Day 20- Fast track

Sorry again for no update yesterday..still fighting a nasty cold and the wonderful bronchitis cough that I have had all my life is here. So everyone thinks I'm dying when I cough..good thing I'm used to it lol. A BRILLIANT day, ha the English folk have gotten to me. But it really was an awesome day I jumped over a jump cantering and got my flying change afterwards then had my coaches meeting...seemed to go well I hope. Then showered and did my hair for the first time since I've been here, and I must say for not being a girly girl it felt great to do my hair lol. We went out to a place called Nello's and my friend Kristen was invited to sing with Tim Sullivan (he sings at Pats bonfires). At the end of the night Tim moved the tables out of the way in the restaurant and taught all 30 of us how to line dance, the waitress were taking videos of us lol. Will be leaving a week from Sunday and I think it will be bittersweet. I am ready to come home otherwise my brain might explode from information.

PS. I got a picture with Linda yesterday, and she invited us to her Liberty Demo and it was amazing.

Day 18- Fast track

It seems like each day keeps getting better and better. With the pressure off I had a ton of fun with Annabelle today and I think she had a lot of fun with me too. No bitting when saddling or mounting. She didn't walk off when I mounted we opened an closed a gate without letting go of it. And we practicing some cantering, Elly (one of the coaches) helped a lot with my cantering in my body and I didn't get the fast trot before the canter since I was a lot more clearer in what I wanted. Overall awesome day, not ready to be in week 3 almost 4...still wish it was week 1.

Day 17-Fast track

Sorry for no post yesterday I was sick and sleeping by 730. I feel a bit better today. Really worked on my fluidity this morning. I was in a demo! I thought I was going to he nervous but being here has done amazing things to my confidence it didn't matter that all of my fellow students were watching me. I just wanted to learn and get better. Then I noticed she was a little sore in the back end and I have been treating a fungus for a couple days. So I hope it is just from that. So this afternoon we had a talk from Ann who really put things into perspective for me. I was so inspired I wanted to go and play with Annabelle. It felt good to not worry about our level 3 anymore. We played online and liberty while others rode since she was sore I didn't want to push it. Then the chiropractor was here, I thought oh good maybe he can get more done with her back. But I have never been more wrong and ashamed at my decision. The second she saw him I saw her expression change, I tried thinking to myself that it will be for the better in the end. She was going to kill him, me, or herself before she was going to let him touch her again. He tried but after no success he said 'we will have to run her to the ground next time' that statement sent me through the roof and I walked away. I should of known that in her case and the amount of months it took me to gain her trust. I shouldn't have put that on the line when I saw her expression. But it made a big difference in how I'm looking at the next two weeks. I don't care where everyone else is and where I'm not. I'm going to be the best me and put her before anyone or anything else. Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes..."saving one horse won't change the world, but it will surely change the world for that horse."

Days 14 and 15

Played in the Parelli games yesterday, we did okay she is still trying to leave at liberty but at least she comes right back. Then I went and did laundry..fun fun. But we stopped at Pagosa feed and I got her a different fly mask, one that she can see through and when I was there I realized I can put vetericyn on her eyes. They were frantically better today hardly any goop and no runs. Last night we went out to the Pagosa brewery and it was so much fun. Christian (who is from Italy) was teaching Kim old McDonald in Italian and then he did the Macarena. I am going to miss all the friends I have made here. Went on a trail ride today and Annabelle did amazing she could lead the cows didn't bother her I was so proud. Came up to bed at 2pm and slept til 630...I am now sick :( and in bed now it's 730 hopefully by tomorrow I will be feeling better. I mean BY tomorrow I will feel better. :)
When I went to see Annabelle after my nap she was tracking me and when I got closer she called to me it was so cute :) and made my day.

Ps that huge drink is a root beer float!

Day 12- Fast track midterm day....

Ended early today, I had my midterm grade which was a 62. 75 would be like 100, I have to have a 75 to pass but my coach seemed enthusiastic said I was doing well and to keep it up. I held Annabelle's tongue today we did liberty jump over the barrel and played with our circling game. She was good so she ended early too, already cleaned my pen and fed her dinner. I'm thinking about showering now so that after dinner I can crash into bed lol. Another long week and my brain is fried from learning but it's good!!

Day 11- fast track

It hard to believe that week 2 is almost over. I'm having a blast, I'm learning so much. I'm trying to not put a lot of pressure on myself and just focus on the good things we have going. Im excited to get some quality horsey play time this weekend because we have learned so much I feel like I haven't been able to keep up with everything. My instructor told us a great story today about good horse psychology that really made sense to me. They are always playing a game with us. I got my lease saddle finally. It looks good on her but I think I like the lighter color the best. We had a pretty crazy storm today and I've never seen clouds so weird.

Day ten- fast track

Feeling tired and sick today. Annabelle is doing great we learned more rein positions. NO MORE TWO HANDED RIDING (for freestyle at least)!! The simulations are awesome it really shows me how we act like predators and don't even realize it. Now that I finally have a 'slow down' on my gaits I love cantering! And we jumped over a log today it was fun. I cantered down hill (just a baby slope lol). But at least I did it. We saw Linda today and my gosh her horse is beautiful and huge! Also it's bonfire night so Pat was playing guitar and singing. I miss everyone at home..but I love it here. I also got to see one of Linda's students riding Pat's new stallion. My jaw dropped, he was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen.