January Wilbur Visit

I went out to visit Wilbur with the goal of getting some video of his trot on a circle. What I actually got was a lot of horses and humans being confused. And at one point I forgot the video was on so I have two minutes of baby talk and Wilbur's feet.
Lulu and Wilbur had been released into the general population of about 15 other horses. Sergio (my barnmate's horse was not getting along with everyone) and baby Albert (Kelly's horse) had moved into their old pasture.
I ended up with a few minutes to chat with Marlene and she gave Wilbs his usual glowing reviews! There was no drama moving him in with the others, he plays and plays and plays. They demolished her red rubber play ball and she had found him one morning with a hose in his mouth waving at another horse. He plays with the horse no one else will play with. He play rears with his friend, Gris, and they spend the morning galloping back and forth.
Of course they just stop and stare when Marlene tries to take a snap.
His best bud is still Miss Lulu!

Baby Albert

Albert and Sergio

Gen Pop

Such a ham

Snuggles

Pretending not to understand

Holly Hill Farm

I took a trip down memory lane with a visit and lesson at Holly Hill Farm. I learned to ride at Holly Hill, took the yearly summer camps, half-leased for a few summers. All of Hollie's students learn the basics, work to develop their seat, leg, and hand (it was a good two years before I jumped a single fence), and rotate lesson horses weekly (but of course everyone had their favorites). I really don't think I'd be the rider I am today without her training and guidance. When I mentioned to my parents that I was grabbing a lesson they both sang in unison "keep working, keep working" aka the Hollie mantra.

Holly Hill looks the same! Minus the housing developments that have sprouted up around it!

My sweet horse for the lesson- Howie

Blast from the past with Bugs- a cheeky Arabian I rode growing up

And Hollie herself- complete with snowpants (the uniform)

Footing in my Pants: A series of haiku

My very clever cousin (also an equestrian) wrote a lovely series of haiku about the consequences of poor riding entitled, "Footing in my Pants." I have posted it here without her permission because I think it's brilliant.

 In other news I was pretty excited to pull out my new Frankie Diary today! Cheers to an organized 2014!

2013 Year in Review

2013 in photos and captions.....

January:

Back from Holiday- Miguel and Wilbur are besties! I'm happy to have a coworker at my barn to play with. 

Paul's first riding lesson on Soda Pop!

February:

Best friend, Nicole, visits from Chicago to celebrate her 30th Birthday!

And rides Wilbur!

I visit Erin at HITS in Ocala- Heaven! 

March:

Wilbur gets his first set of shoes!

I continue on a very travel heavy first half of the year by spending time in Bozeman, MT. 

Wilbur turns 6!

April:

Manage to visit Anna in Boston while fitting in a few work meetings!

Paul goes on his first trail ride!

May:

I attempt to be fashionable with fancy lipstick...hmmm

Make the decision to move barns and start with Team KMT!

Explore the trails!

Attend our first show- a KMT show. Wilbur soaked in the atmosphere!

June:

Paul and I celebrate 8 years of togetherness! 

Wilbur is giving us some trouble so we move him to a stall/paddock hoping he'll settle in. 

July:

Great first year at Ariat!

Great way to spend our July 4th- hiking in Half Moon Bay!

Wilbur is CHAMPION at his first show- pile of poles!

August:

Visit to Pennsylvania to attend AETA- but got some quality time with friend Kasey!

Wilbur goes to his first away show at Sonoma Horse park! Very brave!

September:

I turn 30 and Paul takes me to the Claremont Hotel to celebrate!

Wilbur comes up lame and we decide to give him 6mo off. Getting ready for our last ride!

October:

Paul and I celebrate 3 years of marriage!

Wilbur gets a visit!

Polly and I get to know one another!

November:

Thanksgiving in LA with Paul's Family!

Lots of goofing around (see Mort the Guinea Pig playing a key role in the panorama)

I help out at the barn as much as possible! Horse time!

December:

Wilbur goes to the vet and we get some sad news.

Luckily had a whirlwind Holiday to take my mind off of it. Time in Ohio and Florida with family!

Aunt Linda and I sharing a laugh at the farm!

Outside of the past few months- a pretty happy and fun year!