The rain keeps pouring down and slowly the temperatures are dropping and the leaves on the trees are changing colors and flying off of the branches in the wind. This is absolutely my most favorite time of the year – “sweater weather” – or fall, or autumn, whatever you want to refer to it as, I love it! Windchase turns into a colorful picture on a postcard and if it would stop raining long enough to go out hacking and snap some pictures, I swear I will try and do it!
Heidi schooling "Sir Prancelot"
Fortunately it did stop raining long enough last weekend for us to enjoy a nice day at the Unrecognized starter horse trials at Loch Moy last weekend. Phyllis let me ride one of her youngsters, Reiver, in his first event and he won his Intro division and handled everything like a pro! He was very professional for a young four year old thoroughbred and is really going to turn into a nice ride. I was also given the ride on “Sir Prancelot”, a really cool four year old thoroughbred/draft cross gelding. Prance competed in the Elementary division for his first event and was super well behaved, finishing in 2nd place. He’ll go out at beginner novice next time out, now that we know how he will handle the show atmosphere!
Another total and complete random update I wanted to throw out there is a book recommendation for all of my horsey friends! I met the author while I was in Georgia at the American Eventing Championships and picked up a copy of her book “The Dressage Chronicles”. Having finally made the time to finish reading it, I have to say I was really impressed and enjoyed reading such an accurate portrayal of my horsey lifestyle! It is about a girl who signs on as a working student at a dressage barn, so needless to say, there were a lot of scenarios that felt a little too familiar for me! Check it out at http://www.thedressagechronicles.com or look for it on Amazon.com.
Tizi & Shandon at Windchase, 2008
Also, I have to give a HUGE shout out to Tiziana Billy Prem – Tizi came to Windchase as a working student the same week I did and we learned how to be working students together! Tizi came from Guatemala with her big palomino horse “Shandon” and she spent almost a year here improving her skills and competing Shandon. We attended the Waredaca Training 3-Day together and it was sad to see her head home. However, she has gone on to bigger and better things and is now representing her country at the Pan American games, so I have to wish her and Shandon the best of luck this weekend!
Great update, Heidi! What kind of cross is Prancelot? Is Tizi riding Shandon in the Pan Am games? I remember you talking about him. Do you have a picture of you riding Reiver?