You are an inspiration, Denise!

Denise, you have been an inspiration to me and Anastasia and over 100 other people who are part of the RAC 2011, but I think that your impact is MUCH further than you realize!  There are a lot of people who follow this RAC blog and are either owners or interested in Curly horses.

I know your original goal was to get folks out there using and riding their horses and you must know that you have done it!

Thank you SO MUCH for all you have done and continue to do for our beloved Curlies and the owners who love them so much.

Here are some of our adventures from this past year - thank you thank you thank you!!

Shelly, Anastasia, *Tessa, *Bijou, *Serenade, *Charm, *Joe, *Divinity, *Chrystal - and the rest of the Curly Crew at the Curly Standard Place
http://www.curlystandardplace.com

The "Delinquent Blogger" won't be deliquent anymore!

Dear Denise, The ONLY even remotely good thing about there not being an RAC 2012 is that I will no longer be constantly behind in my blogging!! As so many have already said, THANK YOU! I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in RAC during the three years since I adopted my Dream! I have always been bad about taking pictures, because I almost always ride alone, and until recently, I didn't have a camera that was good at "self-shots!" :-) Eventually I got so I'd remember to take the camera, and then I wouldn't upload the pictures or blog for several days, so then I'd just forget it! My status as "The Delinquent Blogger" is my personal shortcoming! It is no reflection of how much I loved participating in RAC. It gives people who wouldn't have had a chance to share rides, etc., to become well acquainted. It always amazed me when I read something from another Curly owner from another part of our country or abroad!! I loved reading everyone else's blogs, even though I never did it much myself! We were all united by our love of our Curly horses! They are such great Ambassadors! You are a very special person, and I plan to stay in touch with you!! (That's a promise, or a threat, depending on how you feel!) :-) After meeting you in person in 2010 in VT., I won't be able to let you leave my life. Sorry! :-) Big hug! Laurie & *A Kurlee Dream in Maine, where as I write this we are getting a little snow flurry!

Thans Denise !

Thank you for this year and the RAC. RAC, and this blog has been really important to us. We have get ideas to work with our curlys and what is really important, we have been in contact with other enthusiasts (we are quite alone here in Finland).

I am stretching the Apache for competition, Kirsti

hold him.

Yuma our younger competitor

Kirsti, Yuma, Apache and Eeva

Thank You Denise!

Denise,

Thank you so much for putting on the RAC and for all that you do to promote the Curly breed. Tex, Tucker and I had some much fun riding along with competing in the mini challenges. It was great to be in contact with other Curly horse people and to see every ones progress throughout the year on the blog. I will miss it. Thanks again.

Tiffany

Thank you! :)

Thank you, Denise, for everything you do and have done for the RAC, but most of all for helping me bring these two beautiful boys into my life. When I first met you over a year ago, I was intrigued with your horses and then found out about the RAC and knew I wanted to be part of this awesome contest. Rocky and I will be looking forward to 2013!

THANK YOU DENISE!!!

Thank you Denise for all you do for us!! For your dedication, and Love of the Curly world!!! Words can not express the how much you mean to us!! Along with getting to know you as a fellow, curly person, RAC member, getting to know you as a person, and fellow Christian, has been wonderful and will always be cherished. Thank you for inspiring us to ride more!! We Love you!! Sheryl, Kristal, and Kendahl

THANKS!

Thank you Denise for all of your hard work, support and encouragement of us Curly owners and riders. It was so such fun to stay connected with everyone on RAC. I will certainly miss reading and writing on RAC in 2012. Thanks again and Happy Trails to You!

Liz and Traveler and the rest of the Curly Herd

Denise, Thank You!

Dear Denise,
Please accept my big "thank you" for the hard and good work you have done with the RAC contest and blog.
Personally, I deeply appreciate the chance that you gave me to prove by his own actions in accepting his re-training Lyle's true worth.
On Dec. 2 I had to stop riding Lyle because the weather just got to cold for me to "take it." But even so, my heart was still with all the riders who rode for Harold.
Kind Regards to Denise and to All,
Penny Johnson
Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Ride With Me...for Denise

All year, and especially in November we've arranged group rides. For Birthdays, points and just to be doing the same thing as a buddy from another city, state, province or country.
This weekend, let's have one last group cyber ride for Denise.
Many probably already have New Year's plans so go out whenever you can over the next few days. Just try to make sure you think of the RAC and all the fun times while you're out! Denise has brought a world of Curly lovers together. Let's show our thanks around the world!
Perfect chance to get some winter riding done!!
Happy and Safe Riding!!

Thanks Eh!

I purchased Linus as a foal and he was a weanling when he came home to me. I will forever be thankful and grateful first to Lynn for suggesting the RAC to me and also to Denise for running such an amazing project!! The RAC helped me to train my first youngster and I've learned so much from all of you!
Buying a foal my husband wasn't allergic to turned into an unbelievable experience. I have international and local Curly friends and love following all your stories too.
So, Denise, from the bottom of my heart and my Curly's big heart. Thank you so much for all your hard work and your dedication. Not only to this incredible breed, but to all of us as well.
I'm really looking forward to more stories about Reese and Bear in 2012!!
Thanks for an amazing 2 years!!!
Donna & Linus

Thanks to you Denise for a great ride

Just want to express my thanks to you Denise for a great ride, you will never know how it helped me along especially this last year so thank you very much, Wheever I get on Curly my thought will reflect all this. Thanks again to all the RAC riders, Eh???!!!

