Category Archives: Florida!

Finally getting a chance to upload the video from Whistler’s session in the ICP Symposium cross country schooling with Leslie. Whistler did a good job and got lots of praise from Leslie.

Dr. Evans from Petersen & Smith came Tuesday and Wednesday to check Deacon out. Wednesday he brought the ultrasound so we could take a closer look at his suspensory/pastern area to be sure all looked well–which it did. No fiberous changes in the tendons; just the swelling/fluid. So we think he got some major boot rubs, especially since we had to stud and boot him so early since I had the 4 rides in 3 hours. So getting some anti-inflammatories and a couple days rest, and hopefully he’ll be back to normal. Dr. Evans will come again Monday to check again. And I’m trying to find some boots that will protect him during cross country, but will be easier on his legs–he’s such a sensitive guy!!

Today is just a normal day of work for Finny and Whistler. Then I gotta run some errands.

On Thursday, Deke had a great showjump lesson over at lessons in preparation for the weekend competition. Then both boys went to KESMARC to have a turn in the aqua-tred.

Today was the first day of competition at Ocala Horse Trials. Both Deke and Finny did dressage and showjumping today. Deke had an OK dressage test–first one since last October; a bit rusty, but at least we got that first one of the season over with. Finny was a bit tense in his test; had some really nice moments, but some goofy ones too. Deacon had a clean showjump round and was a good boy. I was pretty happy with his round. With Finny, since his dressage test left him down in the standings, I decided to run his showjump round as a schooling round, to really work on his rhythm and keep him from trying to take over and not run at the jumps. So we had a couple of rails, but hopefully got some good teaching moments in.

Deacon made a big jump in the standings: went from 12th after dressage to 5th after showjumping! Tomorrow’s cross country course looks quite big and technical. It will be a good, tough test for both boys.

Whistler starts his competition tomorrow with his dressage and showjumping. After this, he’ll move up to Training for his next competition.

More tomorrow…

Staying pretty busy around here. I’ve been taking the boys to the KESMARC facility here in Ocala twice a week for the aqua-tred–trying to get them nice and fit. They seem to be enjoying it. Finny particularly seems to really be getting into it; he looks so happy on the treadmill! And they’re both getting quite fit as they also have to work under saddle on the days they do the aqua-tred. Hopefully Deacon will continue at advanced/3* this year (maybe more?!?!) and Finn will move up to advanced too, so they both need to be in great condition.

This weekend Finny and I did a jumping clinic with Jimmy Wofford. It’s been many years since I’ve done lessons with Jimmy. Finny and I had a good time. Saturday was jumping gymastics and grids and Sunday was cross country. We really worked on keeping Finn quiet after the jumps. He stays quiet to the jump but tends to get excited after landing, so got some help and suggestions for that. He did some pretty tough combinations on Sunday in the XC clinic; but he was awesome (and exhausted after it was over)! Jimmy said he really like him and thought he had a lot of talent. Yay, Finny.

Ocala Horse Trials this weekend for all three boys: Finn and Deke will both run Intermediate, Whistler Novice. The rest of this week will be preparing the boys for their competition. So more to come….

Yeah, Fiona looking all sweet and quiet. She’s really a terror here around the farm sometimes: recently chasing the guinea hens and turkeys Joe Watkins keeps here. The guinea hens are funny though–they’re not scared of her when she barks at them and tries to chase them, they just stand their ground and look at her like she’s nuts. Then, of course, I had to chase her down so she’d leave them alone; she knew I was mad at her and just headed back to the barn to hang out there and stay out of trouble. I think she was mad at me from Sunday, when she had to stay at the house most of the day cause the show was going on all day here and I was helping out.

More details from the unrecognized trial here at Longwood on Sunday. It was a very busy day, but a successful one for Longwood and it’s owners. I helped out all day: running around with Joe Watkins and helping finish up the XC course, and then running around with Betsy to get other things organized. Then I did some XC jump judging, helped at the start box, and also helped at the finish timer. Betsy and Joe threw a big dinner and party that night for all the competitors: lots of good food and a good time.

Monday the boys just went on their usual Monday hack after their Sunday off. Thomas was here at Longwood XC schooling with his new owner, Conor. They were having a lesson with Phillip Dutton. The group had a couple of advanced horses in it. Thomas’ was doing everything those advanced horses were doing. He looked great! I was proud of him. I’ll miss how fun he is to run XC! Monday night I went with some friends to my favorite little Mexican restaurant at the back of a little Hispanic market: Pepe’s! Good stuff.

Today Whistler did flat work and I rode both Deke and Finn in XC schools with Leslie. They were both great: Finny was particularly awesome. I am so happy with how he’s come back after his illness and all the time off last year. I’m excited for this coming weekend: both Whistler and Finny will head to Rocking Horse for their first trial. Deacon’s first run will be in a couple of weeks, but the other guys will have fun running this weekend.