spring: just not that into us

Thank you everyone for sharing so many great insights about how you have made a longer commute or demanding job work in harmony with your riding habit. I'm very optimistic about how it will all work out!

But, in the meantime, this weekend has been chock-full of fun shenanigans. We're trying to fit it all in since I will possibly be less in control of my schedule for the next month (or three haha).

So we're really trying to make it worth it. And the weather opted to cooperate a little bit, then  not at all - much like the cats above and below lol.

Yesterday started off raaaaaainy and kinda icky, but turned sunny and warm just in time for our jump lesson at OF. But today is collllllllddddd and WINDY. With actually a wintry mix coming down last night. Wtf Spring, you are drunk!

Anyway, the lesson somehow surprised me by being held out on the xc field, even tho that had been the plan last week.... The surprise was two-fold: I was unprepared and didn't have my helmet camera handy (damn!), and was also, ya know, terrified. 

Not even mild terror this time, more like... idk, I kinda wanted to barf. Or cry. My heart was beating in my throat the ENTIRE ride - right up until the moment trainer P declared us finished for the day. At which point, I could finally FINALLY relax a little bit. 

Of course I'll have much more to write about the ride later (but alas, such limited media, the travesty!). Suffice it to say, tho, that I was smiling pretty big by the time we hacked back to the trailers. And now, upon reflection, I feel REALLY good about it.

The mare is GOOD, guys. She is a cool horse. And I'm still managing to make decent enough riding decisions despite my terror such that she can make it happen. Plus trainer P is awesome. With a team like this, I essentially have no choice but to feel better.

Anyway. The major change in weather overnight could be somewhat problematic for the rest of our weekend plans: another dressage schooling show today. We learned at Loch Moy last fall that trying to get the horse pulled together and fancy prancing right after schooling xc was ... a struggle lol. Add in the drop in temps and high wind and we will just have to see what we get.

We're gonna give it a go tho! I'll be riding Training B and Prelim A, tho I'm still undecided whether I'll sit the prelim test or not (yes I know it's required, but it's a schooling show so... ehhhh haha). My current plan is to try to make it happen - but it'll depend on how our warm up goes and whether Isabel is cold backed or tight or anything, or whether she can "give me a place to sit," as they say. 

We shall see! Hopefully everyone has a great weekend!