schooling with the masters

I’ve continued along with my bi-weekly dressage lessons with Trainer C, and have since had two more lessons with her homebred Shep. 

This horse is such a character — will apparently eat literally anything, including rubber feed pans, blanket buckles, and even his own brushing boots, right off his legs. But he’s a massive sweetie, and insanely generous under saddle.

Shep has an extremely sweet face <3

I believe he’s schooled most of the way through 3rd level, minus the changes, and is confirmed enough in all the things to basically carry my ignorant ass through some pretty cool movements — most of which have been firsts for me. 

he’s also prettttttty fancy

For example, in our lesson a few weeks ago, we rode proper dressage-y walk pirouettes, which was interesting bc I’d literally just scribed a couple 2nd level tests the weekend prior and that’s one of those ‘make or break’ movements in the tests, it seems. 

And, we practiced the three loop canter serpentines, with canter-walk-canter simple changes of lead over center line. It was somewhat hilarious too, bc while Charlie was a walk-canter savant, we never quite perfected the canter-walk. 

forgot to bring my tall boots home with me from the barn, and felt underdressed riding such a nice boy in just my country boots!

So when Shep just like… walked, immediately, my brain straight up buffered for a second like, uh, now what? At which point Shep sorta nudged me, as if to say, “Psst — it’s time to canter again!” And then struck off on the new lead, ready to repeat again for the next loop. Wild stuff, guys LOL. 

holy crap, emma’s riding a half pass!

In this most recent lesson — from which trainer C actually nabbed some trot work on video, omg! — we practiced more lateral stuff, including leg yields (familiar territory), but also half pass, a first for me. 

Obvi I’ll be the first to admit that I can’t really walk and chew gum at the same time, and that’s a bit of what riding these movements feels like to me. And it’s clear to see in the video that our angles are a little wobbly, change of bend a little rough, rider position slightly wonky haha. 

look ma, we did it again!

But we did it!! Possibly bc Shep just knows the drill, knows the routine, might even be literally voice trained (lol), what a good boy!

We also did some shoulder in — something that actually I did work on with both Isabel and Charlie, and that Doozy has edged toward with simpler exercises like shoulder fore etc. But obvi Shep is a bit, er, next level in his schooling compared to my animals haha, and it was really cool getting the right feeling. 

literally no idea what i’m doing but there Shep goes in a shoulder in!

Bc naturally, being such a good and generous horse, he was willing to humor me even in my muddled and nonsensical aids, which occasionally directed him to just drift wildly away from the wall, or happily cruise around with his haunches on a completely different track, bc that’s what his pilot said* to do! (*unintentionally, oops haha). 

SI the other way too

Not on video but part of the lesson was a bit more canter work, particularly with a little collection and counter canter. I’m actually sad to not have video too bc it personally felt really informative for me. Like, both Charlie and Doozy have (had, in Charlie’s case, sob) quite nice canters naturally. Our issues in that gait aren’t for lack of talent on their part. 

With Shep, I needed to think about not driving so much, letting him maintain his own canter, and even trying to collect and contain it a bit — but with my thighs, not hands. Bc tightening with my hands tightens everything up my arms into my shoulders, making it harder to have a following contact and more likely that the reins would slip longer. And the longer my reins got, the lower he got up front, the more strung out, etc etc, a vicious cycle.

video of our trot work — with literally the most generous horse haha

So I needed to be thinking about holding and collecting it together with thighs, not hands, and not driving, but also maintaining enough forward support bc he was likeliest to break gait when it was hardest (ie, when he was most connected collected and on the aids). 

And meanwhile, all of this was made easier if I could hold my position taller and more upright, and really sit deep in the saddle — a feeling that was surprisingly easy on Shep (and yet another reason why I wish there was video so I could see if it looked the way it felt). 

just an unassuming dreamboat, nbd

So far, these lessons have really been an incredible experience. Almost like Trainer C is kinda just throwing us into the ‘dressage gauntlet,’ letting me try my hand at all these fancy movements bc she knows that 

1) her horses are confirmed beyond my ability to screw them up in a single hour, and 

2) they are the most perfect teachers bc they are just so reliable in their responses to the aids. 

Whether the aid is intentional or otherwise, they give a clear predictable response. If I’m gripping but then I release? Immediate change in the horse. If I’m a bit muddled but giving the basic gist of the right aid? They go forth and do the thing. The more I refine, the more crisp they become. 

