Monday and Tuesday were lessons with Lientje. On Monday Lientje rode Oslo for the second time ever. She hasn't been on him for almost a year now. She wanted to get a feeling for his short work and how to tactfully get him more in front of the leg. He looked absolutely amazing with her! Lientje's timing is just incredible and her feel for the slightest incorrect pressure in the hand is remarkable. To say the least, she has very high standards! It was a matter of getting Oslo truly more in front of the leg and supple over the back. Sounds familiar, eh? Same ultimate goal for all of them. It was so minor but when I got on him Tuesday, he felt like a million bucks! Soft and supple and so properly in front. Therefore, his connection was perfect as long as I kept him on the half-halt and stepping under. His whole body shortened and he felt just that bit more rideable. I feel it is more the training of me now that needs the attention. Don't work so hard and soften your upper leg! It is a bit of a different feeling, but when I get it, Oslo has this amazing passage. It involves keeping my upper body back slightly, loose legs and maintaining the suppleness!
Lientje now calls Oslo "the smartest horse"! She thought he picked everything up so fast in the last two days. He just seems to understand the role of his body in the piaffe and passage now. I am not sure I agree with her on the smartest horse comment, perhaps SMRT smart.....! Poor Oslo. He knows I love him though! I don't think either of us would be nearly as happy without each other!
Therefore, the next couple of weeks look very exciting for Oslo and me!
Cashew has been a bit tricky! Her "red headedness" has really been showing the last couple of days. She progressed so much in the first week I don't think she realized what she had gotten herself into! We started some in hand work with her this week and it has proven to be very beneficial for her body and her mind. I have realized Cashew has never been completely focused on me and the work. She seems to be listening at about 75%. So the in hand work has focused her and caused her to be a bit more sensitive. Lientje does some in hand work and then I jump on for the last part of the lesson. It has made a world of difference in her suppleness and when she is carrying herself with her loose neck, so feels incredible. Those times may be few and far between at the moment, but I actually think Lientje is more stubborn than Cashew so I believe we will get it! Cashew isn't German so I think Lientje has a leg up in the stubborn department!
Today was a trail ride for Miss Cashew to give her a mental break from the arena work and Oslo had a nice stroll along the pond and field as well. Tomorrow Cashew has a lesson and Oslo and I are testing our new tools on our own. Lientje is off to Germany in the afternoon and returns Sunday. Therefore, the ponies and I will go Friday and probably Saturday, with Sunday as a hand walking day.
The weather has been the same every day here. I guess that is why people live here. No reason to check the weather, unlike back home! Alberta meteorologists must have much more exciting jobs than the ones here. But I guess they get to go surfing here! People down here seem very nice and everyone welcoming, until they get in their car. I will NEVER complain about Calgary drivers again, as they are unbelievable here. "California lane change" is a new phrase we learned yesterday. This is when you shoulder check and change lanes at the same time. Likely without signalling too. Drivers are erratic and just plain rude. Oh, and merging is a completely foreign concept to most. Hence why we usually take the back roads to the barn, as the interstates are a scary and frustrating experience. I am extremely thankful for having dad to drive my horses across this country. He somehow manages to stay calm and keep us all safe on these crazy roads.
Until next time,
Lindsay + Cashew + "the smartest horse" - Oslo
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Progress!
Yesterday began as a bit of a frustrating day for Oslo and me since we were still really struggling with the connection. He seemed tense and resistant, perhaps not quite settled in yet. Also, it became more frustrating when Lientje began working on the count for the canter zig-zag in the Grand Prix with me. I am not entirely sure what my problem is with counting, but apparently counting to 3 and then 6 was too much for me! I have such a hard time with the timing of the change after each of the half-passes. Praise Lientje for bearing with me and breaking the count down for me. First we just started with the half-pass for 3 strides, then the change and ride straight for a 6 tempi. Sounds easy eh? I didn't think so by the end of the ride! Dad asked Lientje if I was hopeless at the end of the lesson! I know he was only joking (well he better have been anyways!) but I was wondering the same thing! So, I went home and watched the Grand Prix zig-zag on you-tube over and over again! Totilas was a good one to watch as the strides were easy to count.
