Roller Coaster Number Number Nine

There is no reason to pick the number nine. it really probably should be 666 but let's not go there in the first sentence shall we?

The past few weeks have been very up and down.Smashing face down into the ground is just beginning to really sink in and it's been a wild ride.The initial hospital visit is always just a numb blur really.You hear things,you hop fully are lucky enough to feel things ,but you don't really have to think about them at that time because your in such a mess that reality doesn't really matter.

I knew my farm and the horses and dogs were safe and in the best of hands and I knew my event was going to be as great as ever ,because of the HUGE numbers of people that TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING!!!!Every detail of my normal daily life was taken care of for me.I was in relatively no pain. My hands were a concern as they were very very sharp but with each passing hour I KNEW the pain was going to go away and my hands were going to work again.

I have been hurt a lot and I KNEW first I was going to be SERIOUSLY HURT and I was.I knew this before I hit the ground.I knew lying there in the sand this was a big one. But I also knew I was going to be alright with some time.

My Mother was the best nurse in the world and although this fall looks like it's definitely going to change my riding career I wouldn't have missed those three weeks with my mother for anything in the world.I have never felt safer or more loved by anyone in my life.

Sadly now I have moved back to my farm(I think I call it Paradise)(Though right now i can't find the beautiful flamingos or anything beautiful)

The event went well. I saw lots of my friends that gasped and said I looked better than they had thought I would.Ha Ha you should have seen the first day.The event was smooth. I stood around and did nothing but make my bumpy lip smile.We were really happy with the new sunken road addition to the cross country course. Something I have waited for 5 years for,because of money.

Doing the books after the event was more painful than falling off the horse.Rather than feeling that safe numbness I mentioned before,this felt like I had landed on an open bag of scalpels blades up.Oh my God ,What now? How am I going to make it now?What am I going to do?It wasn't even the end of February and all I could see was shear black and doom.

We wee over 100 entries short this year. It was the first year we had no waiting list. I left the event at the three day format because we have been turning so many horses that wanted to come to the event.I did not see this coming and no one said anything about not liking this format before. IN fact everyone last year said they loved the three days so I left it that way. BIG mistake.

My fall event has been a basic nightmare for years as people have every reason in the world for not coming but my spring event has always made me so proud and I felt it was so worthwhile and people really liked it.I am so honored that Phillip Dutton said you won't find a nicer preliminary course anywhere but tell that to my banker.

I tell you honestly I am flat scared of the future. After the event Barbie,Antonio and several loyal friends RACE around pulling up staked jumps and REPLAN 5 mini cross country courses for the jumping derby the following day.That is a HUGE HUGE job. WE move an entire show jumping course out to the back field to give people a chance to school showjumping and cross country.This about our 5th year. we have had horses from 8 am till 5pm before. From Tadpole to Intermediate.This year we had 20 rides.

That evening the stars did not shine.I think all of us were so defeated and destroyed we dared not speak.

Thank God people have been coming a lot to school the cross country course. Enough for me to be able to put the ground back together again.

Since my injury I have lost many clients.Fortunately my die hards are starting to come back.

This morning I taught 6 lessons and I caught myself singing to my dogs and feeling normal. Normal for me is damn good. I travel at the speed of light and usually have a lot of energy and desire to go on.

The preceding days have been very black indeed.

I have not been able to see the forest through the trees. I have been given the greenish light from the DR. You can ride,just don't fall off.What does that mean?

This farm is a great place. It is great for the horses and it is a great place to learn.So Look out world I'm on the lookout for the best GD marketing person out there that will drive you all here in droves to have the best lessons of your lives.You won't regret it.I may not be able to compete at the top anymore but I did it for a LONG time on LOT's of different horses. I CAN TEACH! I don't think people even know that I teach.I may not cram it down your throat but I hope someone else out there will help me. I can get you to where you need to be.Whatever and where ever. Great horse or donkey. PLease come on. Help me sing to my dogs and keep this great farm going.

Teaching

The event and the Jumping Derby are now over. The farm is being put back together by the same great crew that built it all up for the competitions. Everything gets put back in it's place for the next one. Everything is about simplicity and saving time.I have an amazing team that proved their worth by putting up the entire event without my even being on the property.I am indebted to their dedication. Antonio Hernadez has been with me seven years and Barbie Reeser going on five.They knew the drill. Nothing was out of place. Barbie and Antonio had EVERYTHING exactly as it should have been. Barbie also managed the horses and the complete volunteer list and Antonio managed 110 acres by himself and helped build a magnificent new sunken road jump of which we are hugely proud.I must say there were many many great people that also helped and my greatest mother in the world managed to tie me in the chair for two weeks to stay the hell out of everyones way!

These two people have seen me compete at the Rolex and Fair Hill level all the way down to baby novice. They have held the farm together through broken legs,backs and now my neck.They have put down some of my finest friends and been through it all. They have never ever let me down. That is PURE DEVOTION AND LOVE.That is what Paradise is about. Yet we heal and get strong again and go on.

We love putting on the Spring event as it is such fun to see all the riders really love the courses. Everyone at EVERY level say their horses come of the courses eager for the next jump. Everyone,riders,trainers and coaches say the tracks at Paradise offer an education where the horses and riders WANT to jump better and better.The Fall event is fun too but we REALLY wish more local people would come. The quality of this event is simply too good to miss.

There are plenty of butterflies the night before but that's what makes everyone ride better.People need to be PREPARED to jump at their chosen level.Two foot eleven is two foot eleven.Hills have to be negotiated and people need to have EXPERIENCE at handing things when the plan goes wrong. Lucinda Green is a master at teaching people to ride safely when glitches happen.Lucinda is one of my biggest mentors along with Mike ES.I am very proud of my European background to our sport.

I have NEVER EVER Had a course designer,or official recommend we dummy down any fence on this course(Pardon me there was actually one that made me cut down a jump that had been on a course for years)I have never heard a peep from a rider rep.

I have NEVER had a rider complain.I have never heard an official need to change anything.Tremain Cooper my friend and long time course designer thinks like a horse and has a great feel for the land.This event is for the horses. It is early in the season but now many people are ready in January. If you are not ready. Simply downgrade to the next level below. There is no shame in that. It is called HORSEMANSHIP!

If I could put a word next to Paradise farm it would be my wish that word would be education.That is what the farm is for. Education of all sorts of horses and riders.Education of so many more things than just riding.Discipline,courtesy,sportsmanship,preparation,dedication,detail,knowledge and FUN!

We have a great time at the farm. WE laugh so hard during lessons that a quick trip behind the bush is sometimes necessary. WE teach through encouragement not intimidation. WE ask the riders what THEY WANT> It is not about what I want. BUT if they say they want to ride Intermediate there is a stiff bunch of criteria that needs to be met for sure. I do NOT teach beginners differently than I teach upper level riders,though there is a TREMENDOUS amount of talking in the beginning.There is so much theory the rider needs to understand before just riding around in circles.

I take great care in recognizing fear,or any lack of confidence. If I see something that is unsafe I explain it and WHY!!!!!I NEVER expect anyone to know things.I do my BEST to prevent injury and fear and pain. I have been hurt enough and believe it or not...that makes me a better teacher!I have not been hurt because I am not good. I am very good. But it's the luck of the dice and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I am fit and strong and have come back from more injury than most and will do it again.I take great care in STUDYING With CERTIFIED professionals about anatomy,injury and rehab. Again I think this makes me a very knowledgeable teacher. I have rehabbed many horses back to the Olympic level as well.

