Fire Safety with WFD

Fire Safety Skit October 2016
The Weatherford Fire Department Fire Clowns present a Fire Safety program to the Parker County public and some private schools each fall during Fire Safety week.  This year was a western theme and the fire fighters design and built the set. The 20 minute skit teaches Stop, Drop and Roll, and Get Out, Stay Out and many other safely skills. I was able to help with the shows this year as a moose in the skit.  I also had the privilege to take photos during the show.  The skit is all about teaching fire prevention to the kids in a fun way that they will remember.  It was a great experience for me and I am excited to help again next fall.  

Us doing a practice run!

Chappy & Spanner

Stretch & Q2 & Squirt & Spanner.

Chappy & Squirt & Q2 & Spanner!

Me the Moose!!

Chappy dancing with the Fire Fighters!

The DJ's

We did a show before the Movie in the Park!

Me & Spanner

Me & Chappy

My dog Nugget

My new pet is Nugget and he is a golden Cocker Spaniel puppy. I got him February 2016. Now he is 15 weeks old. I would like to train him to be a service dog and help kids with fire safety, but that will be a while. 😊 I know it will be a lot of work, but when he gets trained, I can take him anywhere.  I recently began puppy training with him.  He has lots of energy and loves everyone he meets!  

He was 6 weeks old when we brought him to our house. 

~Zhanna 

Click on this it tells you about what breed he is and all about Cockers.

Chisholm Challenge 2016

On January 11-13 it was showtime at the John Justin Arena.

The first day was AQHA day.  I competed in Western showmanship first. I got to wear a sparkly green shirt that I borrowed from a friend for this event.  That day I competed in 7 events.  My favorite event was "reining" and I got 2nd place. This was a new event for me and my horse Jet. and I really enjoyed it. 

On Tuesday, I took my drawing of Apache (one of the horses from the barn) to submit for the art contest.  I found out later that week that I had won the art contest.  When I found out, I was as at the hospitality stall and I heard them say my name over the loud speaker. I was so excited and surprised! At the next show, in 2017, the Chisholm Challenge t-shirt will have my drawing on it. 

The next day, (the 12th), I participated in the opening ceremony and got to carry the flag.  My friend Courtney sang the National Anthem, and it was beautiful! She is very brave to sing in front of people!  This day was busy also as I competed in Western, English, and Trail.

By the 3rd day of the show, I was so exhausted, but still excited.  I competed in Western Equitation on this day and won 1st place. (I rode Apache)

It was a fun, good week spending time with friends and horses.  

Here are all the riders that were there this year:  

Courtney, Jessica, Brodie, Sam, Ryley, Matthew, Lance, Hannah, David, Justin, Nick, Travis

Another highlight to my week was when I got interviewed by Channel 5 news!  They interviewed me and my friend Courtney.  My heart sank to my guts because I was so nervous!  One of the questions they asked was "What does horseback riding mean to you?"  I think I said, " It is just fun to be around horses, and it gives me confidence because I don't normally like being in front of people."

It was a great show and I am looking forward to 2017, seeing my picture on the t-shirt, and meeting new people

Trail 

We got to meet Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.

~Zhanna

Ride for heroes!

Dad and I participated Ride for Heroes in Aledo in 

April.  We went 23 miles on our bikes that day.  

The starting line 

The last rest stop! 

After the ride the firemen grilled hamburgers for all the participants.  All the entry fees for the ride go to the fire departments in our area. It was a awesome day! I am looking forward to next year.  

~Zhanna~

Birthday!

 On February 15, 2015, we had a 26th birthday celebration for Garrett and Ruth at our house with the families. Their birthday's are one week a part, so we decided to celebrate together. 

 Happy Birthday, Garrett and Ruth!!

~Zhanna

Top Hands Horse Show

February 2015

Stars and Strides Stables participated in the Top Hands Horse Show February 20-22 in Houston, Tx.

On Day 1, We set up our Hospitality Stables for the horse show and then I competed in English Equitation and I received a 1st place in my group. They give belt buckles to the first place winners!

On Day 2, I competed in Western Trail and received a 4th place trophy. We also took individual pictures with our horses and spent a lot of time cheering for the other riders as they competed.  Everyone from our barn did well!

On Day 3, I competed in Western Equitation and received a 3rd place trophy. All the riders participated in the Closing Ceremonies and then we packed up and headed home. We made it home before the sleet started!

Me and a baby squirrel

Me and Jet

Aunt Myrtle and Carla came to see me compute on Saturday.  

It was a fun weekend!

                                                           ~Zhanna

Chisholm Challenge 2015

It was an incredible experience to compete with Stars and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in the Chisholm Challenge and watch my friends compete also.  Thank you to all the volunteers that make it possible!!

Trail - an obstacle course providing a reasonable test of skill levels.  Competitors will be judged on performing the course in sequence and initiate all steering of basic control of the horse. 

English - tests the rider's ability to ride – not the performance of the horse.  Contestants work a predetermined pattern and top riders return to be judged as they travel the perimeter of the arena performing gait changes at the judge's discretion. Emphasis is placed on ability to sit correctly, hold the correct riding posture, and control the horse on the precise pattern.  I placed 3rd in both of my English events. 

Western Riding - A competition based on the performance and characteristics of a good, sensible, well-mannered, free and easy moving horse. Horses will be  judged on riding qualities of gaits and change of lead. Competitors are judged on reining, attitude, smoothness of transitions, even cadence of gaits, and completing the required pattern.

Western Riding

Showmanship - designed to judge the showmanship skills of the exhibitors. Judges evaluate the grooming and fitting of the horse and expertise of the exhibitor in presenting the horse. Each exhibitor is required to perform a pattern designed by the judge with emphasis on preciseness of pattern and degree of confidence exhibited by the showman. 

Dad and Zhanna

Our hospitality stall

Western Pleasure - Contestants compete simultaneously, traveling the perimeter of the arena, and at the discretion of the judge, are asked to walk, jog, lope and reverse with direction of the horse. Horses are evaluated on quality of movement while staying quiet and calm. 

Trail

Joshua, Erin (not in picture), Ruth and Garrett came to watch me.

waiting to ride

I was able to help on Tuesday with the other riders since I was not competing that day.

Me and Papa

Grandma and Grandpa came to watch. 

Me and my friend Courtney Miller

Jet is a wonderful horse to ride and I love working with him!  

I received 1st in Western Riding and 2nd in Trail

My teacher Mrs. Miller is wonderful!!

Some of us went to Chili's afterwards.

Me and my brother Garrett!

~Zhanna