I know many of you want me to ship this to you, but...

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
948 AM CDT WED JUN 18 2008

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-190300-
BENTON-CARROLL-WASHINGTON AR-MADISON-CRAWFORD-FRANKLIN-SEBASTIAN-
PUSHMATAHA-CHOCTAW-OSAGE-WASHINGTON OK-NOWATA-CRAIG-OTTAWA-PAWNEE-
TULSA-ROGERS-MAYES-DELAWARE-CREEK-OKFUSKEE-OKMULGEE-WAGONER-
CHEROKEE-ADAIR-MUSKOGEE-MCINTOSH-SEQUOYAH-PITTSBURG-HASKELL-
LATIMER-LE FLORE-
948 AM CDT WED JUN 18 2008

       ...WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD CONTINUES ACROSS EASTERN OKLAHOMA...

THE YEAR 2008 REMAINS THE WETTEST ON RECORD IN TULSA...SO FAR. AS OF
MIDNIGHT TODAY THE 34.72 INCHES OF RAIN RECORDED AT THE TULSA
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS THE MOST EVER RECEIVED THROUGH JUN 17TH.
OTHER LOCATIONS ACROSS EASTERN OKLAHOMA HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH
HEAVY RAINS AS WELL. THE OKLAHOMA CLIMATOLOGICAL SURVEY IN NORMAN
CURRENTLY CLASSIFIES 2008 AT THE 2ND WETTEST YEAR EVER FOR ALL OF
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA...THE 7TH WETTEST FOR EAST CENTRAL
OKLAHOMA...AND THE 9TH WETTEST FOR SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

THE IMPACTS OF THE PROLONGED RAINFALL HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD. MANY
OF THE LARGER CORPS OF ENGINEERS LAKE PROJECTS ACROSS EASTERN
OKLAHOMA ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH WATER CONDITIONS. URBAN
FLOODING HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES...AS WELL AS
PRESENTING A HAZARD TO TRAFFIC. MANY AGRICULTURAL LANDS HAVE BEEN
UNDER WATER RECENTLY...DAMAGING HAY CROPS AND POSSIBLY DELAYING
THE WHEAT HARVEST.

A BREAKDOWN OF RAINFALL IN 2008 FOR SOME SELECTED CITIES...

LOCATION            2008 RAINFALL *

JAY                 41.82 INCHES
NOWATA              38.58 INCHES
HASKELL             37.20 INCHES
CLAYTON             36.89 INCHES
TALIHINA            36.19 INCHES
PORTER              35.78 INCHES
INOLA               35.72 INCHES
TAHLEQUAH           35.51 INCHES
OKMULGEE            34.56 INCHES
PAWNEE              34.40 INCHES

*DATA COURTESY OF THE OKLAHOMA CLIMATOLOGICAL SURVEY

SOME LAKE LEVEL INFORMATION ACROSS EASTERN OKLAHOMA...

LAKE                PERCENT FULL OF FLOOD CONTROL POOL *

FT. GIBSON          79 PERCENT
HUDSON              73 PERCENT
OOLOGAH             73 PERCENT
PENSACOLA (GRAND)   69 PERCENT
COPAN               64 PERCENT
KEYSTONE            64 PERCENT
HULAH               63 PERCENT

*DATA COURTESY OF TULSA DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Now you know why I maight not be around here much.  More in another 

Posting.  This one won't wrap text.  :P

Howdy!

Been really busy recently. Between the stinking rain, new grandkid, trying to go riding, and updating the websites there is just not enough time to do anything. 🙂

Check out my new blog.

www.sierraranchok.net

This is a site where I have set up several mini sites to play with different information. You can learn about all kinds of neat things:

Blogging

Domain Names

Horses

Hybrid Cars

Life Coaches

Reiki

Chinchillas

and my all time favorite Stress Management

Check out the great information and be sure to leave comments so I can find ways to improve the sites. Well, I need to finish packing so we can go riding later. Remember this is the big City Slicker weekend. Rick will be the entertainment.

Deb

Sierra Ranch’s Home

Sierra Ranch’s Blog

You are invited to the 2008 City Slicker Trail Ride. This ride will be held at Robber’s Cave State Park just north of Wilburton, OK on June 13-15. Please note the change of location from last year.

On Friday (June 13^th) bring your hotdogs and marshmallows and join us at the campfire for some good ole wienie roast fun. We can meet and make new friends or just catch up on what’s going on with the current ones.

On Saturday (June 14^th) the Board of Directors will be doing all the cooking. We will be serving breakfast consisting for $3/person around 7AM.