I came out this morning with more confidence and dad and I counted all the way to the barn in the car! And you know what? I totally got it! Getting that count is the first step and then once you get that, you can focus on riding the half-passes for a 10. No point trying to get the half-passes perfect if you don't have the count solidified. One step closer now! Oslo was so much more relaxed and settled today as well. I felt it as soon as I jumped on and walked him on the trails before going in the arena. He just felt more himself. Therefore, we worked on some of the more collected trot elements, specifically the passage. It is all about keeping him in front of the leg. Slowly bring him into the more collected and then out before he collects too much, because that is the point where he falls behind the leg. No point in uber collecting him right away if I can't bring him in slowly while keeping him in front. Then there is definitely no way I can keep him in front if we get into the passage too quickly. The passage steps feel 100 times better when he is in front - round over the back and always forward thinking so we can get out at any point. I was super proud of him today! And myself for my amazing counting skills! haha.
Cashew was very good yesterday and she keeps becoming more and more supple through her body, making the connection much nicer. We put a bit more pressure on her yesterday using walk halt transitions while tapping her with the whip whenever she leaned into the hand. We are trying to use the whip to "break up" the bracing through her body which results in her pulling forward in the transitions. So a small tap with the whip causes her to sit and shift the weight back onto her hind legs and soft in front. This can be quite stressful though when you are holding them back in the halt and walk because it seems as if they have no where to escape. Miss Cashew handled it well though and her neck was starting to soften and "wiggle" (versus her bracing and setting it) by the end of the ride. Lientje decided some in hand work and long lining would be a good next step since she was able to take the pressure in the halt work. Therefore, we put the caveson on her today and Lientje worked her magic by just working her in hand. The caveson was low on her nose and we had loose side reins on her. Lientje then has a lead attached to the caveson so she can adjust her head position and keep her against the wall. She just walked and halted, as we did yesterday when I was on her, and tapped her with the whip when need. She was a bit resistant at first but let Lientje work on her for a number of rounds. I then got on and rode the trot to walk and halt transitions. I have never felt such a "gumby neck" on her before! She was soft and elastic :)
Dad is spending a lot of time on the beach these days! I shouldn't say anything because I love spending time there too. It is perfect for running on and it can be quite fun just hanging out and meeting the locals. Everyone here seems so friendly! Our neighbour has a cat, Pepper, that comes down to the beach with him! Quite the site! Dad also has started another project - he is trying to get some palm tree seeds to germinate so he can take them home and plant them in the solarium! He has this fascination with palm trees and has been tempted on numerous occasions already to buy one and smuggle it back to Canada.
I will lightly ride the ponies tomorrow and then turn them out for a while. Oslo is completely filthy from rolling in the dirt pens every day! Sunday will be a day off from riding and then back into lessons Monday through Thursday before Lientje goes to Germany for the weekend. Yes, Lientje goes home to visit her parents for a weekend. She must be immune to jetlag, otherwise I have no idea how she functions after trips like that! Australia last weekend and Germany next weekend and full days of teaching during the week. She is amazing in more ways than not!
Goodnight from San Diego!
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
I came out this morning with more confidence and dad and I counted all the way to the barn in the car! And you know what? I totally got it! Getting that count is the first step and then once you get that, you can focus on riding the half-passes for a 10. No point trying to get the half-passes perfect if you don't have the count solidified. One step closer now! Oslo was so much more relaxed and settled today as well. I felt it as soon as I jumped on and walked him on the trails before going in the arena. He just felt more himself. Therefore, we worked on some of the more collected trot elements, specifically the passage. It is all about keeping him in front of the leg. Slowly bring him into the more collected and then out before he collects too much, because that is the point where he falls behind the leg. No point in uber collecting him right away if I can't bring him in slowly while keeping him in front. Then there is definitely no way I can keep him in front if we get into the passage too quickly. The passage steps feel 100 times better when he is in front - round over the back and always forward thinking so we can get out at any point. I was super proud of him today! And myself for my amazing counting skills! haha.
