Tag Archives: mounted games

Events at the Farm

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Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Most of you who read my blog on a regular basis (hey guys) already know that I’ve been a farm dog since I was just a wee pup. Growing up on a farm means that you learn pretty quickly that everyone must pitch in and help to keep the farm running. So when we host horse events on the farm I’m the first one to lend a helping paw.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

At our farm we host slightly different competitions than most people might be used to seeing. You’ll see no pretty ponies prancing around the arena while their owners buff and shine their boots to perfection – nope, we get a little more extreme with our events at my farm. Our mounted games competitions are filled with thrills and spills, as riders race at top speed through a series of obstacles with their teammates. It’s as exciting for the riders as it is for us spectators.

I spent most of my day on the start line, helping dad to watch the finishes and call placings – one of the most important jobs of the day.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Riders of all ages came out for our event, and their team gear was as fantastic as always (you know I love a good fashion statement).

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

My best friend Trooper was in charge of watching for rule violations on line A.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

But he quickly got relieved of all duties when he couldn’t keep his eyes open!

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Even my ponies helped out during the event, as they greeted all our guests with a beaming smile.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Later in the day I took my post on the obstacle course as I watched the riders compete for the jackpot cash prize!

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

I even had to do a bit of coaching as some of the ponies thought our pool noodle obstacle was something from another planet.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

By the end of the day I was utterly exhausted – but that’s how life goes on the farm, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Ammo the Dachshund

Mounted Games and Versatility with the Ponies

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On Sunday we held another competition at the farm.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

When we hold competitions, they typically aren’t what you think of when you hear “horse show”. No, you won’t see any fancied up ponies parading around an arena earning marks for good looks. Instead you’ll see handy ponies navigating obstacles in our versatility trail and top speed racers vying for a first place finish in our mounted games events. It’s totally my kind of event, which is why I volunteered my services to judge.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

We had a variety of ages and skill levels attempt our challenging obstacle course, all of which were hoping to win the jackpot cash prize!

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

I put on my most serious face, and took to judging the riders with great scrutiny. Looking for those who worked well with their ponies, and navigated the obstacles with ease.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

As you can imagine, it’s quite exhausting to use your serious face all day long.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

And inevitably I had to take a short nap to regain my strength so I could score the mounted games portion of the day.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Scoring the mounted games events is quite difficult, because not only do you have to keep your eyes peeled for rule infractions, but you also have to keep a close watch on the finish line in order to catch the placings. It’s such a challenging job that I enlisted to help of several scribes.

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Sometimes the riders come into the finish neck and neck and you really have to pay attention!

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Don’t worry – I was on the job the whole entire time!

Ammo the Dachshund // Mounted Games Competition on the Farm

Ok, fine, there may have been a quick nap between races – but I swear that was it! Ammo the Dachshund

 

Our next competition on the farm will be held on Sunday, October 7th. If you are in the Chester County, PA area I hope you’ll consider coming out to compete or cheer on the teams! It’s always such a fun day! More details here.

Jackpot

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ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

On Sunday we had an event at the farm, which meant I had lots and lots of work to do.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

Not only did I have to help set up the obstacle course the day before, but I also had to make sure everything was safe for the ponies.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

After all the obstacles got my approval I took to my post to judge the competition.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

We had some stiff competition this time around and they were all eager and hoping to win the jackpot cash prize!

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

But after much deliberation on my part, there could be only one winner! And to thank me for all my hard work, I happily take payment via squeaky toys purchased with jackpot cash prizes! 

 

P.S. Too see more photos from our event at Iron Horse Farm visit our Facebook page!

The Inspector

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ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

My pony friends recently got in a shipment of new equipment to use during their mounted games competitions on the farm!

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

These brand-new items for the Windsor Castle Race looked pretty spiffy to me, but there is really no way to tell until Inspector Ammo makes his rounds.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

The traffic cones looked alright I guess, and would have gotten an A++ instead of an A if they smelled like dead animals instead of new plastic though.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

The polo balls were a bit tough to inspect because they were very difficult for me to pick up.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

Rolling them was a bit more effective – but just not as fun.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

I was distraught as to whether I should give them a passing grade for pony usage – especially since they didn’t come equipped with squeakers inside.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

But then I decided, what the heck, squeaker or not how can you not have fun with a ball! So go ahead ponies, have fun with your new toys – they passed inspection! Yipee!