The Cloverleaf ride with OETRA approved mileage will be leaving at 9AM returning to camp at noon for lunch. Upon your return, the BOD will be serving lunch of hamburgers or hot dogs with chips, dessert and lemonade or tea for $3/person or $5 for a mega meal of hamburger and two hotdogs.

An afternoon ride will leave out at 2 PM and returning about 4:30 PM. This will get you to camp in time to clean up for a wonderful night of dining and dancing with maybe some singing thrown in for fun.

Dinner is included in the ride fee and begins at 6 PM. We will be having the following: chopped brisket, smoked sausage, and chicken with baked beans, corn, bread, dessert and lemonade or tea. We promise plenty of mouth-waterin’ , lip-smackin’, home-cooked food that will make you want to take a nap – but you won’t, because right after dinner will be our famous karaoke singing contest with a cash prize!!! Eat till you drop and then sing your heart out!

Course we will also be raffling off the wonderful City Slicker belt buckle. Tickets will cost $1/each or 6 tickets for $5. We have had a fantastic time with the raffle. You never know what will happen at one of our rides.

Sunday (June 15^th) is a do your own thing day. We hope to break the cycle and not have rain, but you never know.

Below is a link to a pre-registration form. In an attempt to have a better count of who will attend the ride we are pushing pre-registration this year. As in year’s past you pay $25 until June 1st and $30 afterwards. We have a $10 rate for children 12 and under. As always this includes camp fees for Friday and Saturday night as well as dinner on Saturday. You can use this form for the whole family. We will add your horse information when you check in.

Click on the link to go to the website with the registration form and flyer!

https://www.sierraranchok.com/bgtrc/cityslicker.html

Buy your City Slicker t-shirt in advance at CafePress. Follow the link to the store:

http://www.cafepress.com/bgtrc

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT RIDE!

We just have a few ride rules:

• Children under 6 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
• ORIGINAL current negative coggins required.
• No stallions.
• No alcohol on the trails.
• Horses should be shod as the trails are rocky.

Hope to see you there!

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=8367307&nav=menu682_2

I wanna be able to do this. I think my commute is too long. These kids go to the same school that Allyson does. Wouldn’t this be too cool?

This was just too funny to not post!

The Riders:

Natural Horsemanship devotee looks like a throwback from a Texas ranch, despite the fact that he grew up in the suburbs of NJ. Rope coiled loosely in hand (don’t want to send any messages of tension, after all in case he needs to herd any of those kids on roller blades away from his/her F-350 dually in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Cowboy hat is strategically placed, and just soiled enough to be cool. Wranglers are well worn, with that little wrinkle above the instep of the ropers, and lots of dust, well, you know, from the round pen on the lower legs.

Dressage Queen is freshly coifed. Not even she remembers her own hair color, but she has taken great pains to ensure that Rolfe, the hairdresser, makes the perm and highlights look “natural.” Diamond studs are elegant and stately, and not so large that they blind the judge during the entire passage-piaffe tour. $30 denim jumper worn over $300 full seat white breeches and Koenigs.

Hunter/Jumper competitor is in an aqua polo and those breeches whose color could be compared to, um, well, okay, let’s say they’re khaki. The polo is so that folks will think they’re a jumper rider until they put on their shirt and stock tie. Baseball cap is mandatory after a ride, in order to provide free advertising to that trainer’s stable for whom they shell over a mere grand or so per month, and to hide “helmet head.”
Eventer is slightly hunched over. This could be from carrying three saddles, three bridles, three bits, and all related color coordinated gear to every event, or it could possibly be a defensive posture where he/she is
unconsciously protecting his/her wallet, which is, of course, nearly empty from buying three saddles, three bridles, three bits and all related color coordinated gear. Looked down on by the H/J’s as “people who just run their horses at fences” and by the DQ’s as “not real dressage riders.” Eventers are smugly convinced that they are in fact the only people in the horse world who CAN ride, since the H/J’s don’t jump real fences and the DQ’s don’t ride real horses.

Endurance Addict is wearing lycra tights in some neon color. Has not read the rule that lycra is a privilege, not a right. The shinier, the better, so that they can find her body when her mount dumps her down (another)
ravine. Wearing hiking sneakers of some sort and a smear of trail dirt on the cheek. Sporting one of the zillions of t-shirts she got for paying $75 to complete some other torturous ride. Socks may or may not match (each other).

Backyard Rider can be found wearing (in summer) shorts and bra, (in winter) flannel nightgown, buck boots, down jacket. Drives a Ford Tempo filled with dirty blankets and dog hair. Usually has deformed toes on the right foot from being stepped on in the Wal-Mart sneakers that are worn for riding. Roots need touching up to hide the grey. 2-horse bumperpull behind barn willed with sawdust/hay. Can be found trying to teach her horse to come in the kitchen to eat so she doesn’t have to walk all the way to the barn.

