Greetings fellow Wisconsinites!

I've just completed uploading all of my Memorial Day pictures from McCasslin's and the pipeline onto my website. You can check them out HERE if you're interested.

The weekend actually went very well (for me, anyhow). I had no mechanical troubles at all (last year I needed a jump start every time I shut down). In fact, I helped fix at least 4 other trucks and jump started a few more. It was nice to be on the "giving" end of help for a change.

My cousin (a GM guy) decided to go all out on the first rock hill we came to. So, 20 minutes into the weekend he sheared the spline end of one rear axle right off and destroyed one front ujoint and both axle shafts that were conected to it. That sent us to the boneyard for the rest of the day (which was as much fun as wheelin' for me).

As soon as I replace my rings and rod bearings I'll be ready for another trip. Unless, that is, I find another "drop-in" 460 first.

Kevin K.

 

Nice pics, Kev! Looks like fun!!

But, what was that pale blue thing in front of your mud truck in the first pic??

 

Uhhh. Errr. Ummm. Oh, that's my wife's truck. Yeah, that's it.

Actually I bought that before I was "enlightened". In 99, I was not at all impressed with the look, comfort, or hauling capacities of the F150's compared to the ram, and I WILL NOT buy a GM.

I'm actually shopping for an F250 now. We're doing a lot more horse hauling to shows and lessons, and I think I'm pushing the truck to it's limits.

That, and it's just not cool to pull a Ford with a dodge.

Kevin K.

 

lol - that's what I'd say also

Actually, though, I agree with you. Before the SD came out I was seriously considering a Dodge too.

You got kids riding? I have an eleven-year-old who is horse nuts. I don't haul them though - believe it or not, my wife does with the mini-van!

 

Looks like you had a blast Kevin--I would like to get up there this summer--between the badlands and another vacation so maybe later this summer or early fall.

Mike

 

Cool. My daughter is 12 and in the Sheboygan County 4H club. She's been showing since she was 7. We used to have all American Saddlebreds and showed in the professional circuit for about a year and a half. But at about $800 per show weekend, it quickly became way too expensive. Now we do the 4H thing and spend about $60 a weekend. And, we don't have to deal with overpriced, lying, cheating trainers.

She now rides a AQHA/Palomino that she just loves to death. My wife is training her own Saddlebred that we raised from birth, and I have one of the only horses that can hold my fat ****, a Percheron mare.

Is your daughter in 4H? What does she ride and compete in?

Kevin K.

 

She is in the Jefferson County 4-H and my wife is a club leader. The horse project here is one of the best in the state - really high membership and great leaders. Now, if we can only get them to focus a little bit less on Western....

They had an open show this weekend in Jefferson. The judge was obviously biased toward Western horses, even in the English classes, which isn't really a big surprise. Daughter was disappointed, though.

My daughter is also in the local USPC (U. S. Pony Club) chapter. They do a lot of dressage, show jumping, cross-country, etc. Strictly English. They have their big show this weekend at Bounds in Deerfield.

She has been riding a Saddlebred for the past few years, and is just starting with her new horse, a Belgian cross (he was a "mistake" foal - wife bought a horse and didn't know is was pregnant). He is huge!

I really like her first horse, he is very tall and leggy - looked so elegant with a little kid on his back, but he's getting older and not so good on the higher jumps.

My wife rides a Cleveland Bay/Saddlebred cross, western.

I don't get a horse, neither of them think I'm good enough, which is actually true. I like gas and diesel burners, as opposed to the hay variety

 

Very cool. 4H is a great organization and does a lot for the kids. It helps to have a decent club, too. The Manitowoc horse club is kinda weak but Sheboygan's is great. They're pretty big, too. Last year at State, Sheboygan had the largest representationof any county with around 60-75 kids.

I know what you mean about English/Western. English is much more elegant in my opinion. Especially on a Saddlebred. Now that;s the way a horse SHOULD look. Unfortunately, my daughter started out in saddle seat, then went to hunt seat, and now does western, too. Talk about expensive!

