Exceeding Expectations

Our plans for Caden this winter were to slowly get him started under saddle. We set reasonable goals for him and had just planned to let him take things on in his time.

When we returned from Devon we set to work getting him working consistently at the walk. Judy Westlake held a clinic mid-November and ready or not I took Caden to his first big under saddle outing and test. He went through the exercises with relative ease. On the second day of the clinic he had retained what he learned the day before and we were able to move forward. Caden demonstrated a very fancy lengthened trot and we even got the canter, a gait I had not even planned to attempt until the beginning of the new year.

Returning back to our home barn, Caden has gotten better and better. We have ventured out of the ring on our first trail ride, where Caden preferred to lead bravely than follow. He has consistently improved with each ride and has begun to play with the leg yield. I am so excited for what he will accomplish in the coming year.

Caden also had his photo published in the December 2012 issue of the Equine Journal, another souvenir from our trip to Dressage at Devon. Click the link below to view the issue.

Equine Journal - December 2012

We will be be venturing out for one last lesson and the Caden will get a much deserved rest for several weeks. Check back in at the beginning of the new year for more updates. Until then we wish all our friends and acquaintances a very happy holiday season!

Settling In

So as the change of seasons is once more upon us, I get the sense that things are settling in for winter and settling down for at least a short while. As usual this summer didn't go as planned, but there have been a lot of positive changes nonetheless.

Nile Roze+

Roze seems to be enjoying her pregnancy, she's happy in her routine at our new boarding facