Roller Coaster Ride

Getting dumped right after one of your best friends gets married really sucks, I'm going to be honest. But my week turned out a lot better than it seems like it would have, especially when I add in the fact that on Thursday a horse shit on my head and today I spent the morning getting x-rayed and tested for infection and gout. What a life I lead.

But this week has had some highs, too. As I mentioned before, I attended my first A rated show. I had an absolute blast! I rode Domino, my trainer's little horse, and I could not have asked for a better mount. He is only 6 years old, so still green, but he was an absolute saint. He had never been to an A show either, which for my non-horsey riders, involves packing up a bunch of horses and driving them to a new property, where the horses don't get turned out at all and have to live in temporary stalls under what looks like a circus tent. I should have gotten a picture of this set up, but it is a far cry from the 5 star resort that Domino and Patrick both call home.

Dom took everything in stride (no pun) and just put on a brave face. We moved the horses on Tuesday and started showing Wednesday. He did a division with Amy on Tuesday and was nearly perfect, but a few small mistakes kept him out of the ribbons in the really big classes. On Thursday I rode him in Pleasure Horse and we ended up with two fourth place ribbons out of HUGE classes! I was so thrilled. Pleasure is all about making it look fun and easy, and Domino was perfect. He did everything I asked and I could not have been happier. He also did another jumping division with Amy that day, but was less well behaved - which is okay in a baby. You don't expect a toddler to be on his best behavior all the time, right?

Friday was Domino's last show day and I did another division on him. We actually got a 7th in an over fences class - 7 of our 8 jumps were absolutely perfect, but we chipped into the judges line when I couldn't see a distance. Three strides out I knew it was trouble and I just let Domino do his thing - but we jumped out of the line fine and ended up with a ribbon. That's a BIG mistake - and the course had felt so flawless until then - I feel like we could have won if I hadn't done that. But Domino did everything I asked of him and I could not be happier! Plus I had never won a 7th place ribbon before. It is purple!

I could not have been more proud of him, even if it was a blue ribbon!

I'm going to be able to half-lease him by working at the barn, which is great because it lets me jump and get some more riding experience. Patrick is jumping well with Amy over bigger, more solid fences - he jumped the roll top! And I think his form is going to be excellent, but he still isn't in a place for me to be able to do that with him. He has come such a long way, though! He is turning into a really nice horse.

I'm trying to stay busy and I'm trying to stay positive. And I'm thankful for the good friends and the good horses that will get me through this.