Sand in my toes

So, my sisters came down for a visit and introduced me to the beach.  Obviously, I have been missing something.  Apparently, contrary to my assumptions, one does not broil in the sun.  My middle sister Ellen produced a 3 lb collapsible cabana from her luggage.  Popped it up on the beach in about 5 minutes and it stayed put despite some pretty strong winds.  Red and purple flags were flying indicating very high winds/rip currents and man ‘o war jelly fish.  No way I was going in the water. Ellen supplied this picture under the category “pics or it didn’t happen” and yes, I was eventually coaxed (shamed?) into removing my shoes by my youngest sister Debbie.  The middle image is the view from the cabana.  The third image is the view from the hammock at Laura’s where I collapse after the second of my lessons for the day.  Note the additional fencing to keep alligators out.

Barry and I have now progressed to second level work.  This requires sitting trot.  Barry’s trot is big and bouncy and there is nothing cushy about it.  My core is protesting as are my hamstrings, but I am mastering it.  At the last recognized show, I rode First Level test 3 and the judge wrote that I was smart to post the trot. Next recognized show is March 15-17 and I will be riding Second Level test 1.  It’s one thing to sit a trot like that; it is another to sit that trot AND do shoulder-in, not to mention medium trot. 

I am pretty excited that Galatea is coming back into work nicely.  She has, of course, lost quite a bit of topline.  The allergy shots are going well and she is now able to be turned out during the day without any hysterics.  Laura is extremely well connected and had Kim Gentry come out to do a bit fitting.  Kim had just finished a video/Zoom session that same week (available on the USDF website in about 60 days) where she described the mechanics of bit fitting.  She watched me ride Galatea, looked at the bit we were working in and said “This has got to go”.  She examined her mouth, noting that her palate is flat and her tongue is thick.  Moreover, although her front teeth are level, they are also several millimeters apart – this is a trend among equine dentists at the moment, but it means that the palate rests on the tongue leaving even less room for the bit. Plus, she has ridges or possible bone spurs on the lower jaw/bars of her mouth. Kim then produced a Bombers Elliptical Dressage Control Bit – very reasonably priced - for me to try.  It takes pressure off the bars and is much narrower. I suddenly had a horse going lightly, without bearing on the reins. Multiple halts and not a single episode of head swinging or rooting. We then swapped through 2 more bits that were not nearly as acceptable to the mare before going back to the Bomber bit to confirm it was THE bit.  It arrives tomorrow.  I am sure that it will fix all that is wrong. ;-)

I have decided to extend my stay down here by two more weeks to the end of April.  It will let me recoup some of the time lost with Galatea. I hope to compete her at the last shows at the end of March and beginning of April before the season ends.

Oh, and Laura casually mentioned that her neighbors are putting their 5 acres up for sale.  An 8 stall barn, with lots of pasture, a four bedroom three bathroom house in a cul de sac location, and swimming pool. What will happen to the dozen peacocks on the property is anyone's guess. Someone please take my checkbook from me.