Horse Judging

I took the girls the the Block and Bridle Horse Judging Contest at Tech yesterday. E was sick with a fever but competed anyway. V decided she didn't really care this year so she didn't over analyse the classes.

It was the biggest contest B&B has had for several years. The arena was large enough that they were able to run 2 halter classes at a time. This allowed the kids to spread out more so they could see the horses better.That's E across the ring in the orange sweatshirt. The weather wasn't bitter cold this year and they also had better horses than last year.
Katlyn (middle) competed as a Jr. and V and E were seniors. I never could find anyone else that would go to make a team which is a shame considering how well they did. E didn't place but her scores minus reasons were only 5 points behind V's. V was High individual in Performance, 8th in Reasons, 9th in Halter and 5th overall. I guess it pays to not over think. I hope I can find some else to make a team before the state contest in April. I just don't understand kids not wanting to take advantage of all of the opportunities around them.

Junk Day

No matter how clean we think our farm is junk still seams to happen. The weather was nice today and J had a little extra time so he decided to make a trip to the dump.

First up was a gate J didn't even want to repair again.
Then a couple of other gates needed to be moved.
We finally got an old round bale feeder loaded and I saw an old culvert that could go.
That pretty much topped off the green box.

Happy Valentine's Day

V's plate of cookies for her boyfriend. (we got the scrapes)

As Promised

When setting up the portable cattle panels yesterday, J originally secured them to a post with the ever present baling twine.

Well, apparently that wasn't strong enough for the first try and the heifers were able to break the twine and push down the panel.
Next came the cotton rope with the same results, although it did last long enough to get the first group loaded.
J wasn't taking any chances with the second load and brought a chain to do the job.
We had to bring a chain because the chain he usually has in the truck was already securing a different gate. He doesn't like to underestimate the ability of cattle to get through a closed gate.

Coming Home

J hauled 2 loads of bred heifers home yesterday. He wanted to get them while the ground was still frozen. At 12 degrees that wasn't much of a problem.

They have been at his dad's house since this summer.

They should start calving sometime in March so J wanted them back at home.
There's a small set of pens but no loading chute so J makes due with his portable cattle panels. (more pictures on that tomorrow, aren't you excited) This set up gets the ok (or something I'm not sure what) sign.
The heifers are a little suspicious of the trailer.
But with a little encouragement and a few choice words, J got them loaded.
Of course, when they get home Emma has to greet them all.
Then she sees them off to their new pasture.

Basketball

E's basketball season is over. The team had a losing season but did manage to end with a win.

E played the whole game and was very instrumental in the win.
She had made 3 free throws and 2 other points then was fouled with 16 seconds left and the score tied at 38-38. She sunk both shots, cool as a cucumber. Then someone fouled the other team and they only made one shot and time ran out. E said no one acknowledges the winning point if it's a free throw, they only notice half court shots at the buzzer. (she also says this was not her choice of socks)

Looks like track season will be next.

Dead Truck

Coming back from the farm up the road we found a stalled truck in front of our driveway. Of course it wouldn't be polite to just drive past so we asked if they needed help.

As it turned out, he was trying to pull out onto the main road when his truck died. We had jumper cables so J tried jump starting the truck with no luck.
Next, J hooked a chain to the truck and towed it up the hill so the driver could roll start the truck. Fortunately, that worked. When we got back to our driveway the other truck was gone. Sometimes it's good to drive a tool box.