Happy New Year! I have great news! My new years resolution is to commit to blogging every week! Ugh I'm so sorry for getting so behind! And let me tell you, it has nothing to do with things slowing down! But all in all, we are doing great. You can follow us on Twitter if you would like daily updates on the goings on at Team Tate!

We are all settled in Florida, and up until yesterday, have been thoroughly enjoying the warm weather! Now for the next nights, we have a freeze warning out. Of course the horses are all fine (rather enjoying the fresh weather!) but I worry about the orange groves. And at the end of the day, we are in one of the warmest places in the country and the sun shines quite a lot down here. So I thank my lucky stars that I am able to move my business down here every winter!

Since we have been down here, I have already been able to ride with and watch some of the best riders in the world. Where else can you drive 20 minutes and see that kind of thing? Well maybe Germany, but it's way too cold there!!

The holidays were great. Got to spend quite a lot time with my family as well as Richard. I can officially scratch off playing in the snow with nieces and nephews off my list of things to do this year. What fun it was! There was also the getting snowed in in Md! I actually could not have left the house even if I had wanted too! Oh and baking/decorating 10 dozen cookies also got achieved! Ha ha I even over do it with baked goods! Of course 3 dozen would not be nearly enough to bake and frost! But good times with my Mom, in the kitchen, solving the problems in the world (and in my life!)!

Things are starting to pick up down here, so I'm sure I will have plenty of updates coming. I am not showing until Feb. I just can't seem to ever get signed up for a show before Christmas. Something just seems wrong about that when I'm running around Christmas shopping, getting my entries in never seems to get on my radar! Also I just feel there is a little bit of a down time after we get down and settled. I can feel the momentum starting to build, so that is what always makes the Winter Equestrian Festival so special!

So as the gloom of the winter starts to set in, focus on finding a good book, get in a discovery mood, and give yourself the chance to study a little bit. We all need a little time to get inspired! One of my favorites that I'm re reading (for who knows how many times now!) is Charles de Kunffy's Dressage Principles Illuminated. Ethics and Passions is also a superb book from him, which always seems to inspire me also. I'm also planning on having him come for a clinic in Fl, which is a special gift, considering he is "officially" retired. But he said he would come teach me, so I can't wait for that! Anyway, stay warm wherever you are, and remember the winter the time for discovery! Happy Riding!!