First lesson in our new home

I feel disoriented. Our new home is so clean and neat. Everything is run with an attention to detail and attention is not spared at any time. [deep sigh here...]

We had our first lesson. Blu was a peach. He went into the indoor , checked it out and then got down to work. Linda tuned him up and then I finished the ride. We worked on simple changes -- 10m circle at V across the diagonal to R with the simple change between X and R -- perfect. Then we went across the diagonal from H with a 10m circle at X then the simple change before P. We rushed it the first time but it was straight. The second time was perfect. His trot is just getting better all the time -- more push from behind up through his back and into the bridle. The swing in his back is just incredible. It is so beautiful to watch. It just brings tears to my eyes to see him so happy in his work. You know he is feeling good!

I felt pretty tight during the lesson-- no ibuprofen and a lack of stretching does not help me at all. Blu just gets behind my leg and I have to work to keep him forward. When my body lets go we are great. When it locks up we have a problem.

I have decided that we will do 2-1 and 2-3 for our second level scores and who knows, maybe we will qualify for regionals. In the meantime we will continue to settle into our new home. Blu needs to decide which paddock he likes. he definitely enjoyed the walk around the outdoor track and the nibbles of grass. Pampered pooch.

New home for Blu and his mom.

After much soul searching, I came to the decision it was time for Blu and me to move on. His old home was perfect -- it brought him closer and put me in a position to offer world class shoeing service in a time of need. Blu is sound and stronger than ever so it was time to get to the work we are suppose to do and that is get to our bronze and silver medals. Schooling was tough in our current situation -- lots of kids populating a very busy school program -- great for the farm but not so great for us as we bobbed and weaved with the growing traffic in the arena. So off to a new home. A home focused on dressage performed by adults only. After a year of phenomenal healing Blu faced the trailer like he had been on it yesterday. My dear friend Mary generously offered her time and trailer. Her company was oh so welcomed. I was as nervous as a first time mother sending her child off to kindergarten. Without sleep the night before, I made lists and kept thinking about all those things I might be forgetting. I tortured myself for no good reason. Blu was the consummate school master. He went into his new stall, sampled the hay and stuck his head out the yoke opening checking out his surroundings. As I settled the paperwork and unloaded supplies he made immediate friends with his next door neighbor Samurai. After scoffing down his dinner, I took him outside to do a little grazing -- the first of the season. What a joy! Gentle breezes and a multitude of song birds chirping in the trees, welcomed us to our new surroundings. I felt true contentment and Blu never picked his face up from the new bright green sprigs of grass. I can't wait to ride tomorrow. Blu's new primary care taker showed me his turnout and chatted about how she would organize his day. Quick pinch yourself... this new home is just as I would design. How lucky is that?

New boots are no joke

Several years ago I decided it was time for a new pair of riding boots. I had a well worn pair of Konigs that lasted me a good 15 years and probably could have done many more but I thought it time to get something that would last me the rest of my riding days. I seemed to forget how hard it was to break in new footwear. So I went to Dover Saddlery and was measured for a beautiful pair of custom Konigs. Nothing off the shelf for me... what was I thinking???? It has taken me two years and being backed into the proverbial corner with shows looming in the near future to pull the boots out and commit to wearing them every ride. I have to move my stirrup up to get on because I can not bend my knee -- they are so stiff and come up so high.... It is like a straight jacket for my feet and lower leg. Arghhhh.... I could not back down from this commitment so tonight I wore them during a lesson. I came out of it with an open blister on the inside aspect of my right heel. (How did I do that???) and at first it was quite distracting but oh what they did for my leg. I could not grip as much with my knee so my leg could then drop. ahhhhh.... owwwwww.... ahhhhh. What a vicious cycle combining the pain with the joy of a good ride. I have to take a picture of these things... They are so tall and stiff like any good German boot should be. They will eventually break in but in the mean time... Arghhhhhhhh P.S. Blu was spectacular tonight. We nailed the simple changes and Linda said it was one of our best rides. She was pleased with how we both looked and she was highly complementary that I did not wear out during the lesson. I kept up with the stiff pace she set so I guess we are both amping it up! Let the fun begin. I have got to remember that box of bandaids...

Time for a change

Spring is springing and so are we! A beautiful weekend was finally ours. No more freezing weather, soaking up the warm spring rays while rolling in the mud has to be on the top of any self-respecting horse's wish list. Blu is no exception and for once during the long winter season I am thrilled that Blu has a turn out sheet on. Still there is caked on mud and I get down to the dirty work before I am blessed with a ride. So dust, dirt, grime and of course hair all fly. Blu just loves the vigorous curry he receives and as always lets me know which spots need tending. It has been a tough couple of weeks due to some unexpected health issues but with those behind me it is time to amp up the game yet again. Practicing the difficult parts of the 2nd level test -- the simple change -- has been mastered on two adjacent 10m circles at the canter. The task on keeping the geometry, the tempo, canter to walk, change the bend and strike off to canter is a challenge but poetic when done correctly. If I can get the simple change in this exercise then any simple change in a second level test becomes child's play right???? Time will tell. We also continue to school transitions. They are our friends... That is also interspersed with changes of bend and really asking for the bend.... no faking it. Blu must step under himself and give in his neck and poll. When he does it feels like buttahhhh. Outside for our first hack this weekend. While other horses were acting up my dear boy just went out and enjoyed the scenery. He is such a pleasure to be with every day!