One of my fall & winter projects is helping to get a local Mounted Shooting club organized and operating. If you go on facebook, look for 'Malibu Ranch Cowboy Mounted Shooters'. Our info is on that page, and soon we will have membership forms, CSA membership forms, ( CSA is the Cowboy Sports Assoc.- this is the group we will be affiliated with. ) info on practices, clinics and matches.

Here is some info from the CSA website;

"The Cowboy Sports Association (CSA) was formed to promote the sport of mounted
shooting by working to fulfill the needs of individual affiliates and members. The
guidelines were created to help maintain a safe environment and keep the sport
consistent. Individual affiliates may add to these guidelines to fit the personality of their
matches. It is recommended that any additional rules and guidelines, such as dress
code, be included on any event informational materials so all competitors will be aware
of additions to these rules and guidelines."

We've had an outpouring of interest in this and I'm looking forward to getting things up and running.

Today is farrier day at the Ranch and John has a pretty good list to work on. Tomorrow Julie will head to a 'show', She is doing a freestyle dressage test on Cowboy, in costume!! Her routine is fantastic, and I know she will do great. Sunday the girls have planned a fun day here at the Ranch. Extreme Cowboy Race- in costume!



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Here's a few pics from Nationals.


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It's been another hectic week, but also a productive one. Last Friday ( and yesterday ) I trailered the Nat's horses over to Malibu Dude Ranch to school them. ( Four more weeks and we'll be in Kentucky! ) We got in a very good Mounted Shooting practice, had several other horses and people in attendance. Last Friday was also farrier day, got back from Malibu and stayed down at barn for a few hours until John had finished up. Saturday we finished up getting in the second cutting at Michele's, Sunday I went on a hay run and then did stuff around the house. Monday I left the ranch early to go on a dentistry call, then we tried out Jim's new truck, took the white trailer to pick up a new training horse. ( a lovely young TB filly that will be at RO-NO for a few months training ) The only drawback- the wiring on the white trailer is shot- Rob, Jim and Jeff have been working on it every day- totally re-doing the wiring. Wednesday, in addition to regular chores and training, I had a 'to-do' list that was a mile long- and I did get to most of it. Yesterday I left early with horses, off to school at Malibu and do some of their herds teeth. This morning I'm off to pick up a round bale for the brood mares and yearlings, then off on a sawdust run. Then Lori and Tappy will be arriving ( yeah! ) Saturday I'll head to LAQH to see some of the Western Double Point NPHA Show, then will run do a quick errand or two in Honesdale, then back to the Ranch to work with Alaina and Jose.

Sunday Rob and I will get all of the haying equipment parked together and tarped. We leave early Monday morning to the hospital- Rob's surgery to repair/replace his torn ACL is early- he'll be laid up for quite awhile recovering from this surgery :( Not looking forward to it, but at least eventually his knee should be good again.

I know I've been lacking in my posts on the blog. For those of you who facebook, please go on my RO-NO Ranch page, I tend to be on there much more, and have lots of updates and pics.


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Getting ready to hit the road for a day trip to West Virginia. Margi, a Paso Fino mare that has been at RO-NO for several months of training, is due to go home. She has turned into a very enjoyable trail mount and she will be missed, but it's great to be sending her home for her owner to enjoy.

RO-NO's Absolute will soon be moving as well. Congrats to Cheryl M on her new acquisition. Al will be a great partner for you and we wish you many Happy Trails!

Here is a pic of Gavin under saddle. He is coming right along in his training. Kenny did a great job getting him going under saddle and I'm really looking forward to seeing what this young gelding has to give us.

Mounted Shooting practice went well yesterday- and tomorrow we'll get to have a bit more advanced practice- we're off to Malibu Dude Ranch for some schooling.


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August is winding down. As I sit here in the kitchen this morning on the computer
, we have the door open and there is a cool breeze coming in through the screen. There are leaves being blown off of some of the trees, and it's cool enough out that it is making me thing of fall. Many of the local fairs have come and gone, and I've yet to make it to any of them. GDS starts today, maybe I'll get a chance to take the boys.