Cashew was very good yesterday and she keeps becoming more and more supple through her body, making the connection much nicer. We put a bit more pressure on her yesterday using walk halt transitions while tapping her with the whip whenever she leaned into the hand. We are trying to use the whip to "break up" the bracing through her body which results in her pulling forward in the transitions. So a small tap with the whip causes her to sit and shift the weight back onto her hind legs and soft in front. This can be quite stressful though when you are holding them back in the halt and walk because it seems as if they have no where to escape. Miss Cashew handled it well though and her neck was starting to soften and "wiggle" (versus her bracing and setting it) by the end of the ride. Lientje decided some in hand work and long lining would be a good next step since she was able to take the pressure in the halt work. Therefore, we put the caveson on her today and Lientje worked her magic by just working her in hand. The caveson was low on her nose and we had loose side reins on her. Lientje then has a lead attached to the caveson so she can adjust her head position and keep her against the wall. She just walked and halted, as we did yesterday when I was on her, and tapped her with the whip when need. She was a bit resistant at first but let Lientje work on her for a number of rounds. I then got on and rode the trot to walk and halt transitions. I have never felt such a "gumby neck" on her before! She was soft and elastic :)
Dad is spending a lot of time on the beach these days! I shouldn't say anything because I love spending time there too. It is perfect for running on and it can be quite fun just hanging out and meeting the locals. Everyone here seems so friendly! Our neighbour has a cat, Pepper, that comes down to the beach with him! Quite the site! Dad also has started another project - he is trying to get some palm tree seeds to germinate so he can take them home and plant them in the solarium! He has this fascination with palm trees and has been tempted on numerous occasions already to buy one and smuggle it back to Canada.
I will lightly ride the ponies tomorrow and then turn them out for a while. Oslo is completely filthy from rolling in the dirt pens every day! Sunday will be a day off from riding and then back into lessons Monday through Thursday before Lientje goes to Germany for the weekend. Yes, Lientje goes home to visit her parents for a weekend. She must be immune to jetlag, otherwise I have no idea how she functions after trips like that! Australia last weekend and Germany next weekend and full days of teaching during the week. She is amazing in more ways than not!
Goodnight from San Diego!
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
Pictures!
Lesson with Alfredo!
Finally getting the proper count in the Grand Prix canter zig-zag!
Smile for the camera!
Starting to get the better connection again.
Oslo starting to take over....
Passage steps :)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Lesson with Alfredo
Monday we had our first lessons with Lientje in the afternoon. Cashew was a star and I was very happy with how she handled the new arena and how great she was in the connection. That will be our main focus with her. She can get quite heavy in the contact and not balance the weight of her body properly, so I usually end up holding it in the reins. But on Monday she was fantastic and I find Lientje so amazing at getting me to get her round and over her back but then still be able to bring her frame up. I think this is one of Lientje's specialties - having horses truly round and in the perfect frame, even young ones. I feel I am not quite skilled enough to get the horse's frame up and out without loosing their back. And that is why I am here to learn from Lientje and I couldn't have a better horse to learn that on, then Cashew.
Oslo was still a bit tense, but once again he settled in the work. He was not as supple as he has been at home, understandable for a 17 year old that has just come off a 2.5 day trip. Therefore, he was a bit inconsistent in the connection as well, but we managed to work through most of it in the lesson and had a very relaxing and positive lesson for both of us.
Tuesday I was lucky enough to get a lesson spot with the master Alfredo Hernandaz! He is the piaffe and passage expert that Steffen uses for in-hand work. Oslo and I were a bit nervous coming in as we are still very green. It didn't help that we saw Legolas and Steffen beforehand with their piaffe for a 10! So brilliant! Alfredo was lovely though and seemed so happy to be there. At the beginning of the lesson he said "it doesn't matter how good or how bad you are, I am here to help you and your horse". And that is exactly what he did. Once I figured out what he was saying about Oslo, "he is a tricky one" we managed to get the rhythm more clear and me not bouncing so much to get him into the piaffe. Alfredo said he had to change his tapping rhythm in order to push Oslo towards a more rhythmical passage and piaffe. Apparently this is typical for Contangos, but it was very nice of him to give me the compliment of how I have done such a good job with such a "tricky" horse. He sure made us work near the end of the lesson though as he made us get everything on our own. "I can't be in the ring with you"! Pff, I wish, then that Grand Prix doesn't seem quite so difficult! We were even working on the transitions from piaffe to passage and vie versa without much trouble with Alfredo's help. On our own it was a bit more difficult and I think I was sweaty more than Oslo! I needed to just get him to do it though and then be able to relax in the saddle. First we need to get it though and have Oslo understand the idea that neither of us can be lazy!
Cashew was even more up in her lesson on Tuesday and she didn't take a step wrong. She is really surprising me here and I hope we can ramp things up with her now!
