So the best news is that Rosie is officially Horse of the year for training level! Woohoo! That is so totally exciting because she is American bred, by Jackie Nixon-Fulton. (www.Wildoaksranch.com) What is also pretty cool is that she did it with only showing the minimum amount, in the show ring 8 times at training level. Her average may be the highest score ever recorded! I'm so very proud of her! Go Black Betty!!

The bad news is that I got a call from USDF, telling me that I would not be allowed to compete at Regionals because I was recorded as Region 3 when we sent in our renewal form. (My assistant put down my Fl address because we didn't even know my Md address because I was moving) Of course I had sent in my entries for Region 1, where I live and run my Md based business. Ugh I cried I was so upset about it! What a total let down! I worked so hard all year, and the pinnacle of the show year is Regionals. So that was completely anti-climatic. But then when I heard about Courtney's losses, I knew I should keep my problems in perspective. Life with horses sure can be a roller coaster.

I was able to get back down to my old stompin ground in southern Md during Oct so I enjoyed that a lot. I love teaching and watching progress happen. It actually can work out better when I don't see someone for a few weeks. My students are getting so good at sticking to their homework, that they keep on making big leaps of progress. I plan on coming to Md south about once a month over the winter.

So instead of going to Regionals, I decided to fly to Wisconsin for one day to have a business meeting with my Dad. I needed some advice, and some guidance on some things, so he flew me home for the day. I brought all my paper work and questions, and it was a really fun day. Of course, way too short, but that is how the flights worked out the best. I had Jen, my step mom, help me with my computer. She is the one behind my new website, and talked my Dad into getting me an iPhone (which is the best thing ever invented!). So now I am also on Twitter (go to: www.twitter.com, search JessicaJoTate and hit "follow" on my page). You'll get frequent updates about all the interesting things that happen to Team Tate. And believe me, there is never a dull moment.

I will fill you in about the Developing Riders clinic with Steffen in the next blog! Of course it went great, and I ended up taking Quincy, which was awesome. He always needs practice getting off the farm! He is such an awesome horse.

So I will blog very soon, as I look ahead we have some exciting things to look forward to. Looking at a horse for a client, teaching a clinic, and of course, my favorite wknd of the year is the young horse trainer's symposium. I will talk to you soon! Happy riding! X