Good Things

Good thing number 1: My work is open to me taking a leave of absence. I'm not sure when and if that will happen, but just knowing it's an option and my decision making process doesn't need to be black and white (stay or quit!) has taken a lot of my self imposed decision related stress away. I'm dreaming now of a few weeks off this fall to catch up on all things home and husband related. And obviously Bridget would come home too :)

She follows me everywhere anyway.

Good thing number 2: Best working student is wanting to get her coaching certifications too, so I'll have a buddy to study with and stress with prior to the evaluations. She wants to get it done this summer, so that may be the nudge I need to make it more of a priority.

Good thing number 3: Bridget! She's been so, so excellent. It could be the new saddle, or it could be I am finally on the receiving end of GOOD unpredictable pony mare behaviour. Who knows. She was super forward and fun for our jump school last night, attacking the jumps and overjumping in great style....which is entirely unlike her normally minimalist attitude towards getting around. For the first time in a long time, I was having so much fun jumping the pony!  The previous nights flat school was great too. As always much to work on, but generally speaking she felt loose and forward and full of positive energy. She's been quite fussy in the contact, but not so that night! Happy ears the whole time :) And then today, we went for about an hour trail ride with her good friend Q mare and best working student.  There have been a few super up close and personal meetings with bears recently and the trails are super overgrown right now.

Last night, I walked from the barn to my truck while texting and checking emails on my phone. I got in my truck, closed the door, put the key in the ignition, looked up, and a scene very similar to this was directly in front of my truck (maybe 5' away and looking at me). I'm sort of glad I didn't see the bear until I was already "safe" in the truck.

And yet, both mares happily and confidently went along on the buckle even when we heard some suspicious rustling in the bushes nearby. When we got to the road we take home there was some heavy equipment and some guys trimming tree branches overhead and then chipping them behind a fence where the horses couldn't quite see. No problem, said both mares. I know Bridget is super solid with everything, but I'm still always surprised just HOW solid.

Magical unicorn saddle turns B into a good girl.

Next up: practice our dressage test for next Sunday! I registered for the wrong one, apparently per coach, leg yields were supposed to be on order, which is obviously not the case in 1-1. I may see if its possible to change, but I'm tempted to stay with the one I've memorized and just have fun with it. We aim to underachieve:) Also, I should probably practice not crying or generally doing dumb things. Because Saturday is xc schooling day and I'm running about 50/50 on crying and/or falling off during those things lol

This was a fun day, but I'm pretty sure I fell off twice. Unaderacheiver goal 2: To NOT be THAT person in the lesson :)