I love teaching. I want to teach. That is what Paradise Farm is for. I teach beginners. I teach children on naughty ponies.I can handle tears,fear,confidence issues. I am very good at recognizing trigger points most people have. And many have the same. Riding in crowds(hunting) Thee is SO MUCH TO KNOW!!!!!!Yet people think they don't need it. My fox hunter safety clinics were so much fun and opened the eyes of many. AS a Master of Hounds with a teaching background I felt it was my duty to help all the way round. And it did.I am experience up to PSG dressage and the 1.30's in show jumping. So come on.I am excellent at teaching balance and flying changes.I have everything ,anyone needs to learn how to ride and have fun.All my staff and family here love what we do. There are no dark clouds here.There is nothing scary.

I do not limit my teaching to those that want to ride competitively. ANYONE That wants to enjoy the Hitchcock woods safely can benefit greatly from these lessons. I wish more people would come.Any person,any horse.

We NEVER over face people. EVERYTHING is done with TONS of preparation.No one is asked to do anything they can't do. If they need to be led by hand we do that too.It is about conquering fear through knowledge. Not by riding by luck.

I have often heard that people say I yell. Yelling infers anger. I do not get angry when I teach. I teach near a very busy road. I teach in a 80 acre field. It is important the rider HEARS While riding.I do not like to wait until the moment is over.Anger has nothing to do with teaching. Disciplining a horse has NOTHING to do with being mean or cruel. Depending on a situation,messages often have to be firm or sharp,always followed by praise. We love our horses.We love what we do.

I have been taught by the best in the world in the hopes of representing my country. Though I came close I never made it but now I want to give back. I still study everyday.I watch,I read,I talk,I listen ,I go to seminars, I upgrade my licences. No one in Aiken that stays here all year has more experience than me.Paradise Farm is an incredible facility for anyone that wants to ride better or learn about their horse. PLease come. Please visit and see what we do.Teaching makes me a beter rider. So please come help me!

Sit up and RIDE BETTER!

Paradise Farm Horse Trials

Once again we were blessed with great weather during our spring event. It did rain on Sunday but the footing held up beautifully in all phases.

We were slightly down in numbers this year due to a few reasons. Pine Top entered a new Prelim division to it's calender that I think took a few horses from our event. Also heard via the grapevine that there were a few more snowbirds that headed to Ocala for various reasons this year.These are not criticisms just observations.

Running events is very hard ,even when one is in good shape. Pulling the event together this time was dome by the most amazing group of people.I am so grateful to have so many dear friends to stay over and paint and rake and do EVERYTHING!

So the event itself went smoothly except for a few scheduling surprises. In reading the return event evaluations one trys to pay attention to the requests of the riders but sometimes they're pretty hard.There were a lot of comments about dead footing in the dressage ring and how deep it was and hard to accommodate from grass to sand. If anyone really looks at the low scores and the few faults in show jumping I do not think low scares can be attributed to footing. Sorry guys....You just have to ride better. No matter what.

We will work on trying to water and drag the rings,but this will mean spending time making the days longer and more costly.So be careful what you ask for.We are looking into water trucks and better harrows.These do not come cheap.

We ADORE you comeing to Paradise and believe me we are doing the best we can on a shoe string.Every year at least a minimum or @20,000.00 is put into the event.We are working on a second level area,last estimate $25,000.00.We are thinking about stabling......

What we want is a quality experience for you and your horses. WE do think jumping in the sand is a better prep for the next big boy weekend.Even those that are not going advanced at Pine top deserve to jump in a big boy atmosphere.

The cross country courses were great. They flowed nicely and had wonderful training questions.Our new sunken road (built by my long time friend Chris Owens) was very well received. There were many compliments,including Phillip Dutton saying he thought the prelim course was one of the best on the east coast. We are happy with that.

This is NOT to discourage lower level people from coming to Paradise. Paradise Farm is a place for learning.SOMEHOW we must abolish the complete untruths that Paradise is too big for the average bear.
We have jumps that start at 2 feet and go all the way up. NO ONE is EVER EVER asked to jump past ones level and confidence is key. There is no yelling or forcing here ever. It is all about the horse. If there is a problem,one simply steps down a level. No shame in that,only HORSEMANSHIP!

There is a jumping derby the following Wednesday with 5 completely different courses established. This year only 30 horses came after 2 straight days of changing course. Very discouraging.The jumping derbies are an incredibly useful and fun way to give your horses mileage.We do thank those that did come however.

So the next one is October 21-22. We WILL have tent stabling. I'm telling you now IT WILL NOT BE CANCELLED SO PLEASE SHOOT ANYONE IN THE NOSE FOR US THAT PASSES THAT RUMOUR AGAIN!!Truly that is such a bore.

Good luck to all that are off to their new respective seasons. Wish I could join you but I'm still on the back burner for now. Thank you all for your help Love Lellie

Horse Trial Organization

My event starts tomorrow.It is raining and I have a broken neck and can't do a darn thing. As far as I am concerned we are ready. Everyone has done a great job. We were happy.


Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.

The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.

Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)

My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?

I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.

People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has made many problems for people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.

Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!I beg the competitors to abide by the rules of our hosts at Buckleigh for their kindness to allow us to use their facility.We do this ,to give our riders more room at the event.We may have to go back to the temporary stables to resolve some problems and then solve the new ones that will entail.Once again we ask you to bear with us.


When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedule our dates in June we begin the commitment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenities not all organizers can produce.

Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.

I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.

The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.

We are also contemplating running the event as a two day rather than the three,but we had it as the three as we turned over 100 entries away for the past two years.This year we are actually down in numbers. People are unhappy about the three day format due to time and cost.we would appreciate any feedback regarding this issue as well.

We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.

We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.

Kick on, sit up and ride better!

Horse Trial Organization

My event starts tomorrow.It is raining and I have a broken neck and can't do a darn thing. As far as I am concerned we are ready. Everyone has done a great job. We were happy.


Then the phone starts ringing off the hook and the computer is on fire. The threats start rolling in. UGH can't anything go right?So get out the fire hose and start problem solving.

The riders are furious ,because the times are not up on the website.They are threatening they will never come back to such a disorganized event. They can not plan their lives and help and travel plans. I understand all that as I have a competed a bit in my day.But I have never threatened or been rude to the staff of an event.

One thing that makes the schedualing so very hard is taking entries so late. We want to take as many as we can to help with the costs of the competition.People are entering later and later. we get phone calls the day before,even the day of,can we still enter?So schedualing gets put off till the closest possible hour. This makes it very hard to contact all the volunteers,produce the program correctly and get the the times out for everyone.There are so many people involved in an event it is hard to get to everyone. Believe us we all try!

Is the event REALLY run over three days?Are you kidding me? Did you just figure that out I say to myself?Well I never saw that. Can you give me special times so I can accommodate your event into my schedule?(Times 300)

My horse threw a show. My truck isn't working,my great aunt twice removed has a broken leg,my chickens have an infection.I am an Olympic rider ,trainer ...can I have my money back?

I am terrible on the computer and try very hard to hire people that are better at my shortcomings than myself.I know better than try and be a secretary for anything.Yet sometimes,things go wrong even with the best of help.And chaos ensues.It is always a small error ,usually exacerbated by miscommunication that can end in tragedy.

