I win

Not an event, or a race or anything, but the weather derby. Monsoons at Poplar, soggy set-in (see Robby Johnson's blog) at Morven and 70+ and sunny at Galway where I spent the weekend. Saturday, I scribed in SJ for Loris Henry, counting as my final apprenticeship for the TD license. Sunday, I jump judged for training and novice. Boy has it been a long time since I've done that. My training fence was a bank combo where there was a lot of trouble. The novice fence a simple palisade, only 2 total refusals. I managed to read 200 pages of my novel and rate a bunch of abstracts while fence judging. Looking forward to the start of event season here in less than two weeks, volunteering at Plantation (where I hope the weather is good).

Other horsey things

I spent Friday and Saturday mostly at Waredaca. I actually vetted a horse that I am not going to buy, deciding instead to increase from 1/4 to 1/2 ownership of the ever so handsome Hero, the Danzig line gelding that Steph Butts is riding. Probably a good choice. Went on Saturday and watched Katherine Rizzo ride in the Howard County Iron Bridge Hunt Races and that was a good time, quite tempting (especially as the fields were not too crowded). It is officially spring, but still not very warm. I am looking forward to California for the rest of the week including a return trip to Galway for the very final apprenticeship and some volunteering. Not running as much as I should be. More regular blogging to follow.

Almost spring

It shall officially be spring next week. I think I am even more impatient for it than usual, having not done most weekends of the winter in more southerly places. We did hit Aiken for the "Henry party" good fun as always and great to see the Aiken gang. The continuing education seminar at the Ark the last weekend of February probably said something about the power of naming, it was starting to feel like the 40 days and 40 nights flood. Our seminar leaders cleverly packed everything into a long day Saturday and I was able to get out on an early morning flight on Sunday, so was home and settled in when snow struck. Quite a noticeable snow storm for March. I'm just hoping the whole "in like a lion, out like a lamb" thing holds true this year. I had my first riding lesson back post wrist surgery, a dressage lesson on Del, who was, as always, a very good boy. I'm hoping to take him to the dressage show at Blue Goose next month. Stayed tuned. Still running, prepping for both the 1/2 marathon in Nashville and the full in San Diego. Have gotten several good contributions for Back on My Feet and hope to continue to raise money for them through the year. Grant craziness as work. Between concerns about internal funding and the theoretical availability of stimulus money, everyone is putting in lots of grants and I am not exempt. This week's goal is to get back to yoga.

warm weekend

And exciting happenings all about. I ran 7 miles outdoors. First outside run since the half marathon on January 18th. Still have splint on arm. In Aiken, Gillian rocked, riding Lesley's horse Choo to a 4th place finish. Choo is for sale and is a phenomenal horse for a young rider or AA to event (or do the jumpers) on. Susie, Lesley and Cynthia also had good finishes at Sporting Days. In Florida, Hilda had a dressage lesson on her new guy Extravagance with Bill Woods and a jumping lesson on Godsend with Karen O'Connor. Karen got up on Godsend and he definitely felt the difference. Looks like it could be some harder work for him going forward. Both Godsend and Extra will do the advance horse trials at Rocking Horse. I hope that you might keep thoughts and prayers open as several friends and relatives are going through health challenges right now. May all your challenges be the good sort.

In which I return to Florida

I spent the (long) weekend at Rocking Horse, apprenticing with Sally Ike. It was great being back down there and seeing the team. I got to see Hilda's new horse Extravagence and my (shared) new horse, Hero. Hero totally reminds me of Gizmo (although a lot bigger), but same coloring and surprisingly similar mannerisms, including pushing food out of the feed tub and eating it off the floor, which apparently is just better. Rain Thursday and chilly mornings Saturday and Sunday, but a really nice weekend, complete with Sand Hill Crane appearance. Made it back in to Urban Flats for dinner and basketball one night. No yoga, since the arm is still healing. Now back to face the major work pile. Teacher's institute starts today.

Another year

The cliche that they pass more quickly is true. Still, I like celebrating my birthday - the more the better. Henry and I had breakfast at the Four Seasons this morning, perfectly decadent and a great way to start the day. This evening the LDI holiday party and then dinner with Susie, Lesley and Chris at Melograno. Gretchen Butts sent a really nice e-card. I got a paper card from an office mate and e-mail singing from my friend Lucy. All is good, and I will stick to the thought of wiser, better, more....

Really sank in today

That I'm not going south to show this year. Last year, I had already done a weekend in Florida and was about to do the first horse trial of the season. Prior years, this was packing for Aiken weekend. It became visceral today. Although, it didn't make me sad. I'm enjoying hearing about Keebler's progress with Debi and not having to go out in the cold (broken arm aside). Looking forward to getting back to a more regular exercise schedule including more running. Have lots of dinners booked with friends that there normally isn't time for. Will even be having dinner with Henry on Valentine's day, which is a Saturday this year -- what a concept!