Its hard to believe that this coming weekend is the start of the event season on the west coast. Galway Downs kicks things off on Saturday, and although I won't be going, I do wish I could be spending the weekend in warm Southern California!
Here in the semi-frozen tundra the preparation for the first event of the year (Twin Rivers) is well underway. Cha Cha managed to pop an abscess, which took him out of commission for a few days, but he's all healed now and back in work. We have had such a dry winter that I think maybe he got a bruise from running around barefoot on the frozen ground- usually the snow covers up all those pesky rocks. At any rate, he gets his shoes on today, and our first gallop is scheduled for thursday (or Sunday, if it snows)- the joys of winter in the mountains...
Baby CoCo (I need to stop calling her that- she's five this year, for crying out loud!) continues to learn the meaning of work, and most of her fussing and carrying on is disappearing with consistent riding. She is set to make her competition debut at St. John's HT in April. The year is shaping up to be a busy one, with several young horses coming in for training and competition. I love bringing along green horses- they are so rewarding because EVERYTHING is a cool new lesson or skill.
One of the biggest drawbacks to trying to bring along young horses in Utah is the lack of schooling opportunities. In a perfect world, the young horses would go to some schooling events, maybe a dressage show or two, and go do jumpers for a while before setting off at a recognized event. In a perfect world, ALL the shows in the entire state of Utah wouldn't end up on the same weekend! Arrgh! So, we create a mini-show here at the farm- courses set up in the indoor some days, dressage court set up other days, riding out in the field (once the ice melts and we can safely cross the creek to get there), and the occasional foray to Ogden for some cross-country schooling. Its not perfect, but having fewer showing opportunities has forced me to become more creative in my training and teaching, so everyone, horse and human, gets the most out of the time spent in the saddle.
In other news, my parents bought a house up here in Heber, so they will be moving up at the end of February. I'm gone to Twin Rivers at the end of February- how convenient is that?! Of course, I'll be helping with the move, and since the house has 16 irrigated acres of pasture, I'll be helping with the moving of a couple of horses, as well! Plans are for a small "horse retirement" business, and a home for mom's pony, Heidi. Dad has bought a tractor, so they should be all set to take on their new occupation!
That's all for now- remember to send in your entries for Twin Rivers if you are going, and keep looking ahead to warmer weather!
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