The jump field dried out enough after Wednesday's and Thursday's rain so we could have a jump lesson! I felt really rusty (we last jumped right after New Year's) but I soon remembered how awesome Taco is over the jumps. The flatwork we've been working so hard on has definitely improved our performance together. I'm slowly getting more proficient at maintaining Taco's balance while not taking away his energy.
We did a little of everything: we warmed up over a little gymnastic, and then moved on to courses that included turns both ways, bending lines, angles, and skinnies.
Thanks for taking video, Carol!
More friends of Team Taco news:
Rugie, Taco's young friend, is wearing a bridle now! He is so grown up! You can see some pictures of him on the Panther Springs Farm Facebook Page.
Many readers of the Team Taco blog were eagerly awaiting news of our Aiken exploits this year. Unfortunately, we had a casualty on the team: Beast the truck declined to cooperate with our plans. Last Saturday morning, we had packed up and started south on I-65, and at the first big hill Beast started to overheat. By the second, it was way in the red zone. We miraculously found an open mechanic, who diagnosed a faulty thermostat. But on the way back to the barn (by then it was too late to make the trip that day), it overheated again. Given the extensive repairs that were probably necessary, and its advanced age, Beast has since been sold at a steep discount to cover the down payment on a new(er) truck. But in the meantime, we were left high and dry with no way to get to Aiken!
So we stayed home to ride and look for a new truck. The weather has been less than cooperative, but we managed to fit in a very productive dressage lesson on Tuesday. Amy's persistence in trying to explain the concept of connecting my aids is paying off a little.
Here is some video. Does anyone have any tricks for keeping one's hands still at the canter?
In other news, an old friend of Team Taco (well, from before there even was a Team Taco), has sent in her entry to Rolex! Heather Gillette has entered Questie (Our Questionnaire), so fingers crossed that all preparations go smoothly (they are at Red Hills this weekend) and everyone stays sound! When I lived in New Jersey some years ago, Heather helped bring my confidence back after it reached an all-time low, and for that I am very grateful. She has worked so hard at this sport for many years and is a fun, kind person to boot. You can like her Heron's Landing Event Team page on Facebook to show your support!
My guys told me today that they wanted to write a letter to their pen pal, Taco, so I obliged them.
Dear Taco,
You look very handsome in your new suit. I am also naked now, I'm not sure what happened. First I was cold and wet, then Aunt Megan came over and I went to sleep. When I woke up I had a spiffy new hair cut and mom gave me lots of cookies. I thought you might appreciate a photo of me with my new "do." Thanks to Aunt Megan for helping mom give me a shave down. I'll be much more comfortable without my yak hair. Unfortunately, you can't see the nifty clip Aunt M did on my face. They "compromised" and clipped only half my face because I wouldn't let them clip my ears or nose, even while I was sleeping!
Love,
Brandy
Dear Taco,
Please have your mom teach my mom how to clip better. She took a really long time and left a big fuzzy patch on my butt that everyone likes to touch. It feels weird when they touch it, but they keep calling it a cactus, so it must have a purpose. She also yanked my mane out, so she says I look handsome now, but it stung a little.
I also tried to express to her that I don't appreciate loud buzzing things near my head, but she told me I was silly and tricked me into letting her clip my bridle path and head, so I'm also totally hairless! I have a neat new suit as well, mom bundles me up cozy and warm when its going to be chilly.
Mom says I'm going to my first horse show in about six weeks! Will I see you there?
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