Return from Vacation


After spending a blissful week in Michigan with my family, I have returned to the world of ponies, barn life, and work.  Michigan was awesome. Minus the lack of ponies. But I did get to check out a sweet tack store in Grand Rapids.

Saturday was a horse show day!
Leo doesn't go to shows yet because he doesn't know very much about the show life, but I got to take two of my favorite greenies!

Griffin (show name Lofty Dreams) is an 11 year old ASB.  Physically, he is more than capable of jumping 2'6+, but mentally he doesn't do great at shows.  We tried a 2'6 show about a month ago and didn't make it through the warmup without a full-on meltdown, so this time my trainer had us go back to basics.  And we survived! We had some of the fastest crossrails rounds ever (maybe someday he'll make it as a jumper!) but aside from the speed we did really well.  No meltdowns occurred this time around, and hopefully after another show at the crossrails level we'll be able to start jumping real courses and real jumps without his sweet bird brain exploding!

so thrilled with himself <3

Dragonslayer!
Dragon (show name Dragonslayer, which I came up with) is my favorite pony of all time, ever.  He has been jumping for about a year, and started showing in March (ish).  He is in the 2' division right now because of his tendency to slow down and leap enormously at fences, but he's improved by miles and will hopefully be ready to move up soon!  He was a rockstar on Saturday, winning Champion of the crossrails division with another rider and Reserve Champion in our division.  I was/am so incredibly proud of him!

He was less enthused about the picture
All in all, it was a super fun (if exceptionally long) show day!

On the Leo front, we had an exceptionally successful lesson on Monday.  I was nervous since I had been gone for a week, but he was forward and enthusiastic, with no rearing or going sideways!  I'm testing out a Herm Sprenger Novocontact bit, and I don't know if that had anything to do with how well he did or not, but his head was down for 90% of the lesson which is the best it's ever been.  Very proud of him as well. Work was too hectic to work him the last few days, but I'm hoping to get a ride in tomorrow.  I'm excited to see how he feels. 

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