Ghost horse

She arrived in the rainy mist of early morning...a pale horse against the trees. YJ almost fell over trying to get a look at her, and then spinning to run off. She, on the other hand, maintained her decorum as she walked up the driveway to her new home. Horses lifting their heads from their hay to stare in wonder.

....

We have our first "white" horse at Hillside. I have never seen a white horse before. Not sure if she is Dominant White, or Maximum Sabino, but she is definately white with pink skin all over. Rhiannon should get a sunscreen company to sponsor her. Very pretty horse despite the butcher job of a brand she had done to her at some point in her young life.

Hopefully she adjusts to life in Canada without incident.

Karen

Wow...some storm! Sure came up quick and rained hard. Fortunately it ended before I had to feed night hay. Poor Edgar could not understand why I wasn't rushing out to get him in, and stood in the rain the entire time staring at the barn, thereby allowing Rocket and Tommy sole use of the shelter.

I now have 11 entries for the horse show.

Country Boyz is willing to bring out Pizza to the show if we so wish. I need to let them know by Friday afternoon. Other than that, I am just planning to provide beverages and snacks. Ideas welcome.

Also looking to borrow things like tables, chairs, extra coolers...looking for an easy set up gazebo thing too...looked for one today, but could only find the ones that take some building. I just want a cheapy unfolding one so the show office can be outside but out of the sun/rain.

AND! We are very fortunate to have none other than CHRISTINE THEW judging the horse show! She does accept bribes in the form of payments towards her board, vet, or farrier bills.

Karen

Paint is on my nose. I went shopping with paint on my nose. And my arms. and hands. At least I wasn't wearing breeches at the time. The jumps are getting closer to being completed...the poles are almost all painted so now the focus is on the fill and finishing the logo jumps. I think the paint fumes are helping me get a better nights sleep.

Fingers are cramped from being crossed hoping for nice weather.

Karen

Well, I have two more entries for Ride for Red, so unless Mother Nature ruins it for me, the show is a go!

Of course that means I better get the jumps ready and painted! Apparently I was in Easter mode when I picked the colours...

Planning to have each jump noticeably different from each other to help make remembering the course easier. Also to give Sunny more things to spook at.

I lack any original thoughts today.

Must be the paint fumes.

You know what else the paint fumes do? Attract masses of bugs. It is sick how many bugs have lost their lives to the jumps....

Karen

Was it something I said?

Zero boarders out today. Zero. None. And it was a LOVELY day! I imagine Amanda was too crippled, but what of the rest of you? Sheesh.

Karen

Pick a picture...

Photo 1: Charmer heading out to the road Photo 2: View from the saddle

Photo 3: View from the saddle...less sunny.

Photos 4: Riding past Donver. I am saying hi to Jinx.

Photo 5: Crossing the road.

Photo 6: Being passed by traffic.

Which pictures would catch your eye the most if you were looking for a nice (but still green) trail horse? I need something to catch people's attention for Charmer...she is a LOVELY trail mare and I can't believe nobody has snatched her up!

Karen

Mood Shot by Natalie

Any guesses who this horse is?

Rocky's lot in life

In case you wonder what it is exactly that Rocky does for us at Hillside; this is his main job...ponying bratty training horses. I usually start them off in the outdoor arena so they can't get away if things go awry. (I find the indoor too restrictive and boring).

But at some point they ALL decide to give Rocky a taste test! He is far to polite to correct a young lady like Cara though, so he just takes it. I need to get him a neck guard like at the track.

So on Rocky's behalf I explained to Cara that tasting Rocky was wrong. She looks suitable chastised.

So off we went for a little walk in the wide open.And we survived!

Karen

Triton as a Western Pony.

finally!

You may have noticed the severe lack of updating of the Hillside Website of late...we changed the hosting service and I just NOW figured out how to update it. Why we couldn't have stayed with Yahoo? No idea.

Anyway, to start with, I have put Ride for Red on the website: http://www.hillsidestable.ca/HorseShow.htm

With links to entry forms and the list of horses entered so you can check if you received your entry.

I will admit, I am starting to panic that it will either rain, or I won't get enough entries!

Karen

Triton is in denile

I decided that today would be a good day to introduce Triton to a Western Saddle. He is good out on trails, and very surefooted, so I could see him one day heading up a mountain, and most riders on such a path would prefer a western saddle to a dressage...even a grippy equisuede one.

