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

4-H Weatherford Sherriff’s Posse Lunch

   Our Weatherford 4H group served lunch the end of November to Parker County Firefighters, Policemen, and EMT's.  As we handed out the food we said, “Thanks for serving.”  We served them a lunch of BBQ, bread, potato salad, beans, and cookies.  Some of the kids had notecards and they gave them out to the people that said “thank you for serving.”   We had lots of fun serving the people! There were 2 EMT trucks, 2 fire trucks, and several police cars there.  Our group served over 100 people that day.  After my shift, several of the kids played tag.

                                                      ~Zhanna

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Emu

We went to Fossil Rim in Glen Rose on November 8.

I went with Garrett, Ruth, Erin, Joshua, Mom, and Dad. We loved the animals. They liked to  put their  heads in our car! It was a beautiful day and sunny. 

Turkey 

Deer

Zebra 

Eating feed out of my hand.

The  Rino

Deer

~Zhanna