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"April 1,2012
I departed with Banner for Lone Tree Farm near Oakdale, Cal.  I decided to leave my precious 8 year old Jack Russell, "Cash" at home with Steve.
I arrived without incident and camped "down by the river" at the farm enjoying the warm weather for a few days while schooling at Lone Tree's xc course with  Connie Arthur.
I played music shows at Threelle Production's "Thursday Night Ramble" in Modesto, a Friday night at Most Wanted Winery in Oakdale and Sat. at Queen Bean Coffee in Modesto.  The audience in California are graceful and appreciative.   I was joined by some great musician friends as well. Thank you gents.
The following week, it got very cold and rainy.  News from home was that my dog Cash had been hit by a car and killed.  My friend Amy Tryon passed on the same day and I hope they met at the gate, whatever it is.
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RIP Cash
It was a difficult time for me down by the river, in cold rain and all. I hung onto my ass and got thru it. Thank you to my sympathetic friends at Lone Tree, you are wonderful. And thanks to my facebook friends and all your kind words. Steve and I miss Cash alot.
Ram Tap Horse Trials were next and I was entered in preliminary so not much time to sulk.
I employed my coach JM Durr and he got me pressing to the base of the jumps in an amazing fashion and worked on changing my dressage riding.  "Your wiggling hand has GOT to stop."
Banner finished very well and we ended up 4th. I met some new friends there and helped them school xc at Ram Tap which is a good step toward getting the provisionary staus removed form my Level 2 ICP Teaching certificate.  (The USEA requires the Level 2 Instructors teach actual competing students at prelim. level.) I enjoyed it alot and they improved.
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After Ram Tap it's off to Twin Rivers in Paso Robles.  I hire the same coach and am starting to get the hang of his system. My dressage improved by 8 points.  An event is the best place for me to get trained because all the tests are there and there is pressure and focus to deal with. Choose someone you trust and get results with. Life's too short to compromise your choice. Do what's best for your horse first, then you.

Photo by Lisa Dunckley
Banner is happy and calm. He is amazing. He didn't put a foot wrong and put lots of money in our confidence bank. He got 2nd at Twin Rivers on a score of 31.
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Hi!  How are you doing out there? Thanks for reading this.
Today Banner and I rode the "Townsend Loop."  It has two long steady  climbs and the footing is good for trotting or cantering.  The words "bliss" and "harmony" come to mind to describe today's ride.   Our time was 30 minutes slower than it usually is.  I spent some of it on foot to improve my fitness and coming down the mountain, I was kicking rocks to improve my footwork. Banner expects me to dismount for part of our rides and he plods along behind like the 12 year old WB he is.
I have not been in a Horse Trial since Rebecca T3Day in July.  I have been to a local jumper show and we won a 3'9" class!   I got to take some jumping lessons with Bob McDonald this fall and it sorted us out well.
     We have been doing lots of dressage on the old polo field at Bellevue Farms. It is  the best turf footing on the planet. The lot is for sale and bank owned. I'd buy it for the footing if I could.
  A few months ago, Banner performed a runaway/ bolt  with a plain snaffle, no martingale.   He was 3 Day fit at the time  but still I do not want him to bolt and ignore the bit.  When he bolted, a problem became evident.
 My solution was to put the standing martingale back on and do excercises that make it clear what the bit means. I ride him lightly, I insist on it. I use light leg pressure and  light hands.  We are making progress, he is more submissive and rounder now. It takes time and quiet repetition.  Today he was light and obediant out there in a  plain snaffle.    I love just the journey of  listening and learning about training horses whether preparing for competition or not.  I must say also that the movie "Buck"  influenced me. I have re read both of his books and implemented his philosophy. I especially like keeping the reins between my thumb and forefinger  which is the way Jack LeGoff instructed. It loosens my elbows.  Buck and Edward Gal say alot of the same things too.  My students have been hearing alot about this stuff lately and it seems to help with "harmonious development of horse and rider."
My opinion is that the the natural trainers press to get the saddle on and go as if they were on a ranch. I prefer giving the horses more time before being  ridden to be strengthened and confident to ensure that they stay together later on.

Happy November!    Dec 21st (winter solstice) is just around the corner.  I look forward to spring and going to California to event.  I plan to make it so.
Will Banner be more rideable?  Will I be able to ride decently at Prelim. Level? Will I make it to Cal.? We shall see.
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