8/4/09
Hi Joanne,
I can't even begin to tell you how amazing he is doing. We officially 'broke' him in March and ever since then he has been improving in leaps and bounds. Everyone who meets him is always amazed when they find out he is three. He is the barn favorite and resident Labrador. He has one of the best personalities and best work ethics I have ever seen in a horse. Everyday I ride him in bareback from the field in a halter/lead and he's fine. He crosses tarps, bridges, and goes through water. We can clip him (ears included) while he is in his stall without a halter. Works in side reins, works in draw reins, nothing fazes him. Right now we are walking, trotting, cantering and leg yielding. He has awesome transitions and stops on a dime when you say 'ho.' He has simple changes down pat and is starting to figure out flying changes-he gets the front but is still trying to figure out how to work his hind end :) We took him to a schooling show in June (didn't show/just schooled) and he was wonderful. Took him back a week later and showed him in the beginner hunter. It was a huge class and unfortunately he didn't pin. Janelle and I asked the judge for her feed back after the show and she was shocked to find out that he was only three. She wanted to know where we found him so of course I gave her your info :) We took him to another schooling show this past weekend and showed him in pleasure where he won his first blue!!!! I was so proud of him! We will probably keep entering him in pleasure classes until the end of this year. We are still waiting for his knees to close before we jump him but hopefully he will be ready for some cross rail classes next summer. More pictures to come soon!!!! Stay in touch!!!!

9/24/08 - Following quote extracted from email:

"Kelsey has a much better feel for Bouncer now. The 2 of them are getting some nice compliments from some very good instructors. He can be very "fancy" when he gets the frame in dressage - it's getting it and keeping it that she is working on. Several people have said how athletic he is and how he can really jump. Which is very true and Kelsey is having more success getting him to do a clean jumping round on the first go round. Kelsey's riding instructor rode him recently and said he is tricky to ride (because he can be with you one minute and not the next) and an instructor at the camp (without knowing him) said the same thing and told Kelsey she was the right rider for him because she has soft hands. So we've finally arrived at the place we want to be with him as the two of them continue to make progress together."

10/10/2008 - Here's a quote from Bokkus' new mom - Gretchen:

"Hi Joann,

Thank you so much for the pictures!  He is doing WONDERFUL :) he settled right in. When we turned him out with the other boys for the first time it was probably one of nicest and easiest introductions I have ever seen. He buddied right up w/ Janelle's three year old. They just follow each other around all day, its adorable.

His training is going well too. He is walk, trot, cantering and halting on the lunge line in a bridle saddle and side rains. He is a dream to work with.

I will send you pictures this weekend!

Gretchen"

9/14/08 - note from Bugaboo's new owner.  She's renamed him - Xander.  Bugaboo is one of my homebred 2 year olds that was recently sold to a young rider, who has started him herself.  Here's what she had to say about his first few times under saddle:

"I rode him for the 6th time today and he was
absolutely perfect. He is trotting around under saddle like he's been doing it for years. I have been trying to get a video of me riding him but the past
few times it has been either dark or raining and I want to video it outdoors instead of in the indoor. I will send it to you as soon as I get one...
hopefully I should have one this weekend.

By the way, I was super careful to back him and I took him extremely slow. But he really didn't care. He has the greatest mind out of any 2 year old.

I love him <3

Lauren"