Goose Downs

I have to start this story with the drive. Out here we have a phenomenon known as "monsoon rains." Starting in mid-summer almost daily thunderstorms show up in the afternoon. If it's been a particularly dry year they start wildfires. They also cause flash flooding as they tend to drop a lot of water in a little time. Between Albuquerque and Santa Fe we drove through a huge storm. The arroyos (dry creek beds) were full of rushing water. We saw snow. And there was a flash flood across the freeway, fortunately not deep, but there was a car backwards in the water in a ditch on the side of the road.

Okay, it could be hail, but we're calling it snow

There should not be brown water going across the road

We schooled Stadium on Friday, thank goodness we did. We have never seen anything like those jumps. Everything had flowers. There was even a brick wall, which she refused the first time. I don't think she knew what to think about that thing. She also pulled a rail, which is completely unlike her. Stadium was held on a polo field and I had been quite concerned about the grass, but she didn't trip at all.

As for dressage... well, on the plus side we did get a 7 on our free walk and the comment "Good energy some stretch." We also got a 1 on our working canter left lead. She did pick up the correct lead for the first time ever, but she bucked her way through the half circle before the canter depart. Comment: "Repeatedly disobedient."

Someone had the bright idea to put the tents for the Trade Fair next to the dressage arena. And, as it was a roping arena it had high walls so only the flappy tops were visible. Before we even started our test I had some brilliant spooks and it sorta went downhill from there.

Ahhh! Pony Eating Tents!

Which is a damn shame, because she actually warmed up really nicely. Then we went in that damn arena and lost it all. 51.4, which isn't our worst score, but gosh darn it, we have worked so hard to fix our dressage.

Stadium went just fine, though she bucked her way to the first fence. The brick wall wasn't on our course, though we did have to go past it. She spooked at it.

After stadium we went to visit the Trade Fair, as several people I had talked to that morning wanted to meet Miss Pony Toes. She was fabulous. She let all sorts of strangers pet and love on her, including petting her head. She wouldn't have allowed that a year ago.

Of course people love me. I'm adorable.

We had to trailer to Goose Downs for XC. She was quite wiggly to all the jumps, but we got over them. She wasn't as fast and focused as usual. She was not herself this weekend. I'll be talking to the vet.