holding my breath

I have about a million thoughts rattling around in my brain right now. Possibly the result of getting through my actual work a little too quickly this week, while simultaneously needing to lie low bc of the latest snow storm. Too much free time for an idle mind!

Typically, in the past I'd take advantage of this little blog platform to spew forth all those random ideas and thoughts and plans and wishes and what not. Lately, tho, I'm finding myself more hesitant and reluctant to commit words to paper blog.

this is goose

I'm not a superstitious person by nature tho. Maybe a titch cynical in the grand scheme of things, but still pretty hopelessly optimistic in my horsey endeavors. Which makes it a little odd that I'm nervous about even whispering about our show this weekend.

Because.... Oh yea, we're entered in a show this weekend. If you were paying attention to my Events Page you'd know that, bc I keep that page pretty updated to help my friends and me stay organized. But I haven't written much else about it.

goose is a big boi lol. and he loves him some sunshine

The entry was sent in a while back, along with some of those other cross derby entries. Back when I had every reason to believe Charlie would be sound again in plenty of time. Luckily, as of my last time checking him (fingers crossed, touching wood) he is, in fact, sound. The "plenty of time" bit wasn't quite what I'd hoped for but.... well. It is what it is.

he's sweet and clever too, tho i definitely feel better about being in close proximity since he got his tusks off haha

The reality is that Charlie's been in very regular work throughout the winter, and has been doing fantastically. Obviously February and early March were a bit of a wash bc of that whole nail business.... But we still managed quite a bit of hacking in between abscesses. And the horse gets pretty extensive daily turnout so.... Ya know. He's probably fine.

one of my favorite views <3

We're entered in the BN at Loch Moy, one of my favorite all time venues. Charlie's been there a number of times already, and competed thru their full spring series last year as he made his eventing debut. Notably, however, we still haven't technically gotten to do BN there before.

wandering around the farm, per usual

Our competitions last year were all at intro/elementary, which hold stadium and cross country in separate areas so those divisions can run concurrently with BN. By summertime I was looking longingly across the fields to the main xc course, eager for our chance to get out there.

Alas, tho, as you already know our fall season had barely begun before it ended early for Charlie's splint extravaganza and resulting surgery.

saying hi to some of the ponies

Finally, it's looking like we'll get our opportunity this weekend. Tho, haha.... I guess anything is possible between now and then. Not least of my concerns is the snow storm Maryland just got, tho the venue is confident the grounds will be ready to go in time.

The weekend's forecast looks mostly promising, but with just enough sketchiness to keep us obsessively checking every few hours lol.

this farm is literally crawling with shetlands

And naturally I worry about our general readiness, as might be imagined. Literally zero aspects of our riding or fitness right now are where I wanted to be. I think it's ok tho. I think it'll be fine.

Obviously there are zero expectations in the dressage ring, beyond hoping that Charlie will be more or less the same horse he is at home. And he's usually a pretty reliable guy. I'll be pleased if we end up with a middle-of-the-pack performance, but unsurprised if we are bringing up the rear instead.

honestly i'm not sure anybody even knows exactly how many there are. but it's a lot haha. they're very sweet tho!

The jumping parts I also feel pretty realistic about in terms of expectations. Charlie did something like 8 million grids this winter (only a slight exaggeration). While he's had some unexpected time off since then, the two times I've jumped him since The Nail made me believe he remembers those grid sessions. His muscle memory is developing.

Sure, I'm still 100% fully capable of missing a distance to spectacular result lol, and won't be surprised if we have one / a few rails. But the idea of 2'6 stadium round with Charlie feels pretty comfortable right now. Ditto the xc course, most of which Charlie schooled in the arena in January.

charlie for his part seems pretty cool with all the other critters

And, per usual at these schooling shows, nothing is timed. So if Charlie needs to trot or walk on course, or pause for a sip at the water.... That's all totally kosher. As is bowing out should he feel like he doesn't have it in him, tho again I expect him to be fine.

So ya know. Yea. I think the riding parts should probably be fine. Honestly the only thing I'm really nervous about is.... being disappointed again. Something happening to ruin the day, whether that's a weather-related cancellation or a soundness problem with Charlie, or something else I haven't even dreamed up as a possibility yet.

he keeps an ear on goose tho, just in case lol

Bc otherwise I'm pretty freakin excited. For all of it.

Excited to condition all my tack and boots. To wash Charlie's tail and groom him to sparkling. To pack the trailer and set out my clothes the night before. To pull up the venue's long driveway and feel the butterflies begin fluttering. To walk my courses and finally swing into the saddle for our rides. And most of all? I'm so so so excited to cross a finish line with Charlie again.

Charlie is everything I dreamed of in an eventing partner, and feels poised for a big 2018. Anything is possible, sure, but cross your fingers for me that this weekend gives us the chance to get back out there and enjoy kicking off the season!!

And in the meantime I'll be going through all my little pre-show rituals and routines. Checking my list and cleaning things up. What are some of your favorite things to do in preparation for a show? Especially if it's been a while? Have you even dusted your stuff off for the season yet or will it still be a little while before your own opening event?