Dog and Pony prep, part five

Although she isn't going to be my main performance horse, I am planning to show Littler Colorado Sage in at least one class at Karin Hullatti's upcoming Dog and Pony Show.

This means she needs some tack.

Specifically, she needs a sidepull.

This sidepull.

This has been big Colorado Sage's go-to headgear for pretty much the entire time she's been under saddle.

I have a lot of pictures of her in it, but in most of them she's fuzzy or wearing a halter.

I decided to do better.

Before I made the tiny sidepull, I staged a photoshoot with the big sidepull.

Sage was mostly cooperative...

and these pictures are perfect.

I used them to make this.

It's not an exact replica, but I am pleased with it.

That's one more item checked off my Dog and Pony to-do list. On to the next!

Hobby dogs

If some of the faces - both human and canine - at the party looked familiar, there's a reason.

None of our barn parties are boarders only. People are encouraged to bring family, friends and, in this case, dogs. Of course, I invited Alexey,

his wife, Tori...

 and their dogs, Tang...

and Archie.

As Piper says, they are our pack. 

We always need to invite them.

Always!

But packs can be expanded, so we also extended an invitation to Karin and her sweet Cardigan girl, Cali.

The last time Cali saw a horse was at a post BreyerWest gathering in 2024.

She was just a wee pup back then.

So cute!

Everyone wanted a piece of her, especially Olive.

Heh.

She's all grown up now and still very cute.

This time, she got to pose with Sage.

This was such a fun day.

I'm so glad I got to spend it with my friends and their dogs.

Dog party

Last June, we had a party at the barn.

Like most of our parties, it was a day filled with food,

friends...

and horsey fun,

with just a little bit of unexpected drama.

Also, there were dogs.

There are always dogs at a barn party.

We all know each other's dogs through Facebook, but it's really fun to meet them in person. Someone said we should have a day when we all bring our dogs to the barn. One thing led to another, and yesterday, this happened.

As always, there was food in the "office" and obstacles in the arena.

But these obstacles weren't for horses!

In fact, horses were specifically banned.

Tulio got a pass while we were setting up, but on this day, dogs ruled the ring.

And there were so many dogs!

Leo, Grizz and Piper

Big dogs.

Mabel

Little dogs.

Long dogs.

Archie

Smooth dogs.

Jack

Fluffy dogs.

Teddy

Even one completely blind dog!

Tag

The first part of the party was food and obstacles.

Chelsea

Then we lined up all the dogs for a little dog show.

Gail and Jack, Ari and Cedar, Karin and Cali

I don't what the judging criteria was, but everyone won a medal.

Piper

Heh.

Archie

After the show, a group of us went for a walk around the property and beyond.

Cali

Karen's good girl, Chelsea, showed off her amazing cadaver dog skills.

Ari and Cedar, Gail and Jack, Karen and Chelsea

Fortunately for everyone, she didn't find any bodies.

Chelsea and Karen, with Denise and John looking on

This was such a fun day.

Mabel

We definitely need to do this again.

Piper with Archie and Alexey

And again...

Nacho

and again!

Tang

Thank you to Karen, Linda and Linda for making that happen.

Piper and I had the best time!