My daughter also went to an open show last weekend, and had a similar experience with the judge. The guy obviously hates palominos since none of the 4 there ever placed in any class. We found out later that most people don't like him as a judge because he's so unfair, biased, and inconsistant. So, if you ever go to a show where Sid Larson is judging, don't expect to win. He hates Saddlebreds as much as palominos.

One of the architects I work with has a daughter in the USPC in Racine. She goes for her C3 rating soon. That's another cool club.

Our big open show is August 16th & 17th. We get a lot of people from all over the state. Several have told me that they come because it's one of the most competitive shows around. It's at the Sheboygan County fairgrounds in Plymouth. I know it's a haul, but if you're interested, I can get you all the pre-registration info.

BTW, do you know the bloodline of your Saddlebred? Our mare was a "Champaign Fizz" baby and a full sister to the World Grand Champion "Hide away's Stand By Me". That doesn't mean that she was really god or anything, it just sounds really cool.

Kevin K.

 

I agree. I used to like Western, but those goofy "lopes" and horses dragging their noses in the dirt and the fake tails, etc. really turned me off! I have come to really like English riding since my daughter started, especially the cross-country and show jumping - at least they do something other than ride in a circle!

I just don't get that whole thing. I am by no means an expert, but I can sure as heck tell the difference between the gaits and riding positions for the various styles, why the heck can't the judges see this?!? There's just no objectivity and no intention of comparing the riders and animals with the established standards. I guess that's not gonna change anytime soon, but it sure steams me sometimes

You a builder? I'm a project sup and sometimes PM for a GC.

Cool! My daughter goes for her C1 this summer.

Please send it to me. I'm sure they would want to go!

My daughter wants to know if your kid is in Horse Bowl - apparently Sheboygan is their mortal enemy

Nah - he was a show jumper whose owner didn't want anymore so we ended up with him. I think he's probably a mutt

 

Okay - I have to make a correction. In talking to the "warden", I have been informed that my daughter's horse is not a Saddlebred, he's a Cleveland Bay cross. Her horse is the Saddlebred (actually Saddlebred/Thoroughbred).

Sorry, I am really equestrian-challenged!

 

There are some good judges out there, but a lot of them are so arrogant and cocky, they do what they want. I know several who flat out told me they'd never place a spotted horse or a bay. Others say they'll never place a palomino. That's just wrong. Judging isn't about THEIR personal preference of horse color, it's about ability.



Nope, just a CAD jockey. I work for Bray Associates Architects. I've been the network admin./cad system mgr. for about 13 years. I'm not a registered architect, but fill that role on a lot of projects.



Will do! My wife and I are doing all the pre-registration entries and she's the chairperson for the show this year. So, any questions you have will most likely come to her. Also, if they decide to come, I can try to get her a stall next to my daughter so their not alone. Show grounds can get confusing if you've never been there, and it's nice to have someone around that's familiar with them.



No. Too much going on to commit every tuesday to another activity. My wife said "we're everyone's enemy because we usually win everything." <hehe>

Kevin K.

 

I couldn't agree with you more!

I'm with The Redmond Company. You looking for a change? We're looking hard for a couple of senior Architectural PMs and designers here - really busy!

Cool - I sent you my email. Please send the stuff and I'll pass it on.

Ouch - I don't know about that, Jefferson County has been pretty successful the past couple years Actually, our Horse Bowl leader is mad because my daughter will be at camp during Horse Bowl this year - she's an eleven-year-old horse encyclopedia!

 

The commute would kill me. Got any office any further north? I'm not in the market now, but you never know what will happen. I do know several highly qualified people that might be though.

I think my wife was just messin' with ya. It is amazing what these kids know though isn't it? Funny how they seem to remember the causes and symptoms of equine illnesses, yet can't remember to clean their own rooms.

Kevin K.