We’re t-minus two weeks ’til my clients’ next show, t-minus five weeks until Midge’s next show and t-minus 3 days until Midge and Ella head up to Michael’s for some lessons. Time to get my game face on!
Except here’s the thing. I’ve been letting Midge fluff around for the last few weeks, because I can, because this seemed like a big chunk of time where I could do not-a-whole-lot and let him refresh himself. And when I picked him up on Tuesday to start getting back into a program, he felt so good, so GREAT, so keen and fresh and rideable, I’ve honestly struggled to fill a 45-minute training session. Why drill it when it’s great?
I know things aren’t perfect, and I know there are things that feel great but could be improved, so I’m looking forward to my lessons next week. Ella, not one to be outdone, is also riding really fantastic, the best in the neck and bridle she’s ever been. She just looks so happy in her body, not just in her work but in her turnout and in her stall. Ella’s really grown up. How fun!
Fender, too, is making progress. We’re still working on the same stuff—bridging the back from hind legs to withers, making him stronger, quicker, etc., etc. It’s improving, though we’re not home yet. But every now and then he teases me with the most marvelous feeling trot, light and floaty and bouncy and expressive without being too open or stiff in the back. Then he usually falters, which makes me chuckle. But it’s there. And it’s seriously cool.
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I’m enjoying a little down time on the farm; it’s let me get some important stuff done. I’ve set up the e-scheduling system, and, so far, it’s smooth sailing. I’m doing a massive purge of the crap I’ve accumulated over years in my apartment, and I invested in the P90-X workout system, which after Day 1 has not made me want to hari kari, but the week is still young.
I’ve also gotten to do some due diligence to my staff. Assistant trainer Allison’s horse, Frosty, who as an Appaloosa-Thoroughbred cross doesn’t look like your typical dressage mount, learned the flying changes in about four days. Outgoing working student Stephanie’s done terrific work on the changes with her Oldenburg gelding, Meister, as well as really improving his connection over the winter. Stephanie’s headed off to the West Coast in mid-May, and this week I hired her replacement—Molly, a terrifically cute find from Minnesota, who brought a terrific energy to her interview and never stopped moving. She seems like a go-getter, a quality I adore, and continues my trend of hiring really beautiful people as well. (And hence, see earlier reference to P90-X.)
I’m organizing my clinic schedule, booking some new places this year (yay!); I’m pinning Michael down (with marginal success) to the dates I can come up for more lessons. And I’m getting in my hacking when I can, enjoying the splendid weather before it gets beastly hot (which could be any day now), enjoying the little bits of peace as they come.
