Colorado Horse Park & Chincoteague Pony Penning

A bright and sunny morning greeted me today; I overslept. There's a light sprinkling of snow left in the shadows, and we're expecting gradually warming temps through Thursday, when the weather folks are predicting we'll hit 60 degrees. Right now, it's 16 degrees outside. Lovey and Banichi both ran outside, did a recce, and returned inside. I don't blame them. I'll walk down to the library and back today - that'll give me 3 miles - and get more books to read. And I'm back to my usual dilemma: should I or shouldn't I cut my hair - trim it, or get it cut short again?

Yesterday afternoon a "squirrel party" took place on my patio; there were over 20 squirrels of all shapes and sizes having a feast on the peanuts and sunflower seeds on the patio. They were chasing one another and chattering away - it sounded like I had 30 kindergartners out there. Of course, Lovey and Banichi found them fascinating... but it went on for so long that they both fell asleep watching the antics.

The Colorado Horse Park has announced their tentative schedule for this year; shows begin the last weekend of January and happenings are scheduled through November. Currently, only one event is charging for parking and admission - the CCI sponsored Three Day Event on May 29th thru May 31st. Other scheduled events include breed shows, endurance races, the Eventing Derby on June 9th, the North American Junior Young Riders Championship July 29th thru August 2nd, and the Draft Horse, Gypsy Horse, Mule Show & Sheep Dog Arena Trials August 14th thru 16th. For more information, visit http://www.coloradohorsepark.com/

The annual Pony Penning at Chincoteague Island will happen July 29 thru 31st. Of course, the "Saltwater Cowboys" of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department will begin their round-up of the many different herds on the 23rd and 24th; pony herds will be driven into the Holding Pens on Assateague on the 25th and 26th; there will follow checks by veterinarians, vaccinations as needed, and hoof-trimming, as needed. Please note that the veterinarian will determine which foals are too young to swim, and which mares are too close to having their foals to swim - these ponies will be trailered across the channel to the Carnival Grounds well before the actual swim occurs. The swim from Assateague to Chincoteague will be at slack tide (determined by the US Coast Guard)during the morning of the 29th, after resting, the ponies will be herded through the streets of Chincoteague to the Carnival Grounds on South Main Street; foals and yearlings will be auctioned off on the 30th; and the return swim to Assateague will occur at slack tide Friday morning, the 31st. - And if you plan on attending, please remember that most hotels/motels on Chincoteague are booked over a year in advance for Pony Penning week!