Christmas Cheer from Arizona!

Just wanted to take a minute to wish a very merry Christmas and happy holidays from SVM Western Decor! We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season! Be safe and enjoy your family and friends!
Warmly,
Steve, Michelle, Dino, Red, Lucky and Lolita

All I want for Christmas is....Dino!

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.
Sharon Ralls Lemon

Five years ago, Steve surprised me with a video tape. I was at first confused on why he was so adamant about me seeing it, until about 30 seconds later I saw him. The horse I always wanted. At the time he was only 6 months old; a fluffy, scrawny looking thing...but I could see beyond all that. I saw the same horse in my dreams as a child.  I remember dreaming of riding him through meadows of grass and wild flowers (which is a bit odd since I grew up in the desert). I imagined the adventures we would have. Those memories came flooding back as soon as I saw him. I knew he had to be mine. And soon after, he was!
He was born BG Ole Yellow Cleg. That lasted about 2 hours.  My favorite singer of all time is Dean Martin.  He sometimes went as Dino. And so it was...
I would spend every night in his pen, brushing him down... talking to him. Anxiously awaiting the day our adventures would begin.  Days turned into months. Months, to years. Until October 2011 when we finally found a trainer I felt was capable of doing exactly what I wanted. And so came the day that he left home for the first time in 5 years to begin his 60 days of training.
We got him back last week. Unfortunately, our first ride was postponed due to shabby weather.
But I finally got my chance to go on our first ride. We rode through the desert, discovering all new things to him (puddles were the least favorite)  The excitement he had at discovering the new things around him was so awesome, I cant wait for our next adventure! 

Cowboy Christmas

A week ago, Steve and I set out on another show adventure.  This time to Safford, AZ for Cowboy Christmas. And what a show it was!  Beyond the great success we had, we met some amazing people and learned a lot about the amazing foundation that runs Cowboy Christmas every year.  The Blake Foundation took over the event after Safford Chamber of Commerce stopped funding it.  All the proceeds brought into Cowboy Christmas (booth fees, snack bar and a few arts and crafts booths run by volunteers) go to charity.  It was wonderful to be in the room with such giving, selfless people.  It epitomizes what the holidays are supposed to be about. We had such a great time, we paid for next years booth!