People get very mad because they are worried or threatened about their own circumstances. We are all overextended financially and none of us ever have enough time.My super event team have made some mistakes in not putting up the times early enough. That is a BIG ERROR!That has unconvinced many people.And I am VERY VERY sorry for ANY problems incurred by the error of my staff. At the end of the day it is a huge reflection on Paradise Farm.I desperately want to keep going and make everyone happy.But the other side of the coin is NOTHING has been done intentionally and no mistake made needs to be taken personally. There is is still time for everyone to get here and enjoy all that Paradise has to offer.

Another gigantic glitch that happened this morning is the stable manager at Buckleigh (where I ave been sending the stablers for the event for years)doesn't want people camping in their trailers. Oh my God a HUGE problem.WHHHHHHAAAATTTTTT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOW???????????Why didn't I know this beforehand?I personally stay in my trailer to be near my horses at all events. This is not the time to get such a change in plans.Fortunately it has been worked out this time. This again has nothing to do with Paradise Farm Horse trials but it sure effects it!


When we as organizers go to the annual meeting to schedual our dates in June we begin the committment to our next years events on our properties.The wheel of organization is an everyday thing.Riders want amenaties and convience that not all organizers can produce.

Permanent stabling with rubber mats and hot and cold water and electric are VERY expensive as it state of the art footing and concrete parking lots and major roadways through the farms.

I was once an interational competitor with a lot of my big time eventing spent in Europe.I rode with the best in the world. Blythe Tait,Ginny Elliot,Andrew Dreamboat Nicholson,Ian Stark you name it.We rarely stabled over night.One was always stabled at a private location or racetrack.One took what one got.We parked in farm fields and were pulled out by tractors most of the time.We rolled with what we got.

The anger and hostility from the competitors is scary.We (the organizers and secretaries and general personell) want things to be pleasant and trauma free.Well wow this morning was anything but that.

We want people to be happy and have fun. Paradise Farm is a great place for an event. We will always try to make things better.We hope the riders will come because of the quality and be able to forgive people when non life threatening mistakes can happen.We hope people will understand that we cannot always give monies back ,or that when there is a charge it is not meant to hurt the competitor but maintain the sport itself.Communication is the key.We all need to keep our heads up and look ahead and foresee problems and issues as far in advance as possible.

We always want to hear back from people that read the blog or come to the farm.Please use this to express your needs and we will do our best to accomodate. as alkways thank you all for reading.

Kick on, sit up and ride better!

Aftermath

So the good news is I am on the mend.Fingers are much better though definately want to stay undercover of gloves. Neck is great. No pain. Some stiffness. The collar keeps it from moving around.I am confident I shall have a good recovery.

I can manage dressing,eating,typing,writing with a pen,driving and telephoning.I have had a ton of support from family and friends which has been so helpful.

When we are riding full time and very goal oriented with the horses we miss a lot of what happens in the other non horsey world. Being sidelined gives a different perspective.Though it requires some restraint and hard swallowing I can deal with missing out on this years spring season.I have lots of plans directed mostly towards upping my education in course design and training of horses and riders. Since I will not be aiming my entire life on competitions as I have done for the past 20 years,it will be a change and a challenge to carry on in a different way.

I am looking forward to meeting new people ,also with different perspectives.Keep on keepin on they say.

Being injured has many sides.None of them are great but getting support from friends and family is always great.People can be so terrific at times. They can also be ridiculously stupid and unkind.When people get hurt,it is not necessary to gossip and expand upon things they are not 100% involved with. Rumours are unkind,hurtful and very very unnessary. I heard everything from I was riding another wild young horse to I was on life support,cut my face open the entire legnth. etc etc.Why was I riding such a bad horse?Why do I ride young horses period?At my age? And that I never listen to Drs.I just rush and do whatever I want.The event is cancelled.

I ride for a living. I teach for a living . And I preach saftey on a daily basis.There is nothing safe about working with horses.I was paying full attention when this happened.This was a lovely young horse that I was honored to be given the ride on and if my back was better I'd ride it again.I ride at my age cause I have a huge mortgage and I love it.I bet I am fitter than most young people and spend a lot of time staying that way.Every Doctor that has ever seen me comments on my fitness.And my desire to get better.

I have spent a great deal of time studying anatomy and how to repair,rebuild and strengthen myself and my horses.IU have produced 10 horses to the advanced level of eventing. Peter will be 11.From scratch.I am almost ready to bring my third horse to PSG in dressage from scratch.And am jumping 140 in show jumping.

I believe in my drs. and I do not believe in wasting time. I know about pain and fear and I think that makes me a better teacher.I have a gift for course design because I think like a horse.I do what people tell me.(If I respect and trust them....few and far between)

Spreading rumours about the horse trials is just plain cruel and stupid. Especially when it comes from people that are in the business itself.we are honored to have a place in the USEA omnibus and offer a great competition.All one has do do is come here and see the conditions and you will know we know what we are doing.

I have trained with the best in the world ,all over the world.And I look forward to lots more training. We must never stop learning.

So go out there and learn.Keep yourt mouth shut and your ears open. Love your horeses and your sport for as long as you can no matter what. I know I do.....Sit up,sit back and Ride Better!

The Big Crash

Well,everyone's been asking.....here's the story of the big crash.

Life was going along really well at Paradise. Horses were training properly,we had a super group of people coming for lessons,the spring horse trial was filling up and it looked like 2012 was going to have a smooth start.

It was about 4.30 on Tuesday afternoon,when I told a great friend Sallie Perry,I'll just trot this mare around for twenty minutes or so while you get tacked up for your lesson.She smiled and off I went on this lovely Irish filly.I walked around my barn and out into my sand arena.It was a beautiful day and I was looking forward to my ride.I walked across the arena to the other side and began gathering up everything to go into a trot ,when WHAM,she put her head straight down and I torpedoed off her front end like a missile straight into the ground ,face first.I hit square on my forehead,did not see stars, but instantly knew I had cut my face as I felt the blood and the separations in my top and bottom lip.I did not try to move at all. I knew I had done my spine.I knew I had concussed my spine and knew better than to mess about.

Instantly I felt tingling pins and needles right down the length of my back,both arms and legs.I knew what day it was. I knew what had happened. I knew I could breath. And I knew I had feeling in my fingers and toes,so that was all good.

Sallie saw the filly run off back to the stable(fortunately unhurt) and expected to see me come puffing around the corner ready to get back on......But I was nowhere to be found.I saw her looking for me and tried to call out but I could not make a sound loud enough for her to hear.She looked over to the ring and sprinted right over.Poor Sallie ,by then I was a real mess.I assured her I was alright it was just my lips bleeding ,that I had feeling etc.She could not make my phone work so she ran back to the barn to get Barbie's phone.I called 911 and mumbled into the phone my location.

Sirens came very shortly afterwards.Backboards,straps and velcro started flying about
everywhere.I was packed up like a sausage in seconds and off we went to MCG (Medical College of Georgia) sirens and lights a blazing.

I asked Ray the ambulance man to turn on the AC full blast,which he did. You could see your breath in the meat wagon by the time we got there. But it made me feel much better.I kept counting out loud,"one,two ,threee......." over and over again,while Ray set me up with heart monitors and IV'S."why are you counting?"he asked.I replied,"to keep the rythm and not think of you with those damn needles!"

As we flew down the road,the usual medical jargon flew and radio talk,then the drivers started yelling,,,"Oh my God,Look at that,Oh my God!!!!!!!What is she doing?"
I knew exactly what was happening......"Is the car light blue"I asked with a bloody smile?

