I still exsist.

Hi all,

Long time since I've posted!  I've been very busy between work (necessary evil) and working on the house (wicked fun!) but spring IS here, and that means show season is right around the corner!

Daatje and I are going to be focusing on Dressage this year.  I miss it, she's half way decent at it, and it's a fun thing to pass the time until August when hunt season starts. :)

Our first show is Sunday, May 4th, at THE Farm in Tewksbury, MA.  we'll be warming up with Training 2 and First 2.  The late spring and poor footing has kept me from practicing, so this first show and the one after (NEDA Spring, May 10th!) we'll just have to wing it.

After that, I'll probably feel more prepared. :P  Or not.  We'll just have to see!  We have a great season planned, showing First 2 and First 3 at the UNH June Dressage, NEDA Summer Dressage, and Oyster River Dressage at UNH.

All of these shows, with the exception of the schooling show, May 4th, are USEF rated shows!  We're going "big time" this year.  :D

I'm putting shoes back on her today.  If you recall, last year we tried the Ground Control shoes with great success.  My only qualm was that their largest size, 2, was a bit too small.  At the suggestion of a farrier acquaintance, I'm trying a different composite shoe this year, the Hoof-it Natural Flex shoe.  They come in sizes generous enough to fit her properly (throughout the entire shoeing cycle, not just at the beginning) and seem comparable, if not a little better, than the Ground Control shoes.

I've just put the front pair on (taking a break before putting on the hinds) and have taken lots of photos pre-trim, post-trim and post-shoeing so you guys can see what they look like.

Of course, I'll be reporting on how they perform during the dressage show season.

Well, off I go to put on the hinds.  Be back later today for a full report with photos!