Well, I certainly take sucking-at-blogging to a whole new level, don't I? It's actually been sort of sweet, some people have expressed alarm or concern at my silence, wondering if everything is okay. The truth is, it's more than okay, things have been stellar. But just soooooooo busy. And you know when you put something off for long enough it becomes a little overwhelming when you think of starting again? That's where I am. 

So without going in to detail, I've been:

In New England earlier in May for an amazing clinic. Lots of familiar faces and plenty of new ones. Hands down this was the best clinic yet and I absolutely can't wait to get back! I have to say none of these clinics would be possible without the incredible efforts of the amazing Kathy Palumbo. She organizes everything for me and every single time is better than the last because of her work. Thank you Kathy!

A quick trip to Florida at the end of my clinic week to visit my great friend Julia and her new schoolmaster, Rolling Stone. This wonderful stallion is going to make such an impact in Julia's riding, I wish every single person could find such a perfect dance partner.  

Planning more trips to BC, Canada, for one week in June and for one weekend in July for clinics, so it's a busy summer of traveling.  

Rocking and rolling with the Orange Goodness. I LOVE THIS HORSE!!!!!!! She is teaching me to be such a better rider, and the feeling she gives me when I ride better is out of this world. She looks better in her body, she is more relaxed in the work, and the work is just coming along. One-tempis are no longer a threat, the piaffe is getting unbelievable, and the passage is more regular and animated every day. I have to give a quick shout out to my favorite Jim Koford for a lesson over the phone when I really needed it. Jim was able to explain something in a way that resonated with me and changed my approach with HUGE results from one ride to the next. I will explain this shift in thinking later; if I try it now it will be too long and I'm not up for that yet.

Goose, the Lusitano stallion, has also made HUGE progress. He is so clever and when you teach him something new he gets a little bit bossy-pants about it. "I can do this!" he tells me, "I know what you want, just let me do it already!" He tries harder than any horse I know and it's making the training a blast. Yay Goose! 

Still learning lots of lessons. I went to a show with Countess and had one really great outing at Intermediare 1 and then jumped in to the deep end and tried an Intermediare II, knowing full well we weren't really ready for it. Our score was dismal but I was still really happy with my Orange Goodness. I needed that push to get on with the training, and because of it we have made huge strides over the last month. Anyone with common sense tells you to show one level lower than you are training for the best chance of success. Me, I just go for it because it pushes me to be better afterwards. Now, if any of my students tried this nonsense, I would have another song to sing...

And finally, someone said Denny Crane was very pretty. Seriously. Now granted, this was not a person at all familiar with horses, but he made googly eyes at the people over the stall door and for one moment, he was a pretty boy. He's back to awkward & fugly, growing out in the field, but of course I think these were the smartest people in town. 

So, there it is, a start (finally!) to updating this blog. Summer is upon us, which means show season is getting intersting, and so hopefully I'll have more to report soon.