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CHHR Christmas Party 2009 The party started out with a trail ride across a neighbor's ranch. We decorated our horses for Christmas to "get in the spirit of the season." What a gorgeous fall (nearing winter) day it turned out to be! After the ride, the Christmas party was in full swing with a white elephant gift exchange of ornaments.
Some of the ornaments were beyond description! And should I even mention that the party got even wilder after most of the "horsey" people left, and only "family" was left? Jim Carroll ended up with an almost naked "family guy" character. Thank goodness for the strategically placed Christmas present! Elf/farrier Scott Untied happily ended up with his favorite ornament! Party goers watch attentively to see if the next ornament upwrapped is the one they want to "steal." We started a new Christmas party tradition. Hidden with an ornament inside one of the wrapped packages was a pair of Christmas boxer shorts. Whoever opens that gift must sign the boxers, then wear them the remainder of the party. Next year that person must put the same boxers in their wrapped gift, to surprise the next victim! This year Judy Gorrell got the gag gift. Cheryl Goudreau of Kendall County Equine Clinic joined us for the ride. She rode her big beautiful Percheron mare Bigelow. It was Kurt and Dutch's first long ride across "unknown territory" and they had a blast! After the ride, the Christmas party was in full swing. We had a white elephant gift exchange. Luckily we all finished friends, even though many "favorite ornaments" traded hands again and again. Tiffany and Kelsi rode Tiff's big paint geldings. The boys didn't seem too bothered by all the "foo foo" decorations on them! We decided that Hansum has a strong stomach. He kept biting (and breaking) the ornaments that Kay put on his breast collar. After originally snorting at the garland, Sherman decided that Beth's decorations were OK. Riders braving the misty day for what turned out to be a gorgeous ride in beautiful fall foliage were Kurt Kraus, Cheryl Goudreau, Kay Prince, Kelsi Storrie, Tiffany Fryer, Beth Bennett and TJ Corgill.