After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Days like today make me wish I boarded my horses at an indoor arena. No worries about doing chores, shoveling, or making the footing safe. I could actually ride instead of only thinking about riding. The only good thing about the fact that it is snowing like crazy right now is that I had a snow day. There are three reasons to teach: July, August, and snow days! LOL!
Anyway, there is not much going on around here. Just lots of snow and cold weather. Just a week ago it was in the low 60s and now it is a blizzard. The mares are doing well. They are all puffy and woolly and ready for the winter. I will never be ready, so oh well. At least the winter waited until now.....there will only be three months of unbearable weather instead of four! LOL! I was using my hose until just two days ago. That is pretty fabulous in its own way.
I am not even close to being ready for Christmas! LOL! I have about 1/3 of my shopping done, but I am pretty sure I know what everyone will be getting. I have sent my Christmas cards and have decorated the house. My young son is so very excited about the holidays and the snow that it is hard to get that stressed out about it all. He keeps me grounded me when I need it most. :D
I have two more banquets coming up at the beginning of the year: the Maine Dressage Society banquet will be at the end of January and the SPHO-NJ banquet is later in February. I will attend both of them! I love having something to look forward this winter.
I need to reevaluate my goals and decide exactly what I want to do with Dreamy next year. I am pretty sure I will do a similar show schedule to this past year, with mainly rated dressage shows, a few hunter shows, and a few events. But like anything, it depends on her. We will wrap up 2010 with the World Equestrian Games breed demonstrations at the Kentucky Horse Park. Dreamy and I will be headed down with a friend from NJ, and while Dreamy was chosen as an "alternate", the organizer from USTA wants to use the two alternates as well as the six original horses. So that is pretty neat! :) I do want to take more lessons than I did this year. It was nearly impossible to do anything at the end of the summer and fall. The biggest reason for this was lack of a towing vehicle, but now that I have my OWN truck, that will no longer be an issue! Yay! Reva will begin her under saddle training in earnest and I plan to do a clinic or two, perhaps bring her to a show but not actually show. Again, depends on dates and what the money situation looks like.
I am excited to be the secretary for the August SMDA show next year. I did not show for points at SMDA this year, as I was too focused on trying rated shows. It is nice to give back to the organization. I do plan to show Reva at SMDA in 2011.
Not much else to report. I wish I had photos to post (sorry A!) but my camera may have finally died. I need a new camera and wanted to get to Christmas without having to buy one (read: Best Buy gift card from my father.....) but that may not happen. :(
Well, almost time to go back out in the snow to take care of the mares. Does not look to be stopping anytime soon, which means I might not be able to shovel everything out tonight. :( Ah, the joys of living in Maine........ :P
Anyway, there is not much going on around here. Just lots of snow and cold weather. Just a week ago it was in the low 60s and now it is a blizzard. The mares are doing well. They are all puffy and woolly and ready for the winter. I will never be ready, so oh well. At least the winter waited until now.....there will only be three months of unbearable weather instead of four! LOL! I was using my hose until just two days ago. That is pretty fabulous in its own way.
I am not even close to being ready for Christmas! LOL! I have about 1/3 of my shopping done, but I am pretty sure I know what everyone will be getting. I have sent my Christmas cards and have decorated the house. My young son is so very excited about the holidays and the snow that it is hard to get that stressed out about it all. He keeps me grounded me when I need it most. :D
I have two more banquets coming up at the beginning of the year: the Maine Dressage Society banquet will be at the end of January and the SPHO-NJ banquet is later in February. I will attend both of them! I love having something to look forward this winter.
I need to reevaluate my goals and decide exactly what I want to do with Dreamy next year. I am pretty sure I will do a similar show schedule to this past year, with mainly rated dressage shows, a few hunter shows, and a few events. But like anything, it depends on her. We will wrap up 2010 with the World Equestrian Games breed demonstrations at the Kentucky Horse Park. Dreamy and I will be headed down with a friend from NJ, and while Dreamy was chosen as an "alternate", the organizer from USTA wants to use the two alternates as well as the six original horses. So that is pretty neat! :) I do want to take more lessons than I did this year. It was nearly impossible to do anything at the end of the summer and fall. The biggest reason for this was lack of a towing vehicle, but now that I have my OWN truck, that will no longer be an issue! Yay! Reva will begin her under saddle training in earnest and I plan to do a clinic or two, perhaps bring her to a show but not actually show. Again, depends on dates and what the money situation looks like.
I am excited to be the secretary for the August SMDA show next year. I did not show for points at SMDA this year, as I was too focused on trying rated shows. It is nice to give back to the organization. I do plan to show Reva at SMDA in 2011.
Not much else to report. I wish I had photos to post (sorry A!) but my camera may have finally died. I need a new camera and wanted to get to Christmas without having to buy one (read: Best Buy gift card from my father.....) but that may not happen. :(
Well, almost time to go back out in the snow to take care of the mares. Does not look to be stopping anytime soon, which means I might not be able to shovel everything out tonight. :( Ah, the joys of living in Maine........ :P
I don't envy your winters... As we were coming up the (long, LONG) way for the endurance ride, all I could think was "Man, I would HATE to see all this covered in snow!" I like cold weather but not quite that much..
ReplyDeleteThen again, after 3 days of Mosquito Hell, I don't envy your summers very much either, LOL!
Ah the wonderful woes of winter! I have Johnny boarded up at school with me at a local barn and I CHERISH the indoor arena, but Saturday we are packing up and shipping home for winter break and then I will once again be arena-less and trying to sweet talk friends into hauling me 1/2 an hour east to my trainers barn to ride. I feel like that wont be happening much lol. Hope you get a chance for a good ride in the snow soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope Santa brings you a camera! I so enjoy seeing your pictures on the farm! But I enjoy reading your words too : )
ReplyDeleteyou coming to Jersey! If you need a place to stay come on by...my parents are snow birds so I live alone in a big house all winter and it gets BORING. I would love to meet you at somepoint! I am still waiting to hear how you think it went showing a non-tradional dressage horse recognized all year.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of REVA with Dreamy looking over the fence: "Why is Mom wasting her time with that kid??!!"
ReplyDelete