Know Your Trailer

Almost 11 years ago we went trailer shopping at one of the Horse Expos. We did it on purpose so we could get a demo trailer at a discounted price. Going in we really wanted a Hawk trailer. They unfortunately did not take us as serious buyers and did not put any effort into selling us a trailer. So we walked out and looked at other brands. When we came to the Gore trailers, they had want Mom wanted in features and the guy working totally sold the trailer to us. When it came to financing, I set what I could pay a month and they made it work. They even gave us the ball off their truck when we came to pick up the trailer and ours was too big.

That said, since this is the biggest purchase I have ever made, I know that trailer and it's features. When the insurance came back with the first offer, I was sorely disappointed. My brother happens to be an adjuster and he told me to request to see the comparable. When they sent the report, I was ticked.

Hmm, my trailer does not have mangers

Uh, yeah not swing and the tires are only 3yrs old

How do they miss some of these features?

No dressing room! What???

They did not even have the right features on my trailer and they left some off which significantly lowered the value. The insurance person told me to send a list of missing features and my own comparable. My brother helped with that part. They missed things like the roof vents, the dressing room and the spare tire. And they also said my trailer had swinging doors instead of a ramp. This was a definite learning experience.
I worried the longer I did not hear anything back from the insurance. I sent a couple emails and finally heard back a week after. I guess they had to go back and forth with the appraisal company. I held my breath as he started to tell me the new value. I let it out with relief when he said the new value was $9805, just over $1300 more than the first value. With tax added I got my $10k. I did not request a copy of the new report even though I was curious.
At that point I was just happy to be moving forward. My loan was accruing interest and the bank holding the lien was not giving me the right information about how to pay off the loan. My Dad gave me the money to do it, but it still took so long. I hope no one has to deal with First Federal. Now I am waiting for them to send the title, so I can send it to the insurance and then finally I can get the money. Which means I still cannot buy a trailer until then.
We have one more show and DaVinci still may need surgery.

Someone rubbed his eye :(

Anti- rub protection

I hate not having a trailer. I really wish I could afford another Gore, but sadly I am not in the position to have another 12yr loan. At least since I knew my trailer I got the money to get another decent trailer. Whatever we end up with, I will definitely keep a list of the features and when we get new tires. I just need to find a trailer to use in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed.

Ember's Jump Chute Adventure

Finally I have a moment to write about the jump chute clinic. To say we were stressed was an understatement, but we needed to bring Ember to the event. DaVinci cooperated by looking better the day of and easing our minds about leaving him. A neighborhood friend of Peggy's loaned us a trailer and we were set.

Not bad for a rush job

Ember's time was in the early afternoon which gave us time to polish him up. I quickly did his braids even with bands breaking. Then we washed his chrome and scrubbed his body before loading him on the trailer. Bless him, he walked on the strange trailer and traveled well for his first solo ride since coming from Indiana.

Ember decided he would only be difficult about walking into the arena. He has a thing about different materials abutting each other. In this case cement before the footing. Once he was in, he took it all in quietly. We chatted with the host who remembered Roscoe. She decided she really needs a Roscoe baby. She just needs to find a good Cob mare first. What does it mean when people ask if your horses are for sale?

We handed the lead over to Martin to do the in hand portion. I will always pass on to someone with long legs. We told him he would have to work harder than with Roscoe. Ember was a bit lazy to begin with, but he moved on with encouragement. Once he had done the poles a few times in hand, they let him loose to do them on his own. The clinicians were amazed by his big stride. When they saw his canter, Martin said it would be tough for Ember to package so to be patient once he was under saddle. Ember has his moments of looking like he does not know what to do with his legs at times.

When the jumps began going up, Ember said he could do this stuff. I love when even I am impressed with my horses. Ember took time to think and relax in between jump sets. He did not seek us out like his social butterfly father, but he takes new things a bit quieter than Roscoe. Plus Roscoe was the only child and learned to demand attention. Ember had too many siblings to get that way.

Thinking time

Ember had jumps with square knees and some with dangly feet. We were happy that he never seemed over faced and stayed willing. I am even more excited to see him in a couple years. And best of all, we made it back to the barn with no layovers.

His final jump, Definite potential

"Home please!"

Its 5:00 Somewhere

Even in heaven. I always joked that my Aunt Ann's year in review on FaceBook would be a series of drink pictures, my cousins and her husband.

We lost her unexpectedly on Tuesday. She was diagnosed with Leukemia the end of July. We all thought she would beat it. She is a vibrant, happy person. But worse case scenarios kept cropping up. The doctors had problems treating some of her issues because of the Leukemia. Those issues involved her liver and kidneys shutting down. We still kept hoping, but the late night phone calls were worrying. Then that one call came. After a 3 week battle, she was gone.

She leaves her parents, her husband of 32yrs and her two daughters. Till the end she brought her humor to those around her. I was not able to see her often, but she was a blast when she visited the barn one time. Roscoe thought she was great. She also enjoyed a drive with Rosemary even when it got exciting from sudden rabbit appearances.

Roscoe loves Aunt Ann

So if anyone has a drink on Thursday, raise one up for my Aunt Ann. The world is a dimmer place without her humor and love.

Gone too soon