Thursday, May 3, 2007

Thursday, May 3rd
Happy Birthday Mom and Drake!
We rode outside today and Solo was his usual outside. Our flat warmup was no nonsense and quick. We trotted figure 8s then we cantered them doing simple changes. After a few little Xs we moved on to a one stride. It was an X then a vertical, which looked to be about two feet high! After it Solo really wanted to GO! He was stretching out and moving very fast. We put it together with a real course, and I was scared that I wouldn't remember where to go. I found it's a lot easier when you are going around then when you're sitting there looking at it. I was trying to remember when to hold him and when to let him go but the truth is he was just going so fast the whole time was mostly instinct. Collecting, slowing, and waited and got him to not take half strides. Since they were all diagonal planks and stuff there was no specific number of strides that I was trying to get but I still counted his rhythm.

After I asked Ariel about shows and she said I could go! There is one in June but it's a 3 day show and she estimated after transport, entry, etc. fees it would be about $700. There is also one in August that is only about $200 because it is local and just one day. It's Fields and Fences. I have to save up but Mom says that she might buy my coat. Ariel said anyway they may excuse coats because it would be so hot but I need to buy a coat anyway because I plan on going to other shows. I want the R. J. Classics grey with teal and blue plaid because it looks awesome and tailored with only little alteration. Dover just started carrying it, and on horsetackresale.com people rate even the $190 wool version very high, up there with elite by grand prix and the top of the line RJ coat up with GP. I have my too big ariat breeches that I think I'll wear anyway and the too short, too wide, slippry devon aire crap tall boots. I'll have to buy some sadl-tight or whatever that grippy material is. At least those fit me in the feet. My helmet will look great.