colt! All of these horses from VA Sport Horses seemed to have a LOT more life in them than the ones in the NC challenge. Brock made consistant steady progress with his colt ... he bucked the saddle on day one and was still rounded in the back on day two. Some saw the "want to" in the horse on day three, but he never bucked and Brock finished the obstacle course with time to spare and threw in some extras at the end. Scott Purdum's horse was full of bucks! Scott really had a challenge and thou he did not win the competition he proved his ability to the crowd beyond the shadow of a doubt and endeared himself to all there. After an extremely frustrating start, in which his horse ... aptly named "Arrive Alive" was very weary of seeing him out of both eyes. On one side or the other, this cute bay colt was a happy camper. But when Scott positioned himself where he could be seen on either side ... the bucking began! It took more time for this colt to come around but on day three - Scott executed a beautiful ride and was so pleased with the horse's trust and acceptance during the obstacle course he became emotional!
Charles Pelham drew a spotted colt that liked to kick! Sort of disrespectful and pushy from the get go - Charles got his colt rode but he never seemed to like it much. Charles, is a great guy and very funny and knowledgeable. Mule Thornbrugh looked to be in the lead after day one. On day two his colt bucked like a rank bronc and put Mule on the ground. Undeterred, Mule climbed back on rode through a good minute or more of bucking and we thought his colt was over it. Day three came and Mule was looking a good. Time for the obstacle course and be it the freedom of having the whole arena, or the crowds near the gate ... or has Mule put it "the good Lord saving him a whole lot of healing". His horse bucked and bawled and was not going to be ridden in the short 10 minutes Mule had to complete the course. In the end, he walked him thru graciously and showed the crowd he was a class act!
Mule was great - all that bucking brought the folks back on Sunday. It's like Nascar - everybody likes a wreck!
Trainer Challenge Judges were HorseSouth's own Ed Dabney. RTTH competitor Tommy Garland and local trainer and longtime horsewoman, former judge and coach Betty Fryer.
I got to spend a little time with Tommy who will be on the cover of our Spring 09 issue just in time for RTTH. I'll be talking to him more in the coming weeks. It was interesting to hear him talk about showing at Richmond Raceway when it was more of a horse facility than a racetrack ...
Ed was there with his daughter Maddie and his junior trainer Daniel. Along with judging he gave several demos and clinics with his mare Sunny. Ed and Maddie were fresh back from Europe teaching cavalry units and teaching French horses the Six Keys to Harmony. You can join Ed on a riding Holiday this coming summer check out his website www.eddabney.com to learn more.
Expos are always exhausting for me, but they are great fun!
til next time
Tess