Good old Nanu (My super mother)was in hot pursuit,right on the bumper of our screaming ambulance!God help the cop that try's to stop her I thought. I have never been prouder of my mommy.No one stops Nanu.

The doors flew open and I was the main actor in an ER episode.Trauma status gets you in there fast. Off came the clothes with 4 people each weilding those geat scissors that cut anything.Out came more monitors,Ivs bright lights etc.

After the initial acessment, I had x rays and Ct scans,then came back for about 30-40 stitches.Mom and barbie were allowed in after I was sewn up.I was very concious and awake. My hands were turning into small claws by then and the pain was excruciating.There was some swelling on my spinal cord that was creating this pain.Nothing they gave me touched it.

I am a good patient and unfortunately have a lot of experience at being hurt.I knew that all I could do was lay still. And I just kept counting. Over and over.You have to put yourself in a zone where the pain does not rule you. You rule it.

I was sent upstairs to a room about 2.30 am.in stable condition.Poor mom and Barbie went home.I slept on and off,stayed in my no pain zone as best I could till 6 am then got drugged up for an MRI.Fortunately the valium worked and I didn't panic in the wretched tube.Even more fortunate was the fact that little showed up on the scan.

I was released that afternoon to go home to chateau Nanu.I have been here over a week already. I may never leave.My mother is without question my best friend. We have had a wonderful time in these crazy circumstances.

So I have about 5 fractured vertebrea and one broken rib and a broken bone in my hand and a few stitches.My hands are getting better each day.Thanks to everyone for their good wishes.

Barbie ands friends are running next weeks horse trials. Yikes.Stay tuned.All is well.....

Paradise Fall Horse Trials

Another month has come and gone my my.Zoom Zoom.

Today is the 28th of November.I have really slowed down on my writing.But we haven't slowed down with anything on the farm.

My Horse trials ran perfectly smoothly ,thanks to the great team we have here at Paradise.Karen Kelly's abcense was huge.I can't believe I made it through an event without her. But Marcia,her best friend kept Karen o the go and she handled the volunteer coodinating and ,fence judge placements from afar.Keeping all the volunteer stuff organized is a huge job as the names seem to shift constantly.Communication is always the key. We like everyone to be notified way in advance but the way eventing has evolved,things seem to really pile up at the last minute which always adds to the stress.

We had a beautiful day and all the courses looked great as we had a ton of bright green brush on many jumps and restained lots of fences to make them have an upgraded look to the course.We added stabling this year and had 23 stablers. I hope the added onsite stabling will help increase interest in this nice event.We started 83 horses.75 horses breaks even. The man hours of labour and the hours I lose riding my own horses and teaching hardly makes the event seem worthwhile.Putting on a competition is a huge effort.The spring event here is a gas to put on as we know we have entries on an early date. Therefore we can put money into the event and hire the proper labour necessary.When an event runs on a complete shoestring due to lack of entries it is a sad state of affairs where everyone knows there can be no improvements done or additions to the event.We keep going as we want to support the sport. We just wish more riders would support the event.Paradise farm Horse trials has excellent footing I challenge anyone anywhere to contest the quality. We have super technical show jumping courses and state of the art dressage rings.We do not have permanent stabling with rubber mats and electricity but neither do Fair Hill International,Burghley or Blenheim Horse Trials.

So the Horse trials was in fact not the great positive I had hoped it would be.But it's now gone to bed and we are already working on the next one.I wish there had been funds left over for my next project here but now that will have to wait.I can assure all riders if you help us by entering this great competition we will not dissappoint with great additions to the courses!SO COME AND ENTER PLEASE!

Spelling

I am very sorry. I do not have control of this blog. Sometimes it lets me correct things and other times it won't. So sorry. I do try.Thanks for your patience

Aiken Hunter Trials

We had the MOST beautiful day on October 1 for our third annual Hunter Trial. This yearwe shortened the outside course and made it much easier with fewer hills.This not only decreased the degree of difficulty but let riders go a bit quicker,to avoid endless waiting around. The new jumps and the new system worked well.

The Hunter Trial really should be aimed at Fox Hunting horses but it is my intention (having learned in England) that these trials are incredibly valuable to all to have a nice slow go round over excellent fences and JUST SCHOOL AND BOND with one's horse.
All courses and jumps were open to school the day before. Most people that came to ride in the Hunter Trial came and schooled to familiarize themselves with these more open courses. They all had a great time. AS schooling was only $15.00,One can not get a better opportunity anywhere to school such beautiful jumps.

We also had a hunter ring that started with cross rails and then went to more substantial courses with gates,walls ,roll tops from 2'3 to 2'9 and then culminated with a three foot Hunter Derby. The course was fabulous with a mixture of hunter show jumps and a few cross country jumps and a ditch.

The riders in all classes were amazing and I have to say that this is what Paradiuse farm is all about. EDUCATION! These people came out here and rode WAY out of their element and had a fabulous time.

Paradise Farm offers the most perfect venue for horses with a huge variety of jumps and terrain and PERFECT footing but also A venue whereby owners trainer,parents and all supporters can stand on a hillside and watch every step of their horse.

My heart sings with joy to see these people realize their own huge accomplishments.This is not about high powered eventing or high powered anything. I am just so happy to be able to offer an INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL facility for these people to learn about themselves and their wonderful horses.

The dog show was a HUGE hit with 20 in the prettiest eyes,16 in the best wagger and 6 costumers.To see the children have so much fun was almost as good as winning ROLEX. (Not that I really know what that's like)

I have to Thank out loud my dear friends,without them,none of this would have happened. Barbie,Antonio,Nanu,Mimi(cook)Barry Doss(cook),Penny Kaster(painter ),Marsha Styger(painter)Bob Shellhouse for his trailer,Rose Hill as a class sponsor,Our great judges Susan Timmerman and Grace Vance,Anne Kinney,Betsey Minton,Lynn and Joe Kramp. A Huge thanks to Mike Sharp for being our announcer again!

I want to THANK EVERYONE that came to support Paradise farm. It was SUCH a fun day.Laura Hall brought all the children. We need MORE. WHERE WERE YOU GUYS?


Paradise offers a very unique opportunity and it is our wish to give this to the horse community here in AIKEN.WHERE WERE YOU GUYS? We miss you and hope you will come next year. You are quarantied fun and a great day.So put on your calanders for next year the first saturday in October. See you then

Where is the time?

I used to be able to write almost weekly,now it seems to be a monthly occurrance. I apologize for that.Thank you to all that have been so complimentary about this blog.It is always fun hearing from you.

So Southern Pines turned out to be a dissappointment for me ,mostly because I rode SO badly in the show jumping. I seem to be getting consumed with all that bad stuff again. i was gone for awhile but.....I know it will go away again.

The AEC's were next. WE had great times. I think I was second to last to go in the OI champs. Peter is a definate afternoon boy. I was pleased with his dressage. It's coming. Another year and I think we might be OK.A couple of small blips but his attitude was good and he was very workmanlike.Cross country was a perfect ride. He never ever picked up the bridle one time. My intention was just to jump around and have a very settled ride and he made the time easily bringing us to show Jumping in 7th place.My nerves got the better of me again although I have to say these current nerves are not so much riding nerves but other demonic possesions that are taking me away from riding a clear round.That being said I had three rails and finished 13th.Watching the video I know what I have to do to fix the riding which is good,but the other stuff is a little harder.