Triton looked pretty good in the western saddle. Not as good in the english, but not out of place either.

I lunged him first off, and wow...he was his Friesianist Friesian self (take that spell check!). Prancy and neck archy beyond what I have ever seen! He was NOT going to admit to his Paint heritage...he was all Friesian! His impressive trot hung on even while I rode him. He felt like almost as big a mover as Jelt. Perhaps I will have to get Sunny to have a chat with him and explain that even big dressage horses can go western once and a while...

Karen

Where did June go?

Is June seriously almost over? It is those darn kids again...speeding up time so that school will be done sooner.

But...that means my show is in under two weeks! Yikes! The entry total for it is 6 so far, with the deadline for entries being a week from Thursday.

If anyone would like to Volunteer at the show, help would be greatly appreciated! I will have a sign up sheet in the barn or you can talk to me, or sent an email!

Help is needed for: Show office, jump crew, in gate, timer and such. You can help for the entire day or just for part of it. You don't have to have special knowledge for any of these positions.

We also need people to pray for nice weather for the 4th!

Karen

here's a shocker...

Some of you may remember the 5 (or maybe 6) year old Standardbred being sold as a "good confidence builder" for someone wanting to learn to jump. So calm and quiet. Even good for beginners! Sellers told someone who called that advertised herself as a beginner that he would be prefect. (fortunately she wasn't that naive!)

Now it seems the horse is being advertised as suitable only for an intermediate or advanced rider who has ridden more than just lesson horses...

Gee, you think? Maybe once skinny auction horse put weight on and got fit that he may actually have some green horse issues typical for his age and level of training?

And I LOVE the snarky little paragraph at the end of the ad admonishing people for over selling their riding skills.... seriously...when you advertise a horse as good for beginners and a great confidence builder, who exactly do you think is going to show up?

*sigh* I AM glad this seller has come to their senses about selling such a green horse to a more appropriate level rider as so many don't. I am shocked though that people actually considered this large green broke horse for a beginner rider, as it seems apparent they did have beginners out to try him.

I am equally shocked by the number of people who came out to look at the very green broke fillies I had here for sale and brought along their young kids to try them out! Fortunately they heeded my advice that these horses would need to be in training to be suitable for children and passed. Hopefully they weren't ensnared by a less honest seller though....people seem so desperate to find a pretty little horse for their princess that it really wouldn't be hard to mis-sell a pretty horse...or a tall horse.

Age doesn't always equal training and trustworthiness, but it does help.

Karen

Is it wrong?

Is it wrong to be jealous of a cat?

This is how Milo spent his ENTIRE Sunday; asleep amidst blankets and laundry on our bed. Sounds like a good way to spend the day to me...but Rob had other ideas. Silly things like fencing. Cats can sleep pretty much anywhere, through anything and look peaceful and comfortable. And for some reason they possess some sort of power over me where I cannot displace or disturb them...despite the fact I KNOW that a pampered cat such as Milo has no pressing engagements he must rest up for. So rather than disturb a sleeping cat I will contort myself so as to not disturb them...occasionally only to discover that the lump I thought was a sleeping cat was, in fact, a lump in the blankets.

Karen

Evil show organizers....the organizers of the Amberlea Dressage Festival just HAD to make the closing date for entries BEFORE the start date of the Gold Rush show. I was really hoping to use Gold Rush as a test of Brie's dressage skills and to see if Tango really was ready to do Second Level and then enter this show accordingly. But no. Entries close July 14. Gold Rush starts July 15.

Show costs are a little less than Gold Rush, but it is still over $200 WITHOUT any classes entered!

As an aside, I really like the art work on the cover of the prize list, although I find it odd when they picture horses all braided for a show, but with the polos/boots on. It not as if the drawing risks a bowed tendon...so is it just that polos are easier to draw than tendons?

....

I think someone should leave work early today and go with me on a trail ride once afternoon chores are done. Really, what is so important about your job that can't wait until Monday?

Karen

I like June. It is a nice month. Warm, quiet (kids are busy studying to make up for 4 months of slacking!), and a nice summer to look forward to. On the flip side though, June drives me crazy. Every year the longer days drive me over the edge with lack of sleep. My brain just can't seem to comprehend that I CAN sleep even though it is light out. By July I seem to have adjusted, but until then, if I call you by the wrong name, just deal with it...I am half asleep and semi conscious.

