Arriving at the EMM was very exciting. We arrived at 3am and so we were very tired to start our adventure. All three
horses traveled well.
Wednesday 8am we checked in and unloaded. We have allot of stuff. Moses and the yearling's settled in well. Moses
was a little nervous the first practice ride, but by evening was calming down. There were so many horses to be
adopted, we hoped it wouldn't hurt the adoption.
Thursday the competition started for all of us. Ryan was first in the ground work course with Gimmly and he did
absolutely perfect! It was amazing how this wonderful little horse did all Ryan asked of him.
I was next in the ground course of my division. I was so nervous, not to compete, but to get the pattern right. Last year,
.....well, my mistake took all my hard work and Joshua's chance to be the best right down the drain. I had allot of mental
pressure to get this years pattern right, for my emotional well being. I am glad to say I got it perfect, however Moses
decided to over turn on my backup through the L pattern, so it wasn't perfect. Thanks to Ultum, by Purina MIlls helping
with Moses' conditioning score of 119, (120 is perfect) combined with the Ground work score Moses and I went into the
Riding course in 12th place. That gave us a great chance of getting into the finals.
Joanne was next in her and Ryans division and she did great! Thanks to Strategy, by Purina Mills Still Water and
Gimmley's conditioning score along with there Ground work score sent the two horses into the Finals. The top ten
yearling's went to the finals!
Friday daytime we spent working on there final presentations and working Moses preparing him for the Horse course
Saturday am.
Friday night was amazing! Ryan drew 3rd in the draw. He did a tribute to September 11th and all the fallen firefighters.
Gimmley wore an American flag. They both looked great, however Gimmley's emotions got the best of him and he
showed a little more fear that we would of liked. The big crowd was a little scary. Ryan showcased his groundwork
lessons and asked Gimmley to step onto a platform. Gimmle did a cute little dance on the platform.
Joanne and Still Water entered the area with confidence and rocked there presentation. Joanne did her freestyle to the
song "No Reins" by Rascal Flats. She showcased her healing control and did a reining type pattern on the ground. Still
water spun and did sliding stops! It was awesome!
Ryan placed 7th overall and Joanne got 3rd overall! AWESOME!!! BOTH OF THEM IN THE FINALS OUT OF 72
YEARLING'S!.
Saturday was here and it was hard for me to stay calm and focus. I drew 61st out of 68 horses in the draw, so I wouldn't
ride until afternoon. After watching many of my competition, I knew Moses and I just needed a clean run to get into the
finals. As I entered the arena, I could feel Moses' attention on me. We trotted in, stopped and settled. We spun to the
right 2 times. Then to the left 2 and 1/4 turns. Left lead we loped off and then out of the corner of Moses eye he saw the
obstacles and broke gate. I spurred him back into the circle and then to the center and started a slow small, still to the
left. Here comes the flying lead change, I took a deep breath and asked, he made the change simple, but it was correct.
Big fast right circle, he shied a little from the bridge but recovered quickly. Next I had to lope him straight into a shoot
made of poles on the ground in the middle of the obstacle course and stop. He started to vere to the left, I said "no we
are going!" spurred him forward and in he went, then I pulled the breaks hard and he stopped without going over the
poles. It was close but we did it. Next we backed straight and then to the left into the "L". He did great this time on the
back up. On to the rope gate and again perfect. We did a left 180 degree pivot turn and walked to the bridge. He
hesitated a moment, but went over well. Trot was next over a "w" shaped pole obstacle and then over a short jump.
The course was over, accept for my 2 minute freestyle.
I decided to showcase his glorious trot. Slow, then extended and on to haunches in. Then I wowed the crowd and
judges with our leg yields across the arena left and right. I had a little time left so we backed up in a "W" pattern, did a
couple of quick spins and loped off and stopped! He did great! But would it be enough?
I spent the next couple of hours wondering and stressing. I so wanted my shot at the finals. I worked so hard, not only
this year but last year too and I wanted to show what I could do with these glorious horses that God has created. I feel
God has picked the horses that He wanted for me. He gave them the ability to learn and blessed me with the ability to
teach them.
Off to the show office I went as they said they were announcing the top ten finalists and there was Ryan arms wide open
with the good news! I was in, but I was first in the draw. Somebody has to go first!