Poplar PLace CiC 2 * was next. Again I was pleased with Peters dressage. He's going to be the real deal in time and I have to be patient.Cross country I had a stop by overchecking to the water ,trying to prevent (in my mind) over jumping a brush to a one stride. Of course I kicked myself as I shouldhave left Peter alone and LET HIM JUMP!!!! DUH!Peter is a definate goer and very good with his feet. I have to say it was a REAL error on my part and I paid the price. Other than that he pinged around and the big A is not far away as far as dressage or cross country goes. ON THE OTHER HAND, Lellie will not be going anywhere fast until a few things at home get settled so I can show jump better.

I chose to show jump in a hackamore. WE had practiced in it and were very happy with it.Peter got progressively stronger during the duration of the course. I actually dropped my right rein after the triple and Peter took off and ran away with me for a good ten minutes. Flat out.It was a clasic run away. Not at all funny. I was completely helples and he ran as fast as he could without the slightest fatigue. It was very unsafe and I was not a happy camper but knew from my racing days eventually it would have to end so I sat chilly but terrified everyone watching. I apologize for that as it was truely scary.

I was very upset but again more with non riding issues than Peter and went home with my tail between my legs.So we have decided not to run the two star CCI as planned and step back a little till other things can settle down.I will never put the horses at risk and I need to get a few things sorted to ride better in the future.Al;ways something!!!

So I am now officially done with eventing for a while and going back to show Jumping again for some more education.

Not the way I wanted it to go but the horses cme first. WE have since Jumped Peter at home with the help of a good friend and all is very well. So stay tuned we'll beback.!

Work In Progress

How things change. Two years ago,I had the amazing luxury of riding three strapping young thoroughbred horses around events every other week.And they were rarely out of the money. It was a great feeling of success and accomplishment that gave me great strength and the fortitude to fulfill all the challenges this sport requires.

It takes tremendous willpower not to equate ones self worth as a human being with how one ends up on the weekend.I am currently down to one eventer,Peter Pan.Ninety Nine percent of this darn game is confidence. I am currently standing on about 10% in my ability.

Show Jumping once again seems to be eating me alive. Even though I had a great summers jumping at proper shows with Peter and Zidaan.For some reason my last event brought me to my kneees with a charming 5 rails down. And this week ,,,well I'll start at the beginning.

Peter is entering into the power stage of his career and it is not an easy one.I always tell everyone riding well is an illusion.(Except if you watched the top 5 at Burghley this week!OMG do they ever miss?)(Another blog entirely)

I was very pleased with my dressage warm up and test this week only to be hammered by the judge.Hurrumph!Grump Grump.

The cross country looked great,although I said to Barbie at a small ditch /bounce combination...."I hope they read this....This ditch is not much to look at." Peter pinged around inside his minute markers easily until,splat ...that darn little ditch.He Left both his hind legs in it and I pulled out quickly to avoid hitting the skinny out. There was no room to do anything except pop back out over that ditch the wrong way and represent to the combination. Well
he saw it that time and off we went. He finished the course with 20 jumping and 20 time as there was no point in running his legs off at that point.I was not happy.

Most importantly I had to make sure he was OK. He had some pretty good scrapes on the inside of his hind legs. I felt I had let him down in my presentation.

Show Jumping on Sunday I had another disappointing 4 down and felt I rode really badly.UGH. WE forgot the camera. My only source of info.

So It was a long ride home. I miss Pickles. I miss River Dance and Harry too.I need to clean up my game. AGAIN!

Upon arrival at Paradise,the grass is long and untidy. It looks overrun. Ugh. We are killing ourselves to keep it all going.Doom and Gloom.

We leave again in two days for The AEC's.Hopefully things will go better there.I can't stay in a slump for too long.I look at Peter and I see great things. I feel it.Just not this week.Karen O'Conner's groom Max told me to go to the movies and forget about it.Good advice.

So we'll be washing,mowing ,jumping and teaching again till we leave and see what happens the next time... Stay tuned...I am going to keep telling myself it's going to get better and remind myself how lucky I am to be this miserable at times.. Horses are great levelers!

Any of you guys ever feel this way?

Bare Bones Farm

Last weekend Jack and I zoomed our way down to Shorter, Alabama to judge a dressage and show jumping on the Saturday and teach a clinic on Sunday at Lorna,Duffy and Erika Aho's FANTASTIC Bare Bones Farm.

It is a PERFECT venue with great footing,similar to Paradise.Duffy has built super jumps. WE had tons of ideas for new banks and the future cross country course. Lorna has her sights on stabling and ALL SORTS of stuff in the future.

Lorna and I have been great pals for over twenty years. WE have blasted through England together,bought out Badminton,and traveled extensively together while eventing in the past.She has a n excellent eye and was bread to event. Her auntie is Dame Maxwell of famed Badminton dressage commentary'.

Lorna knows her stuff.She put on this show with aplomb,managing all the secretarial stuff as well as the layout etc. Duffy does GREAT FOOD and all the mowing and all the other STUFF.Erika rides around like a mini Lorna. Look out world ,she comin' on strong, getting the BEST experience on millions of hairy ponies.(the best kind!)

The dressage classes were great. Lorna brilliantly left enough time for me to pop out after every test and elaborate on the goods ,bads, and how to get betters.A great group of people and nice caliber of horses too! Great Fun for me. I LOVE travelling around seeing all these different places and people enjoying their horses.A few brave dressage riders even opted to have a chance flat lesson the next day. They were GREAT!(And very very brave....)

The Show jumping was fun. Courses were challenging enough. There was a fault and out class,Power and Speed and jump off rounds . Lorna also had a super derby class that had a few extra questions(bonus fences and skinnies). She plans to have lights up so evening classes can be a great addition. Her Show Jumping is in a natural amphitheater type setting, so there is ample room for all sorts of banks and terrain questions.There is a super flat place for a Hunter Ring ,that can double for a large dressage arena. She already has one super large arena now.

The clinic was well attended. Everyone worked very hard on my usual themes. Safety,Balance ,Control,Confidence and FUN!Gatorade was the word of the day.I had them jumping over the ice chest so they could only drink if they went clear!(Just kidding)

It is always an honor and a pleasure to be invited to Judge and then teach. It is as much fun for me as for the people.It is very inspiring to be able to give back to the sport.

So stay tuned for news of this great venue. I have ridden all over the world and I can recommend this place!

Thank you Lorna,Duffy and Erika! Thank you to all that came to support Bare Bones Farm and me.

Gearing Back Up

It's amazing how things change.I haven't ridden in an advanced competition in almost 6 years. After having brought 10 horses from scratch to advanced,I hope I am still on the track for number eleven. Peter Pan is my only eventer at the moment. Next Dance will soon be jumping in the Show Hunter ring as he we think he will excel at that discipline. Zidaan,my new jumping machine is too great a teacher for me to mix up his expertise with eventing.That leaves Peter until I can come up with more horses.

Times have changed for us all for sure. I used to have more students and clients and horses than I could possibly manage.Now that I have tons of experience and a complete facility to train horses for any discipline ,things are painfully slow.

I have a great group of new people coming for lessons but as I look around this incredible farm ,I really have to wonder what happened?Paradise Farm is an amazing facility only lacking an indoor school and an aqua tread. I am blessed to have what is here but I wonder where the people are? It seems to be an active rider or known these days at all one has to be a marketing expert rather than a true horseman.

