DC Natiopnal Memorial Day Parade 2014

The DC National Memorial Day Parade went really well! The horses did great! It was crazy but fun crazy!!!

The day started with getting the horses out into the pen and warming them up. The guys put them thru their paces and got all their wiggles out.

Next it was grooming time....I think the horses like this....

Ryan loves horses! He was always found close to the horses. As they were loaded up into the trailer he climbed up and petted them and chit chatted with them until we left. The horses love him.

Than it was time to follow them to the staging area for the parade.

Next stage of grooming...getting their hoofs all shiny black, brushing out their tails....good thing The Dude On A Horse had practice doing Vicki's hair!!! Than saddling up and having a little chit chat.

Once the guys were changed into their blues and the horses were all saddled people just appeared out of nowhere! Everyone wanted to take pictures with them and with the horses and ask a ton of questions. Ty and Ryan held the flags while the guys were getting everything ready.

I followed the Gunny to go park my car and the trailer. I ran a TON of red lights but I wasn't loosing him for anything!!!

And than I was in the back of a golf cart bouncing along by the White House and State Capitol, and the National Monument heading to our spot on the parade route.

Before the parade started I looked over and saw this going on...The Dude On A Horse said it is called Honor To Colors. In the midst of the chaos the Marines stopped to do this before starting. So much respect for our countries flag....made my eyes water to see this happening in the middle of the hustle and bustle and see that nobody even knew it was happening. The Marines called out the commands quietly and were quick and efficient as they followed flag protocol.

I got a couple quick pictures before the parade started....

Our waiting spot for the parade was at this museum and so we were able to go and look around in here and use the restrooms! There were some beautiful paintings and art work!

This was also on the parade route. The White House was too but with all the people it was hard to get a good picture with that behind the horses.

It was a beautiful parade route!!! It was HOT too!!!

But it was a gorgeous day for a parade and a perfect place for a Memorial Day parade!

Meet Chue

This is Chue, The Dude in Cammies practice horse for now.  A chunk of the horses are gone right now on color guard in Texas and than heading to New Orleans before coming back to base, so The Dude in Cammies is practicing with the Trainer on Chue. Chue reminds him of Jasper. I think he looks like Jasper too, even his eyes!  They did some fast riding today and when Ed came back the Trainer told him to get off the horse. Ed asked why.  The Trainer told him he had done perfect and to get off before something went wrong.  So, he got off and took Chue into the stables to brush him and do the rest of the things he does after he finishes up with his daily training.  He really likes being out at the stables and working with the horses......i think i would like to be doing that too.....