I was so excited, but in panic mode a little as I had not thought about my free style pattern since before we left because I
wanted to focus -on the competition patterns. An hour of practice and were ready. Rusty Walker has been my freestyle
coach and helped me with the music and choreography. She not only helped me with the freestyle, but prayed a prayer
for me that was one of the most powerful and memorable prayers of my life! She helped me give all my stress to God
and be thankful for the opportunity that he had blessed me with. Deep breath and a smile and off to the finals!
I did my freestyle to music from the Chronicles of Narnia. I wore my mid-evil dress complete with sword. It was
awesome! Into the finals we went. Moses was amazing and not only completed my pattern with flying colors, but almost
perfect flying lead changes in both directions. He tripped over the ball we play with, but recovered well, showing just
how broke he really is. The judges scored us, afterwards a couple of them admitting they scored me low, as I was the
first person to go. But somebody always has to go first.
When all was said and done, we place 5th overall, getting our hands on a little prize money and recognition. I am so
proud of Moses. His trust and heart was pure as gold and I had a blast.
Sunday morning came along and the realization of the adoption. It is so hard for me not to get attached as this process is
life changing. But Moses was not meant to be with me forever, and so we went into the adoption ring. I tried so hard to
hold back the tears, but not knowing who was bidding, was really tough. So the tears flowed and flowed as we showed
all we knew together. Moses has a place in my heart that I will always remember and I in his, as I am his first human
love and trusted leader. I have been praying for the right home and my heart knows that every horse I take through this
program is one that is saved from harsh living situations and possible extinction. Well, God had a plan for Moses. How
big is our God? How powerful is he? Does he love his creation even down to the wild mustang? He says in his word
he knows when every sparrow falls and counts the hairs on our head. So why not? He not only prepared me to pick the
freestyle to catch the eye of a knight in shining armor. Yes, I said a knight named, Geoffrey Geick. Moses caught his
eye right away before the finals and he talked with me about him. He seemed to fall in love with Moses right away and I
got a good feeling about him. As we visited he has experience in dressage and reining and worked as a knight at an
equestrian mid-evil show that did jousting and mid-evil reenactment. Wow! How perfect is that for Moses. Well,
Geoffrey got the winning bid and was Moses knew owner! Geoffry's gentle spirit and true love for horses
showed true as he not only adopted Moses, but adopted an unwanted mustang that know one else
wanted. So he went home with two American mustangs. He was my hero this weekend along with the
other adopters this weekend. May God bless Geoffrey and Moses. May they become trusting partners
for a lifetime and be ambassadors for the American Mustang!
Ryans dad adopted Gimmley and he went home to Colorado to live with them. Joanne's hero was
someone special in her life who stepped up and offered to help adopt Still water for her and help with his
living expenses. In total 286 American Mustangs were adopted at the Extreme Mustang Makeover 2008!
That is so awesome, but only a drop in the bucket to the horses out there that need homes. Remember,
we have many unwanted horses in this country, not only mustangs, but our own back yard horses that
people persistently breed for no reason other than to have a baby! Babies grow up and need feed,
training, and medical attention. The more we breed the more unwanted horses have homes and the
more we make it more likely for euthanasia to become a reality in the United States again. These
American Mustangs are amazing partners. Beauty, grace, heart, stamina, and true companionship are
bred into these mustangs by God himself. He needs us to manage the horses he has given to us and
stop making more to attend to. I plead with you to reconsider the idea of breeding your mares to get a
baby and think about adopting one or more of God's horses, the legendary American Mustang!
A SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL MY SUPPORT TEAM AT THE EMM
AND AT HOME. RYAN BRANHAM, MY KIDS, JOANNE THOMPSON, PATTIE
SWEET (she worked so hard to groom Moses and care for him and the
yearling's), MY MOM AND DAD, RYANS MOM AND DAD, SHARON AND BILL
REED, KRISTIN BLACK, MARCY BYLINSKY, TERESA, DENISE AND LIZZY
GERDIS, RUSTY AND STERLING AND ALL MY OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY
THAT HAVE PRAYED FOR AND SUPPORTED ME ALONG THE WAY! HUGS
AND KISSES TO YOU ALL. THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT, THE
SHOULDERS TO CRY ON, THE EARS TO LISTEN, THE SMILES THAT WERE
CONTAGIOUS, AND YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ME AND MOSES! I
LOVE YOU ALL!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ERNIE RODINA, FROM PURINA MILLS AND PREMIERE
FARM AND HOME FOR THERE SUPPORT AND HELP WITH THE PURINA
FEEDS FOR ALL THREE MUSTANGS!
horses traveled well.