It’s hard to tell how much will actually translate to Doozy when we’re back at it. Old habits die hard, ya know? But so far, the biggest takeaway for me is that I actually can deliver a good clear aid and release, I am able to do more or less the ‘right’ thing, and maybe the next step for Doozy will be actually giving her a little more trust and breathing room, to give her space to become reliable and predictable in her responses too. Maybe, lol.

jonesin for a fix

The events calendar is really picking up around Maryland — something about the month of May, there’s usually at least 2-3 different equestrian activities either day of every weekend.

another blingy dark bay!

I’d originally planned for our next show to be two weekends* ago, so this weekend was penciled in for getting an early start on volunteer requirements. Year end awards at both my local riding clubs require at least 8 volunteer hours specifically to the benefit of each club (vs hours logged at any random show). Esp with the DVCTA, whose hosted shows can be slightly farther away, this can take more advance planning.

(*Fortunately even tho my entry was submitted and it was post-close date already when Doozy had her accident, the secretary hadn’t actually processed the entry yet and let us ‘pretend it didn’t happen.’ So nice of her, and so nice to not be out that entry on top of everything else!) 

my poorly framed shot doesn’t do this sweet dressage court + judge’s gazebo justice, it’s a lovely place for a schooling show!

Last year I signed up to scribe the morning shift at a dressage show without checking the address first, only to discover it was a nearly 2hr drive from home, oof. It all worked out in the end, but I don’t want to have to do that again! 

Luckily this weekend a venue only about 45min from home needed a scribe for the morning. So I got to knock out the first 4hrs for the DVCTA, scribing for a lovely judge while getting to watch some extremely pleasant tests. Everything from kids on ‘been there, done that’ school masters, to adult ammies on beloved homebreds, to higher level contenders looking to put some polish on before heading out to a recognized show.

audited a fun local clinic!

And the timing worked out perfectly that I was able to cruise down the road right after to watch my new friend Murray and his person ride in a dressage clinic with another well respected local professional!

I’ve actually tried to ride with this trainer a couple times, actually had already secured a clinic spot with him two winters ago when Doozy’s weird hoof bruising issue first started and we had to scratch… He’s got a really positive and encouraging approach while also really focusing on correct posture and alignment in horse and rider. So it was fun getting to watch my new friends go with him!

ok ok back to that sweet blingy dark bay — meet Milliner!

After all that, tho, I admit to feeling a little sad and demoralized about the situation with Doozy. Like, part of why I love volunteering and auditing clinics and all that is that it’s just straight up inspiring, ya know? Makes me eager to get back to the barn and go riding, right??

Obvi I still went straight to the barn after to see Doozy, and we had a nice time grooming and all that… But you know what I mean. It’s not the same. 

not quite as blingy as Calvin, but still extremely handsome!

Fortunately, my barn manager was completely understanding when I sent her a desperate plea text later on, and one thing led to another, and the very next day I got to spend some quality time with lesson horse Milliner! 

I don’t know him very well, don’t really know anything about him, actually, except that he’s one of those sort of typical ageless TB geldings. And he’s got basically the best possible “if you’re going to be a lesson horse, this is the kind of lesson horse you want to be” gig. He’s slightly too advanced for the typical once-a-week lesson kiddo, so he doesn’t get used a ton. It’s mostly adult students who ride him (and ideally take leases on him) or good riding boarder kids if one of their horses is laid up. 

tried to get a majestic ‘look of eagles’ shot with the buttercups background, didn’t quite succeed LOL

He’s apparently in between leases at the moment, tho, and could benefit from more regular work. Tho, as I learned when I hopped on for our first little “get to know you” session, they really did mean it in the purest form. Milliner is a good boy, he doesn’t need any tuning, he doesn’t “need work” in the “needs miles” sort of way. 

Rather, just like any of us — actually, just like me! — it’s good to just stay in a routine. Sounds like a win-win, right? Here’s hoping haha. Our first little ride was lovely and low key and exactly what I needed <3

no ‘look of eagles’ from this one either … 

Doozy, for her part, is doing more or less quite well. I’ll probably do a more thorough update later… tho mostly just to get all the various pictures off my phone bc there isn’t a whole lot of actual ‘updating’ to do. These things just take the time they take.

poor bored mare… she’s so demanding!