The Horses

Rusty is the quintessential NH mount. Rescued from a situation where he was never initiated in the NH ways, he’s learned to run down his owners at
feeding time, knock children from his back under low hanging branches, and could even spit like a camel if provoked. The embezzlement has never been proven. The hospitalization tally for his handlers was twelve until he met Spherical Sam. After twelve minutes in the round pen, he is teaching algebra to high school freshmen, speaks three languages fluently, and can put on his own splint boots (with Spherical Sam’s trademark logo embossed clearly).

Fleistergeidelsprun dheim (“Fleistergeidel” for short) is an 18-hand warmblood who was bred to make Grand Prix in a European nation where his breeders are still laughing hysterically when they talk about ‘zat crazy American.’ Despite being runty, his owner fell in love with his lofty gaits, proud carriage and tremendous athleticism. Never mind that this talent was not revealed until he was chased down by a rabid raccoon, and has not been repeated since. Has been injured 16 times in the last year, preventing his move to PSG at age 6, despite living in a 20′ x 20′ padded stall and providing family supporting wages to a groom whose chief job duty is “don’t let him get hurt!”

Neverbeenraced is a prime example of an American Thoroughbred. The coat is deep bay, no markings, the textbook TB head, and no unusual conformational characteristics. Perfect, just perfect. Overcame a near fatal flat in his H/J career when he learned that the plants in the jumps are NOT real, and therefore did not require him to stop and taste. Has learned to count strides all by himself, and asks in midair which lead his mistress would like today.

Fastnhighasican is a Thoroughbred track reject who never won a single race – perfect eventer! He has two speeds, gallop and stopndump, and they are used, at his discretion, for all three phases of eventing, although he has some creative variations of gallop to spice up that boring dressage. There is the gallopdowncenterlin eandrear, the gallopdepartandbuck , the extendedoutofhandga llop, and, a favorite among spectators, the gallopzigzagpirouet te in which the gallop is performed entirely while hopping on his hind legs. His favorite phase is cross-country where all obstacles regardless of size are jumped at the height of 5.5 feet, and because that is where he gets to employ his personal favorite movement, the stopndump. This is the most fun when performed at cross-country water obstacles where his person invariably stands up soaking wet with murky, smelly water and threatens to sell him to Fleistergeidel’ s owner while he follows up with another fun gallop variation, the imfreeandyoucantcat chmegallop, another crowd-pleaser.

Al Kamar Raka Shazaam was often called “you bastard” until he found an other as hyper as he, an endurance addict. Can spook at a blowing leaf, spin a 360 and not lose his big trot rhythm or give up an inch to the horse behind him. Has learned to eat, drink, pee and drop to his resting pulse rate on command. Has compiled 3,450 AERC miles, with his rider compiling 3,445 – those five miles being the ones he was chased down the trail after performing his trademark 360 turn, without said aforementioned rider.

Snook’ums is the backyard rider’s horse. Big head; stride of a gerbil. Duct tape holding shoe on until farrier gets out next month. Has a little Quarter, Arab, Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, Shetland blood. Mane cut with scissors straight across. He’s been there so long she forgot how she got him or where he came from. Frequently seen ambling around the yard. Been known to join family picnics on the back porch.

Frequently Overheard

NH Devotee – “Well, shucks ma’am, tweren’t nuthin’!” “It’s simple horsemanship. ” “With this special twirly flickitat’em rope ($17.95 plus tax), you’ll be roundpenning like me in no time.” “You silly human, that just ain’t natural for a horse.”

Dressage Queen – “On no, he’s hurt again?!” “The check is in the mail.” To Herr Germanlastname: “Can’t you tune up those one tempis for me?” To the groom: “Get me that mounting block – can’t you see my nails are still wet?” To the show manager: “That footing has ruined my chances at Olympic Gold in 2000, I’ll have you know.” and “What were you thinking, stabling me next to that nobody? That horse could be ‘diseased’?” To anyone who will listen: “When I had dinner with Hilda / Lendon / Robert…”

H/J Competitor – “Did you tell Neverbeenraced how many strides between fence four and fence five – I can never remember!” “Is my butt sticking out enough when I post?” “Oh no, I can’t jump 2’6″, my trainer will KILL me!” “I can’t wait to do jumpers with Neverbeenraced – then we can wear one of those tasseled ear covers!”

