Welcome to my blog! I’m very excited to share Bug’s and my journey of becoming an eventing duo. Last night I had my second lesson with my new instructor, and it was interesting to say the least. As we’re working on Dressage principles, I needed some help with my arm and hand placement, and not going a very good job at it. So, Billie, my instructor, put a dressage whip behind my back and through my elbows – which made me sit up straight, my back to arch, my hands to stay put – and let’s not forget the little red welts by my elbows afterwards from the stick – but seriously – it worked! Wow, what a difference it made in my position, and the way Bug and I communicated. I learned to make him stop with only my seat, which I never even knew I could do. The rest of the lesson went fantastic. I didn’t want to quit. Billie believes that we will be ready to do our first show/competition at novice beginner this fall. I almost peeed my pants. “Really? Are you serious?” I’ve never done ANYTHING like that before…only riding in parades and some trail rides….so I’m very excited.

The bad news is Bug’s poor feet are starting to take a beating. When Bug came to our barn, we took off his shoes and seen that his hooves were rotten from having shoes on in a urine soaked stall for several weeks past the recommended limit for shoes to stay on. The sole of his hoof was gooey and rotten. My farrier has been working on getting his feet strong ever since. He’s been shoeless for 2 years now, but I think the shoes will really help. My farrier comes this afternoon, and I’m anxious to let him see what’s going on.

The other day, I was holding my 22-month old son, and he tapped on my helmet and said, “Crash?” I bursted out laughing, because I figure his daddy must have taught him that. As we go on this new journey, I’ve never been more excited about riding and horses in my life. In fact, I never wore a helmet, breeches, chaps, gloves, etc. before. It was always about just throwing my western saddle on and taking off across the field. I have so much to learn about everything. I think I could have 5 lessons on just the ground (pulling manes, shaving a bridle path that isn’t 6 inches long -my instructor noticed that one last night…oops – even bits, and bridles, and everything. Anyone out there know how to make your butt look smaller in breeches? Holly smokes! They’re waaaay more comfortable than jeans, but wow. Something about the full-seat says – “look at my butt.!”

My homework for the week – get Bug’s feet situation under control, start him on some muscle building strategy, and practice, practice practice.

Ride On, Amy