Everyone knows summertime is full of activities including beaches, city visits, family BBQ's, play dates, and most importantly lots of  time to spend with our lovely four legged friends. I have been super busy in Chicago this summer working for Oracle. Unfortunely some of that takes away from my riding time, but for the most part Murphy is still getting his twenty minutes of daily currying( finally he lets me) and time to wipe down the tack after a ride. For any of you who have never had a "real persons" job, it is very different then mucking stalls, tacking horses up, and jump lessons. I now know why people are so attached to their cell phones!!!!

But anyway Murphy got some time off after Otter Creek and a clinic with Jon Holling. He has started back into work, now that I have returned from a forced family fun in Mexico! Don't worry it actually was SURER FUN! I have attached a picture with my future rolex mount that I laid eyes on in Mexico. Funny story. Sooo none of the brady bunch on both sides of the family ride but me. So it is a rare occasion that I can get them to come to a horse show or the barn, let alone sit on a horse. Well I think my family has  a new love for my sport. In Puerta Vallarta, we rode MULES to the top of a Mountain to go ziplinning. I also found out I am afraid of heights, but that is another story. Anyway my stepbrother Scott, is not small boy, he played football at Cornell, so he is kinda large, and the mules were simply not. But somehow they managed to trek all 7 of us up the mountain at a GALLOP! Yes, you heard correctly. It was not a nose to tail trail ride, it was a kick and hold on type experience. Clearly the mules knew where we were going because it was a race to the top. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard watching my Mom and Scott gallop there small like 13 hand mules up a narrow path in the rainforest. Clearly no control. My little brother Johno got run into a tree, his mules thought he was ready for the derby. So although there was no cross country jumping in Mexico, I still got to "ride!" Anyway it was a blast and I wish I had pictures. 

So the plan is now that Murphy will do the IP at Hunter Oaks and Catch Me if You Can will do his first novice. I am very excitied to have both of these lovely horses at the event and am expecting a great weekend. Hope you summer is full of as much fun as mine has been... ! Oh and go to Puerta Vallarta, you'll love the riding!