We’re about three weeks in, everyone has settled, and a plan is falling into place.
Johnny, Danny and Dorian, as wonderful and gifted as they are—and believe me, they are—are unlikely to horse show, at least not this winter. All three are really supremely talented, with three good paces, and just aren’t any level in particular. Johnny and Danny are mine, and so I pay their bills, and as such, I’d rather put my money into lessons than into shows. They’ve got opposing problems, in a way: they’re both wonderfully powerful horses, but Danny gets an A for looseness and a C for organization, and Johnny is the reverse. Danny is so loose and swingy and supple, but doesn’t have the core strength to keep all his power and expression upright and organized and tidy. Johnny is wonderfully organized, and I can really put him anywhere, but things like bending and elasticity don’t come naturally to him. At the end of the day, they’re 6 and 7 years old, and I’d rather put my resources into developing them into what I really care about—the kind of athletes they’ll be at 10 and 12.
Dorian is also lovely and powerful, and organized and balanced, and as soon as he gets his changes more solid he’ll be ready to show Third Level, but there’s still something missing, a piece of the balance and expression that I don’t quite own. He’s a wonderful creature who is still developing, and that’s what I’m focused on this winter.
Fender, Bo and Fiero, though, are another story. They’re getting ready.
Fiero’s the weakest link, not because there’s anything wrong with him—far from it. He’s developing so beautifully, and is so honest and kind in his efforts. It’s really incredible to be a part of! I was waffling on whether he’d be ready to do a Prix St. Georges this season, or whether I’d wait until he was more confirmed, but he lets me ride him, lets me in to help him when he needs help. And that’s the biggest piece with horses as we develop them—the amount of talent, the amount of flash and dance, they bring to the table is irrelevant if they let you in and really RIDE them. And he does. So I’m thinking about his Prix St. Georges debut in March.
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Bo is the oldest of the group, but is also the least straight-forward. His amateur owner has done a wonderful job of developing him, but he’s cheeky and clever and has just needed a little more time to get solid at the level. He’s also going to be making his Prix St. Georges debut by February or March, but what’s particularly exciting is his talent for piaffe. He GETS it, and Michael’s worked him in hand for me a few times, and WOW. It’s also really helping him yield his back, which is the last thing he’s got to master on his way up the levels. What a special guy.
And then there’s my Fender. We’ve entered a show in the next few weeks; he’s got all the pieces, and though it’s still going to be a bit green and for sure have room for further muscle development, he’s ready. The problem has nothing to do with his training, though. And this is why life with horses can be so irritating.
A month before we left for Florida, he started losing hair. First it was a patch on his nose, and it just looked like he’d rubbed it on something. But then it was on both hips. Then his sides. Then under his browband, and under his tummy. By the time we arrived in Florida, he looked like he’d been through a woodchopper.
Fortunately the warm weather of Florida has let us bathe him and get the Funk under control, but he’s got these giant bald patches all over him. My veterinarian has given him the all-clear, as he’s not uncomfortable or contagious. But there won’t be any photos from this show, for sure!
