Planning for Tomorrow

MEGAN: Today, after feeding and turnouts, I was in charge of Simba (as usual) and Charlie Brown, a hunter. So, I did 2 stalls, changed lots of water, and then re-scooped for lunch in Mica’s barn because today was her day off. Before heading to the indoor to work Simba, we first enjoyed a walk with Jackie and Gino, two friends from the show. I had a nice chat and Simba seemed to enjoy (or at least tolerate) Gino’s company. After a slow warm up, Simba and I worked on simple changes, shoulder in to renvere to shoulder in, and mediums. During our walk breaks we also schooled walk pirouettes. Though I kept in mind being to the point in my ride, I still think I can be more effective. Tomorrow we will walk longer to prevent a slow warm up, which makes it difficult to get Simba really moving forward, and I will work on a) my core b) my half halts and c) doing everything the best we can the first time through to avoid drilling- and if we have to do it again, making a different mistake from the first time, also to avoid drilling. With these goals in mind I am looking forward to tomorrow! After bathing Simba and grazing for about 15 minutes I then headed to the office to do about three loads of laundry and get Softscrub to clean the bathroom in the hunter barn. I also took towels to all the barns, rescooped again in Mica’s barn, and cleaned saddles. Then I grazed Tawny for Annie while he dried, and tacked up Horse. I got to warm him up again today, and he felt much better than yesterday. When Annie got on him she said that he felt good, and said that I did a good job! Yay! After she finished with him I untacked, bathed, and grazed him. After cleaning in the hunter barn and in Mica’s tackroom and feedroom, as well as rescooping, I was all ready to go home. I then dusted the window sills downstairs at Lendon’s, then went to Sunnyfield to do a workout. Once I was done with that (in the 100% humidity-literally) I worked on putting pictures on my blog entries- I am quite impressed with how easy it was! After dinner and a shower I am off to read for the show- my goal is to get through 15 pages tonight. Goodnight!

SIMBA: Mom is digesting all of the information which is being thrown at her- finally. How hard can it be to make a horse go, ride them deep, and keep your ride short and packed with lots of different exercises? Apparently pretty difficult, if you are my mother. Oh, well. She’s figuring it out, even if it has taken her a month. I can feel her growing more confident in her abilities which is always nice as a teacher. Seeing a student grow and gain confidence and knowing that you have played an important in that development is very fulfilling. Makes all the mistakes I have to put up with worthwhile in a way. There is nothing like being a teacher!