Eventer – “I broke my collarbone/ribs/ ankle again last week, but I’ll be fine for the jog-up tomorrow.” “How do you get pond water out of saddle leather?” “Did you see our show jumping where Fastnhighasican bounced the two stride combination? ” “Did you see our final gallopdowncenterlin eandrear? I think he is finally starting to relax in dressage.” “Oh, it’s just a little concussion. Have you seen my horse?”

Endurance Addict – “Anyone have Advil?” “Anyone have food? I think last year’s Twinkies finally went bad.” “For this pain, I spend money?” “Oh, I never bring hay or water to the vet checks – there’s always plenty around.” “Quick, quick, did you look, was his pee okay?” “Shazaam, you bastard – it’s just a leaf [thud]!”

Backyard Rider – “It’s too hot/cold/wet/ dry to ride.” “I used to show.” “Where’s my Metamucil?” “Has anyone seen Snook’ums? Last I saw he was across the road in the cornfield.” “Here’s a picture of Snook’ums when he was 43 years young!” “Snook’ums stop slobbering on me.”

It’s been kinda weird around here. I get rid of one obligation and dang it if all hell breaks loose on every other front. A girl can’t win for losing.

Work has been absolutely impossible. I have two engineers and need that third one really bad. And it won’t quit raining. We are all over worked to the freaking max. I have not even had time to read email at lunch. I am still 350+ behind. I am just hoping to sometime get caught up. I do at least keep pretty caught up at work, but between a special project and the rain I have not had time to do the stuff I am suppose to do. Just the special stuff. It never ends.

I have been trying to update Rick’s website and not getting anywhere. I need a clone. There are just not enough hours in a day.

Allyson let us know Monday (5/5) that she had an 8th grade prom on Friday (5/9). I mentioned this to my office assistant and she had the perfect dress. Rick was amazed that my office assistant would have clothes to fit Allyson. I added all her pictures to the albums. She is so funny. She thought the dance was at 6PM at school. It was at 7PM at the community center. Needless to say we spent some time at Sonic before the dance this time. There just wasn’t any point in driving home and then coming back. She was bouncing off the walls. Partially cuz of the dance. Partially cuz of the pretty pink electric scooter Rick bought her earlier in the day. She has been scooting around our neck of the woods in her new pink riding helmet. The scooter doesn’t go very fast so I figured the riding helmet would work. And it being pink makes it more likely that she will wear it.

Also this weekend Ashley had her baby shower. She said she sent us an invitation, but we never got it. Somehow, Allyson thought I wouldn’t want to go. I keep telling them I don’t mind buying stuff, just don’t wanna raise the silly thing. Allyson and I went to Wal-Mart and bought lots of pink stuff. Even bought some practical stuff, and not exactly the same stuff that others bought. Justin’s mom has bought lots and folks from her work were at the party. It was at Justin’s grandparents house. They bought lots of cool stuff too.

I talked to Justin’s family after the party. This was the first time I had gotten to meet them. Ashley had not talked to us since her birthday. She was kinda irritated with us cause we put her ferrets into the garage. Allyson was getting sick living with them and it was getting warm. Before the end of that weekend Ashley had come to get the ferrets and cat. Over the past couple of weeks the kids finally got to move into a duplex, so they will be living on their own when the baby comes.

And there’s even new on the impending arrival. Michelle set the date. Rain Elizabeth will arrive on May 29 if she doesn’t come out sooner. Just not something I am looking forward to. But this too will pass. OMG, I am so NOT ready for grandparenthood. I guess what makes it worse if that I know the kids are SO NOT ready for parenthood. They still don’t have the whole being married thing down, but not much I can do about that. Gotta live by the saying: Let go, Let God!

And you are probably wondering shy that very pretty palomino is doing at the top. That is Argo. She was my first horse. Rick gave her to me on our first date. I rode her on and off for several years. I have 10 stitches in one leg from riding her. That was mostly my fault. I was riding in shorts. She had been real good in to hitting my legs. One July 4th, it was so hot I just had to ride in shorts. She picked a weird way around a stump and I got slashed. continued up the mountain, back down the mountain, loaded up camp, and drove home before getting stitches. I forgave her for that one. We continued riding on and off. I rode her one last time in August 2005. This time I got 11 stitches from her not listening to me and powering through a tree with a stub. It’s just not good when you look down and see a blood stain the size of a half-dollar. I walked her home and got someone to take me to the emergency room. She was a wonderful pasture ornament. Great lead mare. Perfect pet. I took her to the All Ladies Ride in August 2006 and Argo made Amanda fall in love. I have never seen anyone fall so head over heals for a horse before. Amanda and Argo were a wonderful match. All that came to an end on Thursday evening (5/8/2008). Argo and her pasture mates got out of the pasture. They were hit by a truck. Her pasture mates were dead when they found them. I was told that Amanda got to tell Argo good by one last time before Argo had to put down for a broken leg. Argo, George, and Cowboy were put to rest in Amanda’s pasture. I haven’t told the kids. Argo is one of the first horses that each of them rode at one time or another. Needless it has been really hard to keep up a good front knowing one of my best friends was laid to rest Friday morning. Just one more thing that adds undue stress. Needless to say Maverick and Sarge got lots of carrots this weekend. You can see more pictures of Argo here: https://www.sierraranchok.com/Argo.html

