Dear Madeline,
     This summer Amelia went to her first Pony Club D Camp.  She rode Josey, who was Eleanor's first pony.  We were hoping that you would be able to come with us.  We took two of our dogs, GiGi (whch stands for "God's Gift") and Francis.  They are both girls. 

Francis is still a puppy and GiGi likes to boss her around.

Josey made it hard for Amelia to wash Josey's face.

Amelia had a lot of fun with the other young riders.


Last weekend we all went to Lake Tahoe to help cousin Melinda ride the "Tevis Cup Ride."  It is a 100 mile ride on horseback that has to be finished in 24 hours--one day.  This is a photo of the kind of country the ride covers.

This year, 180 horses started the race and only 83 finished--Melinda was one of the finishers. 

We waited for her at a small old gold town called Michigan Bluff.  When she arrived, we helped her put a new boot on her horse to replace the one that came off.  We cooled her horse and fed Melinda potato chips so she would have salt.

Later she got to a town called Forest Hill.  She rested for an hour and put another boot on her horse.  Amelia held Farley's dish of food while the farriers put the boot on.

It is 33 miles to the finish line there, and Melinda left at 8:30 in the evening and had to ride to Auburn in the dark!  She said it was very scary. 

She came across the finish line at 4:00 in the morning!  We were all so sleepy when we got up to help her.  Eleanor took care of her horse, Farley, and walked her every hour for 10 minutes.  We were all proud of Melinda.  She is going to school to be a veterinarian next year and she was worried that she might not get another chance to finish the Tevis Cup Ride.

We're sorry that you missed being with us, but we sure hope we all get to see you soon!

Love, your U li si.