Posts Tagged ‘Kyley DiLuigi
World Equestrian Games 2010
Many of you have heard me talk about my favorite equestrian sport, Mounted Games. Its sort of an obscure sport, which most people have never heard of, but all that is about to change this fall. The World Equestrian Games, held in Lexington, KY October 2 -10, 2010, will be debuting Mounted Games during their competition.
Here’s an excerpt from the website:
The United States Mounted Games Association has gone through the rigorous selection process necessary to be selected to present the sport of Mounted Games at the World Equestrian Games.
The USMGA will be presenting an International Mounted Games Association competition for one hour each day for eight days, beginning Oct. 2 until the closing of the games Oct. 10, and we will also be manning a booth for the entire sixteen days. Top level games riders from around the world, music and international announcers will provide a memorable, impressive and entertaining show.
Mounted Games is like no other horse sport that you have ever seen. In 20 countries around the world, blazing action combines with teamwork and horsemanship skills to make Mounted Games as much fun to watch as it is to ride. Mounted Games is a unique equestrian sport that combines the history of ancient warfare, the raw athleticism of the Wild West and the thrill of horse racing in a team event. At its top level, the sport demands that equine and human athletes perform intricate skills at breakneck speed and provides the spectator appeal of an extreme sport.
Minnow spins around a bucket
This is exciting news for a sport that I have been participating in since I was 13 years old (thats 13 years for anyone counting). And while I myself didn’t try out, many of my friends did. They have yet to choose the team to represent the US, but I’m excited to see if any of my friends will be a part of it. I’m actually considering maybe making the trip down to Kentucky to watch the event – this truly is a first for the sport. The competition is still one day away, so I find myself having something interesting like reading slot myths. This is a hobby of mine that very few people know, I like gambling on slots.
On the Mounted Games at the WEG website you can follow along as the countries choose their riders, equine mounts will also be announced as time goes on – ponies that will be pooled from generous pony lenders in the US (the other countries will not be bringing their own mounts). I considered offering up some of the Trick Ponies, but I decided that by October they probably wouldn’t be ready for such an important competition – they still have a lot of training they need.
KD dunks a sock on Minnow. USPC Games Rally 2007
The other really neat thing on the website is their explanation of many of the races. The have a page dedicated to explaining (with videos) the races and how they are played. So if you have never heard of the sport before, I highly recommend checking it out here.
If you can’t tell, I’m also excited to play casino and get ready for a virtual horse race in the casino universe with classic features and simple rules. – I think the end goal is to eventually have Mounted Games as an Olympic Sport. Although, I do hope that the sport will always be assessable to everyone. Right now there are organizations (like the one I belong to) that openly invite anyone who would like to participate and learn how to play – no matter your age OR skill level. I hope this will never change.
If you are interested in learning more about Mounted Games at the World Equestrian Games here is how you can get involved:
Other Mounted Games Organizations:
MGAA
United States Pony Club
USMGA
International Mounted Games Organizations
Something old, Something new
So in preparation for Ammo’s upcoming dog training classes I decided to buy him a new collar. His old one had a crack in the buckle that I wasn’t sure would hold up forever (The husband tried to crack a beer with the buckle, tisk, tisk) – and I didn’t want it falling apart in class with me trying to chase a non-compliant Dachshund all over the place.
So after a little bit of searching I found Handmade Green, a San Diego based artist who makes eco-friendly dog products. Gotta love saving the earth! I am REALLY big on shopping eco-friendly, I save tons of stuff to be reused for projects and crafts, and of course I recycle! So when I found their collars made out of old grain sacks I definitely had to get one for the little sausage dog.
When the package arrived at the shop the dachshund just knew it was for him. He began jumping up and down as I tore into the envelope. I reached down and snapped it on his neck – and the resulting video is what happened next.
Gotta love the crazy weenie.
New Look
If you follow us on twitter you may already know that we’ve been working on making some changes to www.PonyPaintings.com
After 4 years I decided its time for a face lift! So with some proding, my graphic designer husband has been working on a new logo and new design for the website. I’m so excited I can hardly wait for it to be finished. My original website layout and design was done by me while I was in college – and teaching myself how to make websites. So needless to say its not very good, and I went through a brown stage or something, its ok you can say ew.
Anyway, the new idea behind the updated website will be Misty of Chincoteague, Beachy, Bright, and fun! No more dark and dank! Along with the new website look I’ve spent several days contemplating a possible name change too. When I first registered the domain name PonyPaintings.com many of the options I wanted weren’t available, but for some reason now they are! So I had my choice between…
trickponies.com
thepaintingponies.com
paintingpony.com
thepaintinghorse.com
I think I’ve finally decided to go with Paintingpony.com – so in the near future I will switch the website over to that domain name – although you will still always be able to reach us at ponypaintings.com. so what do you think? Do you like the name, or do you think I should have gone with something else?
Here’s what the new logo will look like:
Our online shop has already been updated to reflect the new look – with the website soon to follow. So what do you think? The likeness of the pony is taken from a photo of Chincoteague Minnow – since he was the very first Painting Pony. 🙂
All images are copyrighted by Painting Pony, PonyPaintings, and Kyley DiLuigi. Not to be used without permission.
Chincoteagues in the Snow
What’s more beautiful than a Chincoteague Pony running in the snow? Three Chincoteague Ponies running in the snow! Check out these videos I took on Monday of Minnow, Blitz and Boomer running around in our snowy ring.
You might notice after watching the first video that Boomerang keeps attempting to stand on the snow covered bridge. I think its so cute, he’s clearly trying to figure out if he does something with the bridge maybe it will bring him some food, I love how he’s always thinking.
Ok now after watching these…take note of Minnow (he’s the shortest bay and white pinto that runs around the most). Now does he look like a pony with severe ringbone in his front pastern? I think he’s faking the whole thing! You can barely detect a limp! And he’s not on a drop of medication or any supplements!
By watching Minnow gallop around its easy to tell why he was such a great mounted games pony. Several times he sits deep on his hind end to spin around – not to mention look at that speed! Boy do I miss riding him! And whats up with Boomerang (the buckskin and white pinto)? He’s supposed to be my next-in-line mounted games pony and he barely takes a trot step! Jeesh! I’m going to have to work on him. 🙂
The Boys
Yesterday was my mom’s Birthday – which means after weeks of waiting, I can finally post a photo of what I gave her for her Birthday! Yeah!
I took some really neat photos of the Trick Ponies and had my husband (the graphic designer) print them really large for me. I then framed them up at the shop so that my mom can hang them up at the farm. I think they turned out fabulous and I can’t wait to see what they look like on the walls. And I promised to continue the set with 2 more photos of our other horses….who can forget beloved Nitro and Jet – they may not be Chincoteague Ponies, but they are still part of the family!
Boomer
Minnow
Blitz
