Tag #7564 Defender of South Steens Mountains

08/12/2024

The northern lights :D

11/26/2023

11/26/2023

Good evening everyone, long time no post but Defender and I are still here.
I am out of my cast and my arm is almost back to normal. Defender on his side has put on a very thick Winter coat and back out in his favorite outside stall.
This past couple weeks, I have started to work back with him and we had a few first.
I was able to first crawl on him and him walk few steps calmly. Today I was able to jump from the ground and land gently with my stomach on his back. He didn't move and stayed very calm. Finally I got brave enough to just sit on him! It was thrilling as I Had waited that moment for a long time.
Look for the several videos posted.

10/02/2023

Hello everyone, it has been a few very busy weeks since school started but Defender and I are doing well.
My elbow is healing and hopefully only 2 more weeks with the half cast!
Defender is enjoying some down time growing and gaining some weight . We do light workout a couple times a week just to keep him sharp before 4H club starts mid October.
He got a new to him turnout blanket this weekend, big thanks to TJ MacDonald for that! Still looking for a warm one for the winter. His size is 69/70 if someone has one taking space and wanted to donate.
We were given 2 but they are way too small for him unfortunately. We'll be passing them out.

09/07/2023

Well we got another excellent news this morning!
We just learned that there was a mistake in tabulating the in hand trail results.
Drum roll....
Zach and Defender did also place Reserve Champion in the In Hand Trail category !!!!
Yeah !!! I can't tell you how overjoyed he was when he heard the news!
https://www.teensandoregonmustangs.org/trainers-horses/year-end-results/?fbclid=IwAR2mTXEUvAcN5oQ5gNM8YefpDJXLNvM6IUIf82Ec9yfgzcdfTyI0xoNKEBg
Thank you everyone for your encouragement, cheering and support.

Defender is enjoying his new stall with an attached run for a well deserved few days off while Zach does his back to school days

09/03/2023

Zach and Defender got teens and Adults In Hand division Reserve Champion !

09/02/2023

A very BIG THANK YOU! To TJ MacDonald for being our stall sponsor for the weekend!

09/01/2023

Trail part.
Zach and Defender made it look easy!

08/31/2023

I have 9 tickets left for the raffle .$10 each
Catch me tomorrow to get yours!
Having all my tickets sold gives me extra points! Who wants to help?
Cash , Venmo or PayPal

08/31/2023

Tomorrow is the move in day for Zach and Defender at the Oregon Horse Center in Eugene, OR.
It marks the end of about 120 days for training and dedication to turn a very wild mustang into a gentle, ground trained and ready to be started horse.
Over those part few months it has been so facinating to see their relationship evolve and how much trust and respect can be built between a young man and his horse.
Zachary will be keeping Defender following the competition and will continue to train him through 4H horse project.
We are very thankful to everyone who encouraged him and supported them in their journey. and a special thank you to our Stall sponsor for the competition : TJ MacDonald!
You can continue to follow their progress following the competition on this page.
The competition will be broadcast live on the Teens And Oregon Mustangs page. you can cheer for them even virtually.
we will try to have some live time if my phone works with that.
Again thank you everyone for your support, kind words and encouragement all along this journey.

highlighted in blue are the time of Zach/ Defender's TAIH division .

08/28/2023

We had such a great day yesterday at the Oregon Horse Mountain Trail in Eugene, OR.
Lots of fun with Linda and Louie the Great, Sheri and Scout and Haylei’s and Ford.
It was the first time for both Defender and I that we participated in an equine competition. I am glad we did this because I was pretty nervous not knowing how things works. As the day went by it got easier and easier for both Defender and I got more comfortable. We surely learned a lot and got pointer on what to get extra practice this next few days.
Here are few pictures of the day
Thank you so much for your support.