Stripes and Checks

And on a final note (re: CJ). She is even the fashion police when it comes to PJ's as well.
I really don't see the problem. Checks and Stripes. Who would see me anyway? Well a lot of people now I guess.

It is amazing she did not call these guys!

Day 2 - Bar 4

Do you think we are making Lori nervous that we are steering her youngster astray. Day 2 - Bar 4. Really very little drinking happening. Lovely walk on the shore of Lake Ontario. Shopping for healthy food. Waht trouble could we get into. Happy Birthday Fran. It was a great day.

What we have learned at the horse show so far!

Shelby: "The name of the lake is Lake Ontario." See it is an educational trip.

Shuttle Bus driver is the best free tour of Toronto. A wealth of information.

The famous gate leading into the Royal Winter Fair is actually the "Princes" gate (as in multiple male royals) not the "princess" gate that we all thought it was.

The oldest bar in Toronto was established in 1829 and is called "The Wheat and Sheaf".

And he was also an expert in hotels (did you know the Best Western does not own any of the hotels they are strickly a reservation center?) and had commentary on airlines. Porter Air is in - don't ask him about Air Canada.

We are sure to learn more from this wonderful entertaining fellow this next week.

Talent Squad finals on Friday and Saturday. This is the main ring where all the action takes place.
Ricoh Colesium. We head there early in the morning for a workout. It will be a reasonable 5am start tomorrow.

Little known facts about CJ.

Here is Caroline practising patience while we get Roo settled into his stall. We all know she is very talented in many ways. But danger lurks. We did not know. No one told us......Help!!

This is a warning to all around. Do not step into a revolving door with Mrs. Jones. Her inner devil comes out and she spins it as fast as she can - laughing as she skips away. I almost lost my CET Medal rider.
Then we learn there has been terriflying events as well on the Teacup Ride at Disneyland. Yes I phoned Angelica to confirm.
So for all of you who know the beautiful, talented, calm and generous Caroline - there maybe trouble ahead. A warning to all those in New York in December............Watch out!

Limo Time!

Here is proof that Shelby and I are responsible!!! She is doing homework on the plane!!!

Limo anyone. That's the way to travel girls..............

Toronto Here We Come!

It figures that the first snow storm of the year has to happen the morning we need to leave for Toronto. Long delays in rush hour along with massive amounts of blowing snow - but we all made it there. We definitely deserved our Starbucks this morning. And so did our courageous drivers, Bill and Angelica.

And we were not the only ones getting out of Dodge. We met up with Gail Greenough who was also on our flight. Anne and Mike Reid off to Kelowna (smart people). And my friend from Ottawa Victoria Andrew on her way to Saskatoon (not so smart).

People Say The Darndest Things!

It was an interesting day in horseshow land. It was so quote worthy that we had to start writing them down. Here is a sample:

Sandy on watching her daughter Hailey take a long distance on course. "Ohhh (with a puzzled look) - I don't think I like that one"!

Chantale after watching a child get bucked off in the hitching ring onto the gravel: "I don't understand why people buy their horses dangerous children". Hmm maybe a little mixed up on that one Chantale?

Kate overhearing a man watch the small grey dutch jumping machine: "Ah what a cute little horsey." Then he saw her jump the top of the standards in the 1.15m. "Ohhh she looks a little hard to stay on".

Two little girls outside Tracy's large grey horse Ringtone:
Girl #1: What kind of horse is that?
Girl #2: It is a Shire!
Girl #1: How can you tell?
Girl #2: It has feathers on its legs!
Girl #1: That is silly. Horses don't have feathers. They cannot fly!
Girl #2: Pegasus does!

Anonymous: Some people are alive, only because it is illegal to kill them!

Secret thoughts (possibly of ingate people): "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people."

Secret thoughts of trainers: "Things to do today: 1. Get up. 2. Survive. 3. Go back to bed."

And finally I will leave you someones thought for the day. "I can only please one person a day. Today isn't your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either.

Mexico or Bust!!

As Ali and I are sitting at the airport by the gate for flight to Los Cabos a thought passes through our collective brains. Hmm. Kelowna or Mexico. Kelowna or Mexico. Do you think we would be missed?? Can't the 25 show horses do without us. Hmm.

Reponses from the handful of people I shared this information with:

1. Ohhh go to mexico!!!! Can you imagine the chaos! From Lori

2. Hmmm we could still turn around. The kids could just ad lib.. From Jenn

3. Mexico. I'm sure the parents could help Jenn coach. I'll cover for you two as long as you bring back Pablo the pool boy!! From Steph

4. So tempting! From Katelyn

5. Sarah has friends in mexico we could stay with. From Sarah

6. Oh pick Kelowna honey!!! It's the place to be....... From Caroline (Kelowna horse show manager)

Sad news for us. The sign just changed to Montreal. No Cabos.

p.s. Our companion on the plane (nice guy with great teeth) thinks the Carnival in Jamaica would be a great choice at this time of year. Decisions, decisions.

Uncle Mother Nature. I cry Uncle!

They say that April showers bring May flowers. What do April blizzards bring then? Okay Mother Nature - you have had your fun. My stress level is rising. Last weekend I chuckled as I watched my new neighbor walk around his building site with a shovel looking at his new dugout. I am pretty sure the hole he made was not intended as a watering holding source. Did he not know he bought in a flood zone? Then finally the ill placed culvert the politicians put in the roadway finally started to let water through and yeah we were free of the impending flood disaster. Hmmm. This morning has me stressing about flooding all over again. And I was dreaming of finally getting to ride outside.

I cry Uncle Mother Nature. Uncle!!

The Icicle Circuit.

It is a true statement that when you live in Calgary and you don't like the weather - wait a few minutes and it will change. Okay it is April 2nd and we need it to change for the better. 20cm blowing snow. Ice underneath and we are at a horseshow. Luckily the wonderful RMSJ team allowed us to move in yesterday before the blast. There is soooo much snow now. The melting had better be slow or flooding willl be immense. And why do we live here? The Icicle Circuit is usually only Jan-March. The real question is - who made Mother Nature mad?