Well, I competed at Hitching Post Farm and it was a horse trial. My dressage was good, except the judge expected me to do something that I haven’t learned yet; she wanted Punky to “come over his back”. I don’t even know what that means! Yet.  My mom and my trainer, Sue Berrill had many laughs over that comment. My accuracy was better and my circles were big enough, for a change.

Then, I went to cross country. Punky was jumping every single jump and I cantered every single one. The water; he did not just trot in like a perfect little pony, but instead, jumped in , so that he landed with all four feet in it. It was as if he was thinking,” BELLY FLOP!!”, but forgot to splay out all four legs.  Then, we came to the last fence. Because I turned him too close, turned him too tight, he ran out.  Therefore, I didn’t give him a straight entrance. Plus, I also learned you’re not done riding a cross country course, until you’re done riding a cross country course. Yes, I know it sounds like a Yogi Berra quote, but what it means is that you cannot stop trying at the last fence. You need to keep on riding through the last fence.

Stadium;  he was clean and perfect and I was ecstatic. I came in third in my division.  In the words of Thelwell, “Do not expect to win every time. It will someday be your turn”.

Punky has a little injury at the moment. It is a superficial bow and he needs to be rested for two weeks before horse camp which is really going to be a bummer. Give healing thought s to him.