Hello Over There!

Back from our little trip already despite it feeling like we were gone for half a lifetime! We were victims of Pearson airport, resulting in us actually being away from home for a week rather than the 5 days we’d planned. The trip hangover is hitting extra hard.

Your obligatory Toronto tourist photo

I hadn’t actually been to the GTA before, or even to the province of Ontario, despite a good part of my family being from there. So that was fun. We fit in a truly mind boggling amount of adventures and sights in the 4 full days we had - I think we put 600km on the rental car in one day and my legs are still aching from all the walking we did. But, the part you’re of course interested in is our visit to see Mr Trademark!

He went to a show the day before - look how cute he was!

I think at this point I need to give a giant shoutout to my husband (G) for making it happen. He is a big tall guy and the SUV I rented was neither big nor tall. When I saw the navigation system display what more resembled bowls of spaghetti noodles than a route out of the city I may or may not have had a little meltdown. So the poor guy ended up cramming himself in the worlds tiniest SUV to drive me on a 3 plus hour road trip to see some ponies. I have no idea why I get so uptight about maybe taking a wrong exit or whatever in a new to me place. It’s not like I couldn’t find my way back! But it is what it is and basically he was voluntary chauffeur and therefore the hero for the day.

The better drivers will laugh at me, but my immediate thought on even just seeing the route to get out of airport was “nope!”

It wasn’t all a big sacrifice for him though, because it’s not like he totally dislikes horses. And who could resist foals? The mares and foals were all out in a big field together and we were almost immediately swarmed by many inquisitive and gorgeous babies. Like a puppy party, but ponies. G thought it was the best thing ever, because of course it was. I lost track of who was who and how many there actually were. 

All the pictures we attempted are variations of this

The hilarious thing was that the only one who wasn’t completely desperate to be our friend was the one we actually bought. He just wasn’t too sure about us and after a quick investigation he wandered off for a nap in the sunshine. He had a bit of a horse show hangover, after all. So, not the immediate connection you’d have hoped for, but life is not the movies. Jen, the breeder and farm owner, was saying his sire is similar…perfectly nice and polite but a bit reserved. She’s noticing the difference between his foals and the ones from her other stallion, who tend towards over the top in your face friendly and goofy :) Momma is a chestnut mare and she’s feeling a little overprotective of him, so I think that’s also contributing to him being a little stand-offish - the poor guy has a lot of rules to follow and not talking to strangers seems to be one!

Was tired

Looks wise he is very sporty and elegant. Maybe not the typiest you’ve ever seen by breed standards, but that’s not what I wanted - I love my little Bridget tank but wanted something a little more modern and athletic. So, while my inner little girl admittedly wanted us to be BFFs immediately, from an objective standpoint I’m feeling good about my pick.

That being said, I did drive home with a couple of his little friends my wish list, because my goodness does Jen have a nice group of mares and some stunning foals still available. There is another one there I would have been equally happy with. And our little guy needs a friend to play with, right? 

The barn name contemplation continues. First impression I don’t think our two top picks of Reggie or Logo (both reader suggestions - you guys are the best!) suit him - he needs something serious or maybe even a bit dignified. So, back to the drawing board there. I have a name in mind that sounds serious but G and I actually think is hilarious in an inside joke kind of way. But I need to give it a minute and make sure it’s *actually* suitable and not a result of 4am zero sleep airport conversation hilarity before I make it official.