Dear Friends,

It’s been a fabulous summer, here at the ranch. We‘ve avoided the wild fires so far, and the monsoon season is providing some relief from the drought. Hay prices are up because yields are low, but we’ve all got some hay in the barn. This summer we had our first student-intern from the Colorado State University Equine Sciences program, Morgan Offutt, who is pursuing a career with media and horses. Having Morgan as our first intern set a very high bar and is proof that when you truly give of yourself, you receive more than you give.

This month I turn my attention to Ireland! Rich and I, plus eight close friends, travel to Ireland for a riding tour. After a few days in Dublin, we head to Galway with Connemara Equestrian Tours. I’ll be conducting clinics for two groups of eight riders, plus we’ll go hacking in the country side, ride on the beach, enjoy cultural tours and socialize together at night. We’re excited about the trip and I’m doing some last minute shopping for the right stuff. Next month, I’ll have a full accounting of the fun we had, and hopefully some photos and video too.

I’ve got a busy fall ahead with vacation-clinics at the C Lazy U Ranch; the CHA International Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado (check out the impressive list of speakers); and the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Georgia. I’m excited to end my travel year in Myrtle Beach SC, at the American Heart Association Beach Ride in November.

Enjoy the ride,

JG