Kelly's Ford Horse Trial with Chance of Romance

This past weekend I took my young mare Chance of Romance, “Kali” to her first ever recognized event at Kelly’s Ford. I was really excited because she has been absolutely lovely at home and is turning into one very special horse and she proved to be just that this weekend. We were in a competitive novice horse division and I couldn’t have been more pleased with how she finished. She scored a 31.5 in the dressage which I actually believe is my lowest score all year. Great way to end 2011 even if it was only at novice. Once she gets a little stronger and can start carrying herself I expect her to be in the 20s. Then we went onto a very decorative showjumping. We had a triple bar, waves under fences, wishing well standards, a fan jump and some other spooky objects. But she handled it like a pro which I felt like was a lot to ask of beginner novice-training horses. We had a clean sj and then moved onto cross country. She was pretty foot perfect all the way around. We had some bigger questions for novice but she just pricked her ears and went along like a well schooled hunter. It is so gratifying to teach a horse new things and when they put all the pieces together it is a really great feeling. I am happy to say I think I have another little star on my hands with a 3rd place finish! Not a bad end to 2011! Hopefully I can carry some of that mojo over to 2012 and can start the new season on a good note again!

In other news I have lots of horses for sale and lots coming in and out! Emily Beshear and I will be heading south to Aiken, SC for a couple months and I am just about ready! It’s been so COLD here! I have turned into a major whimp living down in South Carolina the past four years. I will be staying at the Gibbes farm and working and running the business out of their lovely farm. I still have a couple openings for training horses and will be teaching a lot, so contact me if you would like any help while I am South. Weekends look full of horse shows and Murphy is looking ready to make his advanced debut! He trotted for the first time yesterday and the next couple weeks will do LOTS of walking and trotting! Good thing its pretty in Virginia!