Dan Podwika and his family did get to enjoy the Harford Fair to its fullest. Dan had asked several months ago if he could borrow Sebastian, an 18 year old Paso Fino horse that is 'retired' here at RO-NO. Sebastian is an old pro- he's done shows and parades and fairs for a long time, and he is still the picture of vibrancy and health. Dan called daily with reports on how he and Sebastian were doing at the show, and it was always so good to hear from him- due in part to how happy he sounded at having such a fun and enjoyable horse at the fair.

Today I'll help down at the barn for a bit in the morning, then have to hook up the 2-horse and head out. I've several dentistry stops to make, and then I have to mini horses to pick up for a client. Tomorrow is mostly work at the barn, Thursday I will head south with Margi. She goes back to her family in West Virginia- she's been here for several months and we are so pleased with how she has done while she was here. I got to trail ride her the other day and she was just a joy. Friday Robbie and I, and perhaps a few others, will head to Malibu Dude Ranch to school Nationals horses and to get in some Mounted Shooting Practice.

Had a long time acquaintance stop by yesterday to try out some Pasos. She had a good time, and she fell in love! If all goes well, she'll soon have a new Paso in her barnyard. RO-NO's Absolute has always been such a joy to be around, and she will be a great mom for him.

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Another busy week behind us, with another starting tomorrow. On Thursday I trailered 4 horses over to Malibu Dude Ranch to school them. JQ and Pastor- as I want to get them into rings away from home as much as I can before Nationals, and Calif and Cardillo- same reason- and also because the folks ( and horses ) at Malibu aren't bothered by the mounted shooting that I need to do with these two studs. My plan is to head over there once a week to practice until it's time to head to Nationals.
Thursday also was farrier day here at RO-NO. John had a full days work, and all went smoothly.

Friday was work as usual- people were in and out of here all day long, and it was a good, productive day. Saturday morning I headed out and did teeth in the morning, then harnessed up Calif and drove him for a bit- with Hunter as my passenger. Also rode the new Paso mare who likes to run the barrels. In the afternoon Robbie and I hopped in the truck and headed to Malibu's Rodeo. Robbie has really enjoyed his duties there working, he has been given more and more to do- and I was slightly on the edge of my seat watching as my son would reach in as each bull came back into the chutes after un-seating their riders , to reach in to remove their flank straps. I was glad when that was done!

Today-( my day off ) consisted of the usual housework, loading up most of the rest of the manure pile that we are trying to get moved ( I did most of it on Saturday- ) transporting it in the dump trailer to a farm nearby who is using it in their landscaping, moving the hay wagon to ( and from ) where Rob was haying, ( we now have a lovely half wagon full of second cutting sitting in our indoor ), giving Hunter a mini-riding lesson on Jack ( he looks very cute in his helmet- trotting Jack around the round pen )  then back to the house to start dinner. Hmm...I think working tomorrow may be easier than my day off!

Here is a pic of one of Coloso's babies who I recently bought- ( I picked up his full brother as well- both are lovely- they are very well bred with strong potential to be Performance.)

                               

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Pulled a late night last night. Worked all day, left in the late afternoon with a load of hay for Rosanne. Went from there down to Maryland to pick up two sale Paso mares. Both are really sweet, a three year old filly who is well trained. She is quiet on the trails ( you can pony your dog off of her ) goes through water, will go out on her own. She is very well bred and very well gaited, and would be great in the show ring as well as on the trails. ( asking $1650 for her )  The other is a super cute pinto paso mare. She is 11 and loves to run barrels and other gaming patterns and is just an all around fun mount. Really awesome little mare. ( $1650 for her as well )

Our yearling colts are all doing well. We led Scotty and Spoc out to a turnout yesterday afternoon for a bit and Hannah got a pic of them romping.

Today we're just getting lots of riding/training done. Hope to get some mounted shooting practice in later this week as well.