I often hear from people,Oh I didn't know you taught lessons or rode other peoples horses. I thought you just rode for yourself.(REALLY?)Advertising hasn't seemed to do much good. It is costly and well worth it if there is a return ,but not so worth it if there isn't.

I hear from some people they think I am too tough. Riding is tough. Getting hurt is tough.Competing is tough.A horse spooking and bruising your foot or leg is tough.Trying to prepare people for the REALITY horses may bring is a tough game and there is no room for sugar coating.Losing weight is tough. There is no easy way. Saving money is tough.But the sacrifices, hardships,excercise and practice pays off. Those people that come here and take a few lessons quickly see results and few leave dissatisfied.They may be very tired but they are smiling and satisfied with their investment both physical and financial.

Peter is gearing up for a fall season of Intermediate.After falling off at Jersey Fresh I feel I need to do my homework and clean up my act.I am looking forward to a preliminary run this week at River Glen,then shall be making my way to several events in area III.We are still not sure about fair Hill or Chattahoochie for our fall 2*.

Barbie and I decided not to travel as much this fall and stay closer to home in my efforts to clean up.Money is also a major factor.I would not be going anywhere without the aid of the American Horse Trials Foundation.I have been a member since the 1990's. That foundation kept me riding throughout England and Europe and is still helping me today.Many thanks to all of you that have helped me keep my dream of riding going.

I do not have my eye set on making the team as much as I once did,as I know it is not realistic at the moment,primarily because of money.Having this big farm is a huge undertaking.Paying employees and farm maintenance takes away from the endless road trips of the past. But it does not mean I am not out there still going.

Peter shows signs of making it a lot further in his career.Zidaan is going to do wonders for my career.And I am hoping Harry will have a new career that he loves. Riverdance is being brought out of retirement so I can have another horse to jump big on again.If I only knew then,what I know now.

In watching a Burghley video,Kai Ruder from Germany said he rode Burghley as a young boy then it took him 20 years to get back.An inspiring message to us all. Horses take time.Practice Practice. Barbie wants me to go on and get going. I feel I am going to be conservative with Peter so I do not blow it.Peter is only 8 and there is no rush.

So hopefully this will inspire someone out there to hang on and keep going too.Horses are an addiction. No doubt I am hooked.It's worth it in the end.We're gearing back up for the fall. Let's hope good things are out there for all. Kick on.

Summer Time News

The summer is flying by.

It's been very hot here in Aiken but we have been busy as usual.Fortunately we are getting enough rain to keep the farm in grass(which means more mowing) but it's worth the time and effort. Eleanor, my super tractor has been very well behaved this summer. I am proud of her performance.Let's hope she can make it through another mowing season.Eleanor is named after a Mustang Shelby featured in a great film entitled Gone in Sixty Seconds.Nicholas Cage always steals her and she breaks down at the most inopportune times."Not now Eleanor"I know the feeling.

The horses are in full work. Peter has been show jumping with Zidaan. We just finished another two week run up at Tryon again. I am having such a great time with all that I am learning. Peter is harder to be consistent on than Zidaan as they have such different backgrounds.But my percentages of double clears are getting higher at every show.This last time Zidaan was Champion at the Meter Twenties.I even won enough money to pay for all my fuel!Ha!

Horse Showing and lots of lessons are expensive business. Fortunately I have been able to teach lots of people this summer. Everyone has been so dedicated. We start around Six AM most days. I have to ride pretty steadily up to about 2.30 when I take off to go to Kenny my workout man.By 2.30 it's pretty hot for the horses so a good time to head to town.Evenings are generally spent riding more horses,teaching and or mowing.

Harry is gearing up for some time in the Hunter ring.I think he will like that and be very good at it. I am hoping he will jump in some of the bigger Derbies soon.It's been challenging changing jobs and jumping formats with all these horses.He let my 11 year old God daughter ride him in a walk trot class at a horse show last week. Cutest thing I ever saw. Then I rode him and he was local hunter champion. Go Harry!I find riding the hunters VERY VERY challenging even at three feet!

Peter will be my only eventer for a while. Zidaan is going to stay in the Show Jumping as he is so great at it and I feel it's really helping me ride better.Harry is such a beautiful Jumper I felt it unfair to hammer him around the events.Peter eats it up and I am aiming him for Fair Hill Two Star in October.

We have several interesting horses here in training ,and have been blessed with a few sales.This is what keeps the ball rolling.

It's been a fantastic summer. Lot's of really enthusiastic people all wanting to ride better.That's what it's all about.I love travelling with the horses. It has really helped put a lot of last years demons away.

While I am sad to have the memories of all the troubles of the last few years,new doors are definately opening up.I am extremely grateful for that.I needed some new doors.

The clinics have been well received, which enable me to take so many lessons.Finding good teachers is a rarity for sure.I have a few great ones right now at last.A huge relief to be with people that make a serious effort in changing for the positive rather than posing as instructors and saying little or nothing, riding a wave of a big name.

It's very interesting in the teaching game. I like to be corrected over and over again.Often,I can be frustrated at the mistakes that I make ,but teachers that let you make the same mistake over and over again are just as much to blame. There are few that have the fortitude to really correct you. To stop you dead and correct you.I like that. Yet people are often put off by that.They prefer to be told how well they are doing.Compliments and congratulations are well deserved and should be noted,but lessons are about progress and hard work.I am grateful for the honesty of the teachers I now have.

You have to like to teach. You have to want to see the person and horse get better.You have to take a lot of time. You have to give the person confidence. You also have to be smart enough to take them down when needed ,to make things easier,to achieve flow before going up to harder things.

It's so rewarding to help people with their horses.Thank God people are out there and want to ride.Lot's of people from all over are coming back to the farm again.Today a great family rode all over the cross country together galloping and jumping. That's what it's all about.I look forward to this years Hunter trial the first Saturday in October. I think we will have lots of children come this year,though sadly few will be from Aiken.I hope they will come one day and overcome all the scary stories they have been told about Paradise Farm. It is their loss that they do not come as this is truely a great place.Local gossip still makes me sick to my stomach but THANKGOD at last I am back on the road and doing what I am good at and away from the local level of indecency.

Tryon Week Two

After three days of showing Barbie and I packed up Jack (my super truck) and "The Palace"(my trailer) and zipped on back to Aiken. It two days to do all the laundry,clean the trailer,rotate the tires wash the trailer and repack and we were back on the road to Tryon again for week two of serious training.

This time we were loaded with Beautiful Harry.Harry has been on the back burner since my pathetic show jumping crash at Pine Top in February. I seriously regret taking my eyes off that jump and looking away for a split second. The results of that mistake I am now really having to pay for.Slowly but surely we have made it back to the show ring.Harry is the most beautiful boy and we must allow him the time he needs to tell us what he wants to do.

As I am so focused on trying to ride better and be quieter I chose to let someone else ride Harry for me.I have never done that before.It was very helpful to see the horse from the ground and be able to detatch.It was not until the third day that we saw our boy come back into himself.Though he placed in two classes(again we only want steady clears no time)I was glad to be able to see the progress made.Clayton is a star on horses and rode Harry like a champ.

Peter,Zidane and I slogged it back in the jumper ring moving up all the way round. Peter won his first class again and we were flabergasted!I actually am starting to feel the magic back up I have missed for so long. I do not smoke but.....OOOOOOOOOOooooohhhh made me feel like I needed a cigarette if you know what I mean.Could I actually be getting a grip on this stuff?

