Morag's Blog

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My blog started in August, 2005 to chronicle my progress in training “A First Romance" (a.k.a. Solo) into a world class Eventing horse. Now eight-years-old, Solo is close to competing in the Intermediate 1 division. He's fabulous XC but does still tend to voice his opinion during dressage... never a dull moment.

Solo's ridden by my daughter, Selena, who competed at her first Olympics in 2008 with Colombo. Selena also rides several different horses out of our homebase, Hawkridge Farms, which is owned by the Davies.

This blog chronicles both our adventures as we continue to train Eventing horses. Occasionally, Selena will make an entry on her progress at competitions particularly on the lead up to major events. Please feel free to ask questions or send comments.

Florida Diaries Part 6

We are less than three hours away from arriving at Ocala with the second and last group. We picked up Leif Z in North Carolina at 6:00 a.m. today, having finally made it to the border at 5:00 p.m. between

Florida Diaries Part 5

“The best laid plans o’ mice an’ men gang aft aglay” Rabbie Burns We tried to set out three times already today and finally the roads are clear enough for us to make a run for the border. We hear

Florida Diaries Part 4

We left Florida eight hours after we got there. Yes, I believe it IS warm and sunny there. Georgia the Carolinas and Virginia went by in the dark. We hit Washington at 6:00 a.m. Later than perfect, but still early enough

Florida Diaries Part 3

Well North Carolina was dark and foggy, South Carolina and Georgia were just plain dark and finally we unloaded at our barn in Ocala by 9:00 a.m. Slept for a few hours and we are now out buying hay and

Florida Diaries Part 2

Well the vet was there today and we are on our way two days late. We ha e already had a trick scare when it popped up a notice telling us to check engine. As it happens something just needed

Many Thanks and a Happy New Year!

Another year has whizzed by, I can hardly believe it.  It seems like only a minute ago that we were moving into Balsam Hall. Where on earth does time go? It goes too fast wherever it goes.  After the Royal

A Whirlwind of Activity

Things were a touch hectic at Balsam Hall while Selena and Anne Marie were blogging from the Pan Am Games and Training Camp in Florida.  Emma Rafuse and I were flying by the seat of our pants day by day. 

Behind the Scenes at the Pan Ams with Selena O’Hanlon – October 23rd

October 23rd Sunday, the final day of competition. We did a team jog with Dr. Ober early in the a.m. and Woody looked great!  Dr. Ober said “He’s a horse for the future.” Ooooh, gives me goose bumps. All the

Behind the Scenes at the Pan Ams with Selena O’Hanlon – October 22nd

October 22nd Well, today is going to be a short blog because it’s 10:28 p.m. and I just made it to bed.  Let’s start with WAY TO GO JESSICA and Pavarotti!  I will write a blow by blow of each