The power within

I owe Clinton Anderson a debt of gratitude. Sue Vetsch and I met Clinton and his lovely girlfriend Amy for dinner last friday night.
I'd met him before, but not at any length. But my friend Tootie Bland loves him and they are close - so I sort of figured if Tootie loves him ... then so would I.
You'll laugh but we met at the Outback. Yes, I was told that Clinton "loves" Outback. Ironic, I think. But he seemed happy enough to eat there.
What I didn't expect from my meeting was the mental kick in the ass I got. Clinton is 33, I am 37. No one will argue that he is successful. He's still working on a sort of ultimate goal.
He told me that he'd built his life, his career around a book called Psycho-Cybernetics. I had a vague recollection of someone else mentioning that book and only realized later that it was both a man named Dale Calvert and another man you may have heard of named Zig Ziggler.
Clinton didn't gush about the book. He's not a gusher. He is incredibly smart, articulate beyond speaking about horse behavior. He's a smartass "in real life" too, and he's funny. Clinton is charismatic without trying to be.
So anyway he says a few things that resonate with me ... about positive thinking and reacing goals etc. I say some things ... and begin to realize that I am learning from this "interview". We sat at the Outback for a few hours at least, no one bothered us. One couple behind us figured out who he was and very politely introduced themselves.
Clinton explained that he doesn't like to show off and he really enjoys being alone. So much so, that he will go to the movies by himself.
You'll learn more in the winter issue that features him. So subscribe if you want to get that!
So, I bought that book. It's fascinating. A lot of the principles in the book are things that I do already. I found I was good at a lot of the goal setting and even visualization ... but turns out I have a much shittier self-image than I thought I did. Who knew? The premise of this book is that you "if you can concieve, and believe you can achieve BUT you have to be convinced that YOU can get there. See it's easy to set a lofty goal and it's easy to say "one day this or that" but it's HARD to KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that you'll cross the finishline.
I stated to think about myself. Something that as a mom of three, I seldom do. I wondered when my self image slipped into such disrepair. Was it when I gained weight? Is it because I don't earn a lot of money? Is it because I am lousy housekeeper and the kids are constantly running out of clean underwear? Is is because I fell off my horse over a year ago and have only ridden her twice bareback for like 2 minutes each time since ... so now I am a big ol weenie?
Hmmm these things certainly would merit some loss of esteem ...
I used to be uber confident! I always seemed to get what I wanted. Somewhere along the way that stopped happening. In the movie "Hope Floats" Harry Connick Jr.s character tells Bertie (Sandra Bullock) "What happened to you? You used to be ... audacious!" Everytime I watch that movie and hear that line I cringe ... because it's like a slap in the face.
Did everybody used to be audacious and they just quit a little more each year they grow older ... or am I the only one?
I don't know and I don't care ... cuz I ain't sittin here gettin worse NO MORE.
The funny thing is that I knew this stuff all along. I know that your attitude determines your altitude. I know that "whether you think you can or you think you can't ... you are right." I was raised by parents that told me everyday "you can do anything you set your mind to do." There was a very special boy I loved then who helped me to reinforce my worth and capabilities.
I don't know how and when I forgot this stuff.
I listened to my friend Templeton Thompson's song "I remember you" - which says "Oh yeah, I remember you - little girl - big dreams - nothing to loose - pocket full of possibilities - and wings on your shoes. You might not even recognize me now ... but I remember you -

And I thought what would my 16 year old self think of me now? She'd love my horsey career, she'd be appalled that I had three kids (she'd get over it), she'd be thrilled that she had her dream horse and pissed as hell that we don't ride her. She'd march my fat butt to the gym and yell at me until the fat rolled off and then she'd start on my wardrobe. She'd think our husband was cool. And she'd wonder why the world I wasn't wealthy by now. She'd think I was a cop out on many levels. She'd hold my feet to the fire. She was a ball of fire.
She'd be right about a lot of that stuff. But I have learned a thing or five since then and I'd be quick to share it. I'd tell her she's wrong about having kids. Making sure you raise compassionate, generous, goal oriented people to help further the world for the better is the best thing you can do besides further it personally. I'd tell her she was stupid for not listening to our parents. And I'd tell her that horses will always be her friends, and far more loyal than some of the people she tries so hard to please. And I'd tell her to never loose sight of the things that are important to her. To always run that mental movie of her goals and dreams through her head - so she has a clear target for success. I'd insist she not let fear make her decisions. I'd tell her to ask Clinton more about that book and how it helped him and I'd tell her to interview him in 2000 when she started the magazine NOT 8 years later.
What dreams did you give up on - where did you settle. What would your young self think of you now?

Blessings
Tess

Talkin to folks

This has been a week of talkin' to folks.
I've set up my interview with Clinton Anderson later this month so we can finally bring you a cover and feature on the Aussie cowboy. I'll blog a little about it but will save the best for the mag.

I talked to Erik Martonovich from Big Horse Productions www.bighorseproductions.com
yesterday. Erik is a vaulter, roman rider, body builder, fire artist and all around great guy. When not toolin' around on his custom motorcycle, Erik is training with his 9 Belgian draft horses that he and his partners use in the acts they do all around the country. It'll be a great article and Erik is sorta eye candy for the ladies so for once what I write might not be the most important thing!

Also on the agenda for HorseSouth coverage is the Equine Extremist himself ... Tommie Turvey! Tommie loves adventure - whether he is performing to a crowd of thousands, skydiving, or snow skiing he's an active participant in his own life!
Learn about this versitile man and how made a life with horses.

