MARCH 2006

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March 12, 2006

Great weekend.  Got a lot of riding done this week.  Had a lesson on Wed.  Rode Mr. Latte.  Lori came out and videoed my ride.  Was cool to see myself because I haven't gotten to watch myself ride since 1986.  Rode again on Friday.  Rode Justin.  He just looks better and better each time I see him and he loves his life.  On Saturday, Lori and I trailered to James Long Park and rode in that ring.  Lori wants to get Topper out and about to a bunch of different venues so come show time, he'll be more relaxed in new places.  I invited Sarah and she met us there with Merlin.  So, there we were, all three of us with grays, tootling around this park.  The weather was gorgeous.  Justin made a poop speed bump for everyone to drive thru.  I was mortified. 

Today, I had a lesson at 9:00, then went to ride Justin.  Janna met me at my barn and we went together to Sabrina's to do more cob-webbing.  Before getting there, we stopped at Tractor Supply to get masks so we wouldn't be breathing all that dust.  I found a pink hat that said, "Justin" (Justin boots) on it so I had to buy it.  Sabrina was having a birthday party for Cassie (one of her dogs) so we only got a third of the cob-webbing done.  Otherwise, we'd have really kicked up a lot of dust.  A picture of how you look when you've been cob-webbing is above in February 2006 News.  The barn is looking great.  Everyone's done a ton of work.  Marsha's done a lot of painting and decorating.  She painted the bathroom and hung a lot of Sabrina's old show pictures up.  They're great.  Gerson, one of Sabrina's barn guys, did all the cob-webbing in the stalls and cleaned then entire indoor -- all the walls and the ends from floor to ceiling.  I got half of the wash stall painted and Marsha finished that off.  It really looks nice. 

Sam called and as usual, makes me laugh.  We swap our horsey stories and catch each other up on our news.  She'd just gotten back from The Barracks.  I love to hear how she and Jake are starting to get into a groove.  I think by early summer, they'll really be pulling down the ribbons. 

Bob and I leave on Wednesday for the Dominican Republic.  Can't wait! 

Oh, and nifty tidbit of news, I GOT MY AMATEUR CARD!!!

March 5, 2006

It was great getting Justin out three days in a row.  Lori's been riding him as well but I really enjoy riding him and am pleased I got to spend so much time with him.  Lori wasn't feeling well yesterday so I rode alone in the ring.  Justin did some serious bucking.  He likes to mess around for about the first 15 minutes of the ride and then he settles down.  It was windy and just about every time the wind kicked up, so did Justin. 

Really like the new saddle.  A pretty seamless transition from my old one to this one.  Tried another girth that I have and was able to get that on him with just a little struggle.  I can barely get the buckle to touch the billet but I manage to work it up.  I'm on the first hole on the right side and once I get on, I'm up to three on the left side.  I figure a few more rides and the billets will be a little more stretched out.

Today, Lori and I rode in the field which the horses really enjoy.  It is a perfect field with gracefully rolling hills in it.  I like to do trotting work out there.  It was nice and cushy and Justin felt great.  Justin just looks super and gave me his usual pony kisses, which I adore.  He met the neighboring llama.  The llama had him very confused.  He's not too keen on other barn animals.  Terrified of cows.  I think the only reason why he was OK with the llama is because other horses were around so he figured it was cool.  But his little ears were pricked so far forward, the tips of them were nearly touching.  I love when he does that.

After my ride, I headed back home and went with Bob to shop for luggage.  We went to Tysons I.  Haven't been there forever.  That place has grown.  As if we needed more retail.  Then, after that, I headed out to Sabrina's to paint the wash stall.  Unfortunately, I didn't get out there until around 4.  That only allowed me to get the bottom part of the wash stall painted a pale gray.  I put two coats on.  Then, I did the window in white.  All that took me about 3 hours to do.

Alyssa called to say she was Champion Large Pony in her show on Saturday and won the Eq.  That was great news.  She's worked so hard with Bailey and heavens knows, he makes things 'interesting' to say the least.  She works hard for every ribbon.  I told Alyssa that this year is her year.  Can't wait to see how things go.  She's off to a great start.

Talked with Sam on her way to Lexington.  Always get a kick out of her and her adventures.  She's been doing great with Jake and made me laugh so hard when she told me she was working at Starbucks.  I made her yell some Starbucks lingo out -- let's just put it this way, Sam is SO Starbucks!  It's a perfect place for her to work.

It was a great weekend and I'm already itching for a new one to come.  I do have a lesson on Wednesday after Justin gets shod so I'll be able to get a jump on my horsin' soon.

March 4, 2006

Had a blast riding Justin yesterday.  Weather was a little chilly and breezy so that gave him an excuse to be goofy every time it really blew.  He's just a hoot.  As usual, he wanted to play but eventually did get down to some business.  He looks great.  Still putting on weight.  Has filled in a lot on his neck, shoulders, back and rump.  I feel like he still has a bit to go before all of his ribs are gone. 

Rode in my new saddle.  It was fine.  The seat is really comfortable and I didn't feel like it was slick or anything so that is a plus.  Justin's girth in no way fits him anymore and I can't figure out if it is because he has put on so much weight or if it is because the billets are shorter on the new saddle.  I measured the flaps, though, and they are the same length.  But the distance between the end of the girth buckle and the first hole on the billets was significant.  I suppose they'll stretch out some?  Until then, I have a girth extender.  I look forward to seeing my gray boy again!

March 1, 2006

Had another great lesson tonight.  Rode Mr. Latté again.  I like him a lot.  He reminds me a lot of Buster, although Latté actually walks.  But Latté is catty like Buster is and seems to really enjoy jumping.  He's one of those horses that is built to jump.  Really light on his front end -- when you pick up his front feet, he's already sitting on his haunches making his front end really light.  He also hates to be brushed with anything more than a soft brush, just like Buster, and hates to have his back brushed.  So, I try to take it easy on him when I groom.  He has a sausage body like Buster -- the saddle slips back easily, no matter how tight the girth is.  I'll have to remember to bring my non-slip pad next time.

I didn't use my new saddle.  I figure I'll wait to try it on Friday when I ride Justin.  Which I can't wait to do!!!  I miss riding my gray boy.  I haven't seen him in over a week.  I hope he's put on a little more weight.  He seems to have done so every time I see him.  I'm looking forward to a great weekend with him.

Anyway, I'm completely bitten by spring fever and all I want to do is get more time in the tack so I can be back to where I was twenty years ago!  The nifty thing is, I don't think that is too far off.