Zidane was his usual delicious self.I am going to spend some more time getting him more broke on the flat now.Vick rode him for me in two classes. What fun to see him jump.Zidane is easier for me to ride than Peter as he is a different type. But what a luxury to have the chance to ride two beautiful boys!

I simply had the best time up there with The Russell family. Talk about great team spirit.Everyone roots and cheers for everyone else and the operation runs like a well oiled machine.It was hot in the afternoons,and some might say it's boring waiting for the classes etc. Not me. There was no time to be bored. Once I got done with my baby classes,the big boys jumped all afternoon and I was glued to the rail. Watching Vick and his team jump and jump and jump ALL DAY!!! was enough for me.

Nights were great fun too. Several really nice parties with great fun people.I am fully enamoured with the dark side.I have some really great memories from this show. My best birthday present was watching Vick ride Zidane,and sitting in the wicker chair during a thunderstorm laughing,listening to the summer rain,late at night. And watching the rains clear for himself to drive away in Whitey the MG without a drop on him...Almost as good as the back up feeling.....

We are back home now gearing up for another Better riding clinic. They have been well attended. We start early and are done before it's really hot and people have been great about following up with their lessons as that's what it's all about.I
can't wait to jump River,Norman,Pumpkin,Gunther all week. My goal is to jump EVERY EVERY DAY FOREVER!

But we will get back to dressage and cross country too.

Paradise is hoppin'. We are ready for another round of mowing and jump painting. Even getting geared up for the fall event already. Where does the time go.

I hope everyone out there is having a good summer too.Thanks to everyone for their support. Riding is just too much fun right now.

Then and Now

I do not seem to write much anymore.I sure think a lot and wish I had the time to write.

My Last blog was about Jersey Fresh.I was very excited to go and was ready to do the job. But I fell off. My memories of the event are not good. I like the facility very much. Though I thought the ground could have had more attention,I thought the Cross country was terrific and I was sad not to have been able to complete the course.The worst part for me was asking for advice from someone I thought would be helpful and constructive and I was dumbfounded by the response. I was told I wasn't committed enough to the sport. That I should make a decision to be more committed to the sport or more committed to the farm cause if I did not make more of a commitment to the sport I would just fall off every time I rode.

It was a very long twelve hours back from New Jersey and I wanted to just give up when I got home.The event was a bust. Though I was happy Peter was safe and sound.How could someone say that to me?WOW. And this person is an experienced rider. Well there was a lot of internal confusion for a while. I talked about it with a few people and got a myriad of opinions.Thank God for the opinion of one of the officials that saw my fall and I decided not to shoot myself after all and go on.

So,screw those words in NJ. Paradise Farm is so beautiful. All my flowers are in great bloom this year. The berries are popping out everywhere. The honey suckle smells heavenly.One of the days highlights are feeding our huge catfish.I may have fallen off but I am still a person and have worked damn hard for what's here.

I am not happy about the way some eventers are thinking and where they are going at the moment.As much as I would have loved to have won in New Jersey and be on the cover of eventing media,,,hey,,I am winning my own event.That event may not win any gold medals or gain me huge sponsorship,but there are other dividends.

That was then and this is now.I just came back from a Hunter Jumper show up in Tryon,North Carolina.Barbie and I went up there with Zidane and Peter Pan to learn how to jump better.It was my first show with Zidane.He has only been over from Holland a little over a month.

I had a fantastic experience. I cannot wait to go back.Instead of thinking of giving up ,I am encouraged.I had three days of excellent instruction.I had a teacher. I had a coach.I had every step and jump analyzed. I made mistakes and was reprimanded a few times,but on the third day ,I got real close to a few compliments.I was spoon fed. I needed it. And I want it. YES AT MY LEVEL!!!!!! Who the HELL wouldn't. That's what we want is support.When it's bad...OK Deal. Get better get over it. Work hard..Not committed? You must be joking ,blind,threatened, or jealous.

I saw a master at work this week.I saw a man ride 30 rides a day with amazing grace and style. A HUGELY popular man with class and style that I did not see in New Jersey I promise you.He rode all day,had horses and people coming out his ears.He gave everyone his time.He is a pro.I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to have had this time.

Peter was great. He was champion in the meter ten division,winning two classes.He was second in the meter fifteen. Zidane is like jumping into a swimming pool full of whip cream. He is so soft over the jumps.I didn't win at Jersey fresh but I won when I found Peter Pan in that field in Florida three years ago. And to have gone to Holland and connected with Zidane is a miracle.Zidane placed in most of his classes but I was there to learn not win. The ribbons didn't matter. I did not go for time at all. Just the steady clears.I am not ready for time yet.My goal is to own it at meter thirties one day....(If you had seen how nervous I was at the meter classes!)

Learning how to ride better is enough.I am not ready to win yet. I still have to learn how to ride.I'm going to try and keep my hand off the brake and just learn to use the gas better.

I have to Thank everyone up there this week for such a great time. Thanks to Barbie for all her hard work,Antonio for managing Paradise.And to the world's greatest for helping me buy Zidane.What an honor to have one like him to learn on.Thats another story.........And to my new inspiration.

Jersey Fresh Three Day Event

Peter's spring season culminated at the Jersey Fresh Three Day Event.Barbie,Peter and I left Aiken on Monday at three am to get to the event site in daylight and have time to let Peter settle.As usual we were the first ones there. Luckily another truckload came in and were stabled next to us so he could have some buddies.We had an excellent stall location and set up the palace(our living quarters). Phase one complete.

The next day,we set everything up and let Peter have lots of grass and I rode him in the morning and afternoon all round the place.I was glad to have gotten settled in early as everyone seems to arrive at once. We like to avoid the melee.

The briefing was brief and the trot up went well for us.It is always a special feeling trotting up at a three day.Barbie had Peter gleaming so brightly you needed shades just to look at him.I had a late draw on Friday so there was plenty of time for multiple relaxed rides before our test.

Dressage went really well EXCEPT I FORGOT THE TEST!!!!!!!!UGH!!!!6 unnecessary points. What a waste.I haven't done that in forever. I picked a fine time!I am in good company though as even the best in the world forget occasionally.But what a waste!

The cross country course was LONG and UPHILL.9 minutes 14 seconds.The jumps were serious but reasonable.The course doable but there was a lot out there.I walked it 5 times. I had a plan and felt ready.

Well,I fell off at 5b a skinny coming out of water.There went all my big dreams of jumping round the course.Rats.I have more to say but shan't print it here.I have beaten myself up enough(it's now Monday).

Peter is only 8 years old. He has only had a few errors in his career and I am delighted with him.Apparently I did not make it clear enough to him where he was going and he went left,I went straight.POP went my vest.I landed on my feet holding Peter,so no real drama,except I ripped my breeches and didn't know it until after a long very public walk with my left cheek fully exposed.

Barbie,Peter and I were all sad by my error.It is a huge let down to blow it all with a fall,but better me than him.The ground was quite hard and maybe it was all for the better that he didn't run,but I sure wanted to.

Hindsight is always twenty twenty.You can believe I am going to put on my course designer hat and fire Eleanor (my tractor) up and rebuild Jersey Fresh(smaller version) out in my field and practice what I missed out on.How fortunate I am to be able to do that.Paradise Farm has limitless possibilities with it's great terrain.I'll give Peter a short break and then we'll get cracking again....

