Stompin' In My Air Force Ones

If Nelly said that I'm pretty sure it would be "Er Force Onessss", Clif is far too grammatically correct to be hip-hop fly, so he pronounces it right! He probably studies Webster's while he hides in the run-in shed if he happens to left out in the sunlight (maybe his last name should be Cullen). Clif has been battling a little bit of a heel soreness...and losing. That was until he got his fancy new kicks! I'm fairly sure they are like Patagonia trail running shoes (Now I have no idea what those look like, but I imagine them to be highly expensive, highly functional, and highly unfashionable) meets Gucci dress shoes (he is slightly metro). Needless to say, if they cost more than his usual shoes, make him stand out in a crowd and make his big ol' feet not hurt, I'm pretty sure he's enjoying them..until he can find something better on the market. He had a little outing at the Fork Saturday and had a good confidence building school, if I could do a mini XC school once a week, my life would be complete!

Tess is great. Very sound and very full of herself- so basically back to normal. If she were human I'm pretty sure she would be a CIA operative who attended Juilliard and then went on to get a PHD from Harvard or something- she's just a classy horse all around. She feels better than ever even though we are only trotting around gigantic fields at the moment! I actually just found myself laughing because I was thinking about Tess and when we dropped her off at the "cowboy" for her unwillingness to be broke. His words were "we go down drops you 3-day event people ain't even wanna see, umm k?" (think Sling Blade with that accent) and "she's not got much more attitude than most, she's just got a bit more will and talent". I'm sorry is there any worse combination for a bucker than will and talent? I'm fairly sure that's all they need! Maybe even just 1 of the above!

Irish is still a little super star, I'm lucky no one has caught on to how great she is or else should be gone! She loves her job; whether it is dressage or jumping, she is always excited to try something new. She went to The Fork on Saturday for a little XC school- she thought that was great fun and it would only be more fun if the fences were bigger! I think they were plenty big for a four year old!! I rode her for a bit and then my mom hopped on her and jumped over the ditches and all through the water; she loves ditches and water which is a must for an event horse! My goal with her all the time is to inflate that already gigantic ego of hers, the better she thinks she is, the more she likes what she is doing...and right now, she loves it so I must be doing my job!

On the business side of things. I have two new horses in training, so I am starting to get busy! YAY! One is for sale, so as I get to know him I will let everyone who just how much they need to buy him I'm sure! The other is a 3 year old Formula One baby who is just starting so she is a little wanna-be eventer right now, but she has the look of a very fun little horse! They have both been lovely since I have them for just over a week.

And my fun story.....My dad and I were visiting my grandmother in the way western portion of NC and he always gets those little classified papers. I was looking at the horses...you never know what you might find for $200! While I found nothing I wanted....I did find a 14.5 hand mare. Now that is seriously something! My Dad's thought was to start my business based on having the only 14.5 hand horse in the world, I think he words were "find a niche market Hillary, it will make you stand out". Stand out? Probably. For the right reasons? Probably not. It was a source of a few good laughs; I might have to start a circus instead of training horses...oh wait, that's my life already minus the exotic animals!

Oh geez! I almost forgot Nic and Doby, they would be so angry to be left out of something! They are both great too. I am completely wrapped around Nic's finger...or hoof. He's AFREAKINGDORALE. Doby is also beyond cute all the time, but he is my Mom's horse so it's hands of Hillary!

Clif will head to 5 Points next in a few weeks. Until then, I am off for a little 3 day vaca to Saratoga Springs with the family! YAY! Think good thoughts...it's almost September!

Hillary

Bad News Bears...then Good News Goldfish?

The week has been great!

Tess is now doing a whopping 10 minutes of trotting; I know some of the weight is starting to come off because I have to fear for my life the first 2 minutes, after that its pretty much back to me kicking constantly! It's like I'm on a thelwell pony! She does feel absolutely amazing though, she's moving big and fancy, very exciting! I am eagerly awaiting her first few real rides and jumps, I'm like a little kid waiting to open presents.

Irish is always the same-perfect. She continues to improve on a daily basis, she never stops trying and she never stops trying to please. She is just a fun horse to have a round, she adores people and having a job, what more can you ask for?!? She will be having an easy summer and fall. She might go to 5 Points in September, but she will most likely wait until Morvan in October, and then head out to a few more novices to end her season...that is if no one snatches her up before then!

Clif is doing well. He is moving super, improving daily and feeling very confident. He did Fairhill this past weekend, I am incredibly proud of him. His dressage was decent, not his best, but not his worst; it was by far his most obedient and forward thinking test yet, his lengthenings were finally there for the taking. His show jumping was very productive, it was quite a large course with many many rails coming down all day. Clif did have two rails, one was my fault for rushing him a bit, the other was a result of a lack of a half halt! Oops! We will have to work on that... His XC was super- I had a glance off at the second of a skinny wide angled bench, I was off my line--oh well, you live you learn. Clif was very bold, very forward and I couldn't have asked for him to be much better, he was incredibly straight which was very exciting!!! I am looking forward to Five Points in a few weeks!


I also got a new horse this weekend, yay! Nic is about the sweetest horse I have ever come across- he does not try to run you over, he always asks to be played with (he doesn't just give you a good whack so your paying attention!), and he is great about everything I have asked of him so far- and he raced 5 days ago!!! I don't think they get much better than him. He is stunning as well, he seems like the whole package! Nic's real name is Pray for You, which I think is the funniest thing ever and it will most definitely stay his name!

I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of summer!

Hillary