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Here's what you will see when you first pull up to the Ranch. We've a few other improvements in the works, and it is nice seeing them in place.

Rob is off to Michele's getting the last of her hay done. We had several more wagons delivered yesterday and the crew got them put up in the loft, which is now pretty much full. We'll end up putting our second cutting on the loft floor. Been a few years since I've had the barn so full and its a good feeling.

We've been busy getting all of the paperwork ready to go for Nationals. It is amazing the amount needed for six horses, pages and pages of the stuff. I'll get it all shipped off to Robin R.'s tomorrow, as we will be stalled with her again this year. Looking forward to the time we will spend in Kentucky. The Horse Park is a great facility, very horse friendly, and we have an excellent group of horses and people going along. I've decide to 'brush the dust' off of my cart and take Calif into Driving class again. Harnessed him up and drove him the other day with Hannah and he was great. Such a good boy.
                                                         

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Lots of goings on at the Ranch. We're still putting in hay, and just the day to day business of running the farm and working the training horses is keeping us very busy.

Robbie and Pam attended a Craig Cameron Clinic this past Sunday at Malibu Dude Ranch. Robbie on Calif and Pam with her Sneak. They did well, worked hard, and swore they would never complain again about how hard they have to ride at home in lessons. ( Craig really worked them!!  :)   )

Julie and Nicole were also busy that day- they took Cowboy and JB to a local Dressage show, and Julie even took Cowboy in a cross rail class. Both horses ( and riders ) did great and we are very proud of them.

Robbie is still enjoying his Saturday evenings working at the rodeo at Malibu. Those nights have been a nice get away for me as well.

Our yearlings are thriving. We did bring two of them back down to the Ranch from Maribelles the other day, they all need work on halter stuff and handling in general.

I've some new adveertising stuff going on. Having an aluminum sign made for up by the road, and new truck magnets, and a beautiful bit of apliquie work done to the tailgate of the big horse trailer. Hyduchack Design is a local business and I am very pleased so far in my dealings with Matt.

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The boys and I are in the Chicago area, and I'm about to start my fourth day of work here. So far so good, all has gone smoothly ( which actually has me a bit worried- things are going way too smoothly- I'm waiting for something to happen! ) Hunter and Robbie are really enjoying their time with their cousins Jack and Kevin, and Jack and Kev are enjoying dog ownership for a week. ( Oscar is in heaven!- he not only is getting tons of attention here- he also got to sleep in a bed at the hotel on our way out here.)

Back at the Ranch all is going well. ( if it isn't- the crew isn't telling me- love them! ) Julie and then gang always seem to have it all under control when I need to go on a work trip or go to a show- for which I am eternally grateful. They all do seem to give a sigh of relief though when I do get home.

Here's a pic of my to cowboys, Robbie has been helping out Saturday evenings at the Malibu Dude Ranch Rodeo. ( Malibu Dude Ranch puts on a fabulous Rodeo every Saturday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day- if you haven't made it out there yet you need to go, it's a great time. )

We will hit the road for home sometime on Tuesday afternoon, so that we arrive home not too late on Wednesday. For now I need to get off the computer and get ready for work, a barn full of pony party ponies await me!

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Group ride at the Ranch today at 2. Should be nice weather for it. We've plenty else going on today as well, with training horse owners coming by to see their critters. Off to the rodeo tonight at Malibu Dude Ranch with Robbie, me to do teeth and enjoy the rodeo, and Robbie to work.

Michelle C stopped by yesterday with her kids and a friend. They all rode Dodge and had a gerat time. I enjoyed the pics that they posted on facebook-

Rob- sore knee and all- hopes to have a break in the weather again soon to be able to continue to cut hay. He did have an MRI taken yesterday, but no results on that until Monday or so.



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Summer is flying by! We've had our barn so full with training horses, have been getting hay in and getting ready for shows that I've barely noticed that July is on the downside already.

