Talk about a ride; the Metamora CDE of 2009 was an event to remember as this year they experienced the most rain in the 25 years of the show.  For those of you that have showed at Metamora, you know how tough the course can be in the best of conditions.  Add 6" of rain into the mix and you have a roller coaster ride on marathon day.

Life has been very busy these days.  The farm, the horses, and work have been filling every free minute, which is a good thing.

I don't believe I have mentioned that Rachel has set a goal for Erin D. and me to ride 200 miles on our green horses this summer.  So far I have 20 miles in and I believe Erin D. has 30, which is a long way to 200.

Even in tough economic times and other shows are having to close their doors, the Gayla still had a waiting list.

This year Rachel Niceley showed her pair of Georgian Grande mares for the first time at the Intermediate level.  I navigated for her which meant taking on the challenge to learn 7 hazards with 5 gates apiece.  That is 35 gates to remember, which is tough for someone who can't remember anything.

I believe that Sunday was Odessa's first true trail ride with creeks and logs and stuff to negotiate and she was great.  I think it helped that she was madly in lust for Will, the gelding TJ was on.  She had a pitiful wanting look on her eye the whole time and would nicker softly if he got too far away from her and she squatted and peed about 5 times.  She was pitiful.

Odessa is home from 45d at an Eventing barn where she was away from Darwin and getting some riding experience.  She will continue her training at Woodsmith Farm with a lot of ground work in patience, standing and bending.