Life's a Rodeo (Except You Should Aim to Stay On Longer Than 8 Seconds)

Whew.  I'm telling you, sometimes life just picks up speed so fast you don't even know what hit you.  The weather has picked up and the days are longer and therefore, I was spending every waking moment at the barn, other than when I was doing the necessities like eating, sleeping, and working. Here's what I've been up to, numerical-style:

1.  Operation: Vacay.  I had an awesome horse vacation to Aiken, SC (aka Horse Heaven) which consisted of wine, great rides, great friends, great food, and wine. And Bailey's. Oh, and Breakfast. Nova was awesome as usual- always the solid citizen, he always makes traveling fun for me because out of all the things I worry about, his (potentially bad) behavior isn't one of them.  Also, we cleared some rather large jumps out in Hitchcock Woods which makes me know two things: a. Don't ever jump with your extra long trail riding length stirrups again and b. We are more than ready for Foxtrack's Beginner Novice Event this month.

2.  Operation: Brenna Boo Boo.  Nova and I have been educating one of my favorite people, Brenna (aka Brenna Boo Boo), one of Thalia Farm's Working Student Goddesses. After two consecutive falls, Brenna needed some confidence building.  Nova was totally up for the task and he has been safe and steady while also challenging her to actually RIDE.  They are doing so great together, it really warms my heart.  Especially since Nova himself came from a less than confident place in his mind and now has bloomed into a horse that can not only BE confident but pass that confidence onto people who need it. Not to mention, our lessons with Brenna are some of my favorite times of the week.  It's a positive experience for all of us and I thoroughly enjoy it.

3.  Operation: Paint Baby.  So, as it goes, us horse people can't stay off of Craigslist.  So when an extremely low priced paint/draft cross showed up who clearly needed me popped up, well there wasn't much the husband could do about it, so of course I get the trailer, bought him, and brought him home.  Poor horse was in okay shape body-wise, but his feet needed help and he was VERY jumpy and scared of people.  Additionally, they were calling him Paint Baby, which--no offense-- I think is not a great name.  I am not sure what happened to him but it will take some time to gain his trust 100%.  He is making huge strides though, and is already getting easier to catch and is going for short rides around the property. We have re-named him Neville and I think he's going to be awesome. 

After weeks of nonstop equestrianism, I realized I probably need to add some balance to my life.  So, I rescheduled my week so I have a few days at home to take care of business at the homestead.

However, all of these projects have taken their toll and now I'm 2 weeks away from Foxtrack and haven't even ridden my dressage test once. I need to get on this-- stat.  Operation FoxTrack, Beginner Novice B and a 2'7" stadium school with Becca and I'll be feeling much better.  OH, and I should probably locate my coggins and my checkbook--- it's almost show-time!!!