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I am hoping mine will get better, but there is rain in the forecast. I need some decompression time somehow.

Welcome!

Welcome to the ninth edition of the Sierra Ranch News!I hope everyone is enjoying spring.We have been riding some and have had a few more students join in the fun.We hope to be riding more.Just need the weather to cooperate a bit with the rain.

Tell us what you where you plan on riding this Spring.As you can see from the calendar there are many options on places to ride and things to do.Let us know what information you would like to learn tips on horse keeping, latest horses for sale and any other info you find interesting.As always you can email me and let me know what might interest you to learn about.

Sierra Ranch Logo!

I am still working on our second logo.Folks seem to kinda like the first one.The one I am still working on incorporates all the different aspects of what we do.We have raced, loved to ride, jump, and do performance events.Most of our horses are good at all these things, so we should show this off.The picture can bee seen at the Yahoo Group site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SierraRanchOK/ or at the Sierra Ranch Multiply site at http://sierraranch.multiply.com/ or at the blog at http://sierraranchok.blogspot.com

Let us know what you think about this logo and shortly we will post the other one for all to critic.Soon we will have set up a CafePress site with stuff to buy.Until then please check out the HorseMatch.net CafePress store.Check out the link:http://www.cafepress.com/horsematch.I am working on getting calendars and posters on the store, probably for next year.You never know whose picture will be on the calendar.We also made some t-shirt at a local t-shirt shop to sell at the ranch. Look for more stuff to come along the way.We want to get our name out and about on the trails around Oklahoma and other places.

We will also be updating the websites soon.Something that has needed to be done for awhile.Look for more announcements on this coming soon!

Check this out!

Overcoming Riding Fears

Anyone who has ridden for any length of time would be dishonest if they told you they have never felt fear.If you have any common sense at all, you should have a certain level of “healthy fear” Whenever you get on a new horse.Call it “respect” if you prefer, but there is always an awareness that the 100-pound or so of bone and muscle you are sitting on is, physically, more powerful than you are.To read the whole article, click the link below:

http://ultimatehorsesite.com/articles/meredithf_overcomingridingfears.html

37-Year-Old Horse Closing in on Trail Mileage Record

Pushing the envelope of equine athletic prowess, 37-year-ols half-Arabian Elmer Bandit is gearing up to start yet another competitive trail ride season.In 2007 Elmer’s certified lifetime competitive miles stood at 20,240, nearing the national record of Saddlebred Wing Tempo’s 20,710 miles. To read the whole article, click the link below:

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=11617

HorseGirlTV.com

HorseGirlTV is a semi-monthly vidcast hosted by Angelea Kelly Walkup.The show presents international equine sports and equine athletes through entertaining and educational designs.HorseGirlTV focuses on riders, trainers, professional both locally and globally.The format is hip, happening, and always horse related.The show takes the classic world of horses and plugs it into the wired generation.Tune in.Tack up.It’s not what you think! To visit the website, click the link below:

http://www.Horsegirltv.com

Upcoming Rides and Other Events

It’s time to send in events for the upcoming year.Send them to me or to the link on Oklahoma Horse Online.Many of these came from listing on www.oklahomahorseonline.com. Check it out!

April 23-27 GO Hunter Jumper Association Show, Tulsa expo square, Tulsa, Ok. For more info go to www.exposquare.com

April 24-27 J-D Annual Spring Mountain Trail Ride Join us for great riding, good food and fun at our Spring Mountain Trail Ride. Contact Jo to make your reservation. There will be a full breakfast Saturday morning, BBQ dinner with entertainment Saturday night and a light breakfast Sunday morning. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for the potluck dinner on Friday night. Visit site www.j-dtrailriding.com for information or email Jo at jharrington@j-dtrailriding.com.

