Gunners Special Nite

Gunners Special Nite will be on the American team at the Alltech World Equestrian Games this September in Lexington, KY. Owned by the ranch until two months ago, Gunners Special Nite will be ridden by Tom McCutcheon. Marcy Ver Meer rode GSN exclusively from 2007 thru the 2010 NRBC Derby, riding him to Reserve Champion in the 2007 NRHA Futurity and racking up over $200,000 in LTE over three years.

Non-Pro Reining at the Ranch

Marcy Ver Meer spent time today with Christie Mogel and Mary-Anne Van Degna, two non-pro riders. Mary Anne (top right) is aboard Baby Blue, which is actually Christie's horse.

Marcy is riding Stella, a promising three year old owned by Connie Perlot.

Christie (bottom right) is on Tucker's Last, a five year old mare owned by the ranch. Chloe, as she is known at the barn, has competed in Futurity and Derby events and is available for sale. She would make an excellent horse for a non-pro.

Hike on Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

We hiked in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area this morning. The area is a five minute ride from the ranch and is suited to trail riding as well as hiking. The trails lead into the Tonto National Forest. This view is looking south with Cave Creek in the foreground and Elephant Butte in the background.

Tubing on the Lower Salt River

Yesterday Marcy Ver Meer took the afternoon from training for the USET World Games to lead a group for a half day of tubing in the Tonto National Forest on the Lower Salt River. The group included her mom, Betts Ver Meer and clients Christie Mogel and Mary-Anne Van Degna. Bob Van Degna came along to carry the cooler and was the only one to fall in. The water was a refreshing 64 degrees and the weather was perfect, warm with a bright, blue sky.

Winged Visit

This baby bird dropped from its nest in the barn. One of the barn dogs, Luce, immediately tried to grab it, but quick work averted a disaster.

We fed the bird raspberries and water. He slept thru the night in a makeshift nest in the house and had breakfast this morning consisting of ground up egg and egg shells, a dead spider and more raspberries.

We are trying to find a bird sanctuary which can take care of him .

Red Roughing It

Red and Buck spent the night under the stars last Wednesday night in Cottonwoods, AZ at the Dead Horse State Park. They tell us the name of the park was given by the early settlers to this area. Apparently a horse had died on the property and everyone referred to the area as Dead Horse.

Red is a 2001 gelding rope horse. Foaled and ridden in TX, Red has been with the ranch since 2007.

Another Bobcat

Hard to tell from this image, but the bobcat is smaller and less well marked than the one previously shown. Given the size and lack of distinctive black strips, I'm guessing it's a female