Recap

I was sort of planning on sitting down and having a good long conversation with my computer, replaying basically each week I was on the road and sharing all the funny stories or strange encounters I had.  Then I realized that would probably take, well not sure exactly how long, but too long to write, then no one would want to sit there and read a novel about my life.  So in lieu of a play by play I’m just gonna update you on the highlights, and now that I’ve decided to resubmerge myself in this blog writing thing I can write silly stories to share with you in the future. 

Man, I left off after my first Grand Prix, last year! Yikes, so I was pretty stoked I had made it back into the GP ring and gained a confidence that I had made the right decision leaving my job and home to make a go of this thing.  

After Katy, my horses and I spent the off weeks with Christian Rogge and Shannon Slyfield at their beautiful barn. 

I got to ride some awesome horses there and got a few valuable lessons.  Not only did I become good friends with these two but also all the wonderful people at their barn.  I had come up with several different plans as to where I wanted to travel to next and kept changing my mind, but finally decided my next destination would be Canada.  By this point I was more than ready to get out of Texas, when I was loading my trailer early in the morning I looked down at one point and realized I was drenched in sweat and that I was leaving at just the right time!  Since I had a lot of paperwork that needed done to get into Canada, I went home to Rock Springs for a couple weeks to get everything in order and repack my trailer.  

I was really nervous about making sure I had all the right things in line and that I wasn’t going to drive all the way up to the border to get sent back because I was missing something.  Turns out I was more than prepared and was able to make it there without any hitches and a pretty easy drive.  

However, I did get a ticket after being in the country for less than an hour!  Funny story, I’d be happy to tell you about it, just not here.

RMSJ was a beautiful facility, and everyone there was super welcoming and accommodating and happy to help me out. The very first class I did was the Open Welcome and Gap was super and we ended up 3rd.  Fly Away performed great and was doing the 1.15m Jr/Am and the 1.20m young jumper classes and marched right out onto the big grand prix field and jumped around like it was no big deal.  Raphael did a few classes and was awesome in the mini nation’s cup, but then he got to go out in the huge pasture with grass up past his knees for the rest of our time in Calgary.  

Then Gap and I were getting ready for the CSI classes.  The paperwork to get into Canada was a breeze compared to the hoops I had to jump through to get my FEI membership and the right paperwork and signatures and such for Gap’s passport.  Finally got it all in my hands in the knick of time before the first GP.  Gap was such a superstar and put in some awesome efforts in those big classes, I couldn’t have been happier with him.  

Due to some issues with my truck, again funny story that I’d be happy to tell later on, I ended up having the opportunity to stay and compete at Spruce Meadows for the Masters.  

(Yes, it was going to end up being over $7000, however after a second opinion I left only needing an oil change!)

I’m so glad I did it, it was an absolute blast and again Gap was super, but it was really expensive and I even had many people tell me even if you win every class it’s hard to leave without still owing the office money.  I would definitely return for the RMSJ shows, but I would have to consider Spruce more seriously.  Once again, I was sad to be leaving but the weather was starting to turn and I was glad to be getting out at the time I did.

 When I make a pit stop, I get driving food and my horse's get the healthy snacks!

 This part of the drive made me pretty nervous :/

Oh ya, we added power to my trailer before I left for Canada so I had a back up place to sleep and a little piece of home with me while I was there. Also, the back of the trailer makes a great laundry room!

I returned to Rock Springs, this time to pack the rest of my things and put them on a moving trailer to Texas. 

 Loaded up the horses, including the minis and set off towards Tucson.  

Got there a little early, as is my trend I wanted to avoid the bad weather in Wyoming so I headed south before fall/winter weather had a chance to sneak up on me.  Tucson was a good show, great management, fun times had by all, Gap and I did (and won) the Equitation Classic on Thursday and then put in a stellar round in the Grand Prix on Sunday, I love my horse and his willingness and versatility :D 

 Eq braids :)

Fly away won the 1.10m classic and was champion in the division.  From here I had planned on returning to Texas where my personal belongings, broodmare and two young horses were.  However, I spent quite a bit of time with an old friend who actually is from Texas and loves it there, but decided he was going to go out to Southern California.  I have always loved the area and thought it would be amazing to live there but figured I couldn’t afford it so never seriously considered it.  After talking with him I started looking for some places and found what I thought was going to be the perfect situation. 

After Tucson I took my stuff and small herd of horses to Lake Elsinore.  The drive was actually kind of sketchy and I got in late and in the dark, and once more a story I’d be happy to share but not here.  The point is I had to leave and find something else, rather quickly.  I ended up finding a lovely barn, but couldn’t find a place for me, and my dogs anywhere near the barn for less than $2000 a month, so I ended up with a friend who was thirty minutes away with no traffic.  I was burning through fuel and couldn’t go to the barn twice a day like I prefer and it just wasn’t working out.  I started searching pretty much all the barns with websites in socal looking for a place that had barn stalls, paddocks and pasture spaces to accommodate the needs of all my horses. 

I finally ended up finding a place that not only could fit the bill but the owners also had a rental property that had just opened up that is about four minutes away from the barn.  So that is where I am now, I have citrus trees and avocados in my back yard, Raphael and the minis in the front, I’m away from the city so there’s peace and quiet and a beautiful blanket of stars to enjoy at night, and I’m only about 30 minutes from the beach!  

My two black horses are getting back into shape for showing, the first few months I was here put me behind in training due to all the instability.  My young horses are growing into beautiful, kind creatures and I couldn’t be more excited to see what they’re going to turn in to.  Put a saddle on Royal the other day and it didn’t faze him in the least.  Momma dropped quite a bit of weight in the move, but she’s looking tons better now and the vet saw her recently and said she’s ready to get bred, I’m very anxious about the newest baby on that will be on the way.  It is fun and peaceful to have the boys at my home and see them out my window.

Heading to the barn now to ride, it’s a beautiful day and I’m stoked I get to spend it with all of my magnificent beasts!