Guess WHO I Met This Weekend (pictures)

[Jill]

Yesterday (Saturday), Harvey and I drove to Lexington, KY (about 950 miles round trip) to meet ERICA and DESTINY for the first time in person at the Blue Grass Classic show!

Erica is just as nice in person as I thought she'd be, and her parents, Mickie and Linda, are so nice and friendly! It is not hard to tell why Erica is the special lady she is because the apple didn't fall far from the tree. I really thought it was touching to see what a team she and her parents are at the shows and what a tight operation they have going. Standing back watching them work together, it just seems to happen so polished and perfect.

Destiny blew his other mommy (me!) away! OMG! I can't stop thinking about him. I knew I loved how he is built and moves from pictures and videos but in the flesh, he just was even more amazing than in my imagination! He is gorgeous and so firey!!! I swear, it is just really something else to see how much PERSONALITY can come in a small package because Destiny is full of himself and very much "Mr. Attitude" as Erica calls him.

I was even able to show him, in the color class! So that was really fun and something I will always remember. It would have been something I was proud of even if we didn't get a ribbon, but "we" did -- 1st and 2nd places!!! Which is obviously thanks to how fabulous Erica keeps Destiny conditioned and groomed.

Honestly, it was probably the highlight of my summer getting to go meet Erica and Destiny! Her mom asked if I was going to make it to Nationals. I said no and it really is a very busy time of year at my office and I probably cannot be away, but I am really wishing on it so maybe...

SO, here are some pictures. I love the first one of Erica with "our boy"! Then the ones of me with Destiny, unfortunately, out of 50 or so of he and I, these were the best. I look like a goofball but HE looks very nice

Thanks for listening and looking!

 

[Miniequine]

)

I can hear your excitement!! That is so cool!

Your pictures are great. Destiny is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I am so glad you had a great time!

I am headed to Kentucjy on thursday!

Sandy

 

[Dr. Pam]

Yeah Jill!! So glad you got to see him! Now that we're down here, we have been able to see Erica at a couple of shows. The whole family really is that nice. Maybe we can see you at Nationals, too....

:

 

[LindaL]

You are so lucky!!!

: I saw Erica's stall area at the 2003 Nationals, but every time I went by, she either wasnt there or was so busy I didnt want to intrude

: , so maybe someday!

: :bgrin

You do not look like a goofball, you look very nice! :aktion033:

Destiny is AMAZING!!!! Phewww...!!! :aktion033: :new_shocked: :aktion033: (How did he do in his other classes??)

 

[Winchester Farms]

he is one amazing horse!!! absolutely gorgeous! congrats on your winnings!

 

[REO]

How wonderful you all got to meet at last! :bgrin Jill, I think you look very nice!

:

 

[CKC]

I'm so excited for you. I know you were wanting to meet her for a while now.

Destiny is gorgeous!

 

[NMMack]

: Destiny is absolutey GORGEOUS!!!!

:

What a fine horse!!!

:

Congratulations Jill and Erica!!! And Jill, I am just tickled for you that you got to meet Erica and show your Boy!!! You look Fabulous out there with your Boy too! I'll bet that it is a day you will long remember!

:

Nancy

 

[Jill]

Thanks, everyone! I'm so happy about what we got to do yesterday!

Linda, in the halter classes, he "only" got 2nds. It's the first time actually he's gone to a show where he didn't get 1st in halter classes and the 2nd time he's ever shown where he didn't get at least some level of a championship. He's got something like 38 first places in AMHR / AMHA halter classes, 16 junior champions / reserves in R, 4 grands in AMHA, 11 overall grands / reserves in R... AMHR Nat'l Top 5, AMHR Nat'l All Star, AMHA Honor Roll -- not that I've been keepin track or anything

: :lol:

Additionally about this weekend,

* There were some gorgeous / high caliber horses and handlers at the show. Not a shame to take seconds there in my opinion.

* Destiny said he planned it this way anyhow so he wouldn't have to be in the ring for those pesky championship classes thus giving his "other mommy" more time to admire him up close and personal.

* He actually finished out his Hall of Fame in halter last weekend, as a 2yo, getting not just the one 2yo grand he lacked, but TWO overall grands.

It really was a day I'll remember for a long time and if Erica's ever anywhere that close to us again at a show, I am totally sure we will be there ring side!

Color is not a huge big deal class to me but this time it was since it was how I could show Destiny and I think I may need to frame his ribbons from that class :bgrin

 

[CLC Stables]

I just love your attitude Jill..............

And yes the whole Killion crew is great, can't wait to see them in Tulsa once again.

ERICA WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU

 

[Sterling]

Thanks for sharing with us! The pics are great and you have a reason to be proud! Continued success with your little one....how exciting!

: :aktion033:

 

[Devon]

Hope you keep having great sucess with your little man!!

:

:

 

[justanothercowgirl]

He looks lovely Jill!! I am so glad you got to make the trip to KY!! I knew you were looking forward to it!! :aktion033: And come on and take the time off and come to nationals, you know you want to!!!! We could have so much fun!!!!

Pammy

 

[CheyAut]

Wow Jill he's gorgeous! Glad you had a good time, and congrats! How'd you like Ky? I can't wait until we live there!

Jessi

 

[SWA]

How exciting for you Jill! :aktion033: You and Erica are making such a great team out there with Destiny! WOW! What a handsome little guy! Congrats on your meeting, and super congrats on your shows. Wishing you all the continued success with him!

:

 

[nootka]

THAT is an awesome story! I am so happy for you and glad to hear about all the excitement and see pics!

Silly Jill, you and Destiny look great, BOTH of you!

Congratulations though I can't tell you're proud at all.

Liz

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Finially you get to see you little man in person :aktion033:

He has always looked awsome in the pics I've seen but I love to see new pics of him

:

 

[Jill]

Thanks everyone

I really am proud of him and proud of how great Erica does with him, and proud of what a difference Erica's made in my little herd of horses the past couple years!

:

 

[midnight star stables]

Yay Jill! Congrats! That's Huge! He a great horse with a lot of heart

: I hope I can one day meet Erica.

:

 

[Erica]

Jill,

It was so nice to finally meet you too and for you to get to see Destiny in person (even if he was feeling more than his oats up there

: )

He is happily running around with his girlfriend enjoying a few days off after the past two weeks of back to back shows and on the road for long hours.

If for some chance you do get to make it to Nationals shoot for Monday-Tues and heck just give me a call and someone from my bunch can go get you from the airport as it is only less than 2 miles from the Expo center!

As Jill said it turned out to be a nice show 180 horses (mostly minis as the World show in Ohio was going on I am pretty sure and most ponies headed that way) Many of the halter classes had upwards of 10 in them. Lots of nice horses there too

And Rob.......do make time to stop by at Nationals, I am planning on being there Thursday-Thursday (need to email my graduate professors this week and let them know ahead of time) Can't believe the summer is slipping away.