April 25-27 AQHA & RSNC Ranch Sorting and Team Penning at the Play Pen Arena in Ponca City (www.playpenarena.com). See our website for more information or call Darrel Dye at 580-716-6444 or email management@playpenarena.com

April 26 2nd Annual Keystone Regulators Pony Express Race – Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater, OK. $500 added money. Trophy buckles for the 1st place team, race pays three places. Two mile cross country race, consisting of two-man/two-horse teams. Calcutta auction before the race. $50 entry fee per team. Race starts at 12:00 noon. Books are open now through 4/17/08. For more information contact Richard Moss at : (918)241-5220 or (918)706-7897. E-mail richard.moss@sbcglobal.net

April 26-27 Duncan Lake Horse Club Ride, Duncan OK. Fri. night potluck, 7 pm. Sat., ride 10 am. Bring your Sat. lunch. Club will furnish Sat. night meal & Sun. am breakfast. We are giving away a saddle again this year – it’s a beauty. We may have trailer to rent if you don’t have a living-quarters trailer. For info call 580-255-2613.

April 26-27 OAQHA Spring All Novice/Open Saddle Series, Chickasha, OK (Grady Co Fairgrounds). Clinic Sat 11-2 with Mike Keller, $25. Trail and Reining Saturday, rest of show Sunday. Check website for showbill www.okqha.com.

April 26-27 Trail Ride Tune-up, Four Hoof Drive Adventures, Norman, OK. Learn to camp with your horse, how to take care of your horse on the trail, how to secure your horse over night, what to take with you on the trail, outdoor cooking, orienteering. This is a two-day clinic where you will learn everything you need to know to start trail riding. This clinic gives you a chance to practice with your horse before adventuring away from home. Call or e-mail for further information. The cost for both days is $150.00 and includes four meals. For more information or to register visit www.fourhoofdrive.com

May 2-7 Territorial Wagon Train, Tecumseh OK at Winding Creek Motorcycle Camp. Neg. Coggins required. Open camping. May 2 Bean supper, bring side dish. May 6 Potluck supper, meat furn. Sun. eve., Wiener roast, everyone contribute. $10 fee incl. parking, water, porta-john. Make advance deposit. One group. Lisa Wright, 10902 SE Goodin Rd., Lawton OK 735 01, 580-357-2054, leave message.

May 3 OBHA Horse Show (Oklahoma Buckskin Horse Association), Claremore EXPO, Claremore, OK, ABRA (double judged) and Open/All breed classes (single judged), starts 8 am, contact: Beckie or Ron at Honeck@tds.net or 918-543-6277 for more information. www.oklahomabuckskin.org

May 4 Belle Starr Trail Ride, where the Oklahoma Days began! Ride through the historic Belle Starr Canyon and part of Younger Bend. Ride begins promptly at 10 am. Lunch provided for a donation. No firearms or alcoholic beverages. Current Negative Coggins required at the gate. We need to know how many will be eating so PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS by May 2 at 918-484-2542. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS Go two miles South of Porum on Hwy 2 to Hwy 71 then go west two miles to dirt road, turn south and go one half mile. WATCH FOR SIGNS.

May 10 Clinic at Travis Ranch, Norman, OK. Four Hoof Drive Adventures. Morning session from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon will cover intermediate level horsemanship. The afternoon session will be advanced leading and trailer loading. If you have a horse that is hard to load or doesn’t load as easily as you would like, this is the clinic for you. $35.00 for the morning session, $25.00 for the afternoon session or $50.00 for the entire day. For more information or to register visit www.fourhoofdrive.com

May 10-11 Bell Cow Lake 2008 Trail Work Weekend, Area C at 9:00 a.m. Many of you know the trails at Bell Cow Lake were heavily damaged due to spring rains and the ice storm. We are hoping to gather as many workers as we can to help repair and clear the trails. There will be no riding fee or weekend camping fee for the workers. AERC members, Terri Chapman and Carol Barker, ride managers for the 2008 Bell Cow Boogie, are offering $10 off their entry fee for helping. For more information you can email: Angela Bridge angiegb@brightok.net Carol Barker okieenduro@yahoo.com

May 16 & 17 Henryetta’s Jim Shoulders Spring Roundup Rodeo, Henryetta, OK. Historic Nichols Park (Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo Arena). 8:00 PM Nightly. $8.00 for Adults/$4.00 kids 6 years and over (5 & under free). The Jim Shoulders Roundup Rodeo is dedicated to the 16 times World Champion Cowboy, Jim Shoulders. Jim made his home in Henryetta until his death in June 2007. The rodeo hosts events such as ranch bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting, and events geared toward the up and coming youth rodeo stars. For more information, Roy Madden, Executive Director, Henryetta Chamber of Commerce 918-652-3331.