Mom went home this morning and the ponies got today off. Mom will be back next week, but until then, Dad and I are expected to be behave! Dad and I took Oslo and Cashew for a long walk and then they had some quality turnout time with Dawn's horse and Joseph's hot Contango, Daisy! Oslo and Daisy were ripping around in those pens! Thank goodness it wasn't someone else's horse there, as some owners are very particular about their horses running around. The horses in the barn must be worth millions and everyone is very careful they don't hurt themselves. Oslo is pretty used to it though and sometimes I think it is good for him to run off the steam.
Back to lessons tomorrow and Friday. Then a light ride on the weekend with one day off.
Good night from San Diego!
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
Oslo was still a bit tense, but once again he settled in the work. He was not as supple as he has been at home, understandable for a 17 year old that has just come off a 2.5 day trip. Therefore, he was a bit inconsistent in the connection as well, but we managed to work through most of it in the lesson and had a very relaxing and positive lesson for both of us.
Tuesday I was lucky enough to get a lesson spot with the master Alfredo Hernandaz! He is the piaffe and passage expert that Steffen uses for in-hand work. Oslo and I were a bit nervous coming in as we are still very green. It didn't help that we saw Legolas and Steffen beforehand with their piaffe for a 10! So brilliant! Alfredo was lovely though and seemed so happy to be there. At the beginning of the lesson he said "it doesn't matter how good or how bad you are, I am here to help you and your horse". And that is exactly what he did. Once I figured out what he was saying about Oslo, "he is a tricky one" we managed to get the rhythm more clear and me not bouncing so much to get him into the piaffe. Alfredo said he had to change his tapping rhythm in order to push Oslo towards a more rhythmical passage and piaffe. Apparently this is typical for Contangos, but it was very nice of him to give me the compliment of how I have done such a good job with such a "tricky" horse. He sure made us work near the end of the lesson though as he made us get everything on our own. "I can't be in the ring with you"! Pff, I wish, then that Grand Prix doesn't seem quite so difficult! We were even working on the transitions from piaffe to passage and vie versa without much trouble with Alfredo's help. On our own it was a bit more difficult and I think I was sweaty more than Oslo! I needed to just get him to do it though and then be able to relax in the saddle. First we need to get it though and have Oslo understand the idea that neither of us can be lazy!
Cashew was even more up in her lesson on Tuesday and she didn't take a step wrong. She is really surprising me here and I hope we can ramp things up with her now!
Mom went home this morning and the ponies got today off. Mom will be back next week, but until then, Dad and I are expected to be behave! Dad and I took Oslo and Cashew for a long walk and then they had some quality turnout time with Dawn's horse and Joseph's hot Contango, Daisy! Oslo and Daisy were ripping around in those pens! Thank goodness it wasn't someone else's horse there, as some owners are very particular about their horses running around. The horses in the barn must be worth millions and everyone is very careful they don't hurt themselves. Oslo is pretty used to it though and sometimes I think it is good for him to run off the steam.
Back to lessons tomorrow and Friday. Then a light ride on the weekend with one day off.
Working on Oslo's connection.
Cashew's brilliant canter!
Sunset Sunday night after dinner with Angie.
Good night from San Diego!
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Happy Birthday Oslo!!!!
Yep, now today is Oslo's birthday! Cashew's yesterday and now Oslo's today! :) So I am sure they are both completely full of carrots now.
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day and despite some sunburn it was a great day for our first rides here. We just did lighter rides to stretch their legs and get them used to the rings and walking trails. They don't see blue herons or have to walk over bridges on a daily basis in Calgary! Cashew is doing great and adjusting well. She appears a little "shell shocked" but settled into the work today and felt tremendous. She was elastic and had a great connection in the snaffle.
Oslo is a bit of a different story, as he has never settled in anywhere new very well. He felt great during the ride and the work seemed to settle him, but the first time I took him away from Cashew, he thought the world was going to end! Cashew could care less, but if you take Oslo away from Cashew, or even worse, take Cashew away from him, he nearly loses his mind! This is his way of showing his tension and nervousness, so I expect him to relax a lot more over the next few days. Thankfully Cashew is very calm about things! I know Oslo will eventually get into a new routine here; it will just take some time.
We were pleasantly surprised to see Steffen out riding this morning! Usually he is away on weekends teaching, but we got to see him ride Legolas today! I hope Oslo was watching that piaffe!!!! The barn is generally very quiet on weekends and not many people ride. Weekday mornings are when things are super busy and the arenas are quite full.
Dad got some good pictures today that I will try and upload tomorrow (once we get internet in our apartment).
