I had a lovely Christmas with my family, and a lovely New Year’s with friends. It got cold for a few days, during which everyone tried to buck me off, and then it got warm and beautiful, during which I wondered why I was leaving. And then it was Jan. 2, and it was time to go.
Preparing for Florida is always kind of weird. There’s a tremendous amount of scurrying about packing, but I’m such an annoying and diligent DQ that I’m always pretty packed a day or two early, which means I always spend the last day twiddling my thumbs all afternoon. And the horses feel like they’re in limbo—I try and let them all down a little in November so I can ramp up the last couple weeks of December, but I’m not really doing anything, just getting them fit and awaiting further instructions.
I make goals, of course. With the exception of Johnny, now 6 (who’s so freaking talented for it it’s sort of ridiculous), everyone needs to get a handle on piaffe this winter, in an age appropriate way. Danny (now 7) has clearly done some more collected work before, but he offers a more passage-y version, which I’d like to nip in the bud pretty quick. Dorian, also 7, has it totally figured out, and I’d like to confirm it.
Fiero is 8, and Fender is 9, and neither of them is a super volunteer about it. Neither of them is terribly short in the back nor terribly strong in the connection; it’s funny, but the ones who are ripping my arms out figure out the half steps first. Go figure. The oldest of the group, Bo, now 10, already has half steps well started and understood, so now it’s just time to confirm them.
I’ve also got to install some flying changes. Dorian has one good one and one funky one (totally normal; I’m not worried), and Johnny’s a big strong moose who drags me around when I try to work on them (totally normal; I’m not worried).
All of these things can be helped along with the use of a round pen, something I don’t have at home. And that brings me to this year’s Floridian accommodations—the incredibly-gorgeous StarBound SportHorses.
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I’ve wanted to be at Barbie’s before, but I’ve always had more horses than she could accommodate. This year it worked out, and so not only do I get to work out of her wonderful farm, it’s also just the two of us, and I like Barbie a lot. She’s experienced and wise and runs a tight ship, as do I. We’re going to get along awesome.
The round pen is a terrific asset, but the whole farm is a stunner, hands-down the nicest farm I’ve been at in Florida while still being totally workmanlike. Check out the photos to see more.
I’ve also got new human accommodations this year, with friends of my wonderful friends Sue Stickle and Jonna Koelhoffer. Any friend of Sue and Jonna’s is a friend of mine, and unsurprisingly, Terry and Mitch are lovely and gracious (and, as a nurse and a police offer, respectively, I am in extremely good hands.)
We had a relatively quick and extremely boring trip down that, mercifully, involved absolutely no flat tires. It’s hot and gorgeous here, and the horses don’t show up for a few days, so I’ve gotten to move in at a leisurely pace and bum around visiting friends and getting lots of running and biking in. And so far I’ve been able to resist the siren’s song of key lime pie.
I am well-staffed both at home, with the addition of Daisy to my all-star cast of Allison, Natasha and Robyn, and here, with the arrival of Lisa. The horses arrive on Tuesday, which is a long time from now; I probably could have left a day later, but the hanging around waiting with just me and my thoughts doesn’t do anyone any good. So it’s unpacking for the next few days, trying not to get bucked off for the few days after that, and then hitting the road running. I’m ready!
