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If you have purchased from OR had a horse trained by me please email your favorite picture of you and your PHR horse and a short story ~or your horse in general ~ or your purchase experience with PHR ~ so we can post it here! This should be great fun!

This is a new "fun page" added to site in June 2005! Check often ~ watch it grow!

Heather N Doc on a BCH ride with Mike and I and Ryan- we were 10 miles in settin on a grassy ridge on the Metolius trail lookin at Mt Jefferson! Aug. 2009

Hi Juli --
Thought I'd share a photo of Rose and I on a trail ride and another of us at a playday in Rickreal. I'm having a blast this Summer. Rose is doing well and we've bonded. She's steady on the trail and, although opinionated, never is nasty.

Take care,

Ella

Michelle

April 2008

Dear Juli,

Thank you for your response to my message. I found your web site from a link on Dreamhorse.com. I just love your honesty and directness on your selling process. The way your describe the horses you have for sale, you give an outstanding description on each individual horses' character and behavior with a rider in various situations. After looking for a horse for several months now, it's truly refreshing to just read and know if a horse is for you or not just based on your description. I felt I trusted you right from the start.

2007

I just happened upon your website and wanted to tell you that I LOVE your commentary after the list of horses offered for sale. That is priceless and true and it is awesome to hear that someone really cares about the critters and people involved in placing a horse. I don't know you, but am very proud of you and if you are as honest as your website, then I know I'd like you. Just wanted to give you a pat on the back. Hope that doesn't sound too weird or seem inappropriate. Happy New Year from another horse lover, Jody

Bubbles-sold to Lori Morton in Feb.2008

Hi Juli,

Here are some pictures of Bubbles I took about a month ago. Let me know if they do not open for you. She is doing great and I just love her. I will take some more of us riding and doing the parelli games and send them to you also. (8/08)

Sam and Gordon in Reno NV in 2007!

May 2008(I sold Sam to them in 2006)

Hi Julie,

Kathy Larson from Reno here. I pop into your website every now and then and have been watching your progress with Sissy. I thought I'd do a quick inquiry and check on her. I unfortunately may be needing to retire my paint gelding - He has a home for life, but I may need to find another buddy for my trail riding. We've just been so please with the purchase of Sam from you that I thought I would do a little investigation on this mare. I may be jumping the gun on this but thought I would ask about her availability - anybody set up to look at her soon?

On another note - I said I'd send you a photo of Sam and Gordon. Somehow I always forget my camera when we're on a ride! LOL But I've attached a photo I took last fall - it's pretty dark but it's the best I have right now. Someday I'll try to get a better one to send you! :)

Take care,

Kathy

Kim and Tonka!

our RIDE!!! WOW - WOW - WOW!!! I had a blast. I was nervous as heck when we were saddling up...but felt pretty calm after we got going up over the hill. Cracked up later about Tonka playing in the water. What a goofball! He never ceases to amaze me. Thank you with all my heart for this horse!

Remember "Fat Boy" from 2006? ??? here he is enjoying Montana life with Suzi (the bright bay on the left)

she liked him so much she came back and bought a black tobiano from me that same summer and took him to her place in Calif

I run across your website all the time and know that I bought my gelding Cruiser from a lady who lives in Galt. He is the most mellow six year old ever and I use him as my own personal trail horse. I thought you might like to know that he is being well taken care of. Here is a picture of him taken in February.

Remember Punkin from 2005, folks???? well here she is enjoying the beach with her owner Debbie who feels like shez "livin the dream!"

All That Jazz and Doug on the trail checking out the backpackers coming up the trail!

I sold Jazz (our daughters anglo/arab) to Jewdy years ago for her dream of competing in the Tevis cup competition, which they did! she has kept in touch and now has sold Jazz to Doug and Sylvia! Here are some stories about their adventures in 2006 that are precious to both Jewdy and I:

I sold Jane a really nice older Cobb pony a couple of years ago so her family could ride in Yosemite National Park. here is what she recently wrote to me after she dropped in on my site to see what I was up to!

We still are so happy with our purchase of T-Bone (Tyvey). Please don't hesitate to use us a reference as I can not say enough good things about your representation of your horses. If we needed another horse I wouldn't hesitate to buy one from you again, sight unseen.
Hope someday to visit Oregon and to actually see your ranch.

if you ever need a reference don't hesitate to share our number. Have you thought about testimonials on your website? Just a thought. Another way to separate yourself out of the herd, so to speak.
Take care,
Jane Darwin Smith

Hi Juli! We went to the Mule Skinners poker ride this weekend at the Flying M Ranch. It was great! Tuffy is worth his weight in gold!