My blogging was interupted by my youngest child Wyatt - which reminds me to tell you that we are back to homeschooling so I may be harder to reach by phone.
It's Romper Room or Captian Kangaroo at my house ... I just keep waitin' for Mr. Green Jeans to come relieve me!

It's fun, it's wild and life is not what I dreamed it would be. BUT I ain't complainin' - I am grateful this day for my blessings.

Hopin' you are too!

Tess

The NC Equine Extravaganza

We are back! Actually we've been back since Monday evening!
The Extravaganza, despite the economy was successful. I would like to know from you readers what compells you to attend an expo and what keeps you from it.
It's so hard to read the minds of America's horse owners.

So Brock Griffith won the trainer challenge. He easily had the most outwardly difficult horse. Very herd bound and initially very untrusting. Brock was admittedly nervous but still got the colt on his side and made friends. One heck of a nice guy ... we will look forward to seeing him compete in the finals in VA.

Gilbert Gonzoles from our home state of GA was very impressive. I would encourage anyone near him in Dearing,GA to send horses or take lessons from him. This is the first trainer challenge I've ever seen a clinician use long reins. Smart man, that Gilbert! Love that Texas twang too.

Phil Rogers was extremely successful at getting his horse to hook on to him. He explained the concept of getting the horse to let go ... something that Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance promoted. Phil's demonstration of this was very inspiring to watch. His respect of masters like Tom and Ray was apparent and appreciated.

Julie Goodnight moderated the challenge and I judged along with Scott Purdum, Lynn Palm and Sylvia Scott. It was an honor to sit with such a great panel of judges. To discuss the in's and out's of training with pros like them and to see what we agreed and disagreed on was really interesting.

more later!
T

The slaughter debate

People keep asking me ... Tess what do you think about horse slaughter? Recently a man said he wouldn't subscribe to my magazine unless I revealed my mystery opinion on the issue of slaughter.
My opinion is no mystery ... I hate the idea of killing a horse, any horse, in any way. Sometimes we have to "put down" our horses. I've lost two personally in the last 5 years. One we were able to have a vet give a shot and the other ... we couldn't get the vet out in time to ease suffering so we took care of it ourselves. Not me, my husband ended the life of our sweet Tosca with a single bullet to her head then he prompty threw up his lunch. It's not pretty, its not neat and you can't tie it with a bow ... EVER! Slaughter is an easy way out for some, not only will they get a little money for their horse but they can wash their hands of the situation. I guess some people can erase it from their minds too. I can't. I couldn't, I wouldn't.
So, is there a humane way to slaughter horses? ... probably. Are there other solutions? ... sure, why not.
Whether or not we have a slaughter house in the US won't matter to my horses. But it'll matter to a lot other horses that aren't just no-count old swaybacked nags. I don't take the position that any horse that doesn't have a good quality of life health wise should linger on year after year. In fact, we waited too long to have Rhett our TN Walker that came from Cheryl Flanagan's rescue Savethehorses.org put down. He was so arthritic he could barely walk and supplements were no longer helping him. Right before winter he laid down and wouldn't get up ... as if to say, I am done. I held his head in my lap, I sang to him and fed him sweet feed and sugar water in an effort to change his mind but he wouldn't get up. It was time for him to go.
Is slaughter a neccessary evil? I think it only seems like that now. I think when times are hard in the horse industry there are those that miss the easy money of the killer buyer. Granted, a lot of times that money went to buy feed for the other horses still at the barn. I think it's hard for folks to absorb the cost of disposing of a horse that they would have sold for slaughter - especially when they may need to spend that money on hay. Economically, it's easy to see why folks are upset! Ah, but people like me - we aren't being reasonable, right.
Generally I am pretty reasonable, ask anyone who knows me.
I don't picket for the feelings of fish and if someone wears fur, sorry it doesn't offend me. It doesn't make me jealous either. I just don't see a horse any different from a dog. I wouldn't take my dog to the slaughter house and sell her for a buck a pound (granted she only weighs 50lbs). I guess there are horses that I didn't bond with ... one that bit me a long time ago ... I try hard to be objective and think about a horse that I had no emotional attachment to. But my mind wont work that way ... I know that horse that bit me was sold to a lady and her little boy and he was loved and cared for.
So my opinion, I wouldn't slaughter my horse or sell it for slaughter. But I wouldn't take any of my horses to a sale either. But that's just me! Not everyone has the same resources and not everyone is so emotionally attached. I can live with that. But I can't condone the way horses where slaughtered in this country or any other. I honestly don't know if I can condone it at all.
That's my truth ...
I also think that a real solution has to be found if slaughter is resended it will not empty out the rescues. FOlks will go back to saving horses from slaughter ... those numbers will not change. A large part of this industry is based on profit and that's fine. We just have to get it all out on the table and figure out solutions for all the problems that plague this industry. We are so scattered and niched off we can't even agree on what type of saddle to use or what method of training works best ... perhaps it is wishful thinking to even state that we need to work together to solve this obvious problem.
But I don't think so. Maybe this is the issue that will finally unite horse owners - because I think the vast majority of us have a genuine love for the horse.

