The Latest Events

Greetings, Internet! I haven't blogged in so long! Wow! I had intended on writing a blog post about 2013 in review, but obviously that never happened! 2013 ended well for both of us, with the emergence of an awesome new opportunity, fun hacks in the snow, spending time together on the ground, and a photoshoot with a friend of mine. The final product was impressive! I love getting pictures taken with Gambler... especially when the photographer can make me look pretty like Sarah did! I hope and pray that 2014 will be a good year for us! So far so good, and Gambler continues to be awesome, of course. Gambler is doing so well! God is good as always and continues to bless us with His mercies! 

Gambler continues to amaze me, and has improved so much. Some big things have happened since I last blogged, and I couldn't be more excited about some things on the horizon! I will say it again, God is awesome! Gambler continues to be adorable and try his little heart out, bless him! I am so impressed with this horse. And yes, I say that every time I blog about him, but I mean it! Seriously! He is so good. I will never tire of the view between this marker tipped ears of his! He is such a special horse and I realize that more and more every day! 

Some big changes have gone on since I last blogged! Around the beginning of December, I started training with a local eventer. It has been an amazing experience thus far, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this coming year! We have been focusing a lot on getting Gambler straight on the flat and all I can say is wow! The difference it has made in both his flatwork and jumping is unbelievable. I feel so blessed to have found my trainer. She has worked wonders and the improvement he has already made is amazing! In addition to getting him straight, we have been getting him to stretch into the contact. Hopefully he will be maintaining a solid training level frame by our first show.

Yes, our first show! March 9th! So exciting. We will be doing a combined test - Intro Test A and an 18" jump course! We have only had two jumping lessons so far, but he has improved so much in just that time! He is very brave to the jumps, and the best part is that I find him to be very adjustable and willing. We did some canter work over fences yesterday for the first time, and he was very willing to adjust  his stride and take the distances I ask! Hooray for an awesome pony, and hopefully he will be just as awesome in the show ring! Gambler still thinks that putting effort into jumps is, well, too much effort! The result - lazy, crazy knees! We will be doing lots and lots of bounces and grids to fix that before our first show! 

It has been awesome to see Gambler get stronger just since working with Jaclyn. His canter is coming along great. We were having a really hard time with his right lead, but under her wisdom, he's doing much better! We have been doing a lot of transition work to get him stronger in the canter, and it seems to be working. She has us cantering half a 20 meter circle, trotting the full thing, cantering half, and so on. It has helped him a lot! We've switched his bit to a big happy mouth eggbutt, and he loves it! He is much more eager to stretch into the contact, and raise his back. It is such a nice change.

Gambler is also getting FAT! Which is a good thing, of course. He is almost at a really good weight, finally! It has been an uphill battle to get him here, but I am so blessed.

His ground manners continue to improve. He now stands on cross ties to be tacked (heck yes!) and even bridles in the aisle now. He is standing for the mounting block, and even let me get on him in the field the other day. It was so nice to just lay on his back and relax while he ate.

And of course, Gambler continues to be a total camera ham! Of course! He loves the camera and having his picture taken! I can't say I can blame him... He just wants to share his good looks with the world!

It is snowing cats and dogs (is that a thing?) today. We're supposed to get up to 8 inches. Needless to say, I probably won't be riding for a few days! Although it would be lovely if I could get in a nice snow hack tomorrow, something that has been a longtime goal with Gambler. The snow is so pretty, and luckily I was able to go get some quick pony cuddles in this morning before the storm hit! We caught some snowflakes as we were running up the hill to the car! I'm sure the farm is gorgeous right now with all the snow, though. It sure was pretty last snow storm!

So what is on the horizon for 2014? Well, I don't entirely know! I'm leaving that one up to God. Other than our first show in March, hopefully we will be able to attend some jumper shows over the summer. Maybe a few xc schools are in store for us. Perhaps another big change that is still in the works. Who knows! Whatever happens, as long as I have the best pony by my side, I know it will be awesome!

Hopefully I actually start blogging every week about my lessons. Maybe then I will remember all of the awesome info that my trainer throws at me!