Volume 3, Chapter 10

Another year and the saga continues. I wish I could say that I finally found a solution or cause to my beloved mare's frustrating behavior. Alas, she is still as maddening as she ever was. However, a new kind of progress is being made, and a new kind of hope is emerging.

Over the past several months I have been taking lessons from an aspiring trainer. Together we have progressed in our respective ways, she as a trainer, I as a rider. I feel very lucky to have her on my team. Of the many things I have and will learn from her perhaps the greatest will not be how to make Holly behave like the quiet hunter I want, but instead how to ride the horse I have at that moment. As my trainer said during our last lesson, Holly is like having 10 horses in one. I never know which horse I'll be riding until I get on. But that is ok, because eventually I will learn how to get the best out of those 10  horses.

My Oh My, How Time Flies

Well here we are! A few months ago I was so frustrated with having to move the horses and getting Henry back. Now I'm at a new barn that has a lovely indoor and miles of trails! Board is extremely reasonable and the farm owner is very friendly! Riding Henry was a chore at first but after switching tack and adopting a new attitude he's become fun to ride again. Holly is still exhibiting some weirdness in her hind end but I plan to strengthen her with trail riding and light ring work. Hopefully by Spring she'll be fit and strong!

I've listed Henry for sale but have not had any replies yet. I'm going to start jumping him and hope to foxhunt him once or twice this season on a slow day (during the week).

So that's the recap but I have saved the best news for last. I am now the proud owner of a Robert Currie sidesaddle! Korne & Currie was a leading harness shop in New York established in 1866, so the saddle is pretty old even if it was made towards the end of the shop's existence. My mother purchased the saddle for me as a gift, and I am so grateful to her. She has made a dream come true for me. It is currently being worked on my side saddle expert Smokey Everhart. The flocking needed to be re-done, D-rings for the sandwich case needed to be added, a new proper balance strap, and a doeskin overlay on the seat to make it more grippy. I can't wait to try it on Holly after the work is complete. (I tried it on her before buying it and I think it will work after the flocking is re-done)

Well that's all my news for now! I'm heading to Florida to visit Kathy for the week of New Years so I'm sure I'll have stuff to whine about when I get back.

Cheers!

Henry Comes Home

I am sad to report that Henry is coming home from being leased. The girl found another horse she thinks will be more suitable for her and so she doesn't want to buy Henry. I had really hoped she would buy him because she gets along with him so well. I know I would be able to see him whenever I want and she would take wonderful care of him. But he's too green over fences and she wants to start eventing sooner than he will be ready.

More sad news is that I cannot board him where Holly is boarded so I have to find a new barn. I thought I could keep them at separate barns but that just isn't going to work financially. I may have to bring them home which I am definitely dreading. Our stalls need a lot of work to be suitable, we can't store hay and I would have no place or time to ride. This could definitely ruin plans to show Holly next year. Well, we'll see how it goes.