Hi THF gang .

Hope you all are still looking at the blog. Deb offered to write it on the wall so I'm sure she will.

Every one is getting along swell as I'm sure you see at Sunny hill. I miss you and hope all is well.

It sure is nice to have the equines in my own back yard. I think they are finally getting the idea that this is home...Hope so.

See you soon.

Happy trails gang , hugs and kisses (not) Pam

Beautiful Ride at Bass River

Last Sunday & this Sunday's rides at Bass River were absolutely beautiful. Thank you to everyone for making this all possible.

Can't wait to go again!

Bees On The Trail

In case you were wondering ... it's not all that fun to ride a horse being attacked by bees. Just as Ginny, Julie and I were talking about how nice it was to be riding without the concern of biting flies and mosquitos on this not-so-seasonably cold day, Harley and Montana were suddenly attacked by a swarm of bees.

It was on the Stepping Log Trail where this encounter occurred and actually it could have been so much worse. Harley and Montana were troopers. They did dance around quite a bit, kicking and thrashing as they were being stung but Julie and I quickly dismounted and walked away from the bees ... grabbed some ferns and swept away the bees from underneath our horses.

Once the bees were gone, they settled down and we were able to get back on and finish our ride. Julie also got stung a couple times - ouch.

We did tell Charlie so hopefully he'll try to get some spray onto them and we'll all be able to return to our beloved Stepping Logs. Both horses have a bunch of welts from the stings but I'm sure they'll be fine. Just wanted to let everyone know so that they too do not have a run-in with the bees.

American Competitive Trail Horse Association

Hey guys! I was reading this month's Horse and Rider, and on page 16 there's a little blurb about the American Competitive Trail Horse Association. ANYONE with ANY BREED of horse can be a member of this group, and can compete in the trail rides. Or if you don't want to compete, you can just ride along for fun with your friends.

Check out their website - www.actha.us. As of right now they don't have any rides scheduled for Michigan, but if you click on the "Request a Ride Near You" link on the home page and submit your request, a message pops up that if they get 10 requests in an area then they'll start working on a ride in your area!!!

Even if you don't want to compete, this would be a great opportunity to set some goals for you and your horse to work towards, and then get out and enjoy some new scenery! Plus we can all ride together, so it could be a THF team effort!

If this is something that interests you please forward to all of your horsie-friends - it could be a really fun opportunity!

Two Horses - Great Story

There is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear thesound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that. You may not always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...be kinder than necessary - everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God...

First Show for Solo & Lily

Reannon & Lily enjoyed a beautiful day at the Holland Western showgrounds in Saugatuck on Saturday. With Solo and Leo all prettied up, the girls left Thunder Hill at 6:00 a.m. raring to go to the show. As Lily's first show, she handled the pressure like a champion.

Both Reannon and Lily and their horses performed extremely well in the Trail class - finishing first (Reannon) and third (Lily) in their respective classes. Reannon also earned a sixth place ribbon in the Anyone Can Win Walk/Trot Class. And, Lily was awarded sixth place in the Western Pleasure Small Fry Class.

The girls plan to go back to Holland Western for another show on July 11. Way to go ladies!

Auction starts Thursday for closed Muskegon race course

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=108706


FRUITPORT TWP., Mich. (WZZM) - The race is on to sell what's left of a closed Muskegon race track. The Little River Tribe from Manistee plans to build a casino at track site near US-31 and I-96.

From barns to bars, over the next two weeks, everything left at Great Lakes Downs will be auctioned off. The track has been quiet for more than a year, but an online race is just beginning - starting Thursday morning at 8:00am.

Auctioneer Nate Tripp of Tripp Auction Services says everything at Great Lakes Downs is on the auction block, "from the urinals on the walls to the rugs on the floor." Including the Winners Circle. "If someone wants to come up and scrap it. It is available." 20 barns, 60 sheds, windows, doors, restaurant equipment. It all goes. The items will be available Thursday for inspection in person as well.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians owns the 87 acre site. The tribe purchased it last July in hopes of building a casino there. The reality of that vision is unclear. What is clear is that the eclectic mix of items included in the auction is getting the attention of area residents.

Regardless of what this site eventually becomes, the auctioneer's goal is to rid the property of anything that has value and give the tribe a clean start on a new race. One that hopefully has a better finish for Muskegon County. Whatever is left is going to be demolished.

The auctioneers will give purchasers two weeks to get the larger items, including buildings, off the property.

Jon Mills