Winter Eventing Tour Continued

What a tour!  There is one more event to go before I return to Idaho.
Febuary 5th was Galway Downs in Temecula, CA., Feb 19 was Ram Tap in Fresno and March 5th weekend was Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles.

When I walked the course last weekend, I thought it was the hardest course I have ever attempted in my life of eventing.  I wondered why, at age 58, I do this sport?  How is it that I would leave home and and husband to work my butt off like a young woman  at a horse farm  and sacrifice my cushy life so that I could go eventing?
The Preliminary level course seemed large, long and there were many combinations and related distances.  I was reassured by the fact that Banner is a very good jumper. My employer, Connie Arthur, has taught me to ride him better.  Banner will jump happily if I ask him in a way that he understands. If it's a tough question, however, I must ask! Early on in the course, he can be timid.  I am riding well most of the time but can still slip into old bad habits if I lose focus.
Back to the why......I meditated and actually prayed for guidance. I realized then that I have the" freedom to sing, dance, praise and love".   This riding and jumping is the dance part.
I enlisted an Advanced rider that I admire very much, James Alliston, to walk the course with me.  He was gracious and gave me simple instructions for every fence (I told him I was terrified.)  When I got the tools and plan, the course started to look feasible.  I walked it a total of 5 times.
We left the start box at 9AM and it rode great!  Wow!    The coffin ditch was deep, wide, black and new to Banner.  He stopped for only a second then jumped (when asked). Since this is a recognized event, the judge recorded a stop.  I put it behind me and forgot about it.  We sailed over everything else and I was only 30 seconds slow which for me is ok.  Unfortunately, we withdrew from show jumping due to Banner's scratches (a skin condition), that made him lame. We are safely back home now and he is being treated and getting better. Steve is doing his very best treating him from afar.  Estrella Equine looked at him also.
Ram Tap and Galway Downs were successful also not in terms of placings but in terms of confidence gained.
It's the journey and the dance that we enjoy.  I've seen lots of California in my travels, have watched some very good riders and made new friends.
So I'm back to work hard and make up for the time I have missed here even though I got paid anyway. Connie has been very supportive and generous.
I currently have in my group of Lone Tree horses:   Maggie (getting ready for Connie to ride Novice at Ram Tap April 16),  Cosmo, (a 3 year old WB, quiet, sensible, sound and athletic.  I just started riding him around a bit.) Lola, (a 6 yr old ISH that has not yet been ridden but is spirited and fun), Kaylie, (A 3 yr old Liam baby who is quite easy to train), Otter a 8yr old TB, good jumper but green at being out of an arena. I will ride him BN at Ram Tap).  I ride Sierra, a 1/2 Arab once per week also. She is positive, athletic and fun.
I used to ride the wonderful old Hanoverian, Bodie also. We will all miss you Bodie. It was a pleasure knowing you.  Thanks to the owners of these horses and Connie for entrusting me to train them.

I plan to return home on April 18th and kick start my training business and music jobs upon my return!
Respectfully submitted,
Mia