Went for a first ride the other day. She was mostly good...one big spook at a little boy in the long grass but didn't go too far. She got lighter pretty quickly and I think with a lot of groundwork and consistent riding she'll come along fine. She is very photogenic ;-)

Hi Juli,

4/19/06 Wanted to give you a brief update. We just love Bucky and he is everything you told us he would be... from the very low head set to the kind nature to the pushy with his nose to never wanting to be put up (he would stay out with us all day working or playing - I don't think it matters to him as long as he can keep busy) to how when he gets mixed signals from up top, his just stopping until he can figure out what we want! You were right on it all.

He is a confidence builder for sure and he has blended in very well here. I even caught he and that silly young paint horse of mine in a "love fest" yesterday grooming each other feverishly then switching sides to do it again - I have never known Mister (the paint) to be that affectionate with another horse. I think they really have bonded. I am attaching a picture of Vicki on board. So far - due to the rains - we have only been able to ride in the arena but, it is beginning to look like our trails are becoming passable again so; I will update you after I take him out on trail.

Thank you again for all of your help and your accurate representation of Bucky.

Dawn

Bucky is such a find! I just love him. But, obviously.... so does Juli. I am so glad to count her as my friend. Vicki... and, Mom - please look at Juli's web site paintedhillsranch.net and go to the trail tails section. You and Bucky are there - excellent for you two! I am so proud of you both!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly - how awesome! What a great summer we are all going to have!

Love you,
Dawn

(Hugs back to you Dawn....you are a treasure and benefit to the horse/student industry!)

Robert contacted me in May of 2004 needing a bomb-proof trail gelding to regain his confidence on after a very serious horse accident on the trail.

Some friends of mine happened to have a very experienced search and rescue gelding for sale and after some discussion assuring Robert of Prince's calmness and experience....Robert bought him and this is Roberts opinion of his new horse now that he is out of his wheel chair and able to ride again!

For awhile all Robert could do was groom Prince from his wheelchair. Thru much prayer and Roberts amazing personal determination to walk normally and ride again...HE IS ON HIS WAY!

Dear Julie:

I thought you would like to see this photo of Prince. Remember how skinny
he was when I got him? All it took was one and a half scoops of Nutreena
Senior and one cup of Purina Ultium a day. Since his weight is right where
I want it, I have discontinued the Ultium. I went out for three hours on
Saturday and for two hours today and Prince was great. He has a very smooth
trot and covers a lot of ground quickly. He is the best trail horse that I
have ridden!

Sincerely,

Bob

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: For thou art with me." Psalm 23

Hi Juli, 8/05
Jag is doing very, very well. I call him just "J". He's a sweet boy and will be a perfect husband and kid horse. Here's what he's been up to (in pictures) and some commentary:

jagjoggin.JPG
Jag sez: Hi Juli. This is where I live now. It's dusty, but my new owner promises me it will turn green in a few months. She's making me trot, canter, trot, canter, trot, walk, trot, walk and on and on. She calls it 'transitions', but I think she just can't make up her mind what she wants me to do! She says I'm giving to the bit, am more responsive and balanced and am building muscle. On a scale from bad to good, that's good.

jagworkin.JPG
Gosh Juli, sometimes she makes me work hard! But then she always tells me how good I am and rubs my shoulder....she's not so bad.

jagcuttin.JPG
Marcia says I'll make a useful cowhorse. She says it's good that I'm not at all afraid of cows and can really stare them down when they're in front of me, like in the picture. I was afraid I was being rude, but she pats me for it.

jagcuttin2.JPG
We didn't have our camera on, but I moved a 2,000 lb. bull into a pen. He was big, but he knew who was boss.

This is more my style. This guy doesn't ask me to do much, just pack him along. He brings me carrots and apples and pears. He's all right.

JASMINE SKIPPA CAJUN- 5YR GREEN BROKE MARE(30days under saddle at Painted Hills Ranch)

WE ARE SO THRILLED AND WANT WISH YOU MANY HAPPY YEARS IN PONY CLUB WITH THIS EXCEPTIONAL PONY!

sold to Sally Haffner with 30 days under saddle 2 years ago-she took him strait to the trails. and then resold recently to Lou Naillon and family as a trail gelding.

Ty is doing great. He is been to the playday and does well with all the kids and commottion. Lou.