Whilst riding outside I saw all of the horses in the grass fields laying down for a nap...and I was jealous. Yesterday all I wanted to do was pick grass for the horses (no complaints from them), but I did find the energy to get on Ricco for the first time. Natalie videoed Ricco is oddly unconcerned by my presence on his back considering the things that DO concern him. Of course as soon as I was on there, he was like "hey, Karen's gone...I am SO out of HERE! Hey Natalie!" Today I didn't have Natalie in the arena and he was better able to recognize that I was on him and actually telling him to do something.

We did a video of Triton yesterday too...but I lack the energy to edit it down to a more reasonable length, so it will have to wait.

Karen

Before and After

Make over shows, or weight loss ads always tend to show a before that includes a dreary looking person wearing frumpy clothes, with lighting that makes you wonder if they have a liver condition. Then the after shows someone in fresh make up, a big smile, lovely lighting, and a nice outfit. Not really a fair comparison.

So I did an honest makeover. I took the before photo after removing all the mats. Here is the before. Cara with her lovely long mane. I will admit that it was hard to chop it off. Amanda must be getting to me.

And then the after:



I will need to get a photo of her out on the grass with her new look for her owners, to make it look a little more impressive, but I think it makes her neck look longer and more proportionate. And yes, it would have been better had a pulled it, but I cannot bring myself to pull the mane of a baby horse. Just seems mean.

One day I will braid her all up and do a real photos shoot for her sales ads. I think she would look very cute in braids with a little black dressage saddle and black bridle with a sparkly browband...

Karen

I finally updated a sales page with all the horses for sale at hillside...there are six right now, and it is time to see some of them move on to new homes for the summer...so you you know anyone looking we have quite the variety. From husband safe trail horses, to jumper prospects. Pintos, chestuts and bays!

So here is the list: http://www.compassionatehorsetraining.com/sales.html

Karen

Oh, DEER!

After tacking Charmer up, I decided it was far to nice out to stick to riding in the indoor, so I decided to head outside. Just as I led her out the barn, LR and Cara's owners drove up, so I led Charmer around back to show them where the girls were out on grass and we talked about their horses for a bit. Charmer started to get restless, so I got on and walked her a bit while we talked, and as I did this, we noticed the geldings that are out back on grass being goofy, with ears pricked and alert. They were however, all looking different directions, so I figured they were just being paranoid as Clare2 had taken Sunny in to ride, and they were left to defend themselves.

So after M & D left, I decided to head out on a trail ride. Ginger noticed, and of course followed. As we get into the trees, I discovered the boys weren't being silly for nothing....there was indeed a deer back there! Charmer didn't even flinch when it jumped out in front of us (I did!). Ginger on the other hand saw a lifetime supply of bones running away and started barking and leaping after us. I expected though, that the deer would be long gone in a matter of seconds, as they are very quick and agile...and sure enough, I did not see the deer again.

Rather than run after it across the hills, Ginger decided to look for the deer in the trees in hopes that maybe it left a leg behind or something. So as Ginger went on her search I continued my ride through the trees...but then I heard the dog barking just to the south of me and worried that maybe she had found another deer and was about to chase it my way...but it was NOT a deer she had spotted...it was a chestnut quarter horse mare and rider! And she leaped out of the bush barking right on our heels!

Seriously...what horse wouldn't react to that?!?

Poor Charmer. Her front half wanted to get the heck out of there, and her back half wanted to kick at the insane thing chasing her. I just wondered why I had put my flattest and slipperiest english saddle on for a trail ride...

Thankfully she is a sensible horse, and we regained control with me still in the saddle. She kept a bit of an eye on the bushes after that though!

Ginger on the other hand seemed to feel quite proud of herself despite her obvious error, and went prancing off for a swim in the dug out.

And this is another reason why cats are better than dogs...

Karen

Attack of the killer pintos!

They only look innocent...

But then...

They ATTACK!

Poor herd of chestnut fillies didn't know what to do...but apparently 200 feet of space between them was enough for them to feel safe.

Karen

A health warning

So it seems there is an epidemic of Appendicitis going around. DO NOT believe the medical community when they say it is not preventable...it is! The culprit? Chocolate. So, as a service to our clients, Hillside stable will collect and safely dispose of all uneaten chocolate.

