Suzie's Journal

As is to be expected any day leaving for an event, I was very busy. I rode Penny to practice my test (good preggie pony ). I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually good. I mean good-good, not good-for-Penny-good. She was really soft and didn't rush the lengthenings or stretchies. She didn't break to trot while walking (silly hot TB mare). And, the add icing to the cake, she gave me a supple, soft, square halt. Good girl.

Eddie then got foo-fooed. He looks really cute...

SuZQuzie

I have to say, Ed is just blowing my mind lately. I believe I mentioned in the last post how I would be riding him for 1.5-2 hours a day just because it would take upwards of an hour to get him to settle enough that I could actually school him effectively. My trainer thought it was just because he was feeling so good since he was so fit. She had seen it in other horses that do eventually settle into their new job. Well, she was right.

Ed is now my dressage super star. Now, straight...

SuZQuzie

This weekend I'm going up to Twin Rivers Ranch for a Cross Training Derby with Eddie. He has been a bit of a pistol lately (yesterday I rode him for a solid two hours and he was still ready for more), but he was alot better today. It's mostly transitions - he will just resist threw them sometimes. Though his stretchy trot and free walk are doing ton better.

I had my first dressage lesson on Penny today. She was surprisingly really, really good for being my crazy hot Thoroughbred...

SuZQuzie

A week after the event I can finally write about it. Sorry to all those that we waiting patiently.

Dressage went okay... Ed was pretty darn fresh. If it wasn't 112*F+, I would have lunged him for sure, but I didn't want to tucker him out too much before even starting the event. I definitely learned my lesson: lunge before EVERY dressage round. We ended up with a 42 which I don't think is bad for a first dressage test ever on a jumper, but I feel that we could have done alot better....

SuZQuzie

Everyone is happy and fed here in Solvang, CA. Eddie is doing just fine with the heat so far, despite it being 105*F for the drive up and at the event grounds. He looks so snazzy with his mane all braided and no more whiskers.

Tomorrow morning I have to get up nice and event to feed, muck, and bathe Ed before our dressage test at 10:36am. I feel really good about it, though I think I'll go memorize it some more.

Wish me luck!

SuZQuzie