The One With the Really Long Blog and too many pictures...

So I'm sore. REALLY sore. I don't really mean to make it sound like complaining. Honestly it's the good sore - the kind you get from staying in a two point for an hour when you haven't done it in - oh - five or so years. But at least it was totally worth it! I had an absolutely blast!

After a yummy breakfast of sausage bisquits, my mom and I finally made it over to the barn to pack up around 8:15. (We were both WAY too tired Friday night to even think much about packing. Although, I did manage to get a good shaving in for both the boys) We were able to give the boys a yummy breakfast too, and Sudi even loaded the trailer within 5 trys! haha :-) (That's a huge accomplishment for him - really!) I seriously think Sudi has an issue with fitting on his side of the trailer. He doesn't like loading unless we swing the divider over for him to fit in. He looks at me as if to say, "Does my butt look too big in this trailer?"

This trip was also special because this was my mom's and my first time pulling the trailer! (That's my mom to the right while driving and looking very confident) I have to be honest: I was scared - When I was driving, I freaked out every time a car passed us. Thankfully though, I had a limited amount of stress as I only had to drive one way; my mom drove on the way over, and I drove on the way back. This is not to say that the trailer was hard to pull or dangerous by any means. I was just VERY very conscious of the fact that my BABIES were in the back, and that was very scary for me.

During the drive though, I got to take some fun pictures. (Ok ok, so maybe I was a little too enthusiastic with the camera!) This is one picture as we're going over a huge bridge. I think Charleston is absolutely gorgeous.


We made it to the park without any problems whatsoever. I had this fantastic plan that detailed us getting there, me and Sudi practicing the Triangle (and btw, this would go perfectly), and then we'd be hitting the trails. HAHAHAHA (Yes, I think I can hear you laughing as well.)

WELL, the triangle went anything BUT perfectly (as you can see in the video). For the life of me, I could NOT get Sudi's attention. You would have thought there was at least something for him to be staring at, but there was NOTHING. Nothing I tell you! The weather was slightly windy, but overall it was a good test drive for us. At least I came away from the practice with some good ideas for progress. I realized that I need to pay more attention to my reins, work on getting Sudi's head down (as well as getting his attention, but what does that matter to an Arab? haha). I also realized that I need to learn how to walk and run in a straight line, and also not to pull my horse behind me. We were grossly lacking in both all these areas.

However, after the Triangle, things went MUCH smother for all of us. My mom and I mounted and headed for the trail. We ended up riding close to five miles! The trail was mostly wooded, and when we were in the sun, it was actually quite warm. We passed several other very friendly groups while out there, and also some Terrifying Horse Eating Palm Trees. Sudi, however, was a great sport and hopped over three downed palm trees and a log for me (all from a walk to a halt to a *sniff sniff* to a hop).

Our other BIG achievement of the day was that we actually CANTERED for the first time with me on board!! He had such a huge, smooth stride - I was in love at first sight ... er ride. :-) Kehbir was dying to canter as well, but my mom thought it best to keep him back to a trot. However, he definitely displayed his displeasure with quite a few headshakes. Overall though, I think both boys had a great time out there.

By the time we got back to the trailer, all of us were beat, and I was already feeling the pain to come. We made it home safely, and put the boys out for some quick field time before dinner. Sudi promptly rolled...3 times. I think he wanted to feel nice and dirty having such a successful day on the trail.

Well our next event is at Sporting Days Farm in Aiken on Tuesday, 3/11/08. Sudi, however, is the only one of my boys going. He will be participating in a Future Event Horse class. So, to prepare, we have Spa Day coming up and then a normal bath that Monday night. Wish us luck - We'll need it being Arabs and all. :-)