February 23, 2012

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.
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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