SCOUT- 2yr painted hills ranch offspring- 30 days under saddle at Painted Hills Ranch

Gordon and I took him with Kenya yesterday on a trip around the block.
We were going to just walk around a little and ended up on a journey
for a half hour. Gordon rode Scout and he was wonderful for him. He's
really impressed. Scout is going to be perfect! Scout really enjoyed
getting out....in fact he wanted to lead by the end with no worries. At
the end of the ride he seemed to have a little smile with his top lip
stuck out like he was proud of himself. So cute.

4 yr. trail gelding with some western pleasure training sold to California in 2002

to an Equine Broker who brushed him up on his arena skills resold him to this gal!

I've had Opie for 2 years now and he is one of the favorite horses at the stable.

I saw her lunging him one day while my son was taking a lesson and I thought he was such a calm horse for an almost 5 year old. Everyone loves him, and I guess a few people thought about buying him, but I was quicker than they were!

He sounds like a racoon eating........he's a big pig! He will eat anything. When I first got him I was so embarassed when he dragged me over to this table and grabbed a big mouthful of flowers out of a vase. I was so surprised I couldn't even grab them away from him before he ate them. Another time, a friend was going to give him a little piece of donut, and before I could get any words out of my mouth, he grabbed the whole donut from her. He has a well deserved reputation of being a pig! He's really just a great big doll. Opie is a real character when someone who doesn't know how to ride gets aboard. He starts out like a good boy, then he rapidly "forgets" how to turn, or wanders around toward this seating area where there is usually food, and really makes a beginner work for a little while until he's done being a goof off. He knows all the tricks, doesn't he?

CJ- 7 YR TRAIL/HUNTING GELDING

Fox bought CJ and Brodie from me early spring of 2004- she was a "Dressage Queen" and had not ridden trail as an adult rider but was consumed with the idea of trail riding!

She was terrified to be on a horse out of the arena at first....NOW look what she is doing? I have recieved emails from her about her trail rides where she actually closed her eyes and let "CJ take her to safety" cuz the trail was so steep she didn't want to look!

Thanks again Juli for the special little treasures. I have been riding C.J., and Juli, you are so right he is willing to do whatever.

and yes I am in LOVE with little Ralphie, aka Brodie!!

Jill also has told me that there is NO way that he will ever have a different home than here at OctoberPlace!! We love both the boys!!!

Hey Juli!!

Thought you'd get a kick outta this!

My dogs were barking so I went to see the latest intrusion, and the neighbor who owns the property behind me is running cattle there, and one of the heifers had gotten thru their fence and was in my field.

I don't mind the weed abatement, but cows tend to be destructive..so i thought.."hey I have a cow pony..I should CowGirl Up!!"

So I slipped into my riding breeches and boots, and strode off to the barn to get C.J.

He is always quite happy to see me and get some attention, so I got him out of his stall, groomed him up, and got my fine German made, very correct dressage saddle out,...ok so I have to put it on the very first holes on each side!!!.......saddled him, and then slipped his nice fat snaffle bit into his mouth.

"Lets go work some cattle! " I said,as I donned my ASTM/SEI approved crash helmet, and riding gloves.

Geez, I can get on him from the ground!!!! I don't need a 4 step mounting block!!! I swung upinto the saddle, and off we strode to meet the interloper! My fine steed was bold and eager..until we met the big fierce heifer. He stopped, stared and said..." You don't really expect me to chase a cow in this get-up do you???!!

She's laughing at me!!"

I re-assured him..you look fine, c'mon.you're a quarter horse..it's in your blood..lets go get her!!"

I gave him a kick..hauled on his mouth, and he said.."well alright if you're going to be that way about it!!"

we chased her up and down the fenceline, through the brush..I kept saying.."c'mon C.J. get her boy..get her!" He got very turned on..and we were having a grand time, until she went up the hill, and came crashing down at us! We both said " OK...lets chill for awhile,..then she disappeared thru the fence.

I took him into the arena for his regular workout..and it was like the cow had never happened..so nice that he doesn't get emotional.

He is learning the snaffle so well,..good bending and giving,..responds to my seat and leg aids like a dressage horse,.very yielding...AND knows when he has done well,...I love it when they respond to praise, and become proud and confident.

Juli,....... he is a VERY smart horse.

Hey Juli!!

Here are some photos for you! Can you believe that me..a true "Dressage Queen" did a western event??

My boyfriend and his son Randy needed a third for team penning, because their other person dropped out.

Ricky assured me that all I would have to do was stand sideways and hold the herd while he and Randy did all the cutting out etc.

As I watched the other teams go, my panic level rose...they were crazy!!

