Spring Plans

A few things are in the works for spring and early summer and I figured I'd give you a tentative schedule.

March 26th- Bombproofing Clinic

I got super stoked about this clinic last year when I went to audit it. I emailed the organizers and they are putting one on near my barn!

I desperately wanted to sign Rico and I up for it and just go play with him because that would be the most fun, but he won't be ready to go off the property just yet and although he's doing MUCH better these days, I absolutely don't want to rush him.

The other two horses I'm considering taking are TC (obviously) or Riot. Riot would be a lot more fun for me, since I could ride him in it, but TC could use it a lot more. Now that he's doing better with his ground work, I'm considering taking him and just working with him on the ground through the obstacles and letting him get to a new place. So we'll see what ends up happening. Either way, I'm excited to participate in the clinic, even if I end up kind of hating it because of whatever crazy animal I take with me. Ugh. Next time, Rico, we'll go show all those "bombproof" horses what bombproof really means (or maybe he'll surprise me and be afraid of everything).

I think he'll be okay. Man was he DARK a couple years ago!

April 1st- Trail Trials Clinic

I'm really curious about doing a Trail Trials this year and this clinic seemed like a really good idea to see whether I'd like to do one! Rico again probably won't be ready for this (since it's a week after the above), and TC isn't reliable enough in new places, so Riot it is! I'm really excited to learn more about trail trials and how the obstacles go. I'm not the worst at opening gates and all that, but there are a lot of things you get judged on (like some obstacles you need to check your girth before and certain ways you need to do things) that I feel like I'm going to forget.

Riot the expert trail horse?

June 2nd and 3rd- Trail Trials

If the clinic in April is fun, I'll be focusing on getting Rico (or Riot, if Rico isn't healthy enough- Riot is just a spooky little thing and horses are judged on how calm they are) fit enough to do this. Luckily I think Rico can do all the obstacles without practice, and Riot will have gotten practice at the clinic so I'll at least have low expectations.

It's overnight, and so it could be my first time horse camping. They haven't released the info about the facility, so there's a chance that we'll have to high line or bring our own corrals. Rico is a saintly creature, so without having ever camped with him, I know he'll be fine. I can either use step-in posts and a couple lines of cable or he'll probably high line just fine. Riot... may have to stay at my friend's barn nearby, or we might be getting up real early to get there.

Man I wish I could take him to the other two clinics!
Fingers crossed that he's good to go in June.

Notice how none of these activities are dressage! I'm not saying I won't be doing a dressage clinic this year, because I do still really want to ride with Tanya when she comes back (but would only want to ride with her on TC if he's a) sound, b) sane, and c) at least starting to school Second) and I can't seem to stop myself from wanting to learn more dressage, even if I don't really want to compete this year. But for now, all of my plans are centered around trying new things and having fun with horses!

Now if it would only stop raining... I miss summer!