The Waiting Game

I'm anxiously waiting...



He has arrived in Lexington. He should be on his way to Lansing, MI tomorrow. Then Sunday he should be on his way to Traverse City, MI.

I'm here and won't be home until Monday.

And because some of you have asked, Canoodler has been sold to a hunter/jumper barn for a lot of money. I guess he wasn't meant to be for me. But it's really cool that I get this gorgeous guy because his owners simply wanted him to get to a good home. No charge to me. :)

He Passed!

Tuesday was lesson day and was also vet check day for Hola C Bright. A big day in my equine world.

Toby has been improving with each lesson. We start out better and better with less discussion about his frame. He's really getting his back to start swinging and moving that hind end with more ease. It's so much fun! As for me, I'm focusing more on sitting back and working on my leg position. Once I get myself out of the way of Toby's shoulders then he's able to move easier! It's such an obvious statement but sometimes it's hard for me to get out of my own way let alone get out of his way! We keep practicing and we will get better. Toby loves the work and has such a confident way about him now. Here is a photo of us from our show at the end of June. I guarantee that the next video, photo or show (which ever is first) of the two of us will show me in a not so tilted forward position!! I'm a girl on a mission to fix that!

Hola C Bright had great news too. He passed his vet check with flying colors. The vet was a track vet that came to the farm. He actually remembered him from his racing days! He told me he couldn't find anything in the flex test. He tested all four feet with hoof testers and he didn't flinch once. He has an old quarter crack which he said he really tested aggressively and came up with nothing. He mentioned he has a spot in each eye (each about the size of a pinhead) where the cornea is damaged probably from dirt flying into his eyes while racing. Having said that, he can see very well out of both eyes. His legs felt clean and because he flexed well, I said there's no need to x ray. The vet told me I'll be getting a very nice horse! I let out a "yahoo!" after the call. I'm so excited. Now we just need for his coggins to come back so he can ship and he'll be on his way to Traverse City.

Horse Shows By The Bay

No show for me this weekend. I decided against it. I was tired, needed to do work around the house before I left again this week and I wanted to get out to see the competition at Horse Shows By The Bay.

I did head out to the show and ran into my former hunter/jumper trainer who is based in the Detroit area. She used to train Toby and my niece. I showed her pictures of Toby and she couldn't believe how great he looked. I told her he's thriving in the dressage world. She was happy for both of us. I love catching up with my old riding friends. It's also cool to see them doing well and competing at high levels.

I hung around for the Grand Prix and shot photos. This one is my favorite shots because 1) the position of the horse and rider at the height of their jump and 2) the board in the background with the horse's name on it. It really looks as if they are flying!



Addison Phillips won the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix on Teirra. Addison is a New Yorker and currently a student at Harvard University. She was on the show Horse Power on Animal Planet.

The website for the show even has video of the winning rides from the Grand Prix's which is really fun to watch! I must point out the jumps on the course since they represent everything that is Traverse City - sailing, cherries, the outdoors, the great lakes and they even have a replica of the Mackinac Bridge.

I did get a call from Mantua Farm about Hola. He'll be checked out on Tuesday and I'll be making arrangements for him to head to Traverse City assuming there are no problems. I'm very excited about him. He'll probably arrive in Traverse City while I'm working the U.S. Senior Open which is ok. That'll give Toby time to like him before he realizes what is really going on. Toby has a jealousy streak a mile wide.

Lots going on! I'm heading back out to the show today and to do a little shopping, perhaps a new halter with a nameplate... :)

Finally, one of the local papers had another great write-up on Betsy VanDyke. Click here and go to page 16.