That's my 2 cents - no solution - just my scattered opinion (sorry for the rambling, I am taking some pain medication!)

Tess

Going green ... one step at a time

At the end of this month I am attending a conference in North Carolina, hosted by one of the only certified "green" printers in America.

As a magazine publisher, I have always been conscious of the amount of paper and waste I create by printing HorseSouth. This is why it is extremely important to me that HorseSouth always has excellent, original and quality content. If I reprinted articles or syndicated articles ... I am wasting valueable paper and killing even more trees. I have turned down distribution house's offers to mass distribute HorseSouth to Barnes & Noble and grocery chains across America. Why? Because the resale rate on the magazine stands of America is less - actually WAY less than 10%. I've never been able to live with the thought of that much waste. Yes, those extra zines are recycled. BUT you should smell my house when the new magazines come in. A part of me loves the smell of fresh printing but I know it's harmful to the environment and even my own body.

Don't get me wrong. I am not fanatical about too much (except visible ear wax in my children's ears!!) I won't be fanatical about going green, I will not likely become a vegan, I'll probably still use dryer sheets. But I am growing a garden, I am recycling, reusing and rethinking the way I do things. One of the things I am rethinking is how I care for my own horses. I have been researching for a new article called My Big Green Barn ... which compounds on the wild horse model and introduces green living principles to the barnyard. Here's small example. On Friday I have "Patch", our paint horse (who is 80% white) a bath. I used Baking Soda, Glycerin and Lemon juice and warm water to wash him. It was going to rain in about an hour ... so i didn't waste water to rinse him off. Before he rolled ... MAN he was white! Even his tail and mane! I dumped the bucket and for once didn't feel bad about it. No detergents, no grass killing! Why hasn't that been a clue for us in the past ... where ever we dump the wash water ... the freakin grass dies!! DUH

Another one of those things I am changing is the way HorseSouth is printed. Right now, we print about 56,000 copies of the magazine. All but about 800 copies are "consumed". Meaning 24,000+ are mailed to someone on request or subscription order. The rest go to nicer tack and feed stores all over the country. Of those, my reports tell me that there is almost NEVER a single copy left.

But, I have to look at it this way. Giving 28,000+ copies away doesn't help me pay the considerable printing bills that go with having the magazine. Yes, people do subscribe because of it but not in the appropriate ratios. I love for people to enjoy it. I hope when they are finished they recycle it ... but I can't gaurantee that. SO - I am looking at moving to printing on recycled paper, and printing less copies to give away.

Recently, I've registered a new domain name that will center around taking care of our horses and our barnyard environment in a green and natural way. I'll be working on this site, with the help of a few key people and I hope we can make an impact together.

Stacy on Ellen, Tommy coming back to RTTH in 09

Wow, what a day for horses!
Many of you know that 06 Road to the Horse Champion and awesome horsewoman (in fact one of HorseSouth's top 4 most influential horsewomen in America!) was on the Ellen Degeneres show TODAY! Visit Ellen's website to watch the video of Stacy and Ellen riding Roxy!
Looks like Tootie granted Tommy Garland's request and he will be back to compete at the 09 Road to the Horse! Go Tommy ... he is a superlative competitor!
Look for a cover feature on Tommy in an upcoming issue of HorseSouth!

