Happy 23rd Birthday, Missy!

 I'm a day late with this post, but yesterday was Missy's 23rd birthday. 

The most recent photo I've taken of her, sporting her fly/sun gear

Unfortunately for her, she got spring shots and Coggins pulled for her birthday, but the vet said he was VERY impressed with her condition. She doesn't look her age! We have a couple things to keep an eye on, as well as plans to introduce a senior feed since she doesn't seem to digest hay well anymore, but all in all she got a clean bill of health. 

I'm constantly checking her pink eye for any cancerous-looking changes. All good for now!

Please enjoy a photo dump of The Queen through the years!

2002 The only baby picture I have, from her registration papers

2011 The first picture I ever took of her

2011 Riding her at farrier school before I bought her from my instructor

2011 My 21st birthday gift

2011 Undermuscled Missy learning about working gates

2011 Our first time jumping together

2011 Galloping at the stable I boarded in during college

2011 We would run down the adjoining trails like yahoos.

2012 Keeping me sane through college

2012

2012 One of my favorite views

2012 Playing at liberty

2013 At our first show together

2013 First show dressage

2013 First show stadium... we went in the easy green-as-grass division, lol.

2013 Spring Break at Smoke Rise Ranch

2013 warm up for a show later in the season

2013 Jumping well for me at yet another combined test.

2014 at Up-N-Over

2014 Christmas 

2015 Train Robbery Reenactment

"Parked" at the local Legion

2015 Heartland Region Pony Club Combined Test

2015 IEA Derby, photo credit Lee Ann Zobbe

photo credit Lee Ann Zobbe

2016 Train Robbery Reenactment

2016 XC Schooling

2017 Leg Up Horse Trials

Good girl

We won our first full horse trial!

2017 Working cattle through the chute at Smoke Rise Ranch

2017 after our money-winning team sorting run

2018 Her week of debauchery with Pyro's daddy. (Yes, I look back and cringe at my choice to pasture breed, but am so grateful all went well.)

2019 Very pregnant, looking hot and miserable

2019 My favorite picture of her as a new mother

2019 We all enjoyed our gentle hacks around the hay field.

2020 Working on her bow while Pyro was being weaned 

2020 "Swimming" at a friend's pond

She's such a good sport.

2021 Allowing my sketchy, red neck sledding

2021 Learning to park out

2021 Our first bridleless ride

2021 At my bachelorette party, trail riding with my bridesmaids

2022 Working on our dressage

2022 Progression after starting lessons with Jen Truett <3

2022

2022 First time roaching her mane

2022 Dragonmare 

2022 Trail riding in Brown County State Park

2022

2022

2022 Bareback western pony

2022

2022 Extra rocket boosters on a chilly ride

2023 One of her rare spooks, always of the "4 on the floor" variety

2023

2023 Our first ranch horse show

Ranch reining

Trail, dragging a log

Trail, opening a gate

Attempting box-drive-box

Not cow-bred, but she always tries

2023 Her dressage retirement show

First level, test 1

2023 Trying the dragon spike mane clip

2023 Always love hacking out with my girls

2024 Throwing a capriole at poor Connor

2024

2024 Unsuccessful trip to sex camp

Not for lack of trying

2024 Dressage in retirement includes rainbow tack

2024

2024 Kate Little Clinic

2024 Trying sidesaddle for the first time

2024 winter pole work

2025 Helping me get back in the saddle after my latest concussion

2025

2025

2025 Ground driving in harness

2025 First time put to

2025 First drive

2025 Learning to drive together

If you made it to the end of this lengthy love letter to my heart horse, congratulations. You may have an inkling of the joy she brings to my life. Here's to you on your birthday, Missy! And many more!