Blythewood Christmas Parade December 14, 2008 We once again made our annual visit to downtown Blythewood for the Blythewood International Christmas parade. This year we GREATLY expanded the number of horses that we took. Last year it was 4, this year NINE!   International? Well, this is something started by the Band Director at Blythewood High School as an little joke. I think it has to do with all the International trucks in the parade!     Truth be known, Santa was not part of our group, but Santa on a mule is an old tradition for the Blythewood Parade.     See the more pictures here!     November 12 - 16, 2008   For the second year in a row we traveled to Lakewood Camping Resort in Myrtle Beach South Carolina for the 27th Annual Jack Monroe Beach Ride. This is a charity ride to raise money for the American Heart Association.   This year we got an early start so we would be able to have our camp set up before the sun set. However, we still didn't get our camp set up before the sun set.   Before we ever got off of the ramp leading on to I-77 the horse trailer hit a little bump, and I do mean LITTLE, but it was enough to break a wire that operates the brakes on the horse trailer. So, one whole exit later, we exit I-77 and stop at Royson's on HWY-21 to get this minor issue fixed. Maybe you drove past Royson's on Wednesday and wondered, why are there four horses over there?   Some time later, the horses are all back on the horse trailer and we make it to I-20. As Paul and Denise, who are pulling the horses, follow Brenda and Mary Ellen pulling the camper, they start noticing pieces of rubber flying from the camper. Paul and Denise rush up and drive along side the camper, tire look fine and is inflated. They back off and instruct Brenda to change lanes so Paul and Denise can check the other tire, looks good. All is calm and then more rubber starts flying around, this time we decide to get off the interstate in Camden and park at a McDonalds. We learned that Wild Woman Brenda has driven the tread right off the left camper tire.       The tire is successfully changed and we actually make it to Lakewood for only one additional PLANNED stop! However, the two delays resulted in finishing the camp setup after dark. So who all went? Mary Ellen & Cheyenne Brenda & Sonny     Denise & Dan Paul & Fancy The first full day we headed to the beach leading our horses. The plan was to get them use to the sights and sounds of the ocean before we rode them on the beach. This was such a calm event that it land Paul & Denise on the home page for The Sun News' Friday edition. Too bad Tom Murray to also get shots of Fancy rearing and kicking! The other horses behave a little better than Fancy. Though Cheyenne got a little excited with a rave and in her emotional state, jump further OUT into the ocean rather than jump towards the beach.   Later on in the afternoon we headed out for our first Beach Ride. However, Fancy remembered what happened earlier in the morning and refused to cross through the sand dunes to get to the beach and had be lead through. Below is Mary Ellen and Cheyenne shortly before Cheyenne decided to be a Beach Bunny and lay out on the beach! She laid down so fast and then got back up so quick we never had a chance to get a picture!   We all had plenty a time to relax around the campsite.   Sonny and Dan took advantage of the wet ground to test out new colors for themselves!   We also had the opportunity to do a little night riding. The horses did great in the dark. We did take them on the beach in the dark for a little bit but spent most of the time riding around the campground. All the trucks driving around and partying didn't bother them one bit! However, Sonny was rather scared of his own shadow! We ended up having a great time and the horses did great. All the horses would at least let their feet get a little wet. There were a couple areas where tidal pools created significant streams that we had to cross and our horses never hesitated to enter this water and cross to the other side. While back here in Blythewood there were some serious storms and multiple days of rain, the rain at the beach was kind to us and only fell at night when we were finished for the day. There are a LOT more pictures to check out!

