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It's been a long time since I last blogged, I hardly know where to start...Shayna, my usual ride, is more or less retired now. First, she developed an abscess in her off-hind, so I rode Shiah and Brava. Just as that was healing, her off-fore cracked in half. This had happened before, Katelyn said, but she'd been spared being put down and ended up back in work and condition. Guess Katelyn's going to try again, but Shayna's getting to be in her mid-twenties...she'd be at least 24 if she came back at all.

Shiah was a good ride, except she didn't have any brakes at the canter. Or maybe the brakes in my seat weren't strong enough. Or both. But it made for an interesting experience at the gymkhana.

Rode Brava several times, too. Had a lot of fun on her. She's much better trained and I was able to get her collected at the canter, something nearly impossible to do with Shayna. But, alas, due to the news that Katelyn's not been paying her barn bills, I suspect Brava is on the market. Shiah got sold two weeks ago and was trailered out yesterday.

So yesterday I rode an Appy mare pony named Zoe. My first experience riding a pony! I was able to get her softened at the walk and trot, but she's just started coming back into work so was too out of condition to manage a collected canter. But at one point, we did do a "perfect" leg yield! And we did some jumping. Actually, I ended up doing my first jump course--four cross-rails. 

I've even ridden Rebel. That was my choice; I hadn't ridden him for years and thought to try him for a change. But he's a really smart QH gelding...he doesn't work any harder than he has to. I suppose that he's actually good for me as I tend to not use leg aids. But his walk is sooo slow, it drives me crazy.

I was told yesterday that Katelyn's been asked to leave the barn. This is not good news. She had a hard enough time finding this one. And if she finds another place which is too far away for me to follow...am hoping things work out for the best.