Great Way to Start the Year!

The 2014 show season is officially under way for RSS!  This past Sunday, Hotty and I took a trip to Full Gallop Farm in Aiken, SC to run the Novice.  With Bonnie's help, I have been working very hard to get Hotty more through and into the connection.  It showed in our dressage test.  Though our score wasn't as good as it needs to be, there was definitely improvement in the way that Hotty went and how relaxed she was.  In both SJ and XC, she started out a bit rusty, but she improved as the courses went on.  By the end of each course, I felt like I had the Hotty I am used to.  She is a lot like Bug in that she's a random mix of bold and careful, though I don't think she has nearly as much cockiness as Bug does!  She wants to do what's right and truly loves her job.  She ended up being 7th in a big division of 19.

In order to make sure she is 100% confident, I will do two more Novices at Sporting Days and Paradise Farm with her in the next few weeks before trying to move up to Training in March.  Of course, all is dependent on what she tells me.  

Bug is feeling great as well!  We have been working hard on the connection to improve both our dressage and jumping.  He is getting cheekier as time passes, so I know his fitness is definitely on the upswing.  His first outing will be Pine Top in the Open Intermediate in a week and a half!

The sales and training horses are all coming along nicely as well, and I hope to get some of them out and about as the season really starts to swing into action.

I am saying a lot of prayers that this year is a great one!

Moving and Shaking

I have been doing a lot of grinning lately.  I love that feeling.  

Lately, the horses have just been going really well.  There have been a few setbacks, but overall, they are all moving forward well.  Bug and Hotty are really changing the way they go, and I'm super happy about that.  I'm trying as hard as I can to improve my riding daily.  I am shooting to be world class! 

Due to the crummy winter weather, I have decided to move the two redhead superstars to Chesterfield Equestrian in Salisbury, NC.  It's a lovely farm owned by Bob and Katherine Thornton.  Bonnie teaches out of there, so it will make winter boot camp that much better.  We have started with a bang!  Besides working the redheads on great footing daily, I have started in on my own gym routine.  I am pretty excited about it all.

In other news, my 2010 TB mare, Voo Doo Vicky, just sold today to a lovely woman, KC Sc
ott.  KC and Vicky will be sweeping the lower level eventing world by storm soon.  Vicky is also going to be sporting a new name, "Stormin' in Style."

The first event of the season for us is coming up quickly.  Hotty will be competing in her first Training level event the last Sunday in January at Full Gallop Farm.  This will begin a very full season.  I am excited to be back at it again.

I just love when there are many things to grin about!!

Chin up and kick on!