Oh, the month of May.

     May is probably one of the most hectic months for me. I am trying to get my pony club stuff in order,  my show schedule setup for the year, and I am doing two PC ratings this year O_O.

   Now about the horses :). After being at Infinity Farm for 2 months of dressage boot camp, Ms. Duellsa is finally back home! The 1st week was a bit crazy, between horrid rides because of my saddle not fitting, and debating whether or not I should go to the two phase at Pendragon I had planned for the weekend coming up. I did end up going! I borrowed a friends saddle that I knew fit better than mine for dressage.( Thank you, Mandy!)  Our test was O.K,. but I was not going to take it out on Duellsa. Our jumping was spot on for Duelli. Yes, the head flipping was still there, but she was at a steady pace pretty much the whole time.
(Pendragon Stadium Video)

   Mid May I spent a week with my brother and his fiance in Biddeford. We went out to eat a ton, which is different anyway. I FINALLY got to see The Hunger Games, and we had a great walk on the beach. It was a week of "How my life would be if I didn't have horses." Though I had so much fun with them, I was missing my horses. I realized if I didn't have horses in my life I would be like 500lbs and be the most antisocial person ever. Besides, horses keep me in line and focused.

  I had a Mary (Gunzel) O'Rourke lesson on the 20th with Dixie. It was great! You know when you have those moments in your riding where you have ridden one horse SO much and know every quirk but you don't even know what to do when you ride them? That was me. We did some lateral stuff and shoulder-in, haunches-in exercises. There was one exercise in particular that helped a ton. We'd shoulder-in about 3 or 4 strides down the long side, half halt, and canter a 10 meter circle. For such a no brainier exercise, it was odd that I had never thought about that one. I wish someone was taking video or photos because  I felt like I was on a 16+ hand warmblood. Not a 13"3 unknown bred pony! It was great. I am so excited for Dixie this year :)

   Our pony club had our Jumper Fun Show on the 28th. We had an super turnout! I think everyone had tons of fun. I took Duelli and Keri took Dixie. Duelli was calm outside of the ring, but inside the ring she was a bit crazy! She was not crazy to the point that I didn't feel safe on her. We got through it and now I know how to control our crazy jumping rounds :) Keri and Dixie did great.Or should I say Keri did great. Dixie was the opposite of Duellsa. She was a brat out side of the ring, and an angel inside the ring. Goof ball. We have always had the "Herd bound" issue with her. Someday.....she will get over it.

  That's pretty much it for the month of May! Here we go June! :)  Happy riding!