South Carolina Quarter Horse Association Trail Ride Double J Ranch - Whitmire, SC November 1, 2008 On Saturday November 1, 2008 we took 3 horse trailers, 9 horses, 10 riders and 1 helper to the Double J Ranch in Whitmire, SC for the annual SCQHA Trail Ride. This was the most horses Bear Creek Stables has ever taken to an event. We have learned something as well, despite having a GPS unit, Paul will miss the final turn. This is true going to new locations as well as returning to our good ole stables in Blythewood. Denise and Mary Ellen now know that they need to be on alert for the one last turn. Double J Ranch has about 70 miles of trails available. These trails are the most challenging any of us had ever ridden. Lots of steep hills to go up and down and creek beds to cross. The highlight was about a 1/2 mile ride through the Enoree River.       The trails were varied with open fields and deep woods. We had a great time and will go back many times in the future.   See More Pictures   2nd Annual Autumn Festival and Fun Show October 4, 2008 Our first Autumn Festival was about food, horse rides and hay rides. This year the focus was on fun competition and we opened up the invitation to other barns and organizations. This picture shows that we achieved our goal for the day, people having a great time and lots happy smiling people!     Below is just a small sampling of the many competitive events we had. Ribbon Race This was amazing to watch, and there were no major collisions! Two rides enter the arena on their horses and hold a ribbon. The goal is to weave around a couple barrels while the riders maintain their grip on the ribbon.     Water Race You enter the arena and get a cup off of a barrel and fill it with water from a bucket on the barrel. You ride back to another barrel to fill a different cup. The goal is to fill the 2nd cup completely. If you spill any, you go back and get more water. Sound easy? It's not, especially if your horse is a barrel racer. You are not suppose to stop and get water at a barrel, you are suppose to go around it like a streak of lightening! Hunter Jumper Good ole classic Hunter/Jumper competition! Food OK, maybe this isn't an event, but food is an important feature of any festival! Here we catch the wife and daughter of the Blythewood High School Band Director playing hooky. The band was at a marching competition on October 4, and they were not!     Pole Bending Another classic western competitive event. Race in, weave through some poles and get back out of the arena as fast as possible! Barrel Racing Save the most exciting event for the end. Not to mention the horses tend to mess up the arena pretty good during this event, and it's not from pooping! We would like to thank everyone who visited us on October 4th. We had a great time and we hope everyone else did as well. There are a LOT more pictures which we feel show how much fun everyone had, check them out here!   South Carolina State Fair October 12, 2008 We took four horses to the State Fair this year. Two of the horses and riders were old pros at this. Another horse was experienced but her rider and a beginner. Then there was yet a fourth horse and rider that were both green. Paul & Fancy Rachel & Cheyenne Lacey & Sun Ron & Spooky Here Rachel is looking a little nervous before her run. OK, she looks VERY nervous. Below is her Aunt Denise trying to get a smile out of her, and it WORKED! Fancy and Paul are the GREEN DUO. Fancy does pretty well on her home turf, but the stress of the competition stresses her out a wee bit. Paul is considering naming her Buckeroo Fancy! However, she did complete the course and very intentionally nailed a barrel and knocked it over! We have more pictures of our adventures at the State Fair, check them out here! BCS Goes to Saluda Shoals Park September 5, 2008 All week we were looking forward to a little Road Trip to Saluda Shoals Park in Lexington County. All week Tropical Storm Hanna was also heading our way. As the week began the midlands were in the cross hairs of the storm. As the week progressed, day by day, the projected path of the storm kept drifting further east. On Thursday we decided things looked good and decided the ride was ON! We got the horse trailer ready and loaded so all we had to do in the morning was load the horses. Dan and Fancy (above) were the old pros with this type of adventure. Aurora and Cheyenne (below) were new to this and we were really interested in seeing how they would handle it. THEY DID GREAT! The old saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink" was certainly true on this day. We trie many times to get all the horses to drink, but they would not. (Dan did finally stick his whole head in the water, but we are not convinced he actually swallowed any water) The ride starts off with a fence on either side of you. Just as you are getting into the groove of things, a dog charges up from his house to the fence and all the horses do a little jiggaboo! We were all awake at this point! Much of the equestrian trails run along power lines. There are also some nice wooded trails. Most of the day was hot and sunny. At lunch time the clouds from Hanna started rolling in, which we appreciated. About a third of the way through our after lunch ride the rain started, however, we did not turn around. It was a gentle rain and after the heat of the earlier ride, we actually kinda liked it!     Horse Show at Claddagh Farms  June 21, 2008 We loaded three horses up and headed to Claddagh Farms in Wagener, SC on Saturday June 21, 2008. Little Rachel and Cocoa were the experienced pair for this trip. Cheyenne has does this before but it was all new for Big Rachel. It was totally new for Paul and Fancy. Both Rachels came home with several ribbons and despite Fancy's stubbornish she still managed to to get a ribbon as well! Big Rachel & Cheyenne Paul & Fancy Little Rachel & Cocoa Summer Camp '08 June 9 - 13 2008 Summer Camp '08 was scheduled early in June to beat the Summer Heat! Mother Nature played a joke on us as it was more like the Dog Days of August! Our Summer Campers had the opportunity to learn all aspects of horse care. Before a horse can be ridden they must be groomed and their hooves inspected for any stones that may be lodged in there. We also found time for some equestrian related Arts and Crafts where we could get out of the sun and give the horses and ourselves a break from the record breaking heat wave!   As can be expected, the highlight of each day was any time spent riding the horses.   Kershaw County Mounted Patrol Fun Show May 17, 2008 Bear Creek Stables hosted a Fun Show put on by the Kershaw County Mounted Police on Saturday, May 17. The goal for the show was to raise some money for the mounted police and to just HAVE FUN! Western Pleasure The day started off with Western Pleasure. Many of the riders and horses had never been to an event. This was the perfect warm up for the events to come. Ribbon Tie You race to the far end of the arena and tie a ribbon to a pole then race back out of the arena. Sound easy? It's not. Horses do not want to stand next to a pole, they want to speed around it! Water Race Things only got harder. Here you race into the arena to a barrel on the far side. You get a cup and try to fill it with water. You bring it back to another barrel and set it down. The goal is to NOT lose any water. If you do, back to the first barrel and to get a second cup and fill it with water. You then take it back to the original cup and add more water to it. When your horse is an accomplished barrel racer, the last thing she wants to do is hang around a barrel so you can get a cup of water. So you may as well get off and take the lead!     If you have a big horse it can be a long reach down to scoop that water up. As you can see, Dan tries to give a hand by getting some water too!   Pole Bending Here's a traditional event, made hard! Usually you expect the poles to be 21 feet apart, here we went to 10 feet. Some of the Big Boys found it a little tight weaving in and out of the poles! Phone Book Race And you thought she had time to read. Here you roll the dice three times to determine a page number. You race into the arena to a barrel with a phone book on it. You must find the page that was determined earlier and rip it out and race back out of the arena. Costume Contest After a short break for lunch it was time for a little costume contest. This was a great event to ease our way back into the groove for the event that everyone was looking forward to. Barrel Racing This was the final event of the day and by far the most exciting! Along with the events above we also had an egg and potato race that proved to be challenging and worthy of a few laughs. You can be sure that fewer eggs went home than arrived in the morning. There was a silent auction and great food cooked by our farrier! All in all, a great day of family fun was had by all! Haven't seen enough! We have a bunch more pictures in the Horsin' Around section!

