Show Time, Take 2

This past Saturday (Sept. 8th) my trainer Audrey and I went to compete in a horse show at Gray Lily Farm in Havana, Fl. The show went very well with Audrey and I each placing in all of our classes. I got a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in my four classes and was very pleased with the way Reno and I are working together now. We're really starting to become a team and all the hard work is paying off! Here are some pictures from the show:

Reno and I with our first place ribbon.

All of mine and Reno's ribbons hanging on his stall at the show.

Reno inspecting his winnings.

My trainer Audrey with her horse Duncan and their first place ribbon.

Hey Y'All!

Over Labor Day weekend this year Jesson and I went to Savannah, GA. Neither of us had ever been and we wanted to go on a little adventure not too far from home. The drive was short (only 3 1/2 hours) and the town was new and fun. There were many historic, older homes that took you back to a "Gone With the Wind" era. There were also many wonderful shops, restaurants, and old churches for us to explore. It was a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Below are some pictures we took while we were there:

This is historic River Street in Savannah. There were many art galleries as well as candy kitchens and souvenir shops along the river.

This was our lunch at the Express Bakery & Deli. This was by far our favorite place in Savannah. We had their Honey Ginger Chicken Sandwich, Homemade Bread Pudding, Curried Cream of Chicken Soup, and Blueberry Danish. It was the best!

Jesson and I found this great kitchen store just across from the bakery. They had all sorts of fun gadgets and even offered cooking classes.

This is Paula Dean's restaurant. There was always a huge crowd outside that was spilling into the street. You had to wait outside for 3-4 hours just to make a reservation! Needless to say, we didn't eat there!

Though we didn't eat at the Paula Dean Restaurant we did shop in her store and get some great sauces and salad dressings that we can't wait to try out!

On our last night in town Jesson and I went out to a very nice dinner at 700 Drayton. We would highly recommend this to anyone who goes to Savannah!

Random Happenings

Below are some random pictures of things that have happened over the last month or so.

Nano likes to help me when we drive out to the farm.

Mom and Dad came to visit one weekend and the boys decided to
take a nap with Dad on the couch!

That same weekend we went shopping and Mom and I lost all the guys. We found them parked on a bench happily eating ice cream!

Nano got a new coat that he loves very much.

A Bateman and a Baja.....

Jesson has been taking riding lessons for a few months now and we finally remembered to get some pictures! The horse he rides is named Baja. These pictures were taken while he was practicing on his own. In just a few short months he has progressed very quickly and has even begun working over small jumps!

Jesson working on his posting trot.

Posing for the camera.

Reno had pulled a shoe that day so he napped while Jesson rode.

Oh Canada...

Jesson and I traveled to Canada earlier this month from the 5th to the 14th to visit his family. What a trip! We went to the Calgary Stampede, floated on tubes down a river, watched chuck wagon races, got family pictures taken, saw world class Show Jumping at Spruce Meadows, went to the temple as a family, took a day trip to Banff, and saw the new Harry Potter movie! We fit everything we could into that week! Below are some pictures from our travels:

Jesson got bored on the plane on the way there.

Jesson is 6'3" so you can see how tall these fences are.

Capone showing good form over the oxer jump.

Me with the winner of the Chrysler Cup, "Black Ice".

This is the Three Sisters range in Western Alberta. You can see it on the drive to Banff. It is my favorite range and I'm glad we got such a clear shot of it on Wednesday.

I made friends with a moose in Banff.

Jesson and Harrison enjoying the Round-Up Center on the Stampede gounds.

A buffalo we met at Stampede.

Jesson thought about joining the Mounties (he just wanted to wear their cool uniform!)

The chuck wagon races, the wildest part of Stampede and our favorite! 32 horses, 16 Outriders, 8 drivers, and 4 wagons all racing on one track at the same time!!

It's Show Time!

This weekend I competed in my first show with Reno! He was great! It was at Canterbury Equestrian Showplace here in Gainesville, Fl. We placed 2nd in our jumping class and 3rd and 4th in our dressage classes. I am most proud of my dressage placings because I just started training in dressage two months ago and I've never competed in it before! Jesson, my Mom and Dad, my boss Allie, her daughter Emaly, and my co-worker Karen were all there cheering me on! It was an awesome weekend and I'm looking forward to many more like it with Reno! Below are a few pictures we took at the show.

Reno braided and ready to compete.

Jesson and Nano wishing us luck.

Working on our dressage before we go in the ring.

Showing off our winnings!

Nano being a good show dog!

Griffon cooling off in a bucket.

Everyone in our group unanimously voted Jesson the "Hero of the Horse Show". He grilled burgers for us on Saturday and fixed the flat tire on the trailer on Sunday. He carried water and video taped everyone. He was the only one in our barn to receive a 1st place blue ribbon! Do I have the best husband or what!

I Do....

May 30th Jesson flew to Calgary, Alberta to celebrate the wedding of his brother, Nate, and Rory (who we love dearly!) Little did Jesson know that I would follow him the next day! I was supposed to be at home the whole weekend, but after being away from Jesson for 12 hours decided that wasn't a good plan! With the help of my amazing mother-in-law I was soon on my way to Canada! I arrived shortly after the sealing, but just in time for all the parties! And Batemans know how to party! The couple was picture perfect and Jesson and I are both so happy to have Rory as a member of our family! Below are a few pictures of the FUN weekend!

Nate and Rory, the beautiful couple!

From left to right, Nate, Jesson, and Harrison.

Jesson and I with Nate and Rory.