Wow its has been a while! I guess life stepped in and art, especially photography, took a back seat. I've finished my first year of college and, to many people's suprise, I did not go to art school. I'm a political science major, go figure. Where to fill in some blanks...

I still have the same four horses. Twilight is doing great and has become a star in the dressage arena. Just Sunday we had a competition and we won all three of our classes. We scored some of our highest scores ever. I have a new puppy, Mia Bella. She is such a ham! This winter she had an accident when Steele, the younger mustang, kicked her and broke her back leg. Talk about stress! Now her leg is as good as new but the little drama queen acts like her leg is injured every time she doesn't get what she wants.

On a sad note, both rabbits photographed in my rabbit collection passed away. I do have another rabbit who I plan to photograph soon. He's a little "different" from the usual rabbit. Peter is an eastern cottontail...yes a wild rabbit. His nest was ran over by the tractor and he and his brother survived. Oliver, his brother, however, was small and didn't make it past a few days. Peter is a fat, healthy bunny who is very photogenic so I can't wait to get a few shots. Hopefully it won't be a year before I'm on again

Nearly Nine months ago was the last time I actually spent time on Deviant art. How tragic! I really haven't been focusing on art or photography at this time, though, and have nothing new to add to my portfolio. The only art I've really been working on is my school's mural that they commissioned me for. I'll add photographs of what I have done on it soon. I've been really sick the past few weeks too so that hasn't been helping.

After making an offer on the horse I wish to buy, General, the owner agreed and all I had to do was sell my mustang. How simple, right? Guess again. I went to ride him again and take pictures and my friend told me the lady doesnt' want to drop her price. I can't believe she thinks she can sell a green horse for what she's asking (at least out here in western pa). I was completely [link] but rode him anyways. My friend is going to continue to talk to the owner and convince her. Well anyways, he's showing that he's had major dressage training -Wahoo-. On top of that I found out why my draft horse, Twilight, has been fighting the bit. I ride to heavy on her mouth. After learning a new technique I went home and rode Twi and to my amazment she was the best she's ever been in her short 5 yr old life. I nearly cried I felt so guilty that it was all my fault she was falling apart in dressage competition.


This is General when I firt got on (he ended up dropping to the bit right after my camera ran out of battery...OF COURSE!)

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Art has gone on hold now that I'm consistantly showing horses. Well Twilight and I have had one dressage show. Actually it was an eventing show but we only did dressage because I have yet to train her to jump. We could have done better, penalty points of 43 and 49. I wasn't to proud of that showing. Last weekend was a tiny show to train my 3 year old mustang, Steele, and we didn't place in any of our classes. He misbehaved the entire time. Today was another show with Steele. Things went better than last week. We won first place! Ok, you caught me...we were the only ones in pony pleasure. After the show I went to ride and look at a horse my friend has at her stable. The owner sent him to my friend to train because she claimed he spooked. General is the calmest, sweetest, biggest horse I've ever met. At 17 hands he is a a real gentle giant. On top of that he was amazing to ride. It's obvious that the owner has not a clue that he has major training. I'm definatly going to buy him. I have to sell a horse first, though. Anyone want a three year old mustang? Hehehe

I'm happy to say the art show is over and I can at last relax (relax over art that is). I think my art went over rather well with the viewers. It seemed the favorite of my work was "Many Faces of Joey" which was a series of close-up photographs of my duckling. I'll admit I became VERY bored standing there but at least I had a chance to wander around the seniors' art. I'm sure going to miss them! AP art is just not going to be the same next year without them.