So the show in Wi was so much fun because it was near my old stomping grounds! My old barn, Wyngate Dressage Center, was about a half hour from this show and this show was always the official start to our season up north. Great memories! I not only had a bunch of students showing, but I was also able to get in lessons with some of my Florida regulars! Oh and of course was able to make time to visit the best chiropractor ever, Dr. Miller in Grey’s Lake, IL! And the best part of the whole wknd was I was able to see my Mom, Aunt, and grandma on Mother’s Day!

On Fri, I taught at Jean Wodarcyzk’s place very near the show grounds. I am so happy to report that Diego (who was diagnosed with severe EPM had made a full recovery and he is 18 years old! So all you out there that are dealing with this tough disease; there is hope!) I taught Jean and her daughter, Laura and then I headed over to the show grounds to school Katie Foster and Deb Dalseg. Katie brought her 4 year old mare with as well as George, and Deb also brought her youngster and Cameo. So it went from perfecting the half halt to just trying to get around the ring! I always say at the first horse show, all I want is to stay on and stay in!  That has been something I have said for a long time. It is pretty funny, but both have happened!

Katie had a great show and got a 65% average for the young rider team. Her young horse also went very well at her first show under Katie. Deb got high 60’s at 3rd level to give her her Bronze medal! Yay! Congrats! Her young guy also got better and better as the wknd went on, but sure didn’t love the mud puddle. And speaking of which, poor Mary and Phil! Mary had a great ride, and got her first score for her Silver Medal, except that Phil was so afraid of the puddle that he jumped into the ring before the bell and he was too afraid to come out so she had to start her test from the inside of the arena! Which meant that she was allowed to ride it and it was scored, but it would not count officially!  Dang it! So note to self everyone out there in show land, you need to officially enter the arena, so if your horse jumps into the ring, you must re exit and enter normal! Sad lesson to learn but I am still very proud of Mare and Phil for getting such a good score and doing such a good test!

I also had some great schooling sessions with Amy and Radcliff. Was nice to just concentrate on getting to the next step without the stress of having to get in the show ring at a certain time. I hope he makes the trip out east for a few weeks. Short-term training is so worth it! Once you come you will never want to leave! We call it the “bio-dome”! I also taught Jamie on a few of her eventers. She is looking more and more like a top dressage rider every time I see her! That makes me so happy! Always so great to see the progress! It’s actually fun to not see everyone all the time because then I can really see how the horse’s bodies are changing and the horses are developing.

I am off to this clinic and then to Raleigh, NC for the Eastern Selection Trials for the Young Horse Program. Then I think one more show and then a little break. Talk soon and Happy Riding!! X