Excellent !!! Mr.G looks Great !!!
@Foxglove ~ how was your competition ??
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Thank you for asking ā
This competition was different --in the past I have competed (Mounted Archery) at the local level --maybe 3-4 times a year for the past 7 years. This was intimidating. It was a prestigious national competition that attracted the best archers in the US --including most members of the USA International Competition Team.
Second, it was a 10 hour horse haul to the venue.
Third, at the last minute, the woman I usually travel with invited a third to go with us (also a competitor) but that meant 3 in the truck, 3 horses in the trailer, and stuffing horse gear any place it could fit. I sat in the back seat with my book and read most of the drive --missed having conversation with my friend --could I have inserted myself into their conversations? Sure --but challenging from the back seat. Gave up after a bit.
My horse came out to the trot up stiff --and was excused --tried again 2 hours later and he passed --but I had two hours of agony waiting to see if he would.
While we didnāt shoot as well as we do at home (who does?) we did well enough for us. I didnāt fall off and the horse was making his optimum time.
However, it seemed little odd to me that each time as I came out on the track for my turn, I was getting a big cheer (after all, no one knew me there) . Further, after each run, other archers would come up and say nice things --even though I wasnāt hitting too many targets ā ok, I did hit a few, but nothing spectacular.
Later I found out, that as I was introduced the first time (I couldnāt hear the loud speaker from where I was waiting my turn) --the announcer said I was the oldest archer competing (fair enough, the youngest was also cited at age 13) --but then included my age --71.
I suspect the adulation was strictly because spectators and competitors were acknowledging my age and not my skill --not sure how I feel about that.
My next possible competition wonāt be until May 2024. Lots of time to think about things. If the new competitor continues to ride with my friend and me to competitions, I may either stop going or haul myself --while I do enjoy archery competitions, I donāt like feeling as if I am the third wheel --and the hassle of three people trying to show out of one trailer --well, those are my choices --quit or haul myself. I donāt have a LQ trailer as my friend does --but I did ok before I met her and will do ok hauling myself.
TMI I am sure ā horse was great, I didnāt fall off, and I hit a few targets! Those were my goals for the week!
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Congratulations on achieving your goals in a very STRESSFUL situation on all dimensions !
Glad to know you completed the competition and your horse is sound and youāre home ~ Gordon is glad youāre home too.
Very impressed ~ loved the picture ~ thanks for sharing ~
- Iād haul myself in May 2024, if itās Three ~ too chaotic for me ~
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Congratulations. Riding, in anyway, at age 71 is impressive.
Are the bare arms a requirement, so they donāt interfere with the arrow?
I say PSHAW! 
I donāt mind telling my age.
& Add I didnāt get this old by being stupid!
Iām sure the WellWishers were impressed as they should be.
Having watched you & Will compete, itās a skill set I donāt believe I would ever be capable of - even if you subtracted 50yrs 
Iād always rather haul myself & my horse.
I donāt play that well with others & like things Just So & Done My Way.
As a result, Iāve skipped events outside my Comfort Zone for hauling.
And when Iāve done longer with others, inevitable to have a fly in the ointment.
Just Me, doing Me 
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@Chall --there is no required dress/habit for Mounted Archery. It was 81 degrees that day, so I shot wearing a tank top and breeches (boots/helmet, of course). It grew cooler the next day and I shot in along sleeve (close fitting in the arms) T shirt. I have lately started wearing the purple vest as it gives a nice look to the pix (all about the pictures!) --it has no use except I can wipe my hands on it if they are sweaty.
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I havenāt heard pshaw used in ages. It was one of Dadās favorite mild expletives.
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So glad he stuck around!
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I think Gordon is going to get closer and closer. 
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Gordon demanding food today. He seems to have caught on to the concept of coming into the barn before I close the doors at night.
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What a good dog. It helps that you put his name on his house so he still knows where to go. 
You did a good deed.
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He looks like he is holding up well and is in good shape! Lets hope he puts those beautiful chompers to use mousing and keeping rodents away.
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Gordon has added a layer of drama to my clowder! First it was chasing off the other day-feeding feral cats --saw him āthen when I came to do PM feeding a few days later, most of Feral Regular Spot is spread across my barn floor. And Gordon is looking most pleased with himself.
Today, after riding, I was cleaning saddles outside the barn door when I see Gordon PATROLLING the barn lot --there are two out door feeding stations and Gordon has his own feeding station in the barn --but heās out there looking for trouble.
Oh, Gordon!
Spot is a white cat with one black spot : or was ā
And Gordon keeping an eye on things:
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Whelp! Guess he is there to stay and has claimed it as his! He appreciates his upgrade, just not his new friends LOL
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Oh dear, it looks like Gordon has elected himself to serve as Foxgloveās resident feline Sheriff. Poor Spot. I guess everyone will have to fall in line as the new hierarchy is formed.
With my own little feral colony Iāve noticed that there are definitely loose hierarchies. There are 2 dominant (now neutered) males who pretty much keep everyone in check and battle off new cats and raccoons. As long as the resident core cats stay in line with their loose boundaries, everyone is fine. Sometimes there is some posturing between the neutered boys to see who eats at which food pile, but by now its rarely physical. This core group had been together for years, so they have a well established bond. Iāve witnessed so much sweetness between the feral cats, lots of head buts, cheek rubs, sleeping together - but they will just as quickly posture or give a swat if a lower ranking cat steps out of line.
Gordon brought his city swagger to the farm and thinks he is Big Man on campus!
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He looks pretty serious.
Would love an update on Mr.Gordon ? Please & thank you a pic too ?
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Yes please?
@Zu_Zu @Rackonteur : Gordon seems to be adjusting well to being the official barn cat. Only once did he fail to come into the barn at night feeding so I could shut the doors and keep him inside. I did leave the big barn doors ajar so Gordon could come in --and I set the cameras to make sure I could see ONLY Gordon come in. He was back the next AM --despite the fac that he still has his Gordon House in the barn, he seems to prefer to sleep in the mow. Today I am having my hay put up, so he may have to find a new spot. I call Gordon and feed him at the AM feeding and the PM feeding. He meows back. Loudly. From my painting studio (all glass) I overlook the barn and two pastures. I have binoculars --I can see Gordon sunning himself and generally patrolling the barnyard. I also see other day-feeding feral cats waiting for Gordon to go some place else so they can come to the feeder. Gordon has his own personal feeding station in the barn. He still gets two cans of Fancy Feast AM and PM, along with dry food and water. He seems to prefer the dry food.
I continue to hope he stays around. Heās good? company.
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