It's Been Quite A While...

Well, well, well. It's been about a month since my last blog post, and I promised to post more. I didn't exactly keep my promise, but a lot of personal things have happened since January that has kept me from writing. However, I do have quite a bit of new things to keep you interested for today's post. 

To start with, Both Princess and I's progress together has improved tremendously. We are starting to work as a team, and she is starting to trust me more each day. I have been playing with some choreography for my Junior freestyle, but, unfortunately, the snow has kept me from doing regular workouts- instead they are only 30 minutes instead of an hour. However, she is an incredible horse to work with, and I am excited to see how this year goes. 

Unfortunately for me, the little town of Paducah was dumped with 12 inches of snow over the course of two days (15 inches if you count the drifts in the arena). So that has left me to dance in the snow- with Princess, that is. I will say that the snow does serve as constant trot poles, so we spent yesterday playing with half steps and passage because I the snow wouldn't allow a straight collected trot. It makes me happy to see what my mare will do, instead of just imagining what she can do. 

Angela will be coming back from Florida sometime next week, so I hope to have a lesson with her as soon as she gets back. She has been so supportive despite the fact that she has been over 900 miles away for the past two months. I can't wait for her to get back and see our progress and help improve us even more for this show season. 

As for Cody, he is enjoying his retirement. I still hack him around the farm and do some dressage with him quite often, as he gets fairly jealous quickly. However, in late January, he pulled a tendon running around in the field. Fortunately, it just took a few days of hand walking and poulticing to mend, and now he is at it again. 

I am so fortunate to be blessed with such incredible horses. Every day with them is a blessing, so I will never take it for granted. Without Cody, I wouldn't be the rider I am, and without Princess, I wouldn't be able to compete and learn at the level I am. They both are just incredible!

Welcoming New Opportunities

Two weeks ago, my horse-shopping came to an end, and I could not be more excited! After months and months of endless searching, the horse-shopping excitement was starting to get old. In the oddest ways, everything does workout how it should, and I ended up with the best horse for me. 

About three weeks ago, Angela informed me about an extremely talented horse she thought would be great for me. Upon further discussion, her father had bred the mare- yes, mare- and she was the last foal by Angela's FEI Grand Prix stallion, River H. Angela believed that this mare would not only get me where I want, but teach me so much along the way. 

The mare is a seven coming eight year old Zweibrücker who was shown through Third but schooled Fourth and much of the Prix St. George, with definite potential for Brentina Cup. She stands at a gigantic 17.3 with the presence that makes her feels so much bigger. Despite the fact that just a couple months back, I had stated that getting a mare was not going to happen, her sweet and loving character won me over in the first five minutes. 

The mare's name is River's Princess H and she could not live up to her name more. Pink and patent everything with anything a Princess would want! We brought her home this past Sunday, and she jump right into the swing of things. Everything I do, she just says "yes". Not to mention how quickly she has gotten attached to me. Every time I leave the groom-stall, she gets upset and when I turn her out, she stands at the gate and stares at the barn doors for ten or fifteen minutes! 

I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. Princess is not only talented and an incredible mover, but she has the heart and kind spirit to make working with her just a blast.