Part two: The visitOur little story continues about two months later where part one left off. This means that Jester's long awaited foal is now about two months old. After over two years of waiting Jester will finally meet his prime cutting prospect.YOU'VE GOT MAIL
------------------------------------------------------------[Summer, presumably afternoon]
- Quote :
From: k.dunn@dunnwestern
To: j.coleman@droversrun
Subject: Here's a few photos of Black Tie Affair
Hi Jester!
I believe Mike promised you we would send few photos of your colt before your visit. When promising that he obviously meant that I'd do it, 'cause in his mind this falls into "unnecessary paperwork" and according to him he's got no eye for this kind of things. That is actually true, but better not to tell him that, haha!
But that's enough about our "logistics", I'm sure you're much more interested in Black Tie Affair instead! He's lovely little guy, who enjoys playing with the other foals, running around and being "the boss" of them. He might turn out bit of a ladies man, since he's the only man on the pasture, both of his friends are fillies that follow his lead. But he'll be a gentleman too, about a week older little lady keeps him effectively in line, if he forgets good manners. "Cole", as we've been referring him as, is also curious about everything new - especially people and other "living things" - so connecting with him shouldn't be hard at all once you see him.
But off to the photos!
First one is taken about an hour after he was born. The rest are from the following morning, when he's few hours old.
Few days ago we had little photoshoot of this year's foals with the mares - I'll tell ya, your little guy loved running around the pen with his mom! Luckily he did follow Windy's lead and stood beside her once it was time for standing still.
In the last few he's playing with our other two foals, AQH filly Better Be Sure and App filly Diamond Tales.
These all are from last week.
We're looking forward to seeing you in few days!
Best wishes,
Kathleen Dunn
WELCOME TO DWH
------------------------------------------------------------[Few days later, before noon]
"That should be him, unless Zack cut a day and had a paint job on the way back." -- "Somehow I doubt that. It's Jester."
"Hey-a, Mike and Kat, right?" -- "Yeah, and that black & white admiring you is Skip." [Everyone have a laugh]
"Welcome to DWH. Shall we go and see the cause of you being here?" -- [with a laugh] "Won't fight you on that!"
"This way then. He's on the mare and foal pasture with the others."
HE'LL BE CALLED TAIO
------------------------------------------------------------[Little later, close to noon]
"There he is and interested in you right away." -- "Seems like a good start for our first meet. You wanna come here little fellow?" [The colt keeps looking at the people at the gate, but doesn't wander off from his dam] -- [with a grin] "Looks like you're not interesting enough for him to investigate on his own. He's not as easy as Skip!" -- [with a laugh] "Does look that way, doesn't it?"
"Why don't you just head in and call Windy, she'll come to you with the little guy." [Jester goes into the pasture]
"Windy, c'mon girl!" [The mare stops grazing, but ponders whether to do more or not] -- "She probably wonders why it's just you out there. Let's see if this helps... [hand signals the staring mare] C'mon!" [The mare heads towards Jester and her colt follows]
"Hey girl, remember me? I took a fancy to your work on the arenas, you know. Did you pass some of that skill to him? I'm gonna enjoy working with him, ain't I?" -- [with a smile] "You've turned out to be interesting now. Looks like someone wants you to move on to him already."
"Such a nice girl, aren't ya? But it's your boy's turn now, I think I'm just as interested in him as he's in me. I'll be nice, don't worry." [Switches his attention to the colt] "Hey-a, little fellow. You're gonna be stuck with me in a few months, what do ya think of that?" -- "I think he won't mind that at all. Seems to fancy you for attention."
"I was meant to ask already in the mail... Will we keep calling him Cole or you got something else in mind for him?" -- "I was actually thinking to call him Taio. [to the colt] You think you'll settle for that little fellow?" [Moves to pet the colt, which in turn nickers] -- "I guess that settles it, he doesn't seem to mind going by that." [Everyone smile and have a little laugh]
"Taio it is. We start calling him that, so he'll know he's meant to react to it." -- "That'd be great. [to the colt] You know what...
Taio... I think we'll be great partners and you'll be a champion like your mom here...Sounds about right, doesn't it?"
PHOTOSHOOT? NO, A PHOTO
------------------------------------------------------------[Bit later, early afternoon]
"Take it now when he stands still looking at you" [Jester is posing with Windy and Taio] -- "Ok, here we go!"
