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.

This week I am trying to get my Ocala vet, Dr. Evans, here Monday or Tuesday to give Deacon a good once over to see if we can figure out what stopped him during his run this weekend.

Tuesday I’m riding Whistler with Leslie Law in an ICP symposium, doing cross country work. We’ll try to get some of the session video taped and post it. Also supposed to be taking horses to the aqua-tred at KESMARC, but since that tragedy there, I don’t know if they’re open so need to look into that. (BTW, prayers go out to everyone concerned with that sad event.)

The rest of the week is gonna hinge on what we discover with Deacon and probably just be work and ride as usual. More later….

Next out for the day was Deacon for his cross country. He was pawing a bit in the trailer when I went to get him out to tack him up, which isn’t like him; but at the time I didn’t think too much about it. We tacked up and headed for warm up. His first few steps of trot in warm-up didn’t feel quite right. I checked his shoes and tack adjustments. Then Leslie watched him as I picked a trot back up and then cantered over a few jumps. He seemed fine at that point. Was jumping well warming up so we headed to the start box. I had decided if he didn’t feel right, I would pull up and save him for his run at Pine Top in a couple of weeks. But he started the course great. He ran well, all the way up to jump 21, which was a similar combination as the one where we had our fall last year at the Fork. I made up my mind to keep our rhythm and not overthink the combination, but for some reason (me, Deke, what???) he ran out at the second elemen, a skinny toothbrush. We set up and tried again, but had another. So we called it a day and headed back for the trailer. He again didn’t seem quite right unsaddling him, seemed to want to keep walking, almost seemed a little colic-y. So walked him more and kept a close eye on him–he just wasn’t really himself, but finally settled and seemed OK. I had only a short time to get Finn ready for his run, so put Deke back in the trailer and kept an eye on him.

Finn got ready to go and we headed for start. He put in an awesome run. It was a very big and technical course, and he really rocked around it. The flags had been knocked over at the same skinny toothbrush where Deke had stopped and the crew hadn’t had time to get them back up yet; as I approached it I was a bit concerned with no flags to help Finn understand the question. He hestitated a bit but figured it out and saved the day!

Finny climbed up the standings after his double-clear XC round and ended the day in 11th place.

Last up was Whistler for his showjumping. He was a good boy, but really needs bigger jumps! He just barely canters over the Novice-sized jumps. Next trial he moves up to Training. He had one rail today, but only dropped one place, so is now standing in 5th.

Tomorrow only Whistler goes for his cross country run, so it will be an easy day. More tomorrow…

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…

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….

Finny ran in the I/P division, starting in something just a touch easier for him since he hasn’t competed since last July and then going through his illness and comeback. I was so happy with every phase. On Friday, he did dressage and showjumping. His dressage test was nice and steady, he was such a good boy. His showjump round was great–he jumped really well; again steady, controlled, and big. Just had one rail. He ended the day in 3rd place. Then on Saturday, he ran cross country. He was absolutely foot perfect. He moved up the standings and ended in FIRST place. I am so thankful he came through everything last year and is doing so well.

Whistler was also a good boy this weekend at just his second competition ever. He had a nice dressage test and jumped around showjumping clean on Saturday and was in 5th place. He then ran XC Sunday. Was was clean there too; he was brave to all the jumps, but sure took some good looks at the jump judges! So he finished on his dressage score in 5th place. What a good boy.

Deacon didn’t compete this weekend: he’ll do his first in a couple of weeks.

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.

Monday was the day for getting organized, buying grain and groceries (food for all of us!), having a nice dinner out and then getting to bed early after essentially being up for 36 hours straight.

Tuesday all the boys had a light hack around the farm and I worked on getting them all clipped and cleaned up. On Wednesday, I took Deke and Finn over for a lesson with Leslie Law. Unfortunately it was a very rainy day all day long. I got my lesson in with Finn (he was incredible; feels so good!!), but the rain just wouldn’t let up and it got too slick to continue with Deke’s lesson.

Thursday Whistler had his first cross country school at Longwood. He was great. A bit hesitant at first at the water, but quickly overcame his reluctance and then seemed to enjoy it. By the end of the school, he was really getting into a nice rhythm to the jumps. I was pleased with his progress. He needs to build up his strength and stamina, but who doesn’t after living in the cold and wet of Ohio for the last couple of months. Thursday afternoon I had to run my mom to the airport so she could head back north–back to the chores around the barn at home. Then that afternoon I started working for Ronald Zabala. I’m going to help him out with his horses in the afternoons; earn a little extra money and keep myself busy.

Fi has been having a ball running free, chasing squirrels and playing with other dogs on the property. She’s gonna be “buff” in a few weeks! But she sure sleeps well at night.

Do have a new client horse at the barn right now–a big Appendix gelding, Chaser. He’s really starting to learn his job and tries very hard to figure things out. I think he’s got lots of potential as an eventer.

Good news is that I got a new (used) truck: a little bigger than my old one (thanks, Dad!). This time a Dodge 3500 dually! Now I’m ready to pull a bigger trailer in the future (when I can afford a bigger trailer)! It was time to give up the Ford truck while it was still sellable!

And good news is that Finny continues to do great after his Potomac/laminitis episode this summer. He’s back to jumping big (at least as much as we can in this cold and wet weather) and he’s working on stuff for advanced dressage tests (flying changes, etc.) since we hope to move up this coming year. I am so grateful that he came through his illness so well.

Good news is that Deke went down to visit Dr. Peters at Hagyard to get a good once-over since he didn’t seem to want to jump at the last trial we did this year. Dr. Peters was quite pleased with his condition. We did hock and stifle injections, but he seemed very healthy otherwise. He feels better already; moving free-er and stepping under himself better. So he should be good to go this year–whatever “go” we might be able to do. Not quite yet sure of winter/spring plans–which leads me to the not so good news:

Not so good news is that times are tough right now. I am not even sure I will make it to Florida this winter. Trying to sell a horse or two to help fund Florida; if not, I may have to stay home for the winter. Which also means the “big one” in Kentucky won’t be possible for Deke and I, and which means he’ll be up for sale also. It will be a huge disappointment after all the work and the qualifications reached to get to Kentucky, but sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do to survive this business.