Hope you feel better soon Beth!

Karen

??Bionic riders?

Hey, Amanda, you need THESE

Clare B sent me the link. Perhaps they come with the super powers needed to keep your horse motivated at shows?

The idea is interesting...but I am not sold on the look. I do like how they try to make them seem "classic" with the picture of the rider wearing them holding a violin. How does that make any sense?

Apparently they were afraid to actually put the boots on a rider on a horse for photos....

Karen

What a good day so far!

1) It wasn't raining. I was expecting a day of rain.
2) I cantered Triton for the first time under saddle today. He is horrid at cantering on the lunge, but was quite good under saddle and picked up both leads and cantered a 20m circle each way. First canters are interesting...either the horse wants to run, or they are super round and possibly a little bucky. I like the second way better as they tend to be more balanced that way...although it does feel like you are cantering through 3 feet of snow! Triton was the latter and his canter felt super collected and cool.
3) I leaned on Ricco for the first time. Likely could have got on him for all he seemed to care, but I didn't really plan for it and so just had a short lead rope on him...not enough to tie like reins.
4) Cara got her feet done. From unable to catch to being good for the farrier in 7 days! What a super smart filly!
5) I jumped YJ over a little course, with the biggest jump being about 2'3". He felt brilliant. Not sure what has happened to him, but he has really figured things out lately.
6) Charmer figured out how to use her back and bridle up at the trot. She seems to want to e an english horse now...but perhaps that is just the cooler weather talking.
7) While he was waiting for the farrier to come trim him, I decided to jump little Rocky. he was being so much fun I put a vertical up to 3' and he was so much fun! (3' feels big on a pony!) I think he was happy just to not be ponying another horse. I wish I could figure out his buck so I could use him in lessons.

Now I need a nap.

Karen

Dreams.

Do you ever have a dream where you are really mad at someone in the dream, so you wake up still a little (or a lot) miffed at them, even though you know there is really no reason for you to be?

Last night, my evil subconscious had me dream that I was at a horse show, competing with Tango and Brie. I had gotten there early to watch Amanda ride, and to help Christine with Brax, but had forgotten to recheck the day sheets. So as I wander back to the barn from the concession, I checked the sheets...to find my first ride on Tango had moved up to 11:05, and it was now 10:50. Could I get ready in 15 minutes? Likely not, but I still wanted to try, so when I got back to the barn I asked Amanda and Christine to help me get ready ASAP. Amanda jumps into action (despite her having a class at 11:30) and starts fixing Tango's braids. Meanwhile Christine just stands in the alley chatting away, Brax this and Brax that. I was ready to tell her she needed to find a new barn to take him back to if she didn't help get Tango ready...fortunately Amanda yelled at her instead and Christine came over to start picking shavings out of Ts tail...leaving the stall door open and almost setting her loose in the process. Then I woke up.

So Christine, if I start shaking shavings bags and dropping loud things in the barn while you ride tonight...it's not me, it is my subconscious.

On the subject of dreams, Amanda finally asked someone about blind person dreams. the person she spoke to, only dreams in sounds. No colours, no feeling or smell. Just sound and emotions.

I have full sensory dreams; touch, smell and all. And I always remember dreaming...usually many dreams. Sometimes my dreams are so real I don't really want to leave them and wake up. It is like having an alter life...one that doesn't envolve mud.

Next mission; deaf person dreams.

On a completely different note, I will be doing the summer lesson schedule up soon. Look for it on Thursday. It will be on the two month at a glance calendar. I WILL be teaching some day time times if people are available, and will only be teaching 3 evenings a week. I will NOT be teaching during the longer dressage shows as I don't want to over do it, so lessons will be rescheduled on those weeks. As well, if you are going away, let me know, so I can mark it on the Calendar.

Karen

You ever have a day when the advice you just gave someone else, that sounded so easy when given to that other person, later applies to yourself, and you realize it really isn't so easy. Then you consider that the other person must really have trusted you to have taken that advice...but apparently your own brain isn't as easily convinced. Fortunately you really did know what you were saying and it all worked out with a 100% survival rate.

And yes, I realize the above made little sense without context.