Wednesday 8am we checked in and unloaded. We have allot of stuff. Moses and the yearling's settled in well. Moses
was a little nervous the first practice ride, but by evening was calming down. There were so many horses to be
adopted, we hoped it wouldn't hurt the adoption.
Thursday the competition started for all of us. Ryan was first in the ground work course with Gimmly and he did
absolutely perfect! It was amazing how this wonderful little horse did all Ryan asked of him.
I was next in the ground course of my division. I was so nervous, not to compete, but to get the pattern right. Last year,
.....well, my mistake took all my hard work and Joshua's chance to be the best right down the drain. I had allot of mental
pressure to get this years pattern right, for my emotional well being. I am glad to say I got it perfect, however Moses
decided to over turn on my backup through the L pattern, so it wasn't perfect. Thanks to Ultum, by Purina MIlls helping
with Moses' conditioning score of 119, (120 is perfect) combined with the Ground work score Moses and I went into the
Riding course in 12th place. That gave us a great chance of getting into the finals.
Joanne was next in her and Ryans division and she did great! Thanks to Strategy, by Purina Mills Still Water and
Gimmley's conditioning score along with there Ground work score sent the two horses into the Finals. The top ten
yearling's went to the finals!
Friday daytime we spent working on there final presentations and working Moses preparing him for the Horse course
Saturday am.
Friday night was amazing! Ryan drew 3rd in the draw. He did a tribute to September 11th and all the fallen firefighters.
Gimmley wore an American flag. They both looked great, however Gimmley's emotions got the best of him and he
showed a little more fear that we would of liked. The big crowd was a little scary. Ryan showcased his groundwork
lessons and asked Gimmley to step onto a platform. Gimmle did a cute little dance on the platform.
Joanne and Still Water entered the area with confidence and rocked there presentation. Joanne did her freestyle to the
song "No Reins" by Rascal Flats. She showcased her healing control and did a reining type pattern on the ground. Still
water spun and did sliding stops! It was awesome!
Ryan placed 7th overall and Joanne got 3rd overall! AWESOME!!! BOTH OF THEM IN THE FINALS OUT OF 72
YEARLING'S!.
Saturday was here and it was hard for me to stay calm and focus. I drew 61st out of 68 horses in the draw, so I wouldn't
ride until afternoon. After watching many of my competition, I knew Moses and I just needed a clean run to get into the
finals. As I entered the arena, I could feel Moses' attention on me. We trotted in, stopped and settled. We spun to the
right 2 times. Then to the left 2 and 1/4 turns. Left lead we loped off and then out of the corner of Moses eye he saw the
obstacles and broke gate. I spurred him back into the circle and then to the center and started a slow small, still to the
left. Here comes the flying lead change, I took a deep breath and asked, he made the change simple, but it was correct.
Big fast right circle, he shied a little from the bridge but recovered quickly. Next I had to lope him straight into a shoot
made of poles on the ground in the middle of the obstacle course and stop. He started to vere to the left, I said "no we
are going!" spurred him forward and in he went, then I pulled the breaks hard and he stopped without going over the
poles. It was close but we did it. Next we backed straight and then to the left into the "L". He did great this time on the
back up. On to the rope gate and again perfect. We did a left 180 degree pivot turn and walked to the bridge. He
hesitated a moment, but went over well. Trot was next over a "w" shaped pole obstacle and then over a short jump.
The course was over, accept for my 2 minute freestyle.
I decided to showcase his glorious trot. Slow, then extended and on to haunches in. Then I wowed the crowd and
judges with our leg yields across the arena left and right. I had a little time left so we backed up in a "W" pattern, did a
couple of quick spins and loped off and stopped! He did great! But would it be enough?
I spent the next couple of hours wondering and stressing. I so wanted my shot at the finals. I worked so hard, not only
this year but last year too and I wanted to show what I could do with these glorious horses that God has created. I feel
God has picked the horses that He wanted for me. He gave them the ability to learn and blessed me with the ability to
teach them.
Off to the show office I went as they said they were announcing the top ten finalists and there was Ryan arms wide open
with the good news! I was in, but I was first in the draw. Somebody has to go first!
