Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A hope dashed, then lifted

Mr F came out and evaluated the arena footing situation. Then he gave a price.

Ouch!

Even though I am certain that this guy knows what he's doing and would do a fabulous job, there's no way we can afford him. I told him so ,and he said that it was actually a pretty cheap price. I said I'm sure it is, but I know that the barn owner is not going to agree to pay that much. I thanked him for the estimate, and told him that I'd contact him again if, by some miracle, we were able to use his services.

Out of desperation I called Mr. K again, fully expecting him to not have time to work with us. He explained what his schedule was like, and after thinking about it agreed to come over on Saturday. He said he would have to work the footing with two different pieces of equipment on two different days. But he said he would start Saturday, and that I should call him Saturday morning and he'd give me a time.

Now, I want to believe that he's going to be able to come out. However, knowing what he's got going on this month I'm not counting on it 100%. But I'm trying to be optimistic that this is the time, and that work is finally going to proceed as planned.

Also my trainer is looking at her schedule and we're figuring out which week Kaswyn can go over to her place. Ooo! I can't tell you how excited I am. You truly never know what you've got until it's gone, and I'm very much missing good arena footing and another set of eyes on the ground right now.

I had been concerned that Kaswyn hadn't felt right the last time I rode, so tonight I put him on the lunge line and he looked okay to me. Maybe it's just my imagination that he's moving poorly, but I can't tell since we have no mirrors and I don't have anyone there to give me a clue about how he's going. Maybe he just feels worse than he looks. But my gut tells me that when he feels wrong, he is wrong.

Regardless, he gets his shoes reset on Thursday, and maybe that will solve some of the problem. Then new footing possibly this weekend, and then maybe to my trainer's place for boot camp next week. Could we be making progress?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope Mr. K comes out on Saturday.

I can't wait to hear about boot-camp!

Rising Rainbow said...

I hope Mr K makes it out too, I know how much you need help with the footing.

Jen Travers said...

Even if all three of these things don't come together (footing, shoes, and boot camp), it definitely sounds like progress. I'd say if the shoes and the boot camp happen, you have to declare success! As my trainer tells me every once in awhile, "you need to accept the little successes, otherwise, you'll never enjoy the sport." I usually still want to cry as much as I did before she reminds me of this, but it does make me feel better.

Hope it helps!

Dressage Nomad said...

Sounds like things are looking up! I can't wait to hear about boot camp either, it sounds like it will be a blast. Maybe you can talk someone into taking some pictures...(hint, hint)...lol.

 
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