May 17 Western Fair Trail Ride, Dinner, Poker Run, Live Auction and Live Entertainment, Prague City Lake, Prague OK. Time: 8:00 am to Dark. Cost: Early Bird Registration – By May 10th $30 Adults $15 ages 6-12. Registration after May 10th – $45 Adults, $15 ages 6-12, Children under 5 – FREE. 10:00am – 2:00pm Trail Ride & Poker Run; 2:00pm-4:00pm Entertainment; 4:00pm-5:30pm Dinner; 5:30pm- 7:30pm Auction Dinner of smoked, pulled pork with all the fixins’. Buggy rides, fishing, inflatable slide, live entertainment, pre-packed lunch available and much more! Fun for the whole family! Even if you don’t ride, there’s a lot to do! The Western Fair Trail Ride is a fundraiser benefiting the building program of St. John Lutheran Church, Shawnee. Pre-Register at www.stjohnshawnee.org/ or email shranch@rsib.net for call back or more information. Call 405-206-8257 or 405-567-0103 if you have further questions.

May 23-26 Indian Mounds Horse Camp Do-Your-Own-Thing Rides, Clayton OK. Camp fee $7/day per person age 11 & over, elec. campsites $8/daily per hookup, corrals $5/per horse, mule, stalls $15/per horse, mule. Motor homes & campers avail, call for prices, provide your own bedding/cooking utensils. Rent horses $20/hr or $75/day. Jess Johnson 918-569-4761; cell 918-457-7162; email trailleader@earthlink.net.

May 24 (Rain Date: May 26) $1,000 Added 5D Barrel Bash, Choctaw Round Up Club Arena, Choctaw, OK. Exhibitions – 10:00 am, Jackpot 1:00 pm (12 & under 3D runs at 1:00, Open 5D to follow). Entry Fees for Exhibition is $4.00, 12 & under 3D is $15.00 and Open 5D is $25.00. Event details include 80% Payback, 100% payback of added money divided equally between divisions, 5D ½ second splits. NO added money to 12 & Under 3D. No processing fees, tie out fees etc. For more information contact Judy Newby at 405-454-3232 or email Heidi Bruce at HB1618@aol.com.

May 29 Oklahoma Horse Industry Council Meeting, Sportsman’s Country Club, 4000 NW 39, Oklahoma City, OK. Buffet 6 p.m., Meeting 6:30 p.m. Buffet cost is the responsibility of the individual attending. www.oklahomahorseindustrycouncil.com

June 7-8 National Trails Day Robbers Cave Equestrian Trails, Wilburton, OK. Sponsored by the Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association.Guided rides, Saturday night covered dish dinner. Tiffany Whited Ride Chair okietrailryder@aol.com http://www.oklahomahorseonline.com/Oetra/home.htm

June 14-15 13th Annual City Slickers Trail Ride Sponsored by The Bad Girls Trail Riding Club, Robbers Cave State Park. Friday (June13th) bring your hotdogs and marshmallows and join us at the campfire. Saturday (June 14th) Cloverleaf ride. Leaving at 9 a.m. returning to camp at noon for lunch. Afternoon riding out at 2 p.m. and returning about 4:30 p.m. Saturday evening: 6 p.m. dinner by the Bad Girl Board of Directors and 7 p.m. Karaoke with a Karaoke contest for cash prizes, and City Slickers Belt Buckle Raffle ($1/ticket). Breakfast and lunch Saturday can be purchased at a minimal cost from the Board of Directors. Sunday (June 15th) on your own! Registration before June 1st is $25.00 each. Registration after June 1st is $30.00 each. Children under 12 are $10.00. Registration includes camping fees for Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Saturday dinner and entertainment! For information check out: <https://www.sierraranchok.com/bgtrc/cityslicker.html> for flyers and registration forms. DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT RIDE! Children under 6 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. ORIGINAL current negative coggins a MUST – No stallions. No alcohol on the trails – horses should be shod. For further information please contact Linda Polansky @ 918-519-6916 (cell) or Pam Godfrey (Founder) @ 918-756-7644 (home) or 918-639-8501 (cell).

October 4th, 2008 – 2nd Annual Hooves for a Cure Charity Trail Ride, J-D Trail Riding Camp, Octavia, OK – Come ride in the beautiful Kiamichi Mountains and help raise money to fight breast cancer. Ride fee is $10 with a potluck dinner on Saturday Night, Silent Auction, and Raffle Drawing. Come for the day or spend the entire weekend! (Camping fees not included in ride fee) Non-riders are also welcome! Located just 10 miles East of Honobia on Hwy 144. For camping reservations, contact Jo Harrington (580)244-7261, or visit www.j-dtrailriding.com . For ride information, contact Andrea Fowler (918)231-9911, afowler@trustok.com. For more information about Hooves for a cure, visit our website at www.Hoovesforacure.com Wear PINK and put pink on your horse!