Jersey fresh did not go well for us but there were others that had the ride of their lives.Congratulations to them.This is a tough sport.Sometimes it all goes your way and sometimes it doesn't.Hanging on in those in between times is difficult.

This morning at about 3.30 am I woke up thinking about some not very good stuff.It was hard for me to leave my dogs that love ,me no matter what,stop or no....and get up and face the day at the farm.This place is just too damn special,so are my horses.

I love my horses. I love my farm and I am going to make this work out one way or another.Thanks to everyone for their support in good times and bad.Thank you to all in New Jersey for all their efforts.Special shout out to Barbie for her EXTREME dedication and support. To Arenus and Devoucoux for their support and to Dougie Hannum who went out of his way to help Peter and I.

I shall look forward to the next time.Fingers crossed!

Allez Allez Allez Zidane

Just two weeks ago,I left Aiken for Holland to look for horses.I have looked and looked in the US for something to ride for a very long time and nothing worked out.Without question,I love the Irish horse but this time I chose to broaden my horizons and go to Holland,,,,,just 'cause.

I drug my great non horsey brother over there to be my protector and film director.He didn't want to go at first but my mother stepped in and "changed his mind".No body messes with Nanu.Off we went.

We left on a Wed.night,arrived in Amsterdam at 8.40 am their time and I was in the saddle by 10 am.I rode 12 horses in a row. All braided up. All terrific jumpers except for the fact that I could not really ride any of them.They went in a different balance than I was used to . Long story short,there were two that I like the most and we agreed to take them far away from their comfort zone of the jumper ring and go cross country schooling with them the next day.

After a delicious Indian dinner,the hotel bed was a welcome sight.Early the next day we zoomed off to a farm to go jumping again. It was windy and wet.The horses thought were crazy.But they jumped and jumped well.I could at least ride them in the field and started to feel a bit better about things.The jumps were harder than I would have jumped for a first XC school and they went.

My brother filmed it all through the gales and wet feet and basically froze his ass off while I was happy in my normal element of mud and tornadic conditions.The show jumpers we were with wanted to shut the American up and get back home to the six footers,while little Lellie could not tear herself away.

It was time to go.Off we zoomed to the train station where the two American tourists had 3 minutes to make the train. I am used to running from place to place and people often make rude remarks about how fast my fat little self can waddle when in a hurry(years of constant practice)You should see how fast I am on crutches.....

we rode in the first class upper level of the train down to the south . Whereupon my brother met a philosophy teacher at one of the universities. He immediately left my side and went to have intelligent conversation about the worlds education issues,while visions of Dutch horsey's danced in my head.......What else.....

We were met at the train station by a TRUE kindred spirit and whisked away to look at more Gigi's.Anyone thinks I drive fast has NO IDEA>>>>>>>>

First stop was the stable where Zidane lived.Out he came. Walked around for 5 steps,trotted for 6, cantered on each leg and started jumping.The Dutch don't waste any time.Bada Bing Bada boom!Ok ,,,my turn,,,,,,,,,,Got on did it........Got off and my comment was in the car after polite thank you's,"this was the first horse I have been able to ride in Holland"He was the first one that let me in...NO critisim to any of the preceding horses as they were SERIOUSLY nice,,but I did not ride them well.....

Zoom Zoom...two more that night.Dinner bed.

Next day off we zoomed all over the place,me with my notebook.Splint here,short neck there,pulled too much,not enough,bay ,grey had to take notes and my brother filmed everything with our trusty flip camera....Too bad we had no way to watch the films...

The only non show jumper that was presented to us by an eventer,,,I didn't even jump it. Go fiqure! Nice horse...not for me. But it was that one that I didn't like at all and spent the least time with that led us to THE HORSE!!!!!!!!!!Oh there's one down the road about another hour away....Out of our plan. We were down to the minute on our travels and this was not in the book at all.

We drove and drove and walked into this enormous facility and I saw him....I saw him before the stall door was even opened up.....ZAP.....Lightning struck.Done deal........

It was Peter Pan on steroids.A five year old mirror image,three times the size with that same ,let me eat you up look in his eye. Why do I like that so much??????I can deal with it in horses ,trouble is I tend to choose that in men too and then they do and then I cry.......I digress.


OMG>>>What a mover. OMG OMG what a jumper.Didn't steer that well and pulled like a train to the jumps but WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!Only 5. This was it.

BUT,,,,and theres ALWAYS a BUT......He paced in the walk and I had to turn him down for that after 2 trys and a sleepless night.The walk is just too important for our game.Rats.....


There were too many wonderful horses to talk about.The horses were great,very different. The people even better.We laughed more in 5 days than I have laughed in the past 5 years here in Aiken.I felt normal again....

We tried horses into the night and at 11 PM the only place to eat was at a Egyptian Pizza place.

Next day cross country for Zidane and a grey I especially liked but Zidane won.More hail,hock deep mud and training level jumps off blind turns was his maiden experience to XC. What a trooper

My brother went off to visit my uncles grave from WWII and a Hapsburg Princess, while we looked and more horses.About 11 PM before the 5 O'clock wake up call before our sad departure back to the states ,a glass of wine and a handful of hotel peanuts,the deal was done. Handshake,price ,,,,all wrapped up. I bought Zidane.

Came home on Monday night,went to The Fork with Peter , Intermediate, came back taught all week. Jumper show on the weekend on Sunday and left for Newburgh ,New York to Quarentine Monday afternoon at 1 pm.

I arrived this morning at 12.30 am with Zidane. He is here. He is beautiful and so far sensible.35.5 hours later. I love my truck Jack and Red Bull. Listened to great music and dreamed away like a kid again.

Dressage lessons today,Jumper show tomorrow with Peter and Harry.Who knows what after that?

Catch me if you can . I am on a rollll..............Good Luck at Badminton everyone!

Great Weekend

This was a great weekend.I had some really fun lessons with people that really worked hard and earned the greatest results for themselves.That is very satisfying to me. Last weekend we were at the Fork,with everyone gearing up for FEI competition.The jumps were enourmous and the caliber of horses an riders very exciting.


This weekend most of the jumps were under three feet except for Harry,who confidently went back to prelim, size jumps after my incredibly stupid move at Pine Top a few weeks ago that resulted in a month off!Harry was back to his old self and with the help of Phillip Dutton's words in my ears,I remembered to ride him better..Amazing what a few lessons can do!

But my two lady friends sweated it out for three days resulting in much improved positions that opened up their worlds.One lady ended up going to her first horse show jumping about 8 clean rounds in the hunter and jumpers and my other lady left sitting like a real pro with a lot of new ideas.

It was really great for them. It was really great for their horses and it was really great for me. Working out with my personal trainer has really given me insight into how to control body parts and it corrolates directly into my teaching now.The leg bone is connected to the foot bone etc.Actually having control over one's body parts really make a difference!Seeing everyone so happy and filled with new knowledge makes it worthwhile. I love seeing people gain confidence with their horses.

Teaching and training horses and people can be fun. I had almost forgotten.....

The Eagle has landed.Welcome to America Zidane...Can't wait to go get you. I'll be there very soon.

Next week a big Jumper show for Peter and Harry.Zidane will get a few easy days to settle into his new life.Fingers crossed for an easy week for all. Good Luck at Badminton everyone....

Thanks to all the good wishes from everyone.....