First lessons with Lientje tomorrow! :)
Cheers,
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day and despite some sunburn it was a great day for our first rides here. We just did lighter rides to stretch their legs and get them used to the rings and walking trails. They don't see blue herons or have to walk over bridges on a daily basis in Calgary! Cashew is doing great and adjusting well. She appears a little "shell shocked" but settled into the work today and felt tremendous. She was elastic and had a great connection in the snaffle.
Oslo is a bit of a different story, as he has never settled in anywhere new very well. He felt great during the ride and the work seemed to settle him, but the first time I took him away from Cashew, he thought the world was going to end! Cashew could care less, but if you take Oslo away from Cashew, or even worse, take Cashew away from him, he nearly loses his mind! This is his way of showing his tension and nervousness, so I expect him to relax a lot more over the next few days. Thankfully Cashew is very calm about things! I know Oslo will eventually get into a new routine here; it will just take some time.
We were pleasantly surprised to see Steffen out riding this morning! Usually he is away on weekends teaching, but we got to see him ride Legolas today! I hope Oslo was watching that piaffe!!!! The barn is generally very quiet on weekends and not many people ride. Weekday mornings are when things are super busy and the arenas are quite full.
Dad got some good pictures today that I will try and upload tomorrow (once we get internet in our apartment).
First lessons with Lientje tomorrow! :)
Cheers,
Lindsay + Oslo + Cashew
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Happy Birthday Cashew!
We safely arrived at Arroyo Del Mar yesterday early afternoon. Luckily, the weather stayed cool for us across the desert and both Oslo and Cashew seemed to travel well.
Both ponies are settling into their new digs now. Cashew, the baby of the bunch, is taking everything in stride and starting to relax. She was a bit energetic on her first long walk this morning around the property, but she soon calmed down and was back to her normal self by the end. I am thinking she is probably wishing she was out in a large field filled with grass for her birthday today, but instead she is soaking up the California sun in her dirt pen and eating mouthfuls of carrots in her cool stall. Carrots for all!
Oslo, the experienced one in the bunch, is a bit more stressed. Which may not be a surprise for all of you that know him! He takes a while to settle in to new places and he has never been a fan of change. Already I see him starting to chill though, and he still has a bit of winter hair left, so he is enjoying his well ventilated stall in the barn.
We have met up with another fellow Canadian here - Angie Golley. She has two horses down here as well. Throughout the barn we are just referred to as "The Canadians"! When we arrived yesterday, everyone was saying, "oh goodie, more Canadians!" :) We are not the only foreign ones here though, as there are several people over from Australia training here with their horses as well.
I will ride the ponies tomorrow, just lightly. I want to make sure they have enough time to get use to the temperature and stretch out from the long trip. Then we will start with lessons on Monday. Lientje is currently in Melbourne, Australia, teaching a clinic, but is back Sunday. I have no idea how she manages to go to Australia for 4 days and comes back to teach the next day! Incredible! And perhaps a little crazy! But we still love her :)
I am putting up a couple pictures of Cashew and Oslo in their stalls. It is amazing how cool it stays in the barn, even when the sun is out in full force. There always seems to be a nice breeze flowing through.
Happy Birthday Cashew!
Linds
Both ponies are settling into their new digs now. Cashew, the baby of the bunch, is taking everything in stride and starting to relax. She was a bit energetic on her first long walk this morning around the property, but she soon calmed down and was back to her normal self by the end. I am thinking she is probably wishing she was out in a large field filled with grass for her birthday today, but instead she is soaking up the California sun in her dirt pen and eating mouthfuls of carrots in her cool stall. Carrots for all!
Oslo, the experienced one in the bunch, is a bit more stressed. Which may not be a surprise for all of you that know him! He takes a while to settle in to new places and he has never been a fan of change. Already I see him starting to chill though, and he still has a bit of winter hair left, so he is enjoying his well ventilated stall in the barn.
We have met up with another fellow Canadian here - Angie Golley. She has two horses down here as well. Throughout the barn we are just referred to as "The Canadians"! When we arrived yesterday, everyone was saying, "oh goodie, more Canadians!" :) We are not the only foreign ones here though, as there are several people over from Australia training here with their horses as well.