I was so excited, but in panic mode a little as I had not thought about my free style pattern since before we left because I
wanted to focus -on the competition patterns. An hour of practice and were ready. Rusty Walker has been my freestyle
coach and helped me with the music and choreography. She not only helped me with the freestyle, but prayed a prayer
for me that was one of the most powerful and memorable prayers of my life! She helped me give all my stress to God
and be thankful for the opportunity that he had blessed me with. Deep breath and a smile and off to the finals!
I did my freestyle to music from the Chronicles of Narnia. I wore my mid-evil dress complete with sword. It was
awesome! Into the finals we went. Moses was amazing and not only completed my pattern with flying colors, but almost
perfect flying lead changes in both directions. He tripped over the ball we play with, but recovered well, showing just
how broke he really is. The judges scored us, afterwards a couple of them admitting they scored me low, as I was the
first person to go. But somebody always has to go first.
When all was said and done, we place 5th overall, getting our hands on a little prize money and recognition. I am so
proud of Moses. His trust and heart was pure as gold and I had a blast.
Sunday morning came along and the realization of the adoption. It is so hard for me not to get attached as this process is
life changing. But Moses was not meant to be with me forever, and so we went into the adoption ring. I tried so hard to
hold back the tears, but not knowing who was bidding, was really tough. So the tears flowed and flowed as we showed
all we knew together. Moses has a place in my heart that I will always remember and I in his, as I am his first human
love and trusted leader. I have been praying for the right home and my heart knows that every horse I take through this
program is one that is saved from harsh living situations and possible extinction. Well, God had a plan for Moses. How
big is our God? How powerful is he? Does he love his creation even down to the wild mustang? He says in his word
he knows when every sparrow falls and counts the hairs on our head. So why not? He not only prepared me to pick the
freestyle to catch the eye of a knight in shining armor. Yes, I said a knight named, Geoffrey Geick. Moses caught his
eye right away before the finals and he talked with me about him. He seemed to fall in love with Moses right away and I
got a good feeling about him. As we visited he has experience in dressage and reining and worked as a knight at an
equestrian mid-evil show that did jousting and mid-evil reenactment. Wow! How perfect is that for Moses. Well,
Geoffrey got the winning bid and was Moses knew owner! Geoffry's gentle spirit and true love for horses
showed true as he not only adopted Moses, but adopted an unwanted mustang that know one else
wanted. So he went home with two American mustangs. He was my hero this weekend along with the
other adopters this weekend. May God bless Geoffrey and Moses. May they become trusting partners
for a lifetime and be ambassadors for the American Mustang!
Ryans dad adopted Gimmley and he went home to Colorado to live with them. Joanne's hero was
someone special in her life who stepped up and offered to help adopt Still water for her and help with his
living expenses. In total 286 American Mustangs were adopted at the Extreme Mustang Makeover 2008!
That is so awesome, but only a drop in the bucket to the horses out there that need homes. Remember,
we have many unwanted horses in this country, not only mustangs, but our own back yard horses that
people persistently breed for no reason other than to have a baby! Babies grow up and need feed,
training, and medical attention. The more we breed the more unwanted horses have homes and the
more we make it more likely for euthanasia to become a reality in the United States again. These
American Mustangs are amazing partners. Beauty, grace, heart, stamina, and true companionship are
bred into these mustangs by God himself. He needs us to manage the horses he has given to us and
stop making more to attend to. I plead with you to reconsider the idea of breeding your mares to get a
baby and think about adopting one or more of God's horses, the legendary American Mustang!
A SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL MY SUPPORT TEAM AT THE EMM
AND AT HOME. RYAN BRANHAM, MY KIDS, JOANNE THOMPSON, PATTIE
SWEET (she worked so hard to groom Moses and care for him and the
yearling's), MY MOM AND DAD, RYANS MOM AND DAD, SHARON AND BILL
REED, KRISTIN BLACK, MARCY BYLINSKY, TERESA, DENISE AND LIZZY
GERDIS, RUSTY AND STERLING AND ALL MY OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY
THAT HAVE PRAYED FOR AND SUPPORTED ME ALONG THE WAY! HUGS
AND KISSES TO YOU ALL. THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT, THE
SHOULDERS TO CRY ON, THE EARS TO LISTEN, THE SMILES THAT WERE
CONTAGIOUS, AND YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ME AND MOSES! I
LOVE YOU ALL!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ERNIE RODINA, FROM PURINA MILLS AND PREMIERE
FARM AND HOME FOR THERE SUPPORT AND HELP WITH THE PURINA
FEEDS FOR ALL THREE MUSTANGS!