And in the meantime, my sweet beloved little chaos engine is… Well. Chaotic. Literally not more than 3 minutes after I snapped the above little video, as I stood there rolling up her stable bandages, standing right there with her… she managed to pick the whole ass grooming bay mat up with her foot (knocking over the trashcan in the process, natch), spooked, broke the cross ties, and got loose AGAIN. 

Like. Mare. WHY tho?? Ugh, sigh. Fortunately she’s pumped full of trazodone, plus her best friesian friend was standing right outside the doorway hand grazing, so she opted to just stop and stand there all sad with her cross ties dangling, rather than bolt off into the sunset again.

ridiculous critter, glaring incredulously at a saddle pad drying in the sunlight.
“hOw DaRe.” — doozy, presumably

So ya know. Never a dull moment, I guess! The sooner we can get this mare healthy and back to normal, the better!! And in the meantime, it seems like some pieces are coming together to keep getting that saddle time I so desperately crave… Thank god for the Milliners of the world!

buncha big ol’ brown boys

It’s obviously been a bit quiet around these parts lately while Doozy works on just getting better. In the meantime, tho, I’ve reached out to a few friends and connections to see what sort of opportunities might be out there.

Shep!!! literally the sweetest lil pac-man* horse
(*will apparently eat literally anything + everything, including blanket buckles and rubber feed pans)

It’s a tricky subject bc I don’t really have a clear timeline for Doozy, and obviously I’m still spending just as much time with her as usual — just, ya know, slightly different activities lol. 

So there isn’t exactly a horse shaped hole in my schedule just waiting to be filled (or my budget, for that matter…). But ya know… I still want to ride. 

sadly no riding pics from our lesson together, but he was just as delightful and nicely schooled as Calvin below!

Tho, not quite in the desperate chaotic hustle of the summer between when things were ending with Isabel, but before I got Charlie. Idk how many readers would remember that, but I was definitely a bit desperate about finding horses to ride, potentially to lease or buy, but with a bit of a chip on my shoulder. 

I felt like I had something to prove after things went south with Isabel, and was determined to keep riding at a high level, keep jumping 3’, doing all the things, even as my riding frequency (and fitness) fell off a cliff. 

Murray!! in an absolutely drop dead gorgeous indoor surprisingly close to home for me

And as a result, I ended up falling off a bunch of horses and getting fairly well knocked around. Like, sure, I was also able to sit on some very nice horses… but the net result was a bit of a hit to the confidence. I’m… not super inclined to repeat that experience again!

it’s quite a handsome neck to stare at <3

Lucky for me, the universe has been kind and a couple really delightful opportunities have arisen: Primarily through trainer C, who took immediate pity on me when I tried to cancel our standing bi-weekly lesson schedule, and insisted that I ride her horses instead. 

Calvin!!

And another local trainer whom I’ve known for years connected me with one of her students, who also has a very nice TB gelding Murray, who could use a slightly fuller work schedule.

lots of pictures bc trainer C was kind enough to indulge me with some video <3

I got to meet up with Murray and crew to watch them go in a lesson last weekend, during which they let me hop on and try out all the gears. 

we all already knew that *I’m* the problem in cantering, but Calvin helped me as much as he could!

And with trainer C, I got to ride one of her homebreds Shep a couple weeks ago, and then her former campaigner Calvin more recently. 

flashy pony!

And it’s been super interesting (and fun!) sitting on these different horses! I’ve more or less been a “one-horse” kinda rider for… Ya know, about a decade LOL

“Goin sideways, ma’am!” — Calvin

And for better or worse, that “one horse” (well, two, but you know what I mean — one at a time) was picked up after retiring from the track, and restarted and trained exclusively by yours truly. 

I’ll be the first to admit: I can get a horse going, and I thoroughly enjoy the process of learning and growing together, with enough patience to be satisfied with whatever time that takes. 

“Goin lengthen, ma’am!”

But it’s just a reality that there’s kinda a limit to how nicely schooled my horses can become. Like, they’re never going to learn more than what I know, right? They’re always going to reflect holes or weaknesses in my own education. 

this horse knows his job and is happy to do it!

So it’s such a treat having a chance to take lessons on these professionally trained schoolmasters! Especially taking that lesson with trainer C, who knows the horses inside and out — to the point where she can observe from the opposite end of the ring that my outside leg (which, obvi, is invisible to her) is misbehaving bc the horse is tattling LOL!

wheeee!

It already feels super valuable in terms of things I can take back to Doozy when she’s ready, too. For example, on a schoolmaster, a correctly applied aid just… works. It goes through, the horse responds, message received. Less so, the incorrectly applied aid. 

