It appears that I am better. At least I feel better today. Good enough that I could go to work, so you know what that means - I'm going to the barn. I probably won't ride all four horses, but I'll try to at least ride two.
Yes, I now have four horses to ride. And I have no idea how I'm going to fit them all in. Here is what happened.
There was a gal who had her young arab gelding with my trainer. She had him in training for one month and my trainer took him to a show and got as high as a 67% at Training Level. Then he went back home for a year, then back to my trainer's for two months, then back home again. Now he's for sale, and his owner wants to try and get him qualified to go to Sport Horse Nationals. Rather, she wants me to do it. And there is a show coming up in 6 weeks that I was planning on going to.
Now, I know my trainer had this horse for a month and did fantastic with him at a show, but I'm not my trainer! I told the owner this, and she said she understands and really doesn't expect anything. Which is good because I can't make any promises beyond riding her horse for her. In this case she just might get what she pays for, because I'm not charging her for riding him. The rules say that I can't accept money if I want to stay an amateur, and since I don't' want to become professional this won't be a money making deal for me.
In return for riding and showing him, since I can't accept payment, the owner is going to let Susan and I use her trailer to get our horses to shows! That solves a big problem that we had. Now I just need to find time for him. Since I've agreed to do this, the new horse, Skyy, will have to take priority over Fire.
Fire's owner has no plans to show or sell him, and I was just riding him because he's really cool. I'm going to still try and ride him if I have time, but so far Fire's owner hasn't been able to come out and help groom. Skyy's owner has committed to coming out at least once, probably twice a week to help me out. Since I've been sick I haven't been able to ride him yet, so today will be the first day. Right after she moved him to our barn I got sick, so she's been lunging him. He's really out of shape, so today should be interesting.
I still have to figure out where I'm going to get the energy to show three horses at one show. Showing two horses at the last show nearly did me in. I'd better eat my Wheaties!
The Week In Pictures
4 years ago
5 comments:
Wow, where do you find your energy? Four horses? Amazing! Maybe you should just quit your job and start training?
And the trailer deal sounds totally sweet! I am sure it will be nice to be mobile. I hope it's a super cool trailer with living quarters and stuff.
Ha! There is no way I'm a horse trainer. I'm a rider, but not a trainer. And most nights I won't be able to ride four horses. Even with help there would not be enough time.
The trailer doesn't have living quarters, but it is a three horse slant load with a dressing room, which is really great!
Glad to hear that you are feeling better! And what an exciting time you are in for!
That is a great deal that you worked out... training and showing in exchange for trailer use.
I have had some similar issues pop up, not wanting to change my status from amateur yet I certainly don't feel I am a trainer. I will do schooling rides on horses and ride them in shows but not teach. I like the way you put it "I am a rider not a trainer"
Good luck on keeping up the energy, lots of sleep and good food!
Just came across your blog, it's great! Also, I know most of us horse lovers use it, so thought I'd let you all know that I found some pretty great coupons on Absorbine products. I can't wait to try out UltraShield; the stuff is supposed to work wonders!
The issue really is do you want to use a product that is not FDA approved and therefore requires no testing and can claim anything they want on an animal you love to save a few bucks. There is a reason is cheaper.
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