November's Come and Gone

It's 52 degrees outside and 7PM.  Steve and everyone in Idaho dealing with snow. This is the first winter in my life where snow is absent.
Horse Events:  I rode Magnolia, Connie's 8 yr old mare in BN at Ram Tap Nov. 20th.  We got 3rd.  We may have won were it not for a rail at last fence in show jump.  We had a solid cross canter going toward in gate to last vertical.  That is a grand opportunity to pull a rail at any level. She is green for 8 and we are working on her canter.  I enjoy riding her. She really is a lovely mare.  TB/Draft/Qh. She is good mover and quite fancy really.  Other Lone Tree riders were on hand  standing out on the course cheering us on.  I'm grateful for the support and assistance.  My stall was bedded and water set up when we arrived.  I could get used to that!  Banner stayed home.  He is not one to let down for winter. He likes being in training and misses me when I'm gone.
I had a great ride on him today at end of day with waning light, perfect moist footing and the mare herd gently grazing around us.  The advantage to having a xc course is that I can practice the cross country without jumping.  We gallop, re balance, canter up hill, down hill, keep rhythm, stay relaxed etc.
The gentle mares in pasture are not always placid with the cooler weather. They like to run from one end to the other just for fun which can get some of the riding horses fired up.  It didn't happen while riding Banner today but it will sooner or later.
Music:  I'm still enjoying voice lessons and playing on my own.  I have not been out at all now and have had only one brief encounter with a song writer named Willy T who is a friend of boss Connie's. She graciously hired him for for some work here so we could play. He is an AMAZING song writer/ singer.  I hope to mingle more but obviously have to leave farm first!
Holidays etc.:  Connie took us to SF to see Cavalia.  It is a very fun show with amazing, dancers, acrobats, music, sets and 52 performing horses. After the show she drove us down Lombard St in Sf and we took a city tour in her BMW.  It was a great day.
I spent Thanksgiving with Aunt Priscilla Hanford and cousins at David and Sandy Hanford's in Pleasanton.  I visited Anna too as she was in area and we had a great time.  My friend Willy T was playing with his band the "Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit" at Cafe Nord in SF that weekend and I planned to go.  Upon thought I realized after I finally found street parking I would surely get lost trying to find car after gig.  I require an escort for city adventures now. Now I know....
I am tempted to close with Happy Holidays and I do wish everyone happiness.  The truth is that the holidays can be very lonely for some and so I pause for the folks who suffer over the holidays.  I, myself have no expectations this year so it will dandy. Another fun ride on Banner in waning light on good footing surrounded by settled mares will be more than enough.

No snow in the hills here

I'm getting used to my routine and feel like I belong.  I am focused on the needs and training of the horses and humans. It's full immersion and I like it.
Competition results have been improving.  Banner and I went to Temecula last weekend and rode in the Preliminary Rider division.  Our dressage was ok and put us in 10th against over 20 riders.  In show jumping, we had a smooth and fast round with no rails down.  The 3rd day was cross country and we went clean!  We had time penalties and I ended up 10th.   It was the first clean go I have had on Banner in a while and I am really pleased.  Boyd Martin had no problem going clean with Banner at Prelim in July but Boyd rides better than I.  I am really encouraged about Banner and very grateful he is sound and happy.  He gets to go out in a grass paddock at night adjoining his buddies. At first light he starts running around because he feels  good and wants to come in and eat grain. There are few hard and fast rules here but one of them is no running around in the paddocks.  We try to keep the horses settled so they don't injure themselves and churn up the hillside ground.  Tomorrow I will go out in my bathrobe and bring him in very early.  
Connie Arthur, has been teaching me and I am riding much better.  I get to ride one of her horses Maggie in Beginner Division at Ram Tap next weekend.  I jumped Liam the stallion a bit and it went fine.  I am working on my release in the air over jumps and getting Banner's forehand more up for dressage.  Oh and I have to learn to go faster!
I am located 40 miles west of Yosemite towards Modesto. The property is adjacent to the beautiful Tuolome River.  I have a room and share a kitchen with the worker, Pat  (he says hi.) and the owner and manager live on site too.  I don't go to town much but for food shopping, bank deposits, voice lessons and meetings. I have no TV access and it's a very simple existence. 
I will be with my Aunt Priscilla's family in Bay Area for Thanksgiving and get to see Anna too.  Steve traveled by air to the Galway Downs event in Temecula to visit and plans to return here to Lone Tree Farm with Cash in Dec. when Donner summit is passable.
My voice lessons have opened up a new world for me musically.  I rehearse here when I'm alone and found the venue in Oakdale for open mic night.  I expect to meet some musicians soon.
I am grateful for my health and family. I feel well and practice yoga and meditation every day.
I am learning more about patience from the horses and just from being here. It's a wonderful place to work  and I'm grateful I came.

PS Today was a high of 70 and this evening it's about 45. There is no wind.