We had 8 horses at the Cobleskill Show last weekend, and had a wonderful time. Everyone did so well, I'm proud of the whole crew and their mounts. ( the pic is of Maribelle's Torey and some of his ribbons )

Rob hurt his knee last Thursday. He jumped out of a hay wagon, landed wrong and sprained his knee. The Dr. thinks he may have a torn ACL, he goes back in today for an MRI. Hoping that it is not too bad.

Julie and Jeff are off for a brief visit to Ohio. Julie has a bridal shower to attend and they are looking forward to visiting with her family. Kenny and Makayla are also away for a few days, getting in some fishing and R & R.

I'll be on the road soon as well. July always brings my yearly summer trip to the Chicagoland area for me to visit barns doing horse dentistry. I've a busy schedule mapped out already, but I'm also looking forward to spending time with my nephews.

Delivered Kat and her foal Kings Ransom and Rose's broodmare Limosina back over to Rose's place last night, then went on to Allentown with Raven, a Tenn. Walker mare who had been here at RO-NO for some training. We got back in late, but it was good to get them all delivered when it was cooler out.


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Maribelles hay is all in! Rob knocked it all down last week, and thanks to Kenny, his brother Anthony and Robbie- we got it all safely put up into Maribelles barn before the rain came. Such a good feeling to have our hay lofts full.

Time has flown by, by the end of the week we will be on the road to show at Cobleskill NY. We've eight horses going and everyone has been busy getting their mounts prepared for the show. Julie and I will have a hectic week getting all the horses worked, the trailers packed and the horses ready to show.

Kings Ransom will soon experience his first trailer ride. He and his Momma Kat will go to Rose's soon. There he will get acquainted with big brother Lightning. He is a super friendly colt and I know that Rose will enjoy getting to know this youngster better.

Today is Hunters 4th Birthday!!

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Aahhh... another nice, clear, cool, non-humid morning.  Feels very good, especially after the late evening putting in hay. We got all of our own first cutting in, a very good feeling. Love having my barn full of hay.

I managed to get everything on my 'to do' list yesterday accomplished!! That almost never happens, we'll see if I manage to do as well today. I've a pretty hectic morning scheduled, and then this afternoon we are loading up five horses and heading to Malibu Dude Ranch for a mounted shooting practice.

Congrats to Georgianna and family on their purchase of our little Mojito. He is a wonderful young Paso Fino gelding and he and the girls get along beautifully.

Congrats to Amy C. and her family on their purchase of Rain. Rain will be a good teacher to all of your kids Amy, enjoy her!


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55 degrees this morning! It will feel nice when we first head down to the barn, which will be a welcome relief from the past few days. It's not going to last though, the heat will be back later today with scorching temps on the way for the weekend. On a good note, the hay dries fast in this weather. Rob dropped some hay on Saturday, which we got in yesterday. He dropped the rest of our fields yesterday, so with luck we will get all of that in today. There is nothing like the feeling of having our hay loft full! Once ours is in we'll move on to Maribelle's to get her hay done.

Had a very productive Mounted Shooting practice yesterday. Cardillo was perfect, even ponied one horse from him for a bit. Calif was really good too, so I was quite pleased with my boys. Jim and Jose had a great run of it too, Jim shot quite a few rounds off of Jose. We are pretty well set up for our practice at Malibu on Tuesday.

We have a full barn, lots of training horses in, keeping all of us super busy. The variety we have in is fantastic, QH's, Paso's, Tenn Walkers. Keeps us on our toes. It's a bit late in the season, but we did get our Capitan mare covered yesterday. JQ took a bit of coaxing to get it right, but finally he figured things out and bred the mare. Silly Stallion! This is a coveted crossing of pedigrees and we are really looking forward to this foal.

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Here's my little cowboy! This was taken at a mounted shooting event in Connecticut a month or two ago.

We are hoping to fit in a mounted shooting practice this Sunday. Had tentatively planned to go to a clinic on Long Island that day, just too much going on here tho to get away for the day. We may also be having a practice at Malibu Dude Ranch next week.