Like with Calvin, hanging on the reins just produced a horse who was happy to lean in and be carried. Half halting by closing the upper thigh and sitting deeply, tho? Worked like a charm to rebalance.

we try, we try lol

Which was a good feeling for me — reassuring, in a way. Like, I *am* applying the aids, I *do* know how to have that communication and dialog with a nicely trained horse. It just may be that I need a little tuning, a little recalibration. And perhaps a little more trust, too. 

It’s easy on a schooled horse to give that full release and believe the answer will be had. It’s… less easy to have that same trust with Ms Mondeuse lol. But the communication, the dialog works for a reason, I just need to keep on giving her that chance to understand.

quick snippet from the end of our lesson

And anyway, I’m grateful for the video too, especially bc while some things look more easy for me posture-wise on a schoolmaster like Calvin, other issues are… more persistent LOL. C’est la vie, amirite? It’s still fun to watch, tho — video includes sitting trot, rising trot, both canter leads, leg yielding left, shoulder-in tracking right, and lengthen trot!!

grateful to be able to enjoy these special horses while doozy recovers!

Obviously, on the balance, it’s not exactly an ideal situation right now. I hate uncertainty basically as a rule, but we’re none the less just kinda in that gray murky unknown zone with Doozy at the moment. There’s not a lot of clarity on what to expect, and certainly not around timelines. 

So we’ll see, I guess. And in the meantime, hopefully these opportunities for enjoying rides on all these other lovely horses will continue!

follow the leader!

Happy Monday, y'all! I'm not going to try to encapsulate all the recent happenings into one gigantic post again (for now), but suffice it to say. 'Twas an eventful weekend... How bout you?

charles, blissfully marinating in his acupuncture <3

Anyway, back at the end of last week, both (*squee*) my ponies had an appointment with my favorite body work practitioner. She's a former DVM (she actually delivered Isabel!) who now focuses primarily on holistic chiropractic and acupuncture work, while also running her small breeding and training operation.

doozy is... less sure lol

Not gonna lie, the appointment was scheduled particularly for Mondeuse. But actually, Charlie was probably the main beneficiary. His gigantic frame of a body is really taking a beating with this prolonged hoof soreness, and he's been pretty back sore lately. The whole system is just struggling to get back into sync, ya know?

she handled it well tho!

So we talked about what's been done, the rads from a little while back (which I'd sent in advance), and available tools and remedies we have yet to explore. It's just, there just is not an easy answer unless you are a patient sort of person. He needs time. And care. And time.... Sigh.  

just a few stabby jabbies for the first time

Doozy was a breeze in comparison lol. Like she has some typical racehorse stuff, notably some soreness in the SI region. And Laura observed a few nuances of her conformation that will have implications on hoof wear and the like. But generally, she really liked the mare and encouraged me to enjoy the process!

transition via birdies at the rain barrel!

So, without further ado, we wrapped up that session and proceeded to do exactly that! 

lol how is this for a picture??

You see, our farm recently experienced a very sad and unexpected loss --- Cosmo, chief among geldings and leader of the weekend warrior trail squad, had a strangulating lipoma and was unfortunately not able to recover despite every effort.

omg it's my first sit outdoors!!! and, *gasp* out of an arena! loose in the wild!!!

This left a big hole in a lot of our hearts, and also in the Saturday morning trail group! We are really fortunate that there are a couple horses available for friends of the farm who enjoy leisurely strolls... But, Charlie and Cosmo were friends, ya know? And, more importantly, Charlie and Karen were friends --- and damn if Charlie didn't lean in for a hug himself when the news broke. 

thank goodness for the goodest boy chaperoning <3

So it was decided -- Karen would get to enjoy some saddle time with Charlie while she worked on filling the gigantic shoes Cosmo left behind. And naturally, I only put a few conditions on this agreement -- namely, be a buddy for Mondeuse's outings!

just cruisin the driveway

And it actually all worked out pretty much perfectly. Like, ya know, if you ignore my stress and the fact that Mondeuse was unable to cross the stream mounted that she'd crossed in hand the day prior LOL..... despite Charlie repeatedly circling back to come draw us forward toward home..

made it all the way to the top! sometime soon: the xc fields! but not today :)

