Wednesday, December 31, 2008

big wind and big dreams as the year rolls out

I woke up this morning to sunshine and big cold wind, a solid 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph - not my favorite riding weather. Not yet sure if I will ride or not today, but the wind is definitely drying things out.

The herd has hay out in the sunshine and access to shelter if the wind gets to be too much. The barn is situated so no wind is gusting through. That's as good as it gets on these blustery days.

Googling around this morning, I happened quite by accident on a gorgeous 7-year old mare for sale. She is schooling 2nd/3rd level and is - did I mention this already? - absolutely stunning. She also happens to be Salina's daughter!

I have found Salina babies before, and wanted them all, but this one has really captured my fancy. She's only a few hours away. Sadly, she is out of my price range, but I emailed anyway, to see if in this market they might lower the price.

My husband, if he is reading this, is shaking his head. But a girl can dream, can't she?!

I can't help myself - the thought of partnering with Salina's daughter for the next 20 years makes me smile with glee. She looks like Salina, without the tiny white sliver moon on her forehead, and without the white anklet, but she's as big as Keil Bay, and very powerful in the body. You can easily see Salina in her, the perfect carriage, and the sensitivity combined with sensibility.

I think dreaming big on the last day of a year is a good thing. I'd love to hear what everyone else is thinking about today. What dreams do YOU have for '09?

An update: I have been having the most fun today emailing back and forth with both Salina's daughter's trainer/broker and her owner/original trainer, who says she had a very difficult time selling her. (meaning she originally bought the young mare as a project to train and sell, but then fell head over heels in love with her) She wrote that Salina's daughter had a very unique response to training - more like a one-on-one conversation than a "say/do" session, and that what they both had trouble describing to perspective buyers sounded very close to the way I described Salina in my emails.

Salina's daughter is now partnering with a pretty prominent person in the dressage world, so it looks like I can at least keep tabs on her as she goes.

While I would love to have her myself, I have to say it has been a blast today, learning about her, writing about Salina, and feeling excited at being able to watch her progress. A delightful way to end the year.

6 comments:

AnnL said...

Oh, what a nice dream. It never hurts to look and inquire. You never know what the Universe has in store. :-)

On this day, a snowy day up here, I am dreaming about riding. Hoping I can manage to find more time for it.

I wish you and your family and all your wonderful equines a wonderful New Year!

billie said...

May your new year be filled with lots of riding on that handsome fellow Jeeves! And I do hope you're share some of it on your blog, to keep us all inspired!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Right now I am dreaming of Spring. I'm thinking Spring is my magic season this year for many reasons. I will be able to ride again, the indoor should be finished, I have a new granddaughter on the way and it will be warm and sunny again.
Today we are getting snow with 50mph winds. Nice.
If I were you I would definitely look into Salina's baby, there's nothing to lose in this economy and once they learn you have her mama, the price might become more reasonable.
Good Luck!
Wishing you and your family and critters a happy healthy New Year.

billie said...

Arlene, I have a very distinct image of you riding in the warm sunshine, new granddaughter watching from the sidelines, and the indoor ready and waiting for the next rainy day.

I already heard back from the lovely mare's owner/trainer, saying she just sold her 2 weeks ago!

Matthew is sighing with relief, I'm sighing with "oh well" and whoever got this gal is a lucky rider indeed.

It WAS fun exchanging the emails though - the trainer said she absolutely loved Salina's daughter, and she was surprised to learn something about Salina. I sent a picture of her with Rafer and Redford, so she could see how much the daughter resembles her mama.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

What a special New Years treat to have discovered Salina's daughter.

Baby Doll has had one baby, a colt. He'd be about 8 years old now. I'd love to see him in person, though I'm sure it would make me want to have him, too. hehe

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful New Years Eve and Day,
~Lisa
New Mexico

billie said...

It was so much fun - by the end of the day, I had emailed back and forth with the new owner as well. She was thrilled to see photos of Salina and how well she's doing at the age of 25.