Full Gallop May Horse Trials

Paradise Farm had a large contingent of great people go to Full Gallop last weekend. I had the pleasure of riding Lynda Clary-Burkes lovely horse Rasta Mon in the beginner novice class. He was a real gentleman in all three phases but had a baby spook at the third fence cross country so I felt a circle was needed and that gave him his first 20. Hopefully his last. It was a purposeful decision on my part as he saw some sort of monster way far out and temporarily lost his marbles and his balance. The ground was beastly hard and I felt no reason to gallop hard around with such a nice youngster , so we also had some time faults. I adored the way he handle his first recognized event and should prove a real little star for Lynda when she is ready to go again.

It is a real honor to be able to start someones baby horse. I know she was bursting with pride as she saw her boy go around. I am lucky to be part of that with so many fun people.

Amy Zaiser rode the Blizzard of Oz . Amy and her family have been STALWART SUPPORTS of Paradise for years and she is a beautiful rider,a GREAT FRIEND, and a SUPER competitor.We all have bogey fences in our minds and Amy's was a ditch. Her horse sailed perfectly over it and in her excitement, Amy suffered from what we call (having a cigarette......you know after.........) and relaxing too much with great pleasure and dispelled tension........ and went right on by the next fence. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. There are so many ways to get eliminated in this game......But it made us all have a laugh. She won't do that again for a while I am sure!!!

Arthur was a star and furthered his eventing experience by conquering his first fence itis demon. Let that demon be gone! What a trooper. The world is now his oyster.........

Nancy Thrasher came and rode the pants off of Tom in dressage and show jumping. She forgot to eat and got pooped out on the cross country and had a stop. But she finished and knew what she needed to do next time to get improve her result.

Denise Putnam bombed around on George after being disappointed with her dressage test and beat us all!

Fawn had a great day with her big boy. Last I heard she was second and groaning. But she went a double clear. I'm just not sure where she ended up.

And Gigi Thomson came and had a fab day too and really conquered some of her demons. She wept with happiness and relief and that was special.

So many people try so hard to ride in these events. Everybody has their own saga.A horse trials is like a mini city on the day.So far the only thing I haven't witnessed first hand is a baby being born at a competition!

It's really fun to watch everyone evolve and work so hard with their horses. WE are so lucky to be able to do this.

The paradise team will spend the month of June back in the classroom to get ready for the fall season.We have a clinic here at the far4m the last weekend in June for everyone to continue their education and get some serious practice in. During the summer months we don't back down but tend to attend more dressage and Jumper shows than events.It's a good break for us all.

The devils are on holiday except for River whom I hope to take to some Dressage and Jumper shows.The babies are in full work for the next season. So stay tuned and thanks to all you great , fun , people out there!