Posts Tagged ‘performance
School Days
Last Friday I took Ammo the Dachshund on a special outing to my Elementary School, Uwchlan Hills. It was Read Across America Week as well as Dr. Suess’ Birthday – and Ammo came along to help me read to the kids as well as show off some of his favorite tricks.
Ammo is wonderful with kids, and every time I see him at a public event like this it reminds me that I really want to get him therapy dog certified. I also have plans to get him his Canine Good Citizen Certification as well.
Ammo was a huge hit with the 3rd grade class we entertained and we even got to share the ponies’ video at the end. We had so much fun that neither one of us wanted to go back to work, but perhaps we’ll get to visit again soon.
You can see more photos and read all about Ammo’s big adventure HERE.
Minnow’s Expo Masterpieces & Sale
While we were at the PA Horse World Expo last week, Minnow created some wonderful one-of-a-kind paintings. Many of them went home with happy new owners, and we have a few still left that are now available in the shop. Each one is unique and different, but they all make me smile. Below is a selection of the paintings that are still available:
“Fairy Tale” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Ocean Bliss” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Heart of the Island” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Calm Breeze” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Misty Sea” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Red Mountain” by Chincoteague Minnow
“Dusted Rose” by Chincoteague Minnow
Several of Minnow’s later works sold, as well as a few that he created during the expo. Below are the paintings he created at the expo that are now happily hanging in new homes:
“Minnow’s Masterpiece” by Chincoteague Minnow – SOLD
“Minnow’s Purple Paradise” by Chincoteague Minnow – SOLD
“Expo” by Chincoteague Minnow – SOLD
“Waves” by Chincoteague Minnow – SOLD
On the last day of the expo we put most of our canvas paintings on sale. And since I know not everyone could be there in person for the sale – Minnow decided that he’d like to extend the sale to his Online Shop as well. So from now until March 31, 2012, enter code EXPO2012 at checkout and get 30% OFF your order!
And thank you to everyone who supported us at the Expo, we hope you are enjoying your paintings!
2012 PA Horse World Expo – Chincoteague Minnow
Most of the people that came by our booth at the 2012 PA Horse World Expo probably thought that 19 year old Minnow was an old pro at attending expos.
He hopped off the trailer on Thursday morning, walked through the barns buzzing with clinicians and horses twice his size, and made his way through the rows and rows of expo booths to his corral on the expo show floor. He was the ONLY animal on the show floor for the duration of the expo – with not a single horse in sight.
Yet, despite Minnow’s professional attitude, this was the VERY FRIST time he attended an expo – let alone spend the majority of the time corralled on the show floor.
I was so proud of him – he’s come such a long way from his days of being terrified of EVERYTHING, and bolting at the slightest sound. I can attribute much of his success to the clicker training we began in 2004, but mostly Minnow & I just share this connection where he will do anything for me and vise versa.
He’s truly an amazing pony, and I’m glad he was able to make so many people smile during our visit to the PA Horse World Expo.
Below is a video I pulled together of Minnow’s experience at the expo – in case you missed it.
I hope to have some photos of a few of his newest paintings up on the blog shortly – and as always you can check out our online shop to see all of Minnow’s artwork.
PA Horse World Expo – Raffle Winner Announced!
While we were at the PA Horse World Expo in Harrisburg last weekend we held a raffle for a free custom 11×14 painting by Minnow the Painting Pony.
We had HUNDREDS of entries to win Minnow’s one-of-a-kind painting, but there could be only one winner. So when we got home from our trip (after rolling in the biggest mud puddle he could find), Minnow helped choose our winner.
Congrats to Brittany of Garnet Valley, PA!
Thanks to everyone who came by the booth and entered. You can check out all of the ponies’ available paintings in our online shop.
2012 Trick Pony Goals
Happy New Year Everyone!
Last year we made a list of goals for 2011, so it’s come that time where we look back and see how close we came to accomplishing all of them. We’ve also whipped up a whole new set of goals for 2012.
