Wednesday, December 24, 2014

JJ Tate Clinic

My daughter Faith rode the first weekend in December with JJ Tate. She was really nervous wanting to do really well. It's the first time I've ever seen her truly nervous, she's usually cool as a cucumber for all her shows, lessons...everything. WAY more chill than mom!


The clinic was outstanding as always. We were so lucky as a horse community to get her twice this year. I learned a ton by watching other riders and their horses and listening to how to fix little problems, improve certain areas, and how to think through problems. You certainly do not have to ride with JJ to learn something from her clinics.

My trainer brought Pilgrim 1 of the 2 days to just see how things were going since coming back from a month with JJ. They were really happy with his progress and have homework of introducing the double bridle and getting ready for flying changes so they can do 3rd level. So exciting.

Faith rode both days. Both her rides went exceptionally well. JJ nicknamed her "kid pro" which I found out later was JJ's nickname as a kid. JJ asked Faith if she would like to come ride ponies for her and told her to come to Florida for awhile this winter, Faith was floating away on cloud 9. So now we are waiting to get through the holidays, but then we go into planning stages for next year, including a trip to Florida.



Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from my family (both people and furry) to yours! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday. I've been riding like crazy, even in the rain, so I can hopefully take a few days off and to spend with relaxing at home with everyone.


Friday, December 5, 2014

Tough Post, We miss you Johnny

So this post has taken entirely too long to write, but mainly because it was too hard to talk about. I'm going to keep it brief since it is still hard to think about.

After several months of treatment for his seizures Johnny appeared to be seizure free. Faith even took him for a ride. She had been looking forward to getting back on him, little did we know that it was to be there last ride together. Only two weeks after taking him off the medication his seizures violently returned. We had to make one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make with my horses...to put him down. It didn't seem fair, he was so young, so sweet.

Faith was so brave, wanting to stay with him until the end. I was so sad for her, yet so proud of her all at the same time. I'm sure there is lots more I could say...but I just can't. Instead, here are a few pictures of our beautiful boy. I hope he's running free in the big pasture in the sky, pain free, fat and happy. He leaves a huge whole in our hearts that will be impossible to fill.