creative thinking

Oops, it's been a couple days, huh. Sorry! I somewhat unexpectedly ended up in Seattle this week. Not nearly the worst thing that can happen to a person (I <3 the PNW) - but it threw my schedule sliiiiiiightly out of whack. 

Which is maybe possibly a blessing in disguise. Or a deus ex machina intervention. For... reasons. 

that winning feeling?

Being somewhat purposefully vague here, things are not going well with the jumping. And I need to do some serious assessment. And reassessment. Evaluation. Etc. Those words. Lots of it. 

Part of this revolves around the non-refundable entry that's already committed to Jenny Camp this weekend. And part of it revolves around sending in any other entries. While I was busy waffling about the final HT of Loch Moy's spring series in two weeks, the show filled up and entries closed. In a way, I'm relieved. That decision (likely the correct one anyway) was made for me. 

majestic mare is majestically lit

For Jenny Camp... ugh, I think we will go. The show is local and held by my favorite organization the MCTA, trainer P will be there (for those curious, she's participating in this decision process and will tailor our lesson the day prior specifically to our needs), and worse comes to worst, I can just scratch at the last minute. The money is gone anyway, ya know? 

Oh, and they pin dressage separately, so there's still a chance for some satin... (ridiculous tho that may be)

Other areas of assessment include the saddle situation. I'm pretty much donezo with the K&M. Even tho our rides haven't necessarily improved with the Bates, I feel WORLDS better in the saddle. 

such majesty

In fact - I'll take it a step further: at least at the 2'6" level (and honestly, pretty much at 2'9" and 3'), my confidence is recovering in a big way. 

It's weird tho - the recovery isn't bc I'm remembering that it's nbd and that it's all easy peasy and I had nothing to worry about in the first place... No. Um. Worries are valid right now (ask me how I know...). Rather, it's recovering by necessity. I *NEED* to be committed to the fences and to the ride bc Isabel needs literally every single ounce of support I can offer her. 

Anyway, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about the Bates. Isabel was much less sore after switching the gullet plate out to a medium wide last fall and padding it up, so fingers crossed I can keep her comfortable here. 

trying to keep this partnership on the rails

Also, turns out her Lyme levels are elevated again this year so she's on Doxy again (for the... 3rd or 4th time at this point). Is it possible that the Lyme was responsible for some of the soreness we had been seeing? Maybe yes. But it's not quite time yet to call that case closed. 

There are a couple other areas under consideration too that are more frustrating, bc they get into the areas that are beyond my jurisdiction, so to speak, as the horse's leaser and not owner. 

So yea. We are in a creative thinking phase right now. Sorry this is so vague - I do actually have more details (and at least one hilarious photo) to share from recent rides. I just want to be thoughtful about writing it up, and that takes some time. Patience, y'all!