The Good The Bad & The Ugly....

I have been googling the crap out of this computer it seems for weeks. Whether it be supplements, eventing clinics, Rolex info, flights, accomodations, more eventing clinics, dates, Herbal stuff, local event farms, calenders, group clubs, blah blah blah... its no wonder that Mon Dr appt determined I had moderate carpal tunnel. Wonder-fn-ful. I am just trying to get my life in order and set myself up for sucess in the coming weeks, months, years. GEEZ. I cant seem to find much in the way of clinics in the cold Northeast. Rather you have to bring your horse down to FL, SC, NC for "eventing camps" - NOW WHO can afford that? Who? Even if I was working? I mean is that what "they" all do in the winter months? UMMMM ....Equestrian Gypsies? C'mon... where is reality? Do they have lives? I mean I would love to live and breath horses, actually my husband would beg to differ to say I havent been all these years but how do people afford to do this and afford to live let alone pay for all of it? I know horses are an expensive "hobby" but I have tried my best to make sure they all earn their keep. When I was younger they WERE just hayburners, BUT now... if they dont get worked at least once in a week I start wondering if its worth having them. I love them and want them, but I MUST utilize THEM.
When Tessie was laid to rest, I felt that I was free to go and do all that I wanted to do.... I dont know why that is. Maybe out of guilt ... I made some hard choices in the days that followed in order to simplify so that I could afford to do more with my horses. I determined, you do need two, its the insurance for "just in case". Well two under age to led to, "I cant wait anymore!" - and now I have three! If I would have only waited I wouldnt be worrying about who gets worked every week equally. It kills me. I am always justifying who what when and why.

Time and energy allowed me to attend Sundays clinic in NH with Tom Davis. What a knowledgeable man. He breaks the whole session down into bite size pieces for horse an rider to digest. Amazing transformations within an hour session in horses and riders - something they could take home and work on. I (well ....we - 2 students & fellow dressage enthusiast Joyce) sat there freezing but taking mental and physical notes on what I needed to work on before next months clinic. I have another goal... FINALLY!
I couldnt wait to get on and ride Angel today - but as fate would have it... I was unable to catch him. FIRST TIME for everything... no respect.... from now on... he will be waiting for me ... ALONE in the front paddock... EVERY DAY... and he will be happy to see me come for him when I do. Instead I took Baby and worked her. Headset, rythm, and transitions. Exhausting. She will be 4 April 27th... and I will be eventing her this summer - but not without fixing all that needs to be fixed first. Isnt it the simple things that trip you up?... and watching my newly purchased video "Step By Step" for riding the USEFD tests for eventing - I can see that my coming 4 year old is plenty mature to start - actually what we are working on now are things she should already have mastered. Regretfully I feel like I have let her down - but thankfully Charlie coming 3 will be working very hard on these things this summer and he will be on schedule for next summers EVENTING - Finally! OMG yes! It is coming quicker than we realize!
On another note as darling as Angel is... he needs some polishing and MUST find his new rider - as I will not have time for him with the two youngsters in training fall of 09. None other than a mindful, knowledgeable rider with soft feel and assertive aids & loving heart need apply. I have several books coming and ordered the 09 USEF Rules for Eventing.
Jumping in both feet which I should have just done YEARS ago! I am not only setting my sights on attending the Rolex this Spring but also heading to VT for a week of Eventing Camp at Tamarack Hill Farm - check it out: http://www.tamarackhill.com/AdultCamp/adult-camp.htm and Tom Davis just happens to be one of the trainers there too. I guess it would be perfect experience for me and whatever stead I chose to grace myself with. Well kids.... its time to turn on the charm... who's it gonna be!