Half Way Done with Summer

Whoa 2016 where have you gone! Its the middle of July, feels like 100 degree and I feel like my season is only just beginning to start! This year has been an interesting one to say the least(It always is who horses, who are we kidding) and I had these grand ideas that I would be blogging every week as I was chosen as on of the trainers in this years $100,000 thoroughbred makeover with the retired race horse project. Because Gem didn't do anything last year due to her multiple near death experiences, she was still eligible and I was so excited to see what she could do. Fast forward from January where we were literally learning to walk and trot in an indoor surrounded by three feet of snow to now getting ready for Gem to do her second recognized event at the novice level next weekend. These last 7 months has been absolutely incredible and I am so pleased with her progress and willingness for eventing.

The year started off with Tempi heading down to South Carolina to get a jump start on our season. She ended up being 3rd in the open preliminary at Full Gallop  and won the dressage at her first IP and ended up finished 5th overall at Sporting Days.  I had a blast those few weeks down in Aiken and trying to figure out how to get there next year. Then at the end of March I ended up leasing Tempi to a local Young Rider and decided Gem needed a buddy, so I purchased a very nice off the track thoroughbred, Dante. Dante is four years old, raced last year and then had quite a bit of down time starting back under saddle in March. I picked him up April 1st and started to work determining what his "plan A" would be. Well as a 17 hand four year old, we still had quiet a bit of developing to do so we have been working a lot on the ground and under saddle. I firmly believe giving this guy time to develop will only help him in the long run.

I have been taking both horses over for lessons with Lynn Symansky and while I really enjoyed my lessons with Tempi, I am so enjoying the process and learning from Lynn's expertise on the ground and with the young horses. Gem is so impressive every time we get the chance to go over to her place, I little giggle the whole time I am on her. Dante has started jumping and we have been working a lot on staying quiet and teaching him to use his body correctly.

It's been a fun summer and I am determined to keep everyone up to take on both of these horses progress as they make their eventing debuts and prepared for Kentucky in October!