Another thought from today? There are certain statements that make me less enthused about eating an item of food: 1) It was my daughters science experiment (although the cookies were good so thanks Madison), and 2) "we better eat that soon or it will go bad". As soon as I hear that, in my mind it is already curdled and covered in mold.

And yet I will eat cookies or other food stuff I drop on the floor of the barn....go figure.

Karen

So Amanda has been telling us that Edgar is an Approved American warmblood, and formerly a breeding stallion. Inspected and branded and all. I was a little skeptical, but as he shedded, his brand did seem to be there. But now it has become clearer...and it no longer appears to be an A in a Crown as it should be...rather it looks like an "A" inside an apple.

Edgar is not a former Approve Warmblood breeding stallion....he is a kindergarten prop. One that was fired when he decided to move on to "B" for "bite me"

This could explain why he is good at dressage though; he knows the letters of the arena. Hopefully he doesn't try to do them in alphabetical order though...that would be a complicated test.

Karen

Call from a potential buyer:
"Is your horse bomb proof"
....no, I am pretty sure if a bomb went off he would incur damages....oh, you mean is he spooky? Well, if a bomb went off I am sure he would get the heck out of there....and me right there with him asking him to go faster. Things like big trucks, wild life, plastic bags and such that we are more likely to encounter he is fine with. Are you looking for a horse to take to Afghanistan?

"Could I ride him in bailing twine"
...you could ride him in a mini skirt for all I care, but jeans/breeches would be more comfortable. Oh, you mean "using" bailing twine? Why on earth would you want to?
"Because it means he is easy to control"
...Seriously? Perhaps TACK or a halter and lead rope even would be more appropriate and safe (bailing twine won't break as easy if something goes wrong, but is fine enough to seriously cut a horse)....although this horse could likely be ridden with a dandelion necklace and still be fine.
"What is the lowest you will take for this horse"
....Seeing as you have never seen him, $500 above advertised is now the lowest price I will take for this horse. Jeez. If the horse is out of your price range, TELL ME THAT. Such as, I only have $4000.00 to spend on a horse, would you consider taking that amount if I get along well with him? I have no problem with wording it that way. That is how Sam I Am's owners got him even though he was above their budget. I liked that they were upfront about it, and didn't do the annoying "what is the lowest price you will take". As soon as someone types that, it annoys the heck out of me.

On another note...PINTOS!

Crescent's two babies are here! Cara is two, and Lady Rose is a yearling. Same mom, but different dad, and you can tell. Lady Rose looks almost Arabian, whereas Cara is much bigger/thicker. Clare....you wanted a pinto right? And down the road you could breed her to a friesian!

The kids are here to be halter trained and looked after in general. LR is pretty good, but Cara is halter shy and not handled that much of late, so she has regressed. Still, with Rob and their owner's help, I was able to tie a make shift rope halter on her to get her into the trailer today, and once in the trailer and at our place I put a halter on her and dewormed her. Now she likely hates me...so here is hoping I can get the halter on her tomorrow! I think she is a very sweet horse, who just scared herself one day, and isn't sure how to trust...but once caught, she liked the attention Rob and I gave her while trying to load her, and we were able to do it with no whips or bum ropes. Just lots of grass, scratches, and Rob picking up her feet and placing them in the trailer. Certainly easier to take the time/patience to load when it is sunny out!

Before picking up the kids, we stopped by the owner's house to pick up their truck and trailer (nice 6 horse, with the back two sections set up as box stalls). We hadn't been to their house in about 4 years, as they have been slowly redoing it. It is the nicest house I have ever seen. Gorgeous open wood beams, concrete made to look like stone, big rooms, every appliance conceivable in the kitchen, horse statues and pictures everywhere, and a view of their own little lake. My favourite part though is their deck; it has gargoyles on the deck fence looking out onto the yard. Not sure why, but they highly entertain me! If I ever build a house, it will have gargoyles.

Karen

(oh, and in case it swells and bruises despite the ice, I think I broke my nose today by a certain impetuous 3 year old. Ouch. Not him being mean...just short attention span. Feeling a little concussed too. My first training related injury of the year! It is funny how most people are afraid of the first ride...it is the ground work that tends to cause me more injury!)

It was neat seeing Clare ride Magnus today. I hadn't really watched them go, and it is fun to see someone else progressing with a young horse. He looks very good!

