Games Practice 02/11/18

February, 11, 2018

Two days ago we had a practice and it was freezing. Today we had a practice and it was nice and warm! Both were fun, but I got to say the warmer temperatures were nicer to the joints.

Today’s practice included three of us from Team Gone Rogue; myself, Val, And Jon, and our friend Zoe on her brand new pony Dice. This was Zoe’s second ride on Dice, and his first time playing games. I think Zoe picked a good one. He hardly batted an eye at anything and he seemed pleased to trot on through everything. I believe I caught his very first race, Twitter, and his second, mug shuffle in the compilation video.

We rocked through quite a few races, trying to hit ones today we didn’t get to on Friday. And since it was warm, we ran through quoits a few times. For me I worked on my leaning in quoits, more for my leaning in general than to actually get the ring out of the bucket in competition. I am very happy with myself for touching the top of the bucket, go me! Val of course was whipping around, grabbing a hoop and in most runs (except the one in the video) slapping that ring over the cone. And Jon, his stirrup is so fast. He certainly challenges a vaulter with this skill.

About half way through practice one of the long horns came running into the indoor and started to toss a trash can around. Jon ran over and closed the gates to our section just before another one ran in. Turns out the cows had gotten loose. We called up to the house and they had them rounded us and back in the field quickly but there was a lot of mooing going on for a while. It made for a rather exciting mid practice break.

Video compilation from practice!

Shenandoah Fairgrounds Barn Fire

February 14, 2013

Blue Ridge Games uses the Shenandoah Fairgrounds for many of our open practices, clinics and competitions.  We also have a demo during the Shenandoah County Fair.  The grounds also promotes a ½ mile harness track that a few trainers use to train at.  They have an older 42 stall shed row that these trainers rent out for some of their horses to stay on grounds.

This morning the shed row caught on fire and burned.  Co-workers reported seeing the smoke from miles away on their drive to work past the grounds.  I goggled it and read on Northern Virginia Daily that there was only one horse being stabled on the grounds at the time, and the owner just happened to be across town picking up Valentines gifts and saw the smoke.  So he went to investigate and because his horse was at the opposite end of the stable, was able to get his horse out safely.

Rich Cooley/Daily http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily
http://www.nvdaily.com

The news reports also stated that although no horses were hurt, 2 dogs died.  Presumably they were the resident dogs that we always saw there and were locked in a stall for the night.  Trainers also trailer in from nearby farms to use the facility and two of them were reported to also have equipment at the stables, including carts and harness, and that was all a loss.

Rich Cooley/Daily http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily
http://www.nvdaily.com

I am happy to hear to hear it was no worse than it was.  I will be interested to see what the fairgrounds does.

Rich Cooley/Daily http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily
http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily
http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily http://www.nvdaily.com

Rich Cooley/Daily
http://www.nvdaily.com

2012 Shendoah Fair Demo

Tina on her excited pony
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

This past Saturday, September the 1st, Blue Ridge Games hosted a demo competition as part of the Shenandoah County Fair.  We  had 12 riders take part as the equestrian entertainment on the last day of the fair. 

 
We ran two lengthy heats, of three lanes, in pairs format, in a fun demo scrimmage competition.  We did not keep score and allowed each pair to get in a good practice while riding in a competition format.  It was a lot of fun and we were privileged to have some spectators that showed interest and cheered riders on. 
 
They were doing an auction, just out of sight at the far end of the ring, which was quite scary to some of the ponies, and Simon was no exception.  I think he was particularly itchy that day, and was shedding his short summer coat pretty heavily.  He leaped along, rather than canter or gallop, and acted rather irritated in the same fashion he did when I clipped his hair off last winter.  A bit of a challenge between his irritation and all the things to look at, we still had a good time and a good practice. 

Simon and I in Two Flag Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 Simon and I were paired with our usual teammate, Kim and her pony Gwen, and as always, Kim and I had a great time riding together.  Kim is laid back and very go with the flow.  She is excessively supportive, and is full of positive encouraging enthusiasm for everyone.  She is a joy to ride with and I am always happy to be her partner.  Kim rides with a smile on her face which is usually contagious.

Carol Ann on her pony Finn in Bottle Shuttle Race
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 Kim and I rode in the same heat as some of our new games friends, Tina, Tory and Mason, who are still solidifying all the rules and races, and this was their first competition.  They were fun to ride with and I think we all had a great time.  Linda Refereed the heat and I really liked her starts and control of the field. 

Simon and I in Litter Race
He is not paying attention at all!
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 The other heat consisted of our usual teammates, Linda and Carol Ann, along with a former teammate of mine from years ago when I rode on team Fast Forward, Izzy, and friends Nina, Gen (who is the photographer of a lot of the amazing photos on this website) and Tommy.  Their heat was much faster paced and really fun for me to referee. 

Kim smiling as usual, on Gwen
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 After the riding was complete, everyone helped pack up the equipment and selected a fun prize.  A few of us took a hike through the fairgrounds, taking a moment to watch some of the rodeo, checked out some of the exhibits and share a cinnamon funnel cake.  Which consequently, is way better than a regular funnel cake.  Totally recommended. 

 

Mason, showing some hoof on his pony!
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

A good afternoon, with games, friends and funnel cake!  What more could you ask for? 
 

Tori dunking her Litter with Izzy in the background
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

 

Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

I love the mountains in the background
Photo: Genevieve of EquiStar Photography

Games Equipment – Barrels

Blue Ridge Games blew some of our hard earned money and purchased 8 barrels!  Well, to be accurate, they arrived in the form of blue Brute trashcans. But with a little magic, they can be transformed into games barrels.

Eight barrels is enough to run 4 lanes and makes it possible for us to play games such as Bottle Shuttle, Litter, Hug-a-Mug, Toolbox, Tackshop, Rubber Ducky, and  Association.

The transformation from trashcan to games barrel is a pretty simple one.

The first step is to purchase a trashcan, preferably a sturdier plastic one, and it should fall between 2 feet – 2 feet 5 inches tall and no wider than 21 1/2 inches wide.  We picked ours up from Zoro Tools. They have a variety of them but to meet the standards we selected 27 1/2 inches tall, 22 inches diameter, 32 gal, blue ones.  They came to $19.99/each with FREE shipping.  I ordered them on Friday morning and they were in my driveway waiting for me  when I got home from work Monday afternoon.  Super fast!

Next you want to pick up a sheet of wood and some paint.  Cut out the barrel tops from the sheet of wood, sand the edges and paint.

To finish the project, all that needs to be done is to attach the wooden top to the trashcan.

And boom, you have successfully transformed a trashcan, into a games barrel.

Rich and I discussed marking the Blue Ridge Games barrels with BRG or the BRG logo to fancy them up a little.  I told him I had seen that Tami Anderson had stenciled the games pony logo on the top of her barrels.  He liked that idea and said he could do our BRG logo which is the games pony with a mountain over it.

Rich said he needs to touch the ponies up a little so the legs are not as lumped together, but we didn’t have time for that since we had a competition in two days.

I think the logo looks just fine the way it is though.

Team Ponies

I just love this photo of teammate, Linda’s pony Blue and Simon in their matching team Old School bridles from Distance Depot.  This was taken at the end of the Blue Ridge Games Clinic and Practice on March 18th.  I sent it to Distance Depot to see if they want to use it.  I can’t imagine they would want to miss out on these two adorable ponies.  But maybe I am a little bias?

Thanks to the Aren’s family for taking the picture.

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