Climate change is an ominous threat, but these warm December days are a treat. For those of us with a short horizon, we enjoy these lovely days, but worry for descendants of this era.
Saturday began with the “scatter hound”, Cedar, and her friend, Tom Morris on the way to the barn to turn out horses. A cat food scatter is a guarantee, and a motivator to join me at the barn.
“Good morning, cat” 
“We need to get to the barn for cat food!” 
Marmalade does not approve of interspecies friendships!
In the barn, Cora watched the cat food scatter from the tack room window. It was a frosty start, but became a beautiful day.
Cora 
Oisin 
Bart 
Stone
Our friend, Brett, notified us that he was going to try a horse at the horse show. Seemed a good excuse to have some fun, so Jane and I went up to the NEC to watch, where the Christmas season was part of the Saturday show. It was “ugly Christmas sweater day”.
In the lobby, The Tack Trunk is set up with wonderful Christmas presents for riders. Louie, the senior Bichon Frise mascot manager, greets customers.
Lauren and Elaine at the prize tent 
An unknown horse is embarrassed 
“This is my trainer!?” (Kris and Anne) 
Maura and Louie 
This is what we came to see – Brett on a lovely gray mare
Louise was also in the Christmas spirit, and Encore had a beautiful Christmas mane braiding, which was pictureworthy. We did not stay for the classes, but Louise finished on a high note, with a blue ribbon. She had to return to Kansas City today to see Jackson Browne and James Taylor. I’m jealous.
A mane becomes a Christmas work of art 
Louise and Encore
Back home, Roscoe came to the barn to help me with evening chores. He stopped for a bit of cat yoga on the way.
Roscoe is very Zen
And suddenly, it was Sunday. The birds are beginning to flock to feed on the back porch, but I have not seen any exotic characters yet. Today was a bit sad, with not one, but two bird strike fatalities against the porch windows. We lost a cardinal and a goldfinch. RIP little birds. They went to the Between Woods for recycling. Seems appropriate.
Downy woodpecker 
Black capped chickadee reminds me to fill the water bowl 
A long reach for a drink! 
Tufted titmouse 
Goldfinches 
Goldfinches and a cardinal 
Cardinal departure 
Late afternoon goldfinches
The horses had a vacation weekend, but there was much romping today. They are getting plenty of exercise.
All of a sudden, it’s time to run 
“Keep together now!”, says Bart 
This is Harry’s quiet trail horse! 
Stone can jump, which means he can buck 
Oisin and Stone jump for joy 
Bart is so beautiful! 
Oisin needs a better groom 
An impromptu race 
Bart lines everybody up 
“OK – heads UP!!”
Harry has been perfecting his work in the studio this weekend. Mistletoe is his constant companion. Weedy is always nearby, too, except when he is off in the woods adventuring.
Harry in black and white 
Mistletoe is always gray
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Yippeeee! Thanks for sharing
Peace
Oh dear! Louie is a Bichon Frise. And a cute one at that.
Oh, lord, Janis! It’s so funny you mention that – I had just come to the post to change it, realizing suddenly me error. Thanks for the correction – always glad to fix these senile errors!
Happy days at Bronze Fox Farm, horses racing, cats doing yoga, and Cedar and Tom on the prowl for cat scatter, who could ask for better days? Well maybe the horse with the rider on her cell phone. Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve made an old lady, old horsewoman snipe.
Action pictures of those three horses are extraordinary!
It is awesome to see the lovely picture of Lauren and Elaine, Lauren is a true inspiration & so is Elaine.
My mares now go out all day together(!!) but no playing like that is allowed 🙂