Blood, Wine, and a Dress

So everyone was out catching Rapidash and I was all like... I need some Rainbow Dash in my life

So far so good and I LOVE IT!

Now for the horsie stuff. I don't think I mentioned it in my last post but my client that I ride for offered me a lesson with a guy named Eric. You know me, I usually wait until the last minute to look up who these crazy horse people are and well, this is what I got.

Eric Horgan

1976 Rolex... 1990 World Equestrian Games... Coaching... Training... Course Development...

You know all that cool stuff that I'm just learning about.

Pretty friggin' awesome if I do say so myself. I felt like a total badass. Picked up the horse trailer, parked it on my own, got a good night's sleep, and loaded up my horse all by my lonesome the next morning. 10 minutes on route, I call my super awesome friend Kate in a mini panic though... I forgot my girth. Ummm... "What?" you may say? I was so busy feeling all badass about loading up my horse solo that I forgot... Luckily, I had a super awesome friend Kate.

Showed up to my lesson on time, but he was early so the girl that boards at the barn went first. No problemo! Means I had time to breathe and unload my horse (who unloaded like a pro). Oh! And wait for my girth. K & lil H showed up followed closely behind by my Dad (he came too!). We were ready to rock and roll. I even tucked in my shirt again and slipped on my favorite C4 belt. Looked pretty Pro-Fresh! if I do say so myself. Brantley even had a matching ear bonnet that is still just a tad small.

He stood next to a rock and let me hop on and we walked into the ring to warm up with a smile on our face. Trotted one way, turned, started down the long side the other way and next thing you know he pulls a duck-tuck-spin and bolts across the arena. Apparently there was some bucking and leaping as well... Me being me, as my saddle started to slide off, I picked a spot and mumbled "I'm fucked" as I pick a spot along the rail and bail... Sad to say there are no pictures though :(

Anywho, laid there for a moment as my Dad came rushing over. But of course against everyone saying, "Stay down!" I got up, brushed myself off, and walked towards my horse. Eric's first words to me were, "Okay, you need to tell me about this horse." as I fixed my saddle and got back on (like a BOSS). I gave him the run down and let him know about what we've done so far this year but you obviously could see the doubt on his face... Well, we showed him... Bloody elbows and all.

Brantley worked so hard for me, I was so impressed by him. Eric made me feel like I was definitely on the right track and was on me with every little thing like looking into my circles and using my inside rein too much. The more he pushed, the harder I worked and he didn't let up. I loved it. It was perfect. He could tell right off the bat that I had a confidence issue with myself but a crazy love and trust for my horse. "This horse just chucked you across the arena, but you still have nothing bad to say about him." Which I don't. I told him my goals for Brantley is to make him as well-rounded and versatile as I can so that if something happened to me, I'd be able to hand him off and not worry about him going back to where he was. He completely appreciated that too. Plus, he was funny and made me laugh which helped me relax.

At the end he asked if I had any questions so I asked when he was coming back. He liked that and responded in the fall. On the way out he said not only that he looked forward to seeing us again, that we'd jump. Ummm... YES! Cloud 9! Blood, sweat, and maybe some inner tears always pays off.

Totally worth it!

Saturday morning came along and Kate and I were off to see Lauren for her 

Bachelorette WEEKEND!

I met a few pretty awesome girls this past weekend and even wore a dress for an entire day while enjoying a wine tasting tour. Not really my cup o' tea but let me tell you, I had a blast anyway. We had an amazing suite to ourselves that was a small barn away from the hotel. I wanted to move in and live there forever... and ever.

Of course, Brantley pulled another shoe while I was away after having one just put on so I couldn't ride when I got home but he popped it back on yesterday and we had a really awesome ride and worked on what we had learned Friday. It took him a bit to get into the groove of things especially because homework is definitely harder to do at home than anywhere else.

Having a new chiropractor come out that a client recommended to check him out on Friday. Then have to put out feelers for another recommended saddle fitter. Second opinions are always a good thing to get right? We stopped the Doxycycline and I started him on a new all around supplement so hopefully that will help his feet. Not sure if anyway has had long term issues before but I know with people it can affect hair and nail growth... We shall see. This shoe thing just needs to stop though.