Back....back in tack! and other ramblings

Last week P went back to work...

I'm using the term 'work' lightly here as the rides have not so much resembled 'work' as they have some sort of weird impressionistic painting - all jumbled up, a bit chaotic, and leaving you a bit uneasy feeling. I figured he was ready for a job as he'd taken to running poor Ted all around the field - some sort of weird new hobby.  Seeing as P is normally a fairly mellow guy, I ventured out on the fuzzy thing in 30 degree weather with hefty wind gusts sans a neckstrap and with a quartersheet over my dressage saddle (wouldn't want my little honey-bear to get cold!).  We spent the first half of the ride cantering in place, doing these weird leap/twist/turn things.  Once I herded the cats underneath me back into the field nearest our house I was able to re-locate the walk, and have an ok ride.

Since then, Prophet has dramatically chilled out, and reduced his craziness to one or two spook/bolts per hack - SUCCESS!  He will be hacking till the end of the year and then we'll start back into some 'real' work.

I have also realized that most of these blogs are about the amazing Mr. P, however I am getting more and more nice horses on as sale horses, some of which will be kicking off competition seasons in 2011.  One horse that you all have been introduced to before, but who took a bit of a hiatus is our diva - Ms. Story.  (For Story's formal introduction, click here: http://chorseeventing.blogspot.com/2010/06/now-introducing.html) Story had been coming along quite nicely, but I just kept feeling like some of the issues we were experiencing were not her fault.  I finally got her scheduled with my wonderful Chiro, Dr. Libby Engel, and we found out she definitely had reason to be holding back!  Her hind end was all wacked out, and she felt MUCH better after the adjustment.  Story is now much happier, and has a new outlook in 2011 with her debut as a JUMPER planned!

Story and I getting ready to go lunge in the coldness... bbbrrrrr

Recently I've also been approached about a couple of horses who look to be joining the 'team' in one roll or another (sale horses, competition horses, etc...) so I'll be excited to get pics and video of all of them updated just as soon as this darned weather gives us a break!

Speaking of bad weather, things have been just a bit slower then the past couple of months, which means I got to spend some quality time with friends.  My very, very good friend (who also happens to be one of my "North Carolina moms") Kristin Edwards, allowed me to come by and assist in the 'cookie baking afternoon' along with her daughter, and my student, Sarah. We definitely had some 'special' cookies, don't ya think?

Kristin's Pony

Sarah's 'artistic' polar bear (which was supposed to also be a horse - see the tail? :)

Under the C.....

Right about now, I'm feeling like the worst blogger in the world.  For some reason, everytime I open a new window to start typing, I get overwhelmed with all that I need to update, and simply close the screen and go on doing something else!  Figuring as the list isn't getting any smaller -- here's a very scattered, unorganized update.

At last post, I'd just come off organizing the events at 5-County Stables, both of which ended up successful, and I'm looking forward to meeting with Greg this week to finalize dates for next year.

Prophet is happily hacking around after his end-of-season vacation.  He came down with a bit of a virus for a couple of days after Thanksgiving, and has successfully recovered to his normal naughty state.  The plan for be includes hacking for the next couple of weeks (while it's dreadfully cold) and then ramping back up with lessons with Melissa J-S and Karyn B.  January will hopefully be mild enough that we can get around for some of the schooling shows in the area with recognized events (and P's road to the *) beginning in February!

The whole "horse-professional" gig is working out nicely, although the unseasonable cold temps we've had here in NC for the last couple of days have left me with some seriously numb appendages! (I said BRR!, it's cold in here... there must be some Toros in the atmosphere....o e o e o. ice ice ice -- Not a Bring It On fan?  Then you won't get it)....

Moving on...

It's really amazing how close-knit the horse world is, and the amazing people that you meet along the way.  Several months ago I introduced myself to Dressage Rider Claudia Coombs, as a couple of my clients were friends of hers.  Now, I find myself in the lucky situation of teaching out of her barn in Eastern North Carolina.  She did a lovely little write up introducing me on her blog, and I'm so happy to say that she's offered the use of her facility as an 'Eastern NC Base' for me!  Anyone who is interested in scheduling lessons at Her farm (Green Ridge), please Contact Claudia!

It's because of the generosity of people like Claudia (and Kim and Greg and Dave and everyone else!) who support me, that I've gotten to transition into doing this riding thing for a living and I'm forever in debt to their kindness!

I promise to give more frequent updates as Christmas approaches, but at least I got this first one out of the way!  Ciao ciao and stay warm!