Guess that one was too easy!

Janet sent a follow up picture just in case...

If any of our readers have their own fun pictures taken around the barn that they would like to share, please email them to Margaret!

And, all you 15 and under junior riders... We're all waiting to hear what horses and riding mean to you!!!

Another "Can You Guess Who?"

Janet sent this photo which she entitled "3 Bottoms Up". Can you identify three of our juniors from the backsides? Let the Reporter know!

Wishes for the Happiest Thanksgiving...

"Crafty Lady"

To any of our readers who are into crafts and have leftover materials such as fabrics, yarns and threads, acrylic paints, etc. - you might want to consider passing those things on to our resident artist, Vicki Mixer. Not only is Vicki an art teacher who can share these items with her own students, she is also active with the Boys and Girls Club, and donates art materials there. Clean out that cupboard or drawer full of half finished projects or supplies you'll never use again and let Vicki and her kids put them to good use!

Congratulations Audra and Fire!

Our pal Audra is making news again. Congratulations to her on her recent purchase of On Fire. With Noah starting his dressage career with a new "mom" in Brent's barn, Audra can now put her full attention on Fire and their equitation class challenges ahead. We're so happy for both of them!

Pictures Circa 1986 - Can You Guess Who???

Look Who's Getting Big!

Received from the Snedegars - pictures of Tommy's baby boy, Pinot Noir, at around six months. Isn't he beautiful???

We're expanding the challenge!

It seems that our 12 and Under group are being a little shy about sending their reports on what horses and riding mean to them. (Thanks so much, MaKenna, for going first!) So... the Reporter is extending the challenge to our 13-15 year old riders, as well, in hopes that many more of you will contribute your thoughts, and that you'll encourage the little ones to write, too!

One of younger riders has shared that she has written a poem about her horse. That would be a marvelous contribution to the Reporter and we hope she sends that very, very soon.

It has been suggested by a couple of our older group that the piece could be expanded to include where riders see horses taking them in the future. ("How far do you want to go with your riding?") Any of you that want to add a few words about that, we would love to read them.

Remember riders - this is not a "test" and there are no wrong answers. The Reporter believes that every person who spends time with these incredible creatures has deeply felt reasons for doing it. We would all love you to share those thoughts with us.

Let's try to get these emailed to Margaret no later than the end of Thanksgiving week, okay? Our readers really can't wait to hear from all of you!

We are all so glad to hear after the weekend...

...that the Beattie house was virtually untouched by last week's fires in Yorba Linda and the surrounding area. We know it was a terrifying time for Brandee and her family, and we all share in the relief and joy at their good-fortune.
Let us also take time to remember the hundreds of families that weren't so lucky and lets try to all find our own ways to give back to those with such challenges facing them.

Can You Guess Who?

Another amateur has shared photos of herself, these taken somewhere back East. Can you guess who she is? (Hint - the gray horse looks a lot like one she owns now!) The Reporter will try to get more information, especially the year(s) these photos were taken.

MaKenna Grierson on Horses and Riding...

"What riding means to me.... riding is a sport, but it is more than that to me. It is a lifestyle, also a fun game. (Nobody rides at my school except 2 people - that's lame!) Riding means a lot to me. Horses mean even more. Any horse or pony I will love, even if they buck me off. Most of all I love bratty ponies!"

The first picture is of MaKenna on her grandpa's horse in Arizona. Bet we all know who the bratty pony is, don't we???

Another Brave Amateur Steps Up!

With regards to the terms of the challenge, these pictures of Jeff are hardly representative of his "much younger self". But, he was in the "infancy" of his riding career when these were taken less than three years ago. We're glad he stepped up to the challenge, and even more glad that he's riding a whole lot better now!

More Trips Down Memory Lane...

Gwen was just a kid when these pics were taken, but she sure looked great, especially on another old horse buddy below, Ben. (And it's good to see that plaid hunt coats never did go completely out of style!)

The Short Stirrup Rider Challenge

As we await more pictures from our Over 40 group, the Reporter is now sending out a new challenge.

TO ALL ESI 12 AND UNDER RIDERS

The challenge is to submit a short (one or two paragraph) report on what horses and riding mean to you. Email your words to Margaret and the Reporter will post them, with a photo, very soon.
We all can't wait to hear from you!

Another "Oldie But Goodie" Post

Found in today's mail, two pictures from Janet. The first was taken in South Africa in 1981 on her horse, Park Royal. The second is on a horse a few of us old-timers remember well, Solitaire. It was taken in 1988 at Rancho Sierra Vista. Thanks for sharing, Janet!

A FEW BRAVE SOULS...

... have already taken up the "Over 40 Photo Challenge". (See below.) We thank them for their generosity at sharing pieces of their pasts. And, we hope that these examples encourage other ESI "older" riders to submit their own historical photographs. Remember, you can email photos already scanned and stored on your computer to Margaret directly, or you can leave them in John's office, where Margaret will pick them up, scan them and return them to you. Don't be left out!

John is our first male victim, err, we mean participant. He reached clear back to his childhood for this photo of him and his first pony, Peppermint (or is it Peppo-Mint) Patty. The picture of he and his wonderful jumper mare, Elvira (mother to Rip-Tide, aka BeBe), has been turned black and white to spare our readers the clashing colors of his shirt and breeches!

Margaret sent pictures from the days when horse show photos were ALL in black and white! The first is on her horse Timmy, at Coto de Caza, in 1975. The second was taken in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1969, on a wonderful old leased horse named Highlander. (Dig that crazy madras plaid jacket - all the rage in hunter classes circa late 60's!)

Mary Edwards sent this photo of her and her horse, Milton, taken at Sycamore in 1993.

Audra was another who supplied us with two past photos... The first is on a horse named Blackie. Let's see if anyone out there can guess who the second horse is!

Be A Follower!

We've included a blog follower list to the ESI Reporter. Let us know you are following the goings-on at ESI by adding your user name and photo. We'd love to know who is out there!

5 Bar Pics Posted

Jim Cain, from Notable Equine, has sent the Reporter photos of our six riders who competed in the 5 Bar Class at the Championship Show. They have been posted in the right column of this site. Riders interested in purchasing pictures should visit his website to see all photos from the class. Thanks, Jim, for sending us these great reminders of the show!