I will ride the ponies tomorrow, just lightly. I want to make sure they have enough time to get use to the temperature and stretch out from the long trip. Then we will start with lessons on Monday. Lientje is currently in Melbourne, Australia, teaching a clinic, but is back Sunday. I have no idea how she manages to go to Australia for 4 days and comes back to teach the next day! Incredible! And perhaps a little crazy! But we still love her :)
I am putting up a couple pictures of Cashew and Oslo in their stalls. It is amazing how cool it stays in the barn, even when the sun is out in full force. There always seems to be a nice breeze flowing through.
Happy Birthday Cashew!
Linds
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Back at it - California Training Trip!
Hello everyone! It has been almost a year since I have done a post and Oslo, Cashew, and I are finally back on the road again! We are headed to California, San Diego to be specific, for a month of serious training. Oslo and I are so close to the Grand Prix that we can taste it! Nearly there with all the movements, but we are in need of some dedicated eyes on the ground to help with the precision and final touches the Olympic level requires. That is where Lientje Schueler, Steffen Peter's assistant, comes in! She comes to Canada a few times a year to do clinics. We absolutely love her training methods with the different horses and just have a blast working our butts off for her! Cashew and I have a different goal, but it also requires some serious dedication and focus on both our parts. We successfully showed in the FEI 5 year old class last year and are wanting to step it up a notch this year. I feel she is right on the verge of brilliance and I am hoping Lientje can point us in the right direction so we can bring out the best in Ms. Cashew.
Over the last year I have had Oslo and Cashew in Calgary with me, at the beautiful Trakehner Glen. It is the only thing that has kept me sane in the last year! I have been enjoying my job at EBA Engineering, garbage girl as some say, but boy does the city get to me sometimes. Thankfully, I have the ponies to run to after work and on weekends. I do have to say up front that my boss at EBA and the company have been very good to me and let me take the time I need to spend riding. Not everyone would be so understanding, but Scott, my boss is truly amazing and so supportive of my crazy aspirations with Oslo and Cashew! So thank you to everyone at EBA and Scott especially!
Mom, dad, Cashew, Oslo, and I left first thing Wednesday morning from Trakehner Glen and stopped in Idaho Falls last night and are now in Vegas for the night. Tomorrow morning will be an early start as we want to avoid the heat down here - it has been over 30 degrees since we left Utah. The two long days of travel are over and it is only about 6 hours to San Diego from here.
I will be working and riding while down there, but I will try to post regularly, including lots of pictures.
Thank you to everyone that has made this trip possible and have helped out in the past! Allison Hagen, Cashew's owner, is always supportive and right behind us all the way! Mom and dad of course, I need to thank them for pretty much everything! My understanding employer, EBA! My best friend who has kept me company the last few months at the barn and groomed my ponies - Alan! Gill at Trakehner Glen who helped us on our way and everyone else at the barn who cares for Oslo and Cashew when I am not there. And of course, all my past sponsors!
Thank you everyone and I will be in touch!
Linds, Oslo, and Cashew
Over the last year I have had Oslo and Cashew in Calgary with me, at the beautiful Trakehner Glen. It is the only thing that has kept me sane in the last year! I have been enjoying my job at EBA Engineering, garbage girl as some say, but boy does the city get to me sometimes. Thankfully, I have the ponies to run to after work and on weekends. I do have to say up front that my boss at EBA and the company have been very good to me and let me take the time I need to spend riding. Not everyone would be so understanding, but Scott, my boss is truly amazing and so supportive of my crazy aspirations with Oslo and Cashew! So thank you to everyone at EBA and Scott especially!
Mom, dad, Cashew, Oslo, and I left first thing Wednesday morning from Trakehner Glen and stopped in Idaho Falls last night and are now in Vegas for the night. Tomorrow morning will be an early start as we want to avoid the heat down here - it has been over 30 degrees since we left Utah. The two long days of travel are over and it is only about 6 hours to San Diego from here.
I will be working and riding while down there, but I will try to post regularly, including lots of pictures.
Thank you to everyone that has made this trip possible and have helped out in the past! Allison Hagen, Cashew's owner, is always supportive and right behind us all the way! Mom and dad of course, I need to thank them for pretty much everything! My understanding employer, EBA! My best friend who has kept me company the last few months at the barn and groomed my ponies - Alan! Gill at Trakehner Glen who helped us on our way and everyone else at the barn who cares for Oslo and Cashew when I am not there. And of course, all my past sponsors!
Thank you everyone and I will be in touch!
Linds, Oslo, and Cashew
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