October Wrap Up

October was a great month for both ponies. The weather has also been absolutely gorgeous, so it has been a great riding month, minus the plague/maybe Covid that I had about two weeks ago. 

	Ben	Goggles
Training rides	3	3
Lessons	1 Jump	2 – 1 flat, 1 jump
Hacks	7 – 2 ponied	5 – 3 off property
Ground work, lunge, long line	1 - lunge	0
Flat rides	5	3
XC school	1 - Majestic	1 – Naked Horse

Goggles: 

Goggles did several off property hacks with my friend and her horse. Goggles has proved himself VERY BRAVE. Really. The last hack was the epitome of a Friday full moon ride. At one point a very large snake fell out of a tree, followed quickly by a squirrel. We think it was trying to eat a squirrel baby from the nest. Then some sandhill cranes (dinosaur birds) took off straight towards us. Goggles spun and took off and bucked a bit. Fortunately my friend pulled her horse up quickly, and I was able to pull Goggles up before ending up on the road. Other than that though, he took everything in with a stop and stare for a while and then could be coaxed forward. Good boy. 

Next month is more of the same - off property adventures, building strength in correct flat work, and continuing hacks to expand his world view. I mighhhhtttt try to go trot around cross rails at a schooling jumper show at the end of the month. 

Ben: 

The month started/September ended with our trip to Stable View. 

Although it was a mixed bag for Ben and I, I'm soooo glad we went. It was a beautiful venue and a huge learning experience. After that, Ben had several other off property adventures as well. We did our jumper round and Majestic and then JT did a jumper round at POP on Sunday. He also did a lot of hacking around the neighborhood, mostly with friends, which made him quite happy. 

Fairies! 

Pre-XC school at Majestic 

We're headed to Rocking Horse this weekend at training level. He's felt amazing cross country, both at Stable View and at Majestic when we schooled, so I'm excited for that. Stadium I just need to remind myself that I almost always need more pace. And when in doubt stretch up and leg on. We've got the rest of the month to lesson and maybe get out to a few jumper shows, and then we'll be doing the Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo in December.