Busy week...

Some sun, some rain, some snow

Lots to do, family to see, and places to go

Ride, work, ride, visit, work some more and whoa!

Time to go...

Off to our second training show!

What a fun, busy week! Monday, I went with a friend to Richfield to take a riding lesson from a 75 year old man who's been riding/training for years. He really knows horses and dressage. He gave several good pointers and helped be my "eyes" so I would know what Coco looked like and what was going on with him. My friend, Inger, rides a warmblood mare that is very nice and moves beautifully. Coco was very nervous, the intrustor's indoor arena has mirrors, and he used a microphone/PA system- both of Coco's nemesis, so that was another good learning experience for Coco. Inger and I used to ride together 20 years ago- but between my work & being a mom, and her being a mom- we just finally got back togehter with the same goal in mind-RIDE! We had a TON of fun- and at the conclusion of the lesson, Thann, the trainer, looked at both of us and said, "Well, you both have really good horses and there are no excuses why you can't do well with them. I would take either one of them!" I'm sure we'll be back for some pointers as we progress!

The next few days I worked Coco and he did really good, so I was excited to see how he would do on Saturday at the next training show.

Meanwhile, Tom & I had a retirement party to go to for one of the manager's we had worked with at Altiris. It was great to see so many familiar faces and "talk shop." So many asked how we were doing and a couple are going to reconnect on some networking possiblities.

Friday, we went up to Temple Square and met up with Angelique and the grandkids- Daniel, Hanna, and Colin. They were on their way to California for Disneyland. We toured around, watched "The Testaments"- I really like that movie. Went to both of the visitor centers and then the Conference Center. I think the kids liked that the best- lots to look at and large spaces for Colin to run in! We then ate lunch at the Joseph Smith Memorial Builing at the Nauvoo cafe. It was really yummy. Unfortunately I couldn't find my camera-I looked everwhere! I'm waiting for Angelique to get back and send some photos- Oh, BTW, I found my camera the next day in the horse trailer, in my gear bag! I had put it there for the riding lesson, but never pulled it out and forgot that's where it was. OLD AGE! When I went to find my gloves- there it was.

So the show...
It had snowed and rained on Friday- and Saturday was clear but COLD! So I'm wearing my thick coat in these pictures- which really makes me look like a marshmellow and my equitation look horrible- but- hey, I'm warm.

I entered 2 walk-trot classes- one for adults and one for 1st year horses. We won both of those. SURPRISE! Coco worked really well. We also won the dressage on the rail class. But we didn't do so well in the pleasure (3 gaited) classes. Coco was having a hard time picking up his right lead, Arghh! He got it on the second try both times but the judge saw the wrong lead and so, no good. He did do much better with the other horses, and paid attention better. But, I kept feeling something weird in his gait. Like his stifle was slipping or something. If it keeps up, I'm going to have to take him to the vet, just to make sure he's okay.

The judge really liked his trot. Coco really has a lot of engagement in this photo- thanks to the photographer, a really good guy- Tom, my husband that crawled out of bed at 5:30 AM to go with me and help me!

Kyle came also to the show (later, after the morning classes) to go in the lead-line class. He hasn't ridden since last summer, but he climbed aboard and picked up the reins without forgetting anything! Although, when his mom first pulled up and he saw the class going with riders loping- he looked at his Mom and said,"I don't know how to do that." We reassured him that I would be leading him around and we practiced a few minutes before the class. we ended up the only ones in the class, but the annoucer said, "Look at his heels down and how well he sits and holds the reins." Kyle smilled big when he saw he won a ribbon and a couple of puzzle books.

When we got outside the arena, Ryan looked at the books longinly and then said, "Look Kyle, one for you and one for me!" Which Kyle gladly shared. Meanwhile Kaylee (now 14 months) is squealing the whole time wanting to sit on the horse. So Grandpa Tom lifted her up there and she started bouncing like Coco was walking. We laughed.

We tried to give her the reins to hold, but all she wanted to do was put them on her arm, like a purse strap! Such a girl! She couldn't figure out what she was supposed to do with them. Grandpa kept a hand on her, which she kept pushing away. Especially when we said it was time to get off- she did not want to and objected vocally.