Lol oh well tho, that's not the point. More importantly: I had grazed Doozy by the outdoor mounting block on some earlier day, and walked her all around it, and kinda felt like, it'd be fine. Never mind that we've never successfully gotten on before without a ground person. And? It was fine, yesss!

for today, back the way we came

Doozy then just proceeded to follow Charlie up the same routes and laneways we've been hand walking now for days -- including the path we'd just done in hand with another group.

with a little pitstop for some ring familiarization 

For the most part, I kept Mondeuse solidly either alongside or behind Charlie, rather than out in front. But... It didn't seem to really matter. We also cut the leash once inside the dressage ring and did a lap in each direction inside the court. Nothing much, but something important. 

past the upper barn spooky spots

Basically, plenty to make me think we're cleared for outdoor wanders now -- no longer relegated to either the indoor, or needing mounting assistance. Yesss -- feels like a big step!

and into the pleasant bridle paths

Only minor bummer was that Dooz was disinclined to cross the little stream with me aboard. And I admit to being... quite persistent lol, but ultimately unsuccessful. Nbd, I hopped off, we crossed in hand back and forth a few times (with Charlie's assistance in both directions), and Mondeuse's learning profile continues to come into sharper focus. 

charles was again the kindest by waiting to throw that shoe until we arrived safely back in the barnyard, wherein he deposited it right next to me for easy grabbing lol

Only major bummer was Charlie throwing a shoe right as we got back to the barn. Both his fronts were loose (despite getting all the clinchers tightened up a week ago), so I kinda figured it was inevitable... But maybe was a blessing that it happened during the ride so I knew to just keep him in overnight vs letting him lose it out in the wild. 

at least we're getting close to normal maybe? he was exactly 1 day off from 4wks, and got done the next morning. nbd.

Nbd, the farrier came out the next day anyway and we'd already been toying with the idea of shortening Charlie's shoeing cycle to 4 wks just to try to stay in front of his issues. Guess he agrees with us LOLsob. 

All the same. Felt like a great day for both horses -- a solid check in on Charlie's wellness from the practitioner who has known him longest, and some very important firsts for the new Dooz! We'll take it! How was your weekend?

big news!!

Let's be honest, this year got off to a rocky start for us. A lot of setbacks. But... I've been holding back a little secret from y'all. While Charlie sorted out his gravel-induced abscess plus obvi the ill-timed choke, etc, I was busy planning.

So here's the deal: Y'all might remember, we started Charlie on Equioxx back in November, to excellent effect. He is responding *so well* to the drug that, well, I decided to get serious again about moving up this year. Really give it another try, see how far we can go, ya know?

I don't want to repeat the same mistakes from our past, however, so.... I decided on a more... traditional.... route. We enlisted a competent professional to help get Charlie back into work and ultimately pilot him around his first few bigger events. Enter: Boyd Martin! 

boyd and charlie!

So far, it's gone really well too! Turns out, I've been right all along: Charlie already has all the pieces for the level. He's a good and capable horse, who just needed a slightly more consistent and confident rider to get him really confirmed. It's just so exciting to see <3

Boyd has been a phenomenal mentor to me, too. He realized pretty quickly that.... *I* was the one in need of a little hand holding. In his opinion, I just need more mileage, more jumps, more galloping, more... everything. And more than any one horse (esp a high-mileage model like Charlie) needs to do. 

As such, he's offered up some of his own school masters to help me get rider-fit again plus gain experience at higher levels!!

omg it's me and Thomas!!!

And oh. my. gawwwd has it been fun!!! Like.... Sure, I still kinda suck haha. Tho, turns out, my defensive, back-seat, pearl-clutching stance*** as a rider made me perfectly suited for the drop into Head of the Lake. Check THAT off the old bucket list, lol!

(***Specifically the third photo in that post, in case it's not clear enough!) 

Oh, and guys ---- wowza, Tsetserleg is a serious little pocket rocket! This horse has HOPS! He's teaching me so much, honestly, I'm just so grateful. 

Now that it's April, I'll get less saddle time with him as he preps for Kentucky with Boyd (sadly, I couldn't get my own or Charlie's MERs done in time!) -- but what an experience! 

Here's hoping for much more to come!

paper chasin' + racin'

A couple weeks ago, the local 4-H club hosted its first annual paperchase to benefit the organization at our local Ag center -- conveniently next door to the iconic Shawan Downs.

Obviously, we're basically professional paper chase jockeys at this point -- PLUS it's always nice to support the local equestrian community. So obviously we'd go! 