A Camping we will go

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ammo the dachshund camping

Screaming at the top of my lungs this past weekend to cheer on my pal Boomerang wasn’t the only highlight of my trip to Maryland. Oh yes, I got to go camping with my family!

ammo the dachshund camping

After helping pack the horse trailer  – Boomerang, mom, dad and me headed south for the weekend.

ammo the dachshund camping

I love camping because it means I get to spend lots of time outdoors doing manly outdoor things….like collecting sticks.

ammo the dachshund camping

Helping dad build the campfire is also quite fun – although it is a shame that all those perfect chewing sticks will soon be going up in flames.

ammo the dachshund camping

But, it was quite chilly on Saturday night, so I was happy to sacrifice a few of my sticks for the sake of warmth.

ammo the dachshund camping

This time I got to test out my new camping tent – as the last one I accidentally burst a hole through when I couldn’t find the door….oops.

ammo the dachshund camping

The good news is my new tent passed my rigorous test and I was extra warm and toasty all night inside mom’s sleeping bag.

ammo the dachshund camping

When I wasn’t cheering on Boomerang or doing camping things I chowed down on french fries and fruit smoothies in the spectator stands.

ammo the dachshund camping

I also got to help mom score some of the other divisions. Although to be honest I did use it as an excuse to take a nap.

ammo the dachshund camping

At the end of the weekend Boomerang thanked me for coming along to cheer him on.

ammo the dachshund camping

He even showed his appreciation by taking me on a pony ride – isn’t he the sweetest?

You can check out my super awesome pony friend Boomerang in action this weekend by watching the video below.

Number One Fan

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ammo the dachshund - spectator

I’m a fan of a lot of things – cheese, hot dogs, squeaky toys – but being a Number One Fan requires a lot more work.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to pay attention at all times so you don’t miss a second of the action.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to be willing to brave the elements and come prepared with extra blankies.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to keep your eyes glued on your favorite players at all times.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to keep a mental score as well.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to cheer the loudest out of anyone.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You have to empathize when the game gets a little tough.

ammo the dachshund - spectator

You must never give up hope.

chesapeake boomerang

And you must ride along during every race as if you were there.

chesapeake boomerang

 

Congrats to my pal Boomerang for an excellent weekend competing in the MGAA Mid-Atlantic #1 Games Competition. And thanks for letting me come along for the ride.

xoxo Your Number One Fan, 

 

Equipment Crew

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Over the weekend we held a horse competition at the farm. Riders come from all over to compete in the high-speed relay racing of mounted games and to win fame & fortune….ok well maybe in reality it was just ribbons & prizes, but that’s besides the point.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

Everyone on the farm is expected to help out at the horse show to keep things running smoothly.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

This time I was head of the equipment crew with my dad.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

I got to run up and down the side lines making sure we had all of the equipment ready for the next race.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

Balloons – check, Flags – check, Buckets – check, Bending Poles – check.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

It’s a very important job, and someone has to make sure everything is done right. Sometimes even dad needs to be reminded how things are supposed to go.

“A little to the left Dad”

You can check out all our fun photos from the horse show on the Iron Horse Farm Facebook Page.

Camping 101

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I’m pretty much the king of camping.

ammo the dachshund camping

I’m so good at camping, that I even bring along my pony when I go camping.

ammo the dachshund camping with pony

ammo the dachshund camping

Want to see inside my tent? It’s pretty cool.

ammo the dachshund camping

I unrolled the sleeping bags all by myself.

ammo the dachshund camping

Want to come see how I collect sticks for the campfire?

ammo the dachshund camping

ammo the dachshund camping

ammo the dachshund camping

ammo the dachshund camping

It’s key to whittle your sticks down to the right size – something they probably don’t tell you in the boy scouts, and I know, because I’m a stick collecting expert.

But as much as I’m an expert in all of the camping ways, could someone please do me a favor….

ammo the dachshund camping

Can you tell the tent manufacturers that they really need to start making built in doggie-doors.

ammo the dachshund camping

This is really cramping my style!

Spooky Fun Part 2

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So hopefully you checked out part 1 yesterday. If not….you better! 🙂

So anyways, I was a bit confused on Saturday when the box-o-Halloweenie-fun showed up at the Farm. Me and the ponies had no idea what it was for. But when Sunday rolled around, it was clear that most of the fun would be had by my horsey friends…..and some new guests at the farm.

Even the ponies weren’t scared of Mr. Spooky Skeleton face

Lots of Ponies got to try the “Spooky Trail” Obstacle Course at the farm – as part of a Mounted Games Competition that went on Sunday.

Even my mom gave it a try on Boomerang. You can watch the videos on the Painting Pony Blog. I on the other hand, spent my day meeting new friends.

Why Hello, what’s your name?

Nooo come back! I want to play!

I also did quite a bit of lounging.

I’m sort of glad that I didn’t have to do any of this:

But it was definitely fun to watch! Here’s a video of me watching Mom do the course on Boomerang.