As I mentioned in my last post I had a jump school with Bonnie Mosser on Monday. I expressed how I was worried Chloe would be a bit enthusiastic and well once again I find myself searching for a word to express just how enthusiastic she was. Poor Bonnie. I think some words I heard her say were "Hang on!" "Oh shit" and "Thanks god I dont have to get on that horse." Okay maybe I am exaggerating a bit. Lets just say after that lesson it was clear to me Chloe was feeling good and fit. Bonnie taught a great lesson and said things in a way that made complete sense to me. I told her about how I am already having dreams about my training sessions and she responded by telling me how in her dreams she would show up to her training sessions about to get on her horse but she was wearing flip flops. I was so relived to know that even some of the best riders out there share the same nerves as I do. (I hope she doesn't get mad at me for sharing that!!) We both agreed that the jumps were not Chloes problem it was her rideability in between the jumps. She set up a lot of exercises to help Chloe be more supple inbetween. My favoroite exercise was when I would jump an oxer then canter through a row of canter poles. It kept Chloe thinking and working in between the jumps. It did seem to help because she did get a lot better and by that I mean bucking a lot less! I call that a success!!
I also mentioned that I had the opportunity to chat with Denny Emerson for a bit. If you are not friends with his barn on facebook....YOU SHOULD BE! No seriously he has some of the most amazing posts and I follow it just about as religiously as I follow eventing nation and that says something. Tamarack Hill Farm is the name. Anyways, We chated for quite sometime and I found him so easy to talk to. Someone who I have admired for my whole riding career, someone who has accomplished things that I dream about accomplishing and here I was sitting on his couch petting his dog listening to him talk. It was fantastic. One of the things that stuck with me the most was when he talked to me about the importance of owners. He explained to me that eventing was this magic carpet ride. I needed to find someone to go on this magic carpet ride with me. Someone who loved the sport so much and someone who believed in my riding so much that they were willing to live it through me. He said I was in a point in my career where an owner would be ideal. Apparently my parents cant keep this up for my whole life! Denny was so easy to talk to and not to mention funny. He also took the time to talk to me about all the pictures on the wall of his tack room. Who they were, what horse it was and what they went on to do. He showed me around the farm and pointed out different horses to me telling me about there breeding and what not. When I was having difficulties deciding about my future I called him for advice and he gladly helped me. Its really cool to have his name in my contact list on my phone!! Denny runs a very successful training facility in Southern Pines, NC. If you are ever in the area you should definitely check it out.
Also, a little interesting fact about The Fork. Way way way back in the day it used to be a trading post. I'm talking like revolutionary war days. When I was on a trail ride with my roommate she took the time to show me the "Human Cemetery." It sounds kind of creepy, which at first I thought it was, but after seeing it I thought it was pretty fascinating! Here is a picture of Chloe on the trail and the cemetery.
I go to Pine Top in a few short days and somewhere between now and then I will meet up with Allison. I am so excited! Eventing Nation recently did a post saying Aiken was the capital of eventing. I cant wait to be there! Chloe has been doing flat work for the last couple days and has been fantastic. Lets hope that stays the same! Tomorrow most of the east coast will be greeted with below freezing temps and rain. (It is actually pouring out while I write this) So that means ice. Have I mentioned how much I miss California weather??? My logic is with all this cold I should eat more to stay warmer...makes sense to me!
All of you competing at Galway this weekend good luck and have fun at the annual meeting!!
I will keep you all posted on the move to Allison's, the training sessions, Pine Top, and Chloe of course!!
After Our lesson with Bonnie. Chloes ears refused to go forward and I look like I am ten
years old.
Chloe meeting Biscuit the barn cat...They are friends!!
Xoxo
Kelly and Chloe