Riding Lessons

What Makes a Good Horse

By Rick Stowers

Check out Rick’s Riding Lessons at http://www.horsematch.net/Rickstowers.html

Does your horse shoe easily? Does your horse load in the trailer? Can you catch him to go riding? Can you bathe your horse?

If you can’t catch your horse then you are pretty much out of luck on riding or doing anything else. If you can’t get your horse to stand for the shoer then you are limited to where or how you can ride him. The same goes with if he won’t load into the trailer. Then you are stuck with riding in the pasture or arena that is close by.

One thing that we have found with the ex-race horses is that they will do all these with ease. They are used to doing all of these at the track.

Something to try with the horse you are test riding is to try to stop him from a run in the middle of the pasture. If you can’t do this then you might look for another horse. After the exciting ride anyway. 🙂

We hope you enjoy our philosophy and will come visit Sierra Ranch.

LET’S GO RIDING TODAY!!!!

Horse Spotlight

Naughty Snow Lady

https://www.sierraranchok.com/Lady.html

Naughty Snow Lady is a 2001 chestnut appaloosa gelding. (Yes with a name like that he is a gelding!) He is 14.2 hands (and growing) and about 950 pounds. Lady has been ridden on and off for several of years. Kids and Rick have ridden him in the pasture. We took him on an overnight trail ride and he did well. He stayed in an electric fence and tied to a high line. We have taken him on many day rides and he does wonderfully. He loads, stands for shoes, loves water and bathes and comes when called. He is broke and ready to be trained to do whatever you want. He is a loveable horse, we just have too many.I need to update the website.We thought we had found the perfect place for Lady, but he is back in our pasture, so if you are looking for a great horse please contact us. $3000 or best offer.

Comments

Let us know how you liked this issue.And again let us know about what you want to hear about.We want to make this newsletter for our clients, friends, and families.See you out riding!

Thanks,

Deb and Rick Stowers

deb@sierraranchok.com

www.sierraranchok.com

I would like to invite you to the 2008 City Slicker Trail Ride. This ride will be held at Robber’s Cave State Park just north of Wilburton on June 13-15. Please note the change of location from last year.

On Friday (June 13^th) bring your hotdogs and marshmallows and join us at the campfire for some good ole wienie roast fun. We can meet and make new friends or just catch up on what’s going on with the current ones.

On Saturday (June 14^th) the Board of Directors will be doing all the cooking. We will be serving breakfast consisting for $3/person around 7AM.

The Cloverleaf ride with OETRA approved mileage will be leaving at 9AM returning to camp at noon for lunch. Upon your return, the BOD will be serving lunch of hamburgers or hot dogs with chips, dessert and lemonade or tea for $3/person or $5 for a mega meal of hamburger and two hotdogs.

An afternoon ride will leave out at 2 PM and returning about 4:30 PM. This will get you to camp in time to clean up for a wonderful night of dining and dancing with maybe some singing thrown in for fun.

Dinner is included in the ride fee and begins at 6 PM. We will be having the following: chopped brisket, smoked sausage, and chicken with baked beans, corn, bread, dessert and lemonade or tea. We promise plenty of mouth-waterin’, lip-smackin’, home-cooked food that will make you want to take a nap – but you won’t, because right after dinner will be our famous karaoke singing contest with a cash prize!!! Eat till you drop and then sing your heart out!

Course we will also be raffling off the wonderful City Slicker belt buckle. Tickets will cost $1/each or 6 tickets for $5. We have had a fantastic time with the raffle. You never know what will happen at one of our rides.

Sunday (June 15^th) is a do your own thing day. We hope to break the cycle and not have rain, but you never know.

Below is a link to a pre-registration form. In an attempt to have a better count of who will attend the ride we are pushing pre-registration this year. As in year’s past you pay $25 until June 1st and $30 afterwards. We have a $10 rate for children 12 and under. As always this includes camp fees for Friday and Saturday night as well as dinner on Saturday. You can use this form for the whole family. We will add your horse information when you check in.

Click on the link to go to the website with the registration form and flyer!

https://www.sierraranchok.com/bgtrc/cityslicker.html

Buy your City Slicker t-shirt in advance at CafePress. Follow the link to the store:

http://www.cafepress.com/bgtrc

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT RIDE!

We just have a few ride rules:

· Children under 6 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

· ORIGINAL current negative coggins required.

· No stallions.

· No alcohol on the trails.

· Horses should be shod as the trails are rocky.

Hope to see you there!