"as far as i'm concerned, we won." charlie, definitely

Originally the plan was to make it a nice low key outing geared toward the members of our group with either less experience, or with horses who maybe aren't otherwise up for much intensity. Tho... That plan kinda fell apart with some unfortunate cancellations and it ended up being just Charlie and Punky.

my attempt at photographically representing charles at his full height, standing on his tippy toes 

Which.... Maybe was a blessing in disguise for our less experienced friends who didn't make it. Bc OH MY DEAR GOD, our horses were kiiiiiiiiinda psychotic. But like. For real tho. 

Idk what it was, but good Sir Charles (who, lest you forget, has been shipping out for lessons and such multiple times a month for the last few months YEARS), stepped off the trailer, looked around, and absolutely lost his shit. 

legit was not a particularly, uh, scenic track around the property....

Maybe bc the whole space and parking and everything was super spread out, with horses visibly moving in the distance in every direction? Who knows. All I know is that Charlie grew about 10 stories tall, and was visibly twitching and tense. 

the course kinda just went around and around and around the two sides of this driveway and all the outbuildings. 

Luckily, tho, he's a good boy and stood (very very tall) for me to get on. And he more or less followed my directions etc. Except, ahem, homeboy straight up jigged for four miles straight. Around a track that honestly wasn't really all that delightful. I'm not sure who planned the event, but they basically just set us out to make the rounds around the property -- circling the out buildings. Going up and down fence lines and tree lines, etc.

two very seasoned TBs who were very ridiculous for what should have been a glorified trail ride lol

It wasn't particularly scenic, and basically at all points you could see horses ahead of you, behind you, and off on other distant parts of the track. 

Now, of course, we're not going to mention that basically ALL those other horses seemed perfectly at ease with their lives lol. Bc Charlie and Punky absolutely were not. Never have I ever been so relieved to finish a paper chase haha omg.... 

basically THIS is where they THOUGHT they were LOL

Honestly it wasn't even really much to write home about... Except y'all already know my intense desire to *document all the things* lol.... Plus, hey lookie -- it's a perfect segue to another recent outing haha. Which... Obviously, clearly our horses just got their calendars confused....

yep, the thundering hooves exactly encapsulates our paper chase experience LOL

Lol for real tho, no we weren't taking our horses to the Manor races, even if that's apparently where their hearts lie. This event was just for us as spectators / tailgaters, obviously!

squint a bit and Monberg Stream (winner of the 2022 Thomas H. Voss Memorial Maiden Timber) kinda looks like how you might imagine Punky describing his own self lol

Idk what it is about the timber racing season in Maryland but it always catches me off guard -- like I don't even hear about it until it's already over. Maybe bc the Maryland Hunt Cup (our season's pinnacle race) is almost always the same weekend as Kentucky?

but oooof, holy moly, all the horses jumped this penultimate timber terribly in this race...

We were determined to make it to at least one of the races this year, tho -- particularly, those held at the legendary My Lady's Manor estate. And oh man, it was the perfect weekend for it!

they kinda reminded me of this unfortunate bay painted on a clay plate by a local artist that i've had for a few years....

I personally haven't spent much time at these types of events (last time was at Shawan Downs where I basically just posted some pics here; and before that was a blogger meet up at the Gold Cup in Virginia) but.... they're honestly super different from the typical horse trials or FEI events I've attended. 

anywho, tho, yea they all jumped it not great, whoops!

Seems much more geared to the mingling of bougie society, with horses acting as the elegant backdrop rather than the main attraction. Which, ya know haha.... Is it's own special kinda fun, right? Dressing up, competing good-naturedly to see who has the most epic tailgate spread... Ya know, the works!

you best believe where there's screen grabs, there's video!

Plus, obvi, the horses and races DO make for some pretty epic viewing. It's really hard to see the whole race all from one spot -- what with the track being 3 miles long and everything. But we did happen to catch a few influential moments, such as the above. (And have no fear, the jockey walked away while the horse went on to complete the race himself LOL).

it's honestly a pretty bangin way to spend a day!
(also we clearly need a 12yo to help us figure out how to fit 3 people into one selfie!)

Tho let's be real, hangin out at the tailgate eating sandwiches and double triple fisting tasty beverages is always fun, with or without the horses LOL!

this taxidermy fox definitely agrees (?)

SO. With that... It feels like the spring season of a million things to do every weekend has finally commenced haha --- soon to spill into the summer season actually omg!