2011 Goals:
1. Take some western riding lessons with Boomerang. It seems writing out my 2011 goals really started a fire under me, because in January of 2011 I took Boomerang to his very first western lesson with a local trainer.
2. Push myself past my comfort zone and compete in something I’ve never done before. In February of 2011 I took Boomerang to the Horse World Expo to compete in Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. This was one of the most nerve racking/intense things I have ever done on horseback. I was never so nervous in my life, but I’m so glad that Boomer and I pushed past the scary stuff and tried something new. It has made us both so much stronger, and we even made it to the finals – placing 6th! Boomer and I also tried a whole bunch of new things this past year, like riding on the beach, trail challenges, mounted shooting, and even some cowboy events.
3. Teach Minnow to sit or lay down. Well, this is one of those things that I didn’t quite accomplish. I started to teach Minnow how to lean onto his bean bag chair this year, but eventually the summer craziness happened and things got pushed to the back burner. However, I did begin to capture Boomerang’s “sit” when he begins to get up from the laydown. Hopefully this year we will be able to perfect the cue even more!
4. Fine tune Boomerang’s cues for bow and lay down. Recently I just started perfecting Boomer’s cue for bow, and he’s finally started to go down to the ground without my help. He probably would have mastered this a lot sooner had I found the time to work with him, but better late than never!
5. Train some more tricks using the pedestal. This year I began training Boomerang to stand with all 4 feet on the pedestal. Admittedly I haven’t been good about documenting his progress, mostly because we’ve been training in the dark! But hopefully soon I’ll be able to get his progress on video to share.
6. Teach Minnow a brand-new trick skit for Pony Penning 2011. This past year Minnow performed his new “Super Pony Picnic” skit during Pony Penning. I thought it was one of his best skits to date. We’re hoping soon to put all of Minnow’s skits on DVD, just as soon as my filmmaker brother has some more availability! Perhaps this coming Summer.
7. Teach Ammo the Dachshund a skit he can perform alone. Ammo performed his new skit with his pal, Trooper at the 2011 Keystone Dachshund Races. Super Ammo vs. Super Trooper was a big hit, and I still laugh when I see Ammo in his cute little super helmet and cape.
8. Take Blitz on an outing (Dressage, Paperchase, Mounted Games, Tricks, etc). My mom really stepped up Blitz’s training this year and took him on a bunch of new adventures, like mounted shooting, cowboy events and riding on the beach. We’re both looking forward to trying even more with the boys in 2012!
9. Paint with the boys more often. To date the boys have painted over 180 paintings, and this year Minnow painted even more during outings like the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show and The Dog Days of Summer event. Hopefully the boys will get to spend lots more enjoyable time painting in 2012.
10. Read a training book (or video) and teach one skill from it. Ok, so I sorta failed on my reading list goal – but it was much more tempting to spend time with the boys on the farm just having fun.
11. Teach Boomerang flying lead changes, rollbacks, and a better sidepass. Boomerang mastered all three of these skills in a matter of 6 weeks as we were training for the Extreme Cowboy Race. He’s such an amazing pony, and so smart!
12. Read Misty of Chincoteague…again! Right before I took Minnow to visit the Renaissance School Academy I re-read Misty of Chincoteague, always the classic!
2012 Goals:
1. Teach the ponies how to Spanish Walk.
2. Begin taking steps towards writing a book. (Something that has been on my mind for a while now).
3. Introduce Boomerang to cows.
4. Take one picture a month for the ponies’ 2013 Calendar!
5. Teach Minnow a fun new “party” trick he can use at expos and fairs.
6. Take the ponies swimming at Marsh Creek more often.
7. Ride on the beach again.
8. Become more regular at posting on the blog and to our facebook page.
9. Teach the ponies how to pull/drive.
10. Build a new obstacle for the ponies to play with out on the trail.
So what about you? Any new goals to strive for this year? Anyone know where I can introduce Boomerang to cattle in the Chester County, PA area?