Chester and Angie send big hugs and thank yous too{:>

Denise,

My Curly Champion, Chester loves his treats. Thank you for giving us the initiative to get out and ride a curly{:>

And, big hugs to Susan and Didder who are the best riding partners a Texas Curly Cowgirl could have{:>

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful, safe and happy New Year

Angie and Chester

Thank you, Denise

Denise, I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all you have done for us RACers. You are the best! You created a group where Curly owners could support each other and give each other help. We have celebrated each others' accomplishments and joys, and helped each other in times of trouble. All of this happened because YOU brainstormed the idea and held us all together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Now for a short trip down memory lane...

Acadia National Park 2010

Atop Horse Hill, Norway, Maine

Popham Beach 2011

A BIG trot in the surft at Old Orchard Beach 2009
A bareback trot in my yard

Thank you again, Denise, you are the best!

~Susan and her handsome Curly boy *RCR Ah-D-Das

HO HO Horsey Hockey for Harold eh?!

Just for you Harold!! I did have red and gold decorations but scrapped that idea and just went with the hockey only theme. Pretty good eh?!

I found the sweet spot!!!

OOH, AAHH

 Canadian enough for ya Harold??

Linus did so well with this we may just have to learn how to play polo!

I hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas!! We definitely did. It started snowing Christmas Eve and continued all through Christmas Day. I did have plans to get a few more decor pics in for the contest, but it just didn’t happen. But, that’s ok!! I still put together a special, extra Canadian shoot just for Harold!! I did have my hockey pants along with my Harold but riding in them is pretty risky so good ol jeans and barn boots had to make do!! My older brother came outside, visiting from Woodstock, ON and I think he thought I was crazy being dressed to play hockey but riding my horse!! Well Harold....It was the most Canadian idea I could come up with. Shaun even suggested using a Minnesota Wild jersey for the pic because the majority of the team is Canadian anyway....but I'm a Sens fan and that was just not going to happen!! Even more fitting for our special picture was that Canada beat Finland in the World Juniors this afternoon too!!! I think because of our hockey spirit down on the farm!!

On Christmas Day, I hitched Linus to the cart and took my nephew for a ride. I have been working a lot on ground driving since the November challenge ended and that was our first time in over 2 months being hitched. Linus was a bit full of himself but I have to give him credit for respecting his whoas and clucks to go so well. I'm glad I'm the only one so far to drive him. If you try to slap the reins on him to get him to go I think you would probably end up either bruised or disappointed!! But if you “cluck, cluck” off we go at a nice pace. Linus is very much a Ask me and I will do anything...Tell me and I will do nothing kind of horse. Some people would have an issue with that but I like it. I like being partners with my horse rather than his boss. I do still have the final say and ultimately we both know that. Whatever you want to call it, it works beautifully for us. Lynn commented on how in love we are on Christmas Eve! So true! Which I am sure that as his breeder, was nice to see!

Before the cart ride on Christmas Day, we took the horses for a walk. I tied a big red bow with bells in Linus’ tail. Allie didn’t really notice it until we got a bit ahead of her and then she stopped in her tracks and looked at Linus like he had a second head growing off of him!! She could not figure that thing out and would not pass him as long as It was there! As for Linus, he did not care.  I had 2 whole bags of decorations that we did not get to use, but there is always next year!!!

I love all the creativity of everyone who put pics in for the contest. I pity the voters!!! What a hard choice!!!

Harold...I hope you like the pics! They took over an hour to upload eh!

Donna & Linus

Lunenburg, ON

belated Christmas Greetings

sorry to be late but...  here's wishing the best holiday season -- from me and my de "light" ful horse, Keri :)

Betsy and Keri in Vermont ~

Merry Christmas from Fee & Ashley!

ENTRY #19
Ashley is part of our youth division and isn't able to post due to computer issues, so I am posting this for her. I still have a couple pics to post but they are giving me fits with this slow connection out of town. So stay tuned!


The harness on Fee is about 75 years old I saw it in this old farmer's barn and I bought it. This harness wasn't in the best shape so I spent 4 whole days conditioning and polishing it up and it turned out great. I want to teach Fee how to pull and so I thought this would make a great Christmas card too. This picture took about half hour and Fee was good as gold she almost acted like she knew what she was doing. I had so much fun bringing back a piece of history and it was so cool to listen to the old farmer's stories. Hope you have a great Christmas.

  

Merry Curly Christmas Two!

CONGRATULATIONS Tiffany! Winner of the Favorite Christmas Curly Contest!

Ho Ho Ho Santa and his Elf will be delivering Toy's with Curly's this year instead of reindeer. Merry Christmas!