Horse Racing!!!

This past weekend was the annual live race meet at Horseman's Park. The weather was finally not over 100 degrees. I think every live meet since HP has opened was over 100, so it was a wonderful change! The races were wonderful, I fell in love with a mare named Plaid, who was beautiful! Over the course of three days I lost $17.00, which wasn't too awful. I did miss the excitement of Thursday's 1st race in which the starting gate tractor broke down and couldn't pull the starting gate out of the way of the racing horses. I think I would have had a heart attack and jumped over the gate and tried to push the gate out of the way. Thankfully there was an outrider who led ran out onto the track and led the horses around it. They honored him and his horse, Toad, in the winner's circle on Sunday, which was very well deserved. If you couldn't make it this year, plan on attending next year. It's free, cheap food and drinks, and a LOT of excitement!!

Some of the pictures are from when we went out after the races and well got a bit silly. The old people are my aunt & uncle and Chris & Scotty. (haha "old people" :) )

Random Pics...

The first picture is from the Walmart parking lot. Who needs a beach for a pretty sunset.












The second picture, and it's kind of hard to tell, is of George and his dog bone. He was sleeping on it and he looked like he was protecting it.

News & Notes....

+ Happy Late 1st Birthday to Brandi's baby Alex! (July 11th)

+Happy Late 25th Birthday to Dave! (July 16th)

+Happy One Year Anniversary to Scott & Sheryl!! (Wow you made it a year, who would have thought?!?!!?)

+Welcome home to Dave as he is now home from the Army.

+Only 37 more days until the 1st Husker game!!!!!!!!!!!

+Kevin and I went to see Zebrahead this past Monday for like the millionth time. We felt kinda old there. It wasn't as big of a show as it normally is, but they still rocked! They have a new lead singer, who is from Omaha, and he played in the band Jank 1000. It was a good rockin' time!

I think that's all that's new now!

Kevin drug me along to enemy territory...

Yes that's right to Oklahoma. Kevin had to go so I went along. But everyone should be proud of me, I did not get into one single fight with a Sooner or a Cowboy. To me that shows I've grown up a little! ;) It was my first time to Oklahoma, so it also was my first time to see red dirt, which I guess was ok. I mean it really was just dirt. We stayed in Stillwater, which is where the U of Oklahoma St is. I got to see the baseball and football stadiums and the nice-nice-nice equestrian team headquarters. We then went to Oklahoma City. We walked around the "Bricktown" area which is sorta like the Old Market, but bigger and with a cool river running through it. We also spent some time at the memorial for the OKC bombing, which was very moving. If you ever get a chance to stop by OKC, it is well worth the time to stop and pay your respects. It was only for three days, but still nice to get out of Omaha for awhile.

The picture is of me with the OSU Equestrian Team's horse. And I of course was wearing my Husker stuff! Woohoo!!

Broken Bow

Over the last weekend in June, Sheryl, Scott, and I traveled to Sheryl's old stomping ground around Broken Bow. We not only competed in two barrel racings, but also went on a trail ride through the canyons and hills of central Nebraska. What I know now is Nebraska is certainly NOT flat. The country side was beautiful. We also took a trail ride around Sheryl's family's ranch and went to a rodeo. The barrel racings for me went well, except for the first race in which I had issues with my hat , which led to a not so great time. The second run I did much better and almost placed in the 3-D. It was really tough competition, but everyone was super nice and we had a lot of fun. I do highly recommend a trip out to Central Nebraska if you ever do get a chance. Check out these pictures to see how beautiful it is!!

This picture is of Sheryl on Gypsy, Scott on Pat, and me on Chance before the trail ride near Calloway. The trail ride went up and down some really steep hills, which for a city girl like me was somewhat scary. Plus I guess I am very afraid to fall over the cliff of a canyon, so I really tried to stay away from the cliffs. The best part of the ride was at the very end. We had to ride up this huge hill to the top of a ridge where a breakfast was being served. Along with the horseback riders, hay-rack rides also took non-riders to the ridge. The ride was beautiful. It was in the middle of nowhere. The only man made structure you could see was a windmill. It really was refreshing from the view and noise of the city. Oh yeah, but the best part was that Sheryl and I ran full speed up the hill on our horses. I frankly was a little scared Chance would trip or something, but the only thing she did was leap over some odd looking grass like a steeplechaser. I giggled uncontrollably the whole way to the top of the hill! All I know is that I can't wait to go next year!

Joshua visits

Last month, Kevin's 3 1/2 year old, Joshua visited Kevin. I think they both had fun and it was funny to see Josh wear Kevin down. A funny story, but since my name is close to the dinosaur "Triceratops," Josh thought it was funny to call me "Sara-tops" most of the week. It really was very cute! He is a very sweet little boy and Chris, his mom, is doing a great job with him!
These are some pictures from when he came to visit me at the barn and had his first horseback ride. He was a little scared at first, but Kevin and I convinced him to ride with me. He looks a lot like Kevin, doesn't he?

We actually got some money!!!

This last month Sheryl and I have of course been doing some barrel racing. This picture is from Fremont about a month ago. I won the 2-D (and got $88!!!!!!!!!!) and Sheryl got 2nd in the 3-D. So we were both very happy with our runs, but even happier with our checks! (And yes I know I look like an idiot in this picture! But it's a CHECK!!)

We also went to Broken Bow, which I'll tell more about in a later post.

Then last week we went to Lincoln for a run. I didn't win any money, I was just out of the 2-D money, but I can honestly say it was one of, if not the best of my runs so far. Chance and I were smooth around the barrels and I actually kicked between the barrels. We did end up with a 16.0014 or something like that. As it was one of my better runs, we did not have a video camera or picture taken. It would figure. I do just keep running it over and over in my head though. We now have a week and a half off before the next one!

It's been awhile....

I just haven't felt like posting lately. I'll blame the heat. But here are some new pics and stuff!