On a sad note, we have had a major loss in our family. Tony Enslin, husband to Robs sister Alison, passed away in his sleep this past weekend. Your thoughts and prayers for his family are much needed and appreciated. He has four children, and he was very much loved by all of us.


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My trip to do horse dentistry in Illinois will begin on July 25th ( we'll hit some spots in western PA ) and we'll head home on/around the 31st-1st. Looking forward to seeing my family, and to visiting with all of my clients.

Got some pictures of the QH mare Rain and of the Paso X QH Gelding Achilles. Both are doing very well and both will make great horses for someone.


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We have in a total of 8 new horses here this week. The black & white Paso Fino gelding Scout came in yesterday morning for a two week tune up while his owners take a summer trip, and I pretty much hit the trail right away with him. Today the farrier is here ( thank goodness the heat wont be as bad today ) I'm hoping to get most of the new horses worked today- over the past two days we were down a bit on getting everyone worked- just too hot out! Still, I think we got 7-9 horses worked yesterday, and will get to more than that today.

The 'mini clinic' with the Massage Therapist went well yesterday- the Equissage Unit is wonderful, we could really see how it would be beneficial to our horses.

Here is a pic of Kings Ransom, he and his mama are doing very well. He sure does gait.

We're hoping to get some hay done. It's been frustrating- they've called for rain almost everyday- and it hasn't rained- we could have had most of our hay in, but what do you do. With luck we will get to it soon.






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Robbie and I are finally home from our journey. The PFHA Youth Leadership Camp went extremely well. We had 11 youth attend the camp and they were all fantastic kids.

Kat did finally foal out, had a lovely dark bay/black colt with a star. He is gorgeous and already is gaiting up a storm.

Got in 7 new horses yesterday. Two are Coloso offspring out of a black and white Amadeus mare.One is a pinto, the other a very unique chestnut. I'll be getting them under saddle and then putting them up for sale. These boys are really nice and I'm looking forward to working with them. Two others are a QH Gelding and a TB X Paint gelding that are here for training. There is a Tenn Walker mare that I picked up from Allentown last night that is her for training, and the last two are sale horses. One is a lovely 9 yr old QH mare, a 'husband safe' horse who is great on the trail and in the ring. ( owner is asking $2000 for her and it's a great price for this horse) The other is a two year old Paso X QH, he is a lovely guy buckskin, gelding. He has had a fair amount of ground work, has had a saddle on and has had a lot of lunging and rope work under his belt. She would like $1500 for him.

The two Mountain Horses who have been here for training go home today. They have been wonderful to work with and we are happy sending them home well started and ready to work. 


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Hadn't realized it had been so long since I'd made a post on here. Right now I am sitting at a hotel in Lexington Virginia. Robbie and Anni Shaffer are with me, and we plan to hit the road in the morning for Lexington Kentucky. We were in Virginia for the Mason Dixon Spectacular Show, and we are going to Kentucky for the kids to participate in the PFHA Youth Camp.

The show in Virginia went very well. Nicole rode both Cardillo and Pastor, Rose rode Pastor, Alaina rode Jose and I showed Cardillo in trail and JQ in Performance Stallions and all of us have blue ribbons to take home. The horses were very good, and we were pleased with them. We did host another Extreme Cowboy Race on Saturday evening. It was a hoot, had around 10 entries, and provided good entertainment for all the folks enjoying dinner/party up in the stands. Jim and the gang ( Alaina, Rose and Nicole, along with Cardillo and Jose )left Virginia around noon time today, and they've just made it back to the Ranch. We have Pastor, JQ and Torey with us, as I agreed to supply some horses for use during the camp.

Back at home we are still waiting for Rose's mare Kat to foal. She is finally really bagging up and Julie thinks it wont be too much longer. The crew led Scratchy ( last years orphan who has thrived ) and Charlie down to the Ranch from Maribelle's on Saturday. All the yearlings need some handling and we decided to start with these two. Julie is busy getting more training done on our Mountain horses and Paso's while I'm gone, along with managing all the other horses who need to be ridden/worked. Busy days at the Ranch!

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