DRESSAGE AT FOXCROFT: BACK INTO ACTION AT MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SHOW

Scores up to 65% -- BLM Qualified in first ride!!

I love this picture of Claudia and I riding together. This is the epitome of what Foxcroft memories mean to me - and this puts the cherry on top.

My ever kind "Gentle Giant," Cole. I cannot count the number of people who asked me how big he is and then responded with a WOW!!! It is a good thing that he is soooo comfortable.




Foxcroft 2010 marks the first time I truly was back in the saddle to compete after 4 years off from the show ring. After 3 back surgeries and lots of metal in my spine, riding is very special and personal to me these days. What better venue to get back to showing then at my favorite venue....Middleburg is just so beautiful. Cole, who has only been off the farm one other time in the last 2 years, was amazing from start to finish. Each time in the ring, he became more and more adjustable. Warm-up on an uneven grass meadow tired out his hindquarters more each go, so we made a good match as it tired out my back, too. Being such a large horse at 18.1H, he really could have gotten excited in the open fields, especially when we were left all alone right before lunch break both days....but he just let out a few airy calls and went on with his business.
I owe him big for taking good care of me. Today, on the first Monday that I have officially had off for weeks, I popped up to the barn to drop off some drinks for tomorrow. As soon as I entered, Cole caught site of me and started very quietly tapping his stall wall.....my heart raced for this amazing horse that just wanted to tell me he was ready for a hello and a hug. Oh, who cares about scores and ribbons and showing when a horse like Cole shares his heart so completely...this is truly what life with horses is all about. Cole reminds me daily of the important things in life....wow, how lucky I am.