Next Day
I got out of bed at around 8:00 a.m. It was a bit later than usual but I knew that Cisco would enjoy the small bit of extra rest. Today I planned on jumping a course with Champ. The three year old gelding was energetic and very pleasing to the eye, jumping or not. The little guy was phenomenal and made my trophy room glow with pride. I may win a lot, But I love my horses enough to give it up, Madison thought.
I threw on a pair of blick, fullseat Kerrit breeches and a Tailored Sportsman polo, then pulled on my Ariats and headed to the barn. After grabbing three led ropes, I headed out to the big field
After grabbing the hay cart and filling it with a fresh bale, I fed Cisco, Champ, and Bue. I watched them chow down, then headed into the house for my own breakfast.
Once inside, I prepared french toast and bacon and then chowed down on that and a large glass of milk. I washed my dishes, dried them, and put the plate away then headed back out to the barn.
~
In my hand was a leather, mini halter for Champ. I haltered and led him into the mini cross-ties. I grabbed a grooming bucket and started brushing his already shining coat. The hard brush snatched out any loose dirt and hair. With a soft brush, I made his coat bay shine even brighter.
I look the gelding out and warmed him up. Then, I set up a course. I took Champ around multiple different times and ways. We were both breathing hard by the end of the session, so I took him out and walked around the pasture to cool both Champ and I out. Once our breathing was back to normal, I took the gelding to the center of the pasture and turned him loose.
~'~
By next Monday Madison had officially been entered in the International Showjumping Championships and the Grand Prix, horse and pony. She had over six months to get Bue and Cisco ready for for the Grand Prix. Cisco was already in his peak state but Bue needed some work. Bue was a little rusty but still a champion jumper. Today Madison planned on working her over some larger fences and then going on a short trail ride.
~'~
Bue was tackup and in the arena working by noon. I sat atop her as we cantered over a 2 foot coop then, circling back and heading over a meter wall then slowing to a walk. We headed out of the arena and into the heavily wooded forest. Little sun came through the thick leaves. The silence was eerie and only disrupted by the occasional bird call. We walked slowly down the winding path towards the river. The trail occasionally got rocky but for the most part it was clearly and gradual.
The trail leveled out and finally Bue and I came down to the river. I let my mare drink and Bue waded in until the water was up to her hocks. She took long drinks from the clear water.
We waded out of the clear, fish filled river and headed home. The sun was still high in the sky as we climbed the somewhat steep trail. By 4:00 o'clock, the barn was in view. Cisco pulled his head up from the lush grass and whinnied to Bue and I. He cantered to the fence and slid to a stop in front of the white washed paddock fence.
He whinnied again, then spun on his heel and cantered and bucked for five minutes or so then slid in front of the fence again and whinned. I laughed and dismounted. Once I was on the ground, I led Bue over to the fence and she and Cisco nuzzled each other. I let out a content sigh before leading Bue back to the barn. I cross tied her then untacked and turned out my mare. She cantered over to Cisco and Champ then started grazing contently beside her best friends.
~
I checked the microwave clock after eating dinner, it read 9:00. I sighed and headed upstairs to my room.
By the time 9:30 rolled around, I was already asleep. The day had been so long that it had tired me out way more than it should have. I planned on being up at 7Z:00 and having all my horses ridden by noon, so then I could go down the tranne barn and work with Gismo, Shana, and Malabo.
Gismo was a 35 inch miniature jumper. He was 5 and a half years old. The little guy was an excellent jumper and had placed 3rd, five times, 2nd, eight times, and 1st, 10+ times in jumper shows. His owner was timid and didn't deal with his headstrong behavior very well. I had tried working with Gismo and Melinda (his owner) but it was no use.
Shana was a four year old OTTB that is was training for eventing. She currently competed in one star, but was soon to move up to two star. Her owner, John Quio thought she was still green. He only competed in as high as two star eventing, so I would have her until she placed 1st (all around champ) in a two star event.
Malabo stood at an astonishing 17hh. He was a 10 year old Dutch Warmblood that had been sent to me from an older lady that wanted a quieter ride. She came around quite often but rarely rode her gelding. I had until next fall to have him be safe and almost completely bombproof. Malabo was a sweet boy and practically a child's hunter. He was scheduled to leave my trainee barn in a month.
I would definitely miss him, but I knew that he wouldn't come back. The woman that owned him would probably be satisfied. I also needed Malabo out of my barn so that more boards and trainees could come in. I always had 5+ boarders and 2+ trannes.