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BCS Sells Cheyenne

April 20, 2008

	In March 2008 Mary Ellen Beverly informed Brenda that she was interested in getting a good riding horse for her and her daughter Rachel to share. Andy Tietjen, Brenda's son, who operates Seven Gables Farm found Cheyenne and thought she would be a great trail horse. Andy's rode Cheyenne three miles to get her to Seven Gables Farm. Two days later on April 11, Cheyenne was moved to Bear Creek Stables.
On April 12 Mary Ellen and her daughter Rebecca came and did some test riding. Brenda, Paul and Denise also gave Cheyenne a work out. Paul's initial thought was that this horse was a little too spirited, but after some bit experiments and time for her nerves to calm down a bit, Cheyenne did great! The fact that Paul accidently was spurring her the whole time probably did not help!
On April 20, Cheyenne officially became a member of the Mellin/Beverly family!	Bill, Cheyenne, Rachel, Mary Ellen, Brenda

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The Unexpected Party

(How Many People Can You Fool at One Time?)

March 21, 2008

We threw 3 parties simultaneously at Bear Creek Stables. The really cool thing was, each party was for a different person, however, they knew about the other two parties, but not their own!

Birthday Party for Rachel

Going Away Party for Chantal

Foaling Shower for Brenda

Chantal is about to roll over laughing as she knows Brenda and Rachel have no clue about their surprise.

Rachel, along with her Mom, cannot wait for the party to begin. She will miss he friend Chantal, but is excited about her first Foaling Shower!	Brenda looks pleased as she knows we have pulled off a big surprise for Rachel and Chantal.
Rindy knows all but refuses to talk!

 

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Bear Creek Stables Goes to the Park

February 24, 2008

We are fortunate that South Carolina has a lost of places you can take your horse and go trail riding. We have tried this before and failed miserably. They heard we were coming and LOCKED THE GATE! Actually, we learned a valuable lesson that day, wherever you are going, contact them in advance to learn the details of the facility you are visiting. Had we called in advanced, the gate would have been open when we arrived. We will try that State Park again in the future.

This time around, we chose Lee State Park in Bishopville, SC. We took three horses on this adventure.

Sonny	Dan	Fancy

Dan thinks hiding behind a tree is going to save him from hitting the trails. Meanwhile, Brenda gives Sonny a little Pep Talk.

The park provides dedicated Equestrian Trails as well as the Loop Road that also allows vehicles that can be ridden on. Our first trip was the main Equestrian Trail. We quickly ran into water and the horses would have none of that. We then tried the Loop Road, which is seen at the right. This is a five mile, mostly sandy, road which runs along the Lynches River for a while.

As can be seen above, the river was above flood stage. There were places that if the river was a little higher, the Loop Road would have been flooded.
		Much to our chagrin, there were places on the Loop Road that were covered with water. In a couple cases, the water was flowing with a significant current. However, for some strange reason, our horses didn't even hesitate and plowed through the water!
Since our horses made the mistake of going through water on the road, we decided to try the Equestrian Trails once again. So after a break for lunch, and now to the chagrin of our horses, their bits were placed back in their mouths and we headed back to the trails. This time, they ploughed right through the water. At times, the water would be over their knees! A kid we met while taking our lunch break told us "if your horse doesn't like water when he gets here, he will by the time you leave!"
We are not convinced our horses truly like water now, but there is hope for them! The main horse trail is seven miles long and we guess we had to negotiate about thirty different water obstacles. We feared that we would end up riding very little, in the end we rode about twelve miles in four hours, and loved every second of it!