Just before Christmas I was invited to participate and take photos during 4 Winds Equestrian Center's monthly playday. This one was appropriatly called The Polar Express Playday and was not only loads of fun, but also raised funds and collected gifts for 2 needy families for Christmas. All the obstacles and games were set up in the Indoor Arena, and a cozy eating and viewing area wwas set up and decorated up in the Sky Box.
My buddy Colleen, always smiling and welcoming.
There was even a Natural Horsemanship demo by Parelli instructor, Petra Christianson.
Most everyone dressed in holiday colors.
The Fjord ladies didn't need to...just riding Fjords is enough of a wintery theme.
My friend Joanna and her festively decorated mare.
Richard and his wife Didi organized the obstacle course and planned the day's games.
Mr friend Linda is always smiling, especially when she's riding her gelding Bandit.
My husband came along for the food, games and fun, too. He hung out on the Sky Box most of the day.....hey! That's where all the food was. hah!
The first obstacle had a creative name, but it escapes me...something like "Let's Potty (Party)!! You had to ride your horse up to it and lift the lid.
Most of the horses did just fine.
But a couple did not. like. the. potty. at. all.
Some of the horses were too tall for the rider to reach the lid, and some didn't want to get their hands dirty, so they devised a creative strategy for lifting the lid.
Apache wasn't at all impressed with the potty and thought these obstacles were just plain weird. hah!
The next obstacle was an old trampoline mat that I donated and named "Black Ice"
Surprisingly only a couple horses had any trouble with it and most walked over it willingly or with just a little coaxing.
Karen's horse was one that refused and decided the wreath looked a little more friendly....and tasty instead.
The next obstacle involved a horse trailer and a red cape. You rode your horse up to the horse trailer, parked your horse outside the horse trailer, and they were supposed to stand patiently while you went inside and dressed yourself in a red cape, after which you and your horse ran as fast as you could to the finish line.
Linda was happy to find Bandit still waiting outside for her!
A few of the horses really wanted to jump inside, too.
It was a very funny game and caused lots of laughter.
The next event was a bean bag toss game, where teams lined up on opposite sides and tossed a bean bag to one another, moving farther apart each turn, until teams dropped the bean bag and were DQ'ed with one winning team left.
Colleen and her wonderful mare.
Then it was time for dinner in the Sky Box.
All of the gifts collected for the needy Christmas families.
A herd of freshly-baked, hand-decorated pony cookies.
I picked this one out. I didn't want to eat it!
A final parting shot of my Apache mare and I taking a rest outside of the indoor arena.
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