One of the all girl teams got disqualified for unnecessary roughness! All the teams except a couple were racing around, yanking their horses, screaming at the cattle,....and the poor cows were very upset!

By the time we went ,the cows were angry, and immediately about 6 of them split from the herd, and raced to the other end of the arena,..Randy and Rick both went after them abandoning me and C.J.

C.J. was not happy about being left alone, and he wasn't too thrilled with the cows anyway,..so just before we got STAMPEDED by the remaining 24 cows, he sat back on his haunches, wheeled and we both said.."Let's get outta here!!!"

Fox IS A KICK IN THE PANTS ISN'T SHE? I LOVE HER!

7/05

Hi I thought you might like to see some pictures of peaches so there are some attached. She has matured a lot in the past couple months and is doing great with training. She has a lot of personality and everyone always says she is a beautiful horse. Recently at the barns they brought up cows for sorting and I tried sorting with peaches. She was great with the cows. We measured last month and she was 15.1 hands!

I forgot to add that anytime you want to come up and see or ride peaches you are welcome to. She is still green but I enjoy riding her more than I enjoy riding older well broke horses. She is a great trail horse and doesn't spook much. I ride her at home with my dog and the dog will chase after a rabbit or a deer and she just stands and watches him. One day when she was out in her pasture a brave deer decided to hop the fence and got into her pasture. Once she noticed it she chased him out of her pasture right away. Anything that dares to venture into her pasture is chased. And when I go out to get her she whinnes and comes running to the gate. One time she was going to fast to stop in time for the fence not to hit her so she jumped over it wide eyed.
~*~Melissa~*~

About Christmas time everyone at Dreamridge Stables received chocolate advent calendars that were hung on the stalls. Well one night I accidentally didn't lock peaches stall. oops! Once she figured out that the door wasn't locked she got out into the aisle way. That morning Karen (owner of Dreamridge) found peaches in the barn and all the advent calendars knocked down off the stalls. Peaches didn't care about the bag of carrots instead she had went for the chocolate. Karen says she is like any girl, she loves her chocolate.
~*~Melissa~*~

Melissa and her dad came to my place and bought Peaches when she was a yearling(2-3 years ago if I can remember correctly). They have kept in touch.

Thank you Melissa for the wonderful updates on your progress together

LOOKER-5 yr arab pinto gelding green broke with 30 days under saddle at Painted Hills Ranch April 2005

Rich and Spirit (Rich renamed him)(the doggie is Charlie)

5/05

Juli, I so love you for the way you are with my boy. You and Mike are wonderful friends, thank-you. Rich

(SHANNON! STILL WAITING FOR A PICTURE OF JAKE!)

17.2H HANOVARIAN/LAP DOG

Juli, I have a little girl who purchased a pony that
she just can't ride and she LOVES Jake. He is the only horse she will ride

2004

I recently got this email from a gal who bought a yearling palomino gelding on consignment from PERFECTION FARMS in 2004. The gelding she bought is a 1/2 brother to the palomino gelding "Little Whitewater" that is currently listed on my sale page.

Hi Juli !

I put Kodak into training and he is doing SO great. The trainer was riding him within 30 minutes, and I hadn't ever put a saddle on him!! I thought he'd be great because I had put a bareback pad on him, and I've ponied him a few times and he was always wonderful, but still, he impressed everyone (including me!). The trainer thinks he's awesome, and he's grown into a really beautiful guy. I'll try to get you a couple of photos in the near future.

Take care !

Cindy 7/11/05

10/11/05

Kodak is still doing great. I love this horse so much, I want to do everything I can to make him as happy as he can be, and feeling as safe as possible. In reading your following reply from earlier this year, I realized that I might not have shared with you how much I felt that he and I were put together by God. I saw his picture and wanted him, even though I still had (and still have) so much to learn, and had no business buying a young horse. There was something about the look in his eye in the photo, but God is the reason I acted on my reaction to the picture, and the absolute certainty that this was a 'God thing" gets stronger all the time. God IS good, and I'm thankful that he led me to you and to Kodak.

I still tell people all the time that if they want a safe reliable horse, they need to look at your Website. You always have a couple of really nice ones that I'd like to have. I have just trusted you right from the beginning when I bought my saddle from you. Everything I've bought from you was just as you said, and the detail you give about the horses you help to place is really super. Someday I know that a couple of people I refer will get a horse through you. Thank you for the service that you provide to people, and the horses. I still feel bad for being too slow and stressing you out during the process of buying Kodak. I hope I have apologized enough. If not, please know that I never intended for that to happen, and I just didn't realize the position I put you in.