"Nice shot, if I may compliment myself." -- "We'll I'd hurry up, if you're planning to get some more... [grins] Bee is done with eating!" -- "Just a minute, we'll need to get little different poses..." -- [with a laugh] "Too late... there she comes!"
[The buckskin roan filly heads straight behind Jester and pokes him with her muzzle while investigating the stranger]
[startled] "Hey!" -- [amused] "Don't worry, that's just Bee. Curious and very determined little lady. She just doesn't want to miss anything!"
[now also amused] "Well, hello to you too little lady. [to grinning Mike at the gate] You could've said something before she did that, you know..." -- "Don't know about that... she's quite fast too..." [Everyone have a laugh while Taio decides that it's time for some foal play instead of all this other nonsense]
"Whoa, little fellow! [moves out of Taio's way] Bored with me, huh? Well, I guess I'd rather play with a friend too [smiles]"
[The two foals get into playing with each other while Windy turns around to greet the bay roan dam of the photoshoot interrupting filly. Jester ends up as third party and turns to the gate]
[amused] "And so the party's over... Seems like I'm done here." -- "That's how it is with them. New is interesting, but also gets old fast!" -- [with a laugh] "Certainly would seem so."
THE NINE OTHERS
------------------------------------------------------------[Bit later, afternoon]
"You won't have any trouble taking Levy for this ride, Zack's away." -- "Oh, c'mon! He would've let Jester ride him even if he'd been home." -- "At least after me saying so..." -- "Oh, stop that!"
"You got it the right way Jester, didn't you?" -- [amused] "Yeah..."
[The three arrive to the paddock fences]
"The bays, Sheena and Travis, you already now from the arenas. Palomino heading this way is 3yo Leah, paints are Fanta and her 1yo daughter River. But your mount is in this gentlemen lot here..." [all turn their focus on the two other paddocks]
"All familiar from the arenas, I believe. Finch, Levy, Vinnie... [pauses] Yeah, that's what he's like at home... [laughs] ... And the antisocial Howie on his own in the back paddock." -- "I'll go and get Sheena." -- "Yeah. [to Jester] You go ahead and get Levy. I'll get Howie."
RIDE WITH A VIEW
------------------------------------------------------------[Bit later]
"Did you polish her up and all? Considering that you were the first to saddle up and now you're the last to mount..." -- "No, I didn't
polish, I just didn't rush."
"Well, if I'd taken that long, you two would be watching a rodeo..." -- "How so?" -- "He's got Howie under him..." -- "Oh, right. Forgot that he's got spirit, didn't seem that bad." -- "Yeah, but trying to keep it that way..." [grins]
[The three riders and horses head out for a little trail ride]
"This way." -- "Where we heading?" -- "I thought we'd head to the hill top." [points the hill next to DWH] -- [Jester looks the hill] "Whoah!" -- [smiles] " Yeah, it's bit of a climb, but there's nice view from the top."
[On the hill top]
"Well, you didn't lie. The view from here really is nice! Whole county?"
"Not quite. Upper plain is behind us. But most of the county and the whole town."
There's more to the right, just left it out 'cause it's unbuilt land. I.e. all what they can see isn't seen here."We better head back down before that balloon gets here. Or we might be walking back..."
[Back on the plains, heading back to DWH]
"So, is he as good ride as you imagined?" -- "Oh yeah, he's a smooth and easy ride. I can see why Zack fancies him."
Hill top they were on isn't seen here, it's to the left.[grins] "I think he fancies the 'fancying ladies' part too... it's a common factor for the two..." -- "Mike... [thoughts about it and smiles] That is true actually, but I do think he's more into the performance quality of Levy than that." -- "Maybe... it's a bit hard to tell sometimes..." [Everyone have a laugh]
[Back at DWH]
"Why don't you hold on there a minute Jester. I'll put Sheena on the hitch and come to take a photo of you two." -- "Sure. [to Levy] Hold on a bit fellow. We gonna do little posing, you're good at that, aren't ya?"
[Bit later it's time for goodbyes and Jester heads back home.]
"See ya on the arenas till it's time to get Taio to Drovers." -- "We'll do!"
Stay tuned for part III where Jester comes for a visit again, this time to pick up yearling Taio and to ride Windy! 