Young horses are funny, and the warmbloods do seem to take the most time and patience. I am trying to get a head start with Coregel and Piper without over doing it, so on nice weather days, I am starting to pony them (one at a time!). At first Rocky was intimidated by Piper, but he seems over that, and was quite confident putting her in her place today...which made my life much easier! I took the girls for a walk out back...up and down hills to help build bone density. Apparently Mags is quite smitten with Coregel and he was posturing like crazy as we went by. He ignored Piper completely...poor Pi!

Bailey on the other hand, is a Quarter Horse. Training him is easy. He came on Friday. Six days later and he is trotting under saddle. The first time I asked him to trot it seemed like I had opened a whole new world for him...and thereafter all he wanted to do is trot! Not to get away or to be naughty, but just that trotting got him to the things he wanted to go see that much quicker! Ah...I love Quarter Horses!

Karen

SInce you asked...

Some of you have asked just HOW big I look on the very elegant and refined, 13.2 hand morgan mare named Sparkie. So here you go:

There are more photos of her on Photobucket: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd89/HillsideStable/Sparkie/

Isn't she as cute as a kitten? She is also for sale for the steal of a deal of $1500.00 if anyone is looking for a very fancy 4 year old pony. She is quite green, but quite athletic, and tries hard to please.

Please note, that I did not say "cute as a button" or "cute as a bug's ear" which are the standard sayings...I have never seen a button and thought "oh, how cute!". And do non-cartoon bugs even have ears? Kittens are cute. No matter what they are doing.

Another saying that you will never hear me say: "Worked like a charm!" ; how many of you have a charm that works? When I hear that saying I think "what, it worked inconsistently based on fluke, luck, and superstition?"

"Happy as a Clam" is one I just don't understand. Are Clam's able to be happy? What about "snug as a bug in a rug"? yeah, until it gets stepped on. And who feels snug when someone starts talking about bugs in rugs? Bug in rug discussions make me itchy.

These sayings should be replaced by more relevant ones like "Happy as a horse in a hay shed" (that one has alliteration going for it!) and "Worked like a horse after a carrot"

Karen

More pictures from Amberlea!

From Sharper Images:
Edgar: He looks in some photos that he is pushing into the wind/rain. And he likely was if my memory serves me correctly! My favourites on this page are: 30, 31, and 44 http://www.canacal.com/sharper/2010Shows/AMSpringDressage2010SatP1.cfm

Tango: Ms Spooky Pants, Could her ears be more perked:
I like photos 7 and 38. I am every crooked/hunched in some of those. I think I was the one leaning into the wind...
http://www.canacal.com/sharper/2010Shows/AMSpringDressage2010SatP2.cfm

I THINK, the horse at the top of this page is either Magnus's dad, or his uncle. http://www.canacal.com/sharper/2010Shows/AMSpringDressage2010SatP3.cfm

More Edgar in the 40 range: Sadly you can see the snow in the photos, so they aren't the best quality. I like 45 and 46 though.

http://www.canacal.com/sharper/2010Shows/AMSpringDressage2010SunP2.cfm

More Tango:

123 to 132 are of us in the slop. Tango was not impressed, hence the high/stiff head/neck, but she tried. 129 is a decent lengthen. (compare the lengthen to the medium in the next set of photos...good example of the difference as you can see how much higher her neck and legs are for the medium). I like 123 and 125 as well. For this test I gave up trying to be fashionable, and had my winter gloves on....but maybe a picture of us in the goop is a good keepsake from the show?

Photos 198 to 204 are our attempt at 2nd level. 202 and 203 are me working hard to keep the counter canter. Why am I leaning forward? 204 is our Medium trot. I like that photo.
http://www.canacal.com/sharper/2010Shows/AMSpringDressage2010SunP2.cfm

Any votes for favourite photo(s) to capture this show? I would like to get one or two to frame with her super pretty RC ribbon to put in the barn.

Karen

It was nice to have the sun back out today. Might take a day or two for the outdoor ring to be dry enough to ride in, but the trails out back were nice today. I was happy to see that the little creek actually has water in it again, and our little aquifer is squishy all around it, so maybe the ground water has been replenished by the last dump of snow.

Do you think the cold and snow may have killed off the pesky mosquitoes or is that wishful thinking?

Do you think it is safe to plant flowers yet?

Took some pictures of Triton yesterday:

Isn't he cute?