I had to take a friend to get her car so I cut out a little early and went and rode.

Cook was really good.  no complaints.  we were rushing jumps (as u can see in the videos) but u know, both times she was coming off time-off.  (She had Sunday and Monday off).  I think once we get back into work, then she will calm down more and stop it.  Or at least that is what I am telling myself.  :-P  She’s still a way cute jumper.  I cannot complain at all cause I would rather deal with being forward and happy to the jump, than hesitant.  I am not putting up the horrible ones (the horrible ones I will save for a secret link for special people to review). 

See Lauren?  I said nothing.

I like this.

Somewhere…Somewhere in time’s Own Space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.

~Stanley Harrison

My horse has gone ahead now,
To blaze a trail for us;
To find out every rocky place,
Or one where we can’t pass;
He’ll seek the finest grassland,
And water fresh and pure;
To make sure when we travel on,
Our path beyond is clear;
He’s never let me down before,
I know now and I see;
He’ll blaze our trail to heaven,
And come back one day for me.

-?  

work - un-eventful.

went out to barn and went in to see cook, give her a hug. she walked away from me. apparently she hasn’t forgiven me for the George lesson. she had to work very hard and she’s still rolling her eyes about it.

I gotta blog about the things Cook and I gotta work on. (mostly cause this is a training blog so it’s good to note this at this date and time) If I missed one, let me know.

Cantering - Slowing down / keeping leg on so she doesn’t break.

Leaning for the canter (this wouldn’t be such a bad habit if Cook didn’t respond so well to it. It’s her fault!)

Jumping - Finding the spot.

Adding a stride

Not being left behind. I didn’t jerk her in her mouth or land on her back but being left still ain’t pretty.

So today I got exciting news from Mere.  Long story short, Mere talked to Paula who owns Cook.  Paula is going to transfer her papers over to me.  So she will officially be mine.

I’m excited and grateful to Mere for this cause it’s a relief.  It’s been a great experience going from lessons to half leasing to full leasing, but frankly I’m ready for this.   Cook will always be taken care of.  Always.

I went into her stall to tell her bye and I would see her tomorrow.  She just munched on hay and gave me her “whatever” look.   Nothing has changed as far as she’s concerned.  She knows I love her.

I owe Lauren Upton an apology so I’m blogging it (I already told her on IM).

me sorry.  forgive me.

the inner circle is still un-broken.

I can’t even try and make this mildly interesting because I am EXHAUSTED. I can’t even tell u how friggin tired I am. So I will give a brief cap and some thanks!

Cook started off SO FRESH. I could feel the buck in her. So George let her free gallop in the ring to get off the edge. Then I got back on and she was just fine. She was really really really really good. I was very happy. sore and tired but very happy. I was very pleased with George’s feedback and help.

Thanks everyone who was out there for encouraging me to continue when Cook was psychotic and for all the nice compliments afterwards.

Cook felt really good. I love cantering that mare.

Ok I’m signing off so I can shower and try to stay up for another 2 hours so I can go to bed and do this all over tomorrow.

Quote (from Bridget Jones’s Diary):

“what I’m trying to say, very inarticulately, is that, um, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I like you, very much. Just as you are. ”

_________________________________________________________________

I went out to see Cook. She has some scrape on her butt. She’s completely sound and it’s not a big deal. I cleaned out the scrape, and put a glob of furazone on it (neosporin for horses). I cleaned her up a lil for tomorrow. I will do a better job tomorrow before we ride.

_____________________________________________________________________

Ok so I come home to get ready for a bday thingy down on glenwood. I hop into the shower, get dressed etc etc. My eyebrows are looking sort of sad so I decide to quickly shape them up.

NEVER DO THIS IN A RUSH.

NEVER! NEVER!!

I have 1/2 eyebrow. I ripped too much off. (stop laughing). Seriously there is nothing I can do about it for like the next two weeks. and I still have to go to the bday party. with my 1/2 eyebrow.

I’m hideous.

Perhaps this is a sign I should stay home.

____________________________________________________________________

UPDATED:

I had the ‘absolut’ best time. (ha ha!). Laughed Alot.

One of the funniest comments was that I could hang with the ‘All guy, no wives allowed” party because “I wasn’t really a girl”. I’m squinting and taking that as a compliment.

Things that Apparently Are Discussed At Guy-Only Events.

- What happened at various bachelor parties.

- Recite lines from Pulp Fiction

- Discuss whether the Biker in Raising Arizona was H.I.’s alter ego.

- Various fights involving a member of the entourage** (If u know who I went out with, that’s not hard to guess who)

and most importantly. as happens EVERY time.

- Why I haven’t dated, kissed, married, moved in with a member of the entourage. The irony here is that they think I’m cool as a fan NOW, but if I were to marry one of them, then I would be sent to voicemail if I wanted to come out on a Friday night.

Men!

Anyway I really had a good time the whole night. too good of a time. I’m gonna be hurting during my lesson with george.

I tried on my Tailored Sportsman that I haven’t had on since showing with Lauren last season…

its’ completely depressing.

and I have to wear them on Saturday. 

In front of people.

I’m guessin there is no diet that makes u drop 10lbs in 2 days.  outside of Lipo (which costs approximately the same as new Tailored Sportsman).

EDIT:  Here is a pic Cam of me last SUMMER in my britches.

It didn’t help that one time I washed them.  …. and slightly put them in the dryer.  MY BAD!!  I had to wear them for a show the next day.  3 words people!  dry clean only!

1st of all… I hurt my butt at some point. yeah yeah! laugh it up! I have no friggin’ CLUE about what I did to crack/bruise/hurt my tailbone but its’s VERY uncomfortable to sit on.

2nd. I left my paddock boots at my brother’s house. My FAVORITE paddock boots.

I went to the barn fully expecting to pat cook on the head and leave. Emily, owner of Taylor, was out and tacking up. So I put chaps over TENNIS shoes and tacked up my mare as well. We went down to the ring and right away, I knew this was a good day. Cook was fab. She was up but listening really well. We cantered around and popped over some little jumps. Then Emily and I switched. This was my first time on Taylor and it was mad cool. He’s a TB Cookie gelding. Same gears, same great steering. He’s nice, especially at the canter. I think TB’s are just made to canter.

Anyway today was a good day. Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight. I planned on running again tonight to just completely wear myself out but I’m already tired (from last nights’ 230AM wake up). So I am going to take a tylenol PM and hope that helps me make it through the night.

OK it’s 329AM exactly and I’m up surfing cause I have been awake for more than an hour.  Can u believe this crap?

Not to mention, I have a headache.

Headache + No Sleep = Anticipated Crankiness at Work in about 5 hours.

I have nothing interesting to say.  Poo.