I spent yesterday meeting Richard Matthews .... Richard is a horseman based in Winder, GA. At first glance Richard strikes you as the consumate southern gentleman with a love for horses ... but stick around a while.
Richard is both a cutting horse and a dressage enthusiast. Yep, you read that right!
I'll be posting some video and pics here tomorrow so you'll believe me.

For now here are some pics of Tommy from Road to the Horse

VSE - Very Small Equines needed!

Great Oaks Horse Driving Trial
26-27 April 2008
Great Oaks Farm
2836 Mt. Carmel Rd, Newnan, GA

Saturday: Dressage and Cones, starting around 9am
Sunday: Marathon, starting around 9am

VSE (this means lil bitty horses ( Very Small Equine) , Pony and Horse
Single, Pairs, Multiples
for entree information
Contact Mary Deatherage
deatheragem@bellsouth.net or mary.deatherage@us.army.mil

H: 256-964-1999; W: 256-313-5344; C: 256-698- 9202

Spectators are Encouraged and Welcomed!
Free Admission!
Food Available for Lunch

Y'all give it a try!!

Here I am with Chris just after he got his $10K for winning! That's Brenda Wright from Hoofbeats standing next to me. You can see Kent just behind me. All around us are the other sponsors. Kathy from Valley Vet, Rocky with Rockin J Horse Stalls, The Wick Building folks, WW Livestock Equipment, Horse and Rider and tons more.

Karen took this just as the winner was announced right before Chris threw his hat in the air!

Chris rode his colt during the freestyle portion of the competition with a little AC/DC music! I think it was "Hell's Bells" only the intro thou.

It's Chris ... again!!!

I am going to have to rethink this whole getting to know the clinicians thing I have been doing. Honestly when Chris stood on his horse during the second day of RTTH all I was thinking ... is "GET DOWN from there." He kept himself safe, as did Tommy when he too stood on his horse.
If I were a judge at this year's event, I would still be sratching my head for a clear winner. Chris has amazing work ethic and I think of everything he did the most impressive was during the obstacle course - his horse got away from him after a bit of arena sking the colt was loose in the arena. Chris told the crowd he'd use the moment as an opportunity. He did! Wow ... in less than a minute using only body posturing he had the horse back and bridled. It was amazing.
About his win, Chris told me "I worked my butt off" ... and he did. He never stopped, some felt he was more aggressive than they usually see him. I didn't have a chance to ask him to respond to that. Knowing Chris ... I feel like he'd say what he did the first day and that was he was doing what was best to get that particular colt broke.
One of my most favorite trainers competing was Ken McNabb. Ken and his wife DeeDee are just the nicest people. There boy's Curt & Trent played with my boys Wade and Wyatt til Friday night when my kids left to visit their uncle in Lynchburg.
Ken drew such a nice horse. A top pick among spectators! He was a slow starter and spooky but Ken pulled out the obstacle course like a true champion. I loved that Ken talked his horse thru all the obstacle course (as did Mike Kevil). I couldn't have been more proud to know Ken McNabb and of his performance if he were my brother.
Mike Kevil I think displayed the most consistant techniques, he was quiet and calm even with his colt bucked like a rank bronc he just pulled him out and completed the course with style, grace and humor. He said his colt was like a diesil - slow to start. So I'll forever think of that colt as "Diesil".
Tommy Garland has so much postive energy it radiates out of the round pen and into the crowd. It's no wonder he is an arabian trainer ... not too many other trainers have that same spirit and exuberance as the world's oldest breed. At one point on day one ... Chris and Tommy were laying on their horse's back at the same time. To me it raised the level of intensity and made the crowd's heart skip a beat to know how close the contest was actually going to be. Interestingly, there was no real rivalry like last year between Chris and Clinton ... but the competition was much more fierce.
I told Tootie I thought it was the best one yet. I do think because it was so close and even Chris said he didn't know he won until it was announced that a lot of folks will be yammering for a rematch of these four.
Congrats to Chris ... I'll bet it'll be a good week at the Double Diamond C this week!

Til next time!
Tess

Road to the Horse Day 1

One of my most favorite parts of Road to the Horse every year is when the clinicians do their introductory rides.
We were not disapointed this year!
Tommy Garland rode a beautiful white arab in probably THE most tricked out show saddle I've ever seen to Brad Paisley's "She's everything to me". It was a beautiful ride. Ken McMabb jumped his horse through a ring of fire! Mike Kevil raised the bar high and quite possibly changed the RTTH logo when he got his horse to stand all 4 feet on a pedastal and then proceded to stand ON HIS HEAD!! ( well, his shoulder but STILL!)Mike's a funny guy. Chris Cox came out on Pepto with no bridle and rode to a montage that included the "Snowy River" theme and "Unchained Melody". It was a gorgeous ride, completely inspiring.
This year the clincians talked a bit during their rides, which seemed different to me.
The competition -

First the remuda was presented and this year, my LORD the horses were just beautiful. Palominos, light buckskins, a bay roan, a jaw dropping grey ... I think even the sorrels were duns.
Tommy chose the #1 horse, one of the light buckskins. Actually, I am not sure on the color because they are so light. Then Ken chose horse #3 - a horse colored like Tommy's, Chris chose a smallish sorrel horse with really unusual face markings. Very cute lil guy!! Mike chose a dappled palomino ... the horses being more colorful really changed things up this year.
The round pens were set and the boys went to work!! It's early to tell but here is a quick run down.
Chris and Tommy saddled and rode their horses. They both got all three gaits ... I am not sure if Tommy got his in both directions. He told me that his colt was a little one sided. Chris described his horse as "threatened" but not fearful and said he'd get over it just fine. Tommy's horse bucked a bit and Chris' liked to kick out in the same spot but rode on through it. Mike didn't saddle his horse, roped him pretty quick in and said his strategy was just to get as much in as he could - where ever possible. He said it was not his goal to ride on the first day.
Ken McNabb has a bit tougher horse ... but the horse is hooked on to him emotionally even if he is fearful and spooky or skittish. Ken told us after the end of this session that if he had it to do over again he would have roped this colt right away.
He admitted that it felt like a pressure cooker in the pen. Mike and Tommy both commented on how its difficult to know from one moment to the next what's going to happen and how to best approach for the colt to understand more easily.

My opinion - this RTTH first day is the most intense one I've been to. All four of these guys have MONSTER work ethic and they never ceased working. Chris and Tommy were laying across the backs of their colts at EXACTLY the same time. It lent to the "heat" of the moment. I asked Chris if he thought the bar had been raised this year ... he didn't think so. I think Chris' work ethic dictates that he totally zones in on his colt and the task at hand. He said he did what was best for his colt at the time ... which knowing Chris ... I don't doubt one bit. But sometimes at RTTH what the crowd and spectators percieve to be happening or not happening is deceptive. There are a lot of finite details that we/ I miss or don't even understand. It's not like watching baseball or football were you can know the game and root for the team. Horse training is so individual ... for the horse ... for the trainer ... for the conditions that even if you are a horse trainer yourself or an expert it's impossible to see everything that these guys are accomplishing in the jam packed hour.

Oh, my party went well. I'll post pics when I get home ... maybe tomorrow sometime. We have tons to go thru. I have to admit I was a bit star struck myself to have in one room ... Larry Mahan, John, Josh and Jody Lyons,Chris, Ken, Mike, Tommy,Miss Tootie too and SO many more. Templeton and Sam sang and were beyond awesome as always!! I sang one song and Ed Dabney recited some cowboy poetry for me.

We had a blast! Missed y'all!

Til later ...
Tess

The Road to the Horse Countdown

It's Thursday night ...

We spent all day at the Miller Collesium in Murfreesboro. Sittin' up our little table. Gettin' the smoker set up for our BBQ tomorrow.
Good Lord but does Tommy Garland have a fabulous looking horse! A white Arab who's tail drags the ground.
Ken McNabb was riding a gorgeous black horse tonight. There was some interview stuff going on. The mystery clinician will remain a mystery until ... well until it ain't no more.
Chris and Pepto looked awesome as always.

Ah y'all ... it's quiet. The kids are worn out and snoozin. Even Kent is snorin ...
I am trying to repair some software on this laptop and thought I'd chat with ya for a bit.

It's hard to tell who is going to pull it out this year. When I visited with Chris back in Jan. I told him that it seemed like he had the most, and most practical experience to win again. He scoffed at the idea that it was a shoe-in for him and quickly told me that the other competitors were all good hands - some he knew better than others. I think Tommy has more up his sleeve than a lot of people will assume he has. I think Ken, too is a strong contender. No doubt Chris Cox is an expert horseman - he has the skill and more importantly, the work ethic to get it done again. Our mystery guy ... all I can say about him without somebody stringin' me up is that he knows horses.

More later guys - I need sleep

T

Snowin' in Tennessee

Hey y'all. Sittin at the plum swanky new Hampton Inn in Murfreesboro. Had to get here early because we are having a VIP party friday night at Road to the Horse. We wanted to have awesome food so we hauled our friend Trip Bellinger's big ol smoker up here to cook up a mess of Boston Butts, Baked Beans and the fixins.

It oughta be yummy!

It's been a whirlwind week ... on Monday I picked up my buddy Vicki in Atlanta and we went back over to the Atlanta Market ... oh first we ate at the Varsity. Which is always good, but never really good for you. I had Wyatt with me, but at only 4 years old he had no clue how iconic the place is.
I was thrilled at the market to quite accidentally run in to old friends Lamar and Susan Green of Tumbleweeds Leather. We lost Lamar and Susan to the call of the wild west for several years. Lamar's ailing parents dictated that they return to Georgia if only for a little while.
It was really funny ... actually. Wyatt was upset at the market show because I couldn't really buy him anything. People just were not selling samples. So I gave him the camera and told him to take pictures. This occupied him nicely while Vicki and I talked with Kelly Herd ( think jewelry!!). I saw a pretty brunette lady sitting in a rustic booth filled with colorful boots and told Wyatt to go ask if he could take her picture. When he spoke to her, I recognized her voice! It was Susan!
She and Lamar still make incredible saddles and leather goods but they are the new south eastern rep for Jurassic Boots! We spent most of the rest of the time at the show chatting with them. I love this business, it's full of my favorite people.
Susan and Lamar cooked cowboy style for us some years ago. Susan made buscuits in a dutch oven ... you know in a hole in the ground over coals. I have a 95 year old grandma that makes awesome buscuits but Susan's dutch oven buscuits where so good that my mouth is watering now ... I ate those buscuits at least 7 years ago!

Oh, I totaled my Tahoe monday night ... I am ok. The deer I hit, well sadly, he didn't make it. I am bummed about my car. I love that ol ragged out Tahoe. But the good news is that we are getting a new truck. A Dodge 2500 - 4x4. Really this is Kent's new truck. But seeing as how my Tahoe will be gone :( ... I'll be driving it for a while anyway. I guess when I do get something, I'll look for something with better gas mileage than my ol girl. With a V8 Vortec 350, she sure could scoot but you could almost see quarters and dollar bills coming out of the tail pipe and then bursting into flames as she went.

I'll start blogging about Road to the Horse tomorrow. Everyone will be setting up their booths and getting ready for Friday.

Till then,

Tess

The Atlanta Market

Hey y'all,

I am back from a day at the Atlanta English & Western market. WEA is a show put on for retailers by Roger Tully.
I thought it was an excellent show and was happy to see some English folks doing well and taking orders at what is usually percieved to be a predominantly western market.
My favorite stuff at this market is the awesome awesome clothing line presented by the great ladies at Cowgirl Tuff !! If you have not seen their stuff, you've got to go to the website ... if your tack store doesn't carry it ASK for it by name!
http://www.cowgirltuff.com
A new line I hadn't seen before is Cowgirl Justice ... loving it too!! Google em, I am gonna.

I met Miss Anne who represents Kippy's ... Kippy's boots are to die for. No other term but simply fabulous! Kippy's is high end, it's splurge certainly. But Kippy's is to a horse girl what Jimmy Choo is to the New York fashionista!

Moss Brothers t-shirts ... you know them as No Bull, Cowboys and Cowgirls Unlimited ... you'll love the new designs this year. Funny, quaint and totally wearable art.

Got an awesome candle from Country Mills. Mine totally smells JUST LIKE a Honeydew Melon. Sue Vetsch, Hannah Campbell and Christy Legg went along with me today we had a blast!

Probably headed back tomorrow. It's always cool because you see the people behind the companies. You hear the stories and you learn to appreciate that everyone has worked for the success they have.

It's fun to see friends ... Leisha from Alamo Saddlery, Darryl from Sabona and cool to find new ones ... check out Carroll Leather Co. Great people and GORGEOUS furniture for the horse / western lifestyle enthusiast!

More later ...
Tess

No .. I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth ... yet!

Howdy y'all ...

I know it's Feb. and I haven't posted a blog in forever. 20 lashes with a wet noodle for me!
So what's happening?
We are preparing for our VIP party at Road to the Horse next weekend. Pretty stoked about that.
Made a new horsey friend ... which is my most favoritest thing about the magazine. Jamie Massey is a morning DJ on 94.9 The Bull. That's a country station in Atlanta that ROCKS. Jamie works with Cletus T. Judd. She is such a horsey girl ... we are doin' an interview and pictorial for the next issue. Y'all are gonna love her. She's more worried about her horse bein fuzzy and dirty than she is herself ... which to me is the ultimate testament to having the horse disease so far gone, there ain't no cure. Here's to Jamie's photoshoot where "Demure" looks like a Rockstar and Jamie looks like the rest of us ... dirty shoes, grimmy fingernails, hay in the hair and a goofy grin that says "I love horses more now than I did when I was 6!"
Ride on cowgirl, ride on!
K- went to Texas back in Jan. Stayed at Chris' (Cox ) one night. Almost got paintballed right when I got there. Silly boys! Chris got engaged to Barbara. Sorry girls! Barb is really really nice, so there will be no hating her for snagging one of the last single - good looking cowboys. Besides, she says he's pretty grumpy in the morning anyway! Just kidding. Chris' place is nice y'all. Pretty sprawling but it is Texas. Loved meeting Barb's folks and the CCHC staff. Kacy, Brenda, Kelly, Diane ... awesome ladies. Mike and Crystal too. Had a ball! Dang it was cold thou!
Cooked everybody lunch before I left - spaghetti carbonara. Thanks for puttin me up Chris ... and puttin up with me!
Headed from there to Noodle Texas ... yep Noodle.
Tootie Bland that produces Road to the Horse lives in Noodle. But Noodle is a 4 way stop with a closed down Cotton Gin ... that's all. Wade (oldest boy) asked me if I was seeing any tumbleweeds ... not till I got to Noodle.
Tootie lives in this pretty rock house that blends so well with the big flat pastures and cattle that dot the landscape. It looks solid, not big but substantial. Tootie's creativity was apparent even in the cold washed out colors of a Texas winter. Colorful tiles along the path up to the covered porch.
Tootie likes bright colored fancy cowboy boots, she's been wearin' wild ones since before she could walk. Her house is a total reflection of that personality. It's alive with her personality ... but sad with her loss. In her office is a huge wall covered with photos of Steven ... her sweet hubby that "left" (he passed away a couple years ago, suddenly and unexpectedly) ... the long landscape out the windows seem to suggest he'll be riding back up anytime. I've wished for a lot of things in my life but if I could wish something and have it come true, I'd wish Steven Bland would ride down out of the clouds and pick his tiny blonde wife up in his arms and made her whole again. Somethings you just can't understand or rationalize no matter how hard you try. Somethings, just ain't damn fair.
I'll be writing about Tootie and Steven and their life in the next issue of HorseSouth. It's our 8th Anniversary ... don't miss it. It'll be the best one yet!
The first time I talked to Tootie I knew right off that she'd be one of those people that you stay up late listening to tell these amazing and captivating stories. I was right. We sat by the fire and laughed and cried and laughed at the fact that we were crying. When I was growing up I was always better friends with boys that girls. I think it was because the girls I knew in school ... weren't cowgirls!
Sending you happy thoughts Tootie ... I love ya!

Y'all go to bed ... it's late!

Tess