By: Richard

First Place -  Matched Pairs

First Place - Weanlings/Yearlings - Jennets

First Place - 2 Years and Over Jennets

Second Place - Weanlings/Yearlings Jack/Geldings

Third - Adult “In Hand” Trail

There are times when you just want to stop, sit back and take everything in and enjoy it. Yesterday was one of those days. It started out as normal as most, but it was show day at the Wilson County Fair. That meant it was going to be a hectic and busy day with donkeys to wash and a trailer to pack.

With the chores done, it was off to the fair with four of our precious little animals. Stroker (KKR Stroke of Midnight) was going to have his first experience in the ring. My daughter, Kandi, and Katrina were going to handle all of the ring duties while I was the hired hand.

Kandi was especially nervous. Two weeks prior, she decided to try her miniature, two year old Hottie (Legendary Hearts Wide Open), in “In Hand Trail”.

For the two weeks prior to the Fair, she worked with Hottie for an hour, 3 nights a week and for several hours on the weekend. She made significant progress on several basic elements. Kandi remained steadfast and excited about the opportunity to compete at “The Fair”; until she got there and saw the course and competition.

She asked several times if she should just “pull” Hottie from the competition. Kandi thought the course was much too complicated for her and Hottie. I did the fatherly thing and convinced her not to quit, just go in, give it her best and believe in Hottie.

Besides, she had invited her husband’s family and some of her close friends to the Fair to watch her show. How could she back out now?

Early on Katrina and Kandi both went into the ring to show in the same Halter Class. It wasn’t the first time they have shown against each other, but it was the first time Kandi and Hottie beat Katrina. Hottie got a Blue Ribbon and Kandi won huge smiles and hugs from all of us.

Kandi and Hottie had just enough time between classes for the excitement to wear off and wonder if they should really enter the ring for In Hand Trail. Long story short, they went in and came out with a third place ribbon! Way To Go!

How did the rest of the night go? Katrina and Kandi entered a total of 6 classes and walked out with 3 First Place Blue Ribbons; 2 Second Place Red Ribbons and 1 Third Place White Ribbon. A very good evening indeed.

Technorati Tags: miniature donkey show, Wilson County Fair

Hey, is that Katrina hanging out with Alan Jackson at his place on his Harley Davidson (Hog)? Does Richard know? What is Alan’s property like? Inquiring minds want to know! If you want to know the entire story, Click Here.

Technorati Tags: Alan Jackson, car collection, Harley Davidson, property

By: Richard

It was a very good time on the property this past weekend. We had a new blessing added to our little family of Miniature Donkeys. Anastasia had a little baby boy. We were hoping for a girl but when we saw how cute he was and how wonderful his personalty is we fell in love with him anyway.

This little guy has no fear of humans what so ever. Have you ever picked up a new born, put them in your lap and had them go to sleep! Even Anastasia was ok with it. Katrina thinks everything should be held and kissed so she wasted no time grabbing the little guy, sitting down and started scratching him. It only took a few minutes and he was sound asleep. She didn’t do this just once but multiple times over the weekend.

I am impressed but I am waiting for the time when he is 6 months old, had a bad day in the pasture and wants Katrina to put him in her lap and rock him to sleep!

Here is the new little baby and his mother.

Katrina has just got the little guy to sleep and his mom is not the least bit concerned.

He is a doll and as friendly as any new baby we have ever seen.

I want to see Katrina try this in six months.

He does have a little playful side that is also starting to come out.

Look at that; his eyes are closed and he is sound asleep and I think Katina is about gone also.

Technorati Tags: Baby, miniature donkey, new born

By: Katrina

You often hear stories about family members reconnecting after many years. It just happened to me!

When my step-daughter and her husband moved to Tennessee, they went to the local shelter to adopt a dog. They were given the name and phone number of a local veterinarian that offered low cost spay and neuter services. It turns out that the veterinarian that vaccinated and spayed their new puppy is my cousin, Jana.

The last time I saw Jana, was in California (just north of San Diego) and I was 10 years old. THAT WAS MANY YEARS AGO!!!!!! As I child, I visited their mini ranch which was filled with dogs, cats and horses, including a Missouri Fox Trotter. That was the last I saw of Jana because her family moved away to Bend, OR .

Being a “blood” relative, of course, Jana would have to love animals. Well she does! Jana and her husband recently moved to Tennessee started up a small animal veterinary practice (Anderson Vet Clinic, Christiana, TN) just north of Shelbyville and raise and show Tennessee Walking Horses.

Dick and I recently watched Jana and her daughter Hannah showing at the International Grand Championship for Pleasure and Colts in Murfreesboro, TN. They walked away with a large assortment of ribbons.

Wow, I look forward to reconnecting with a long, lost relative!!!!

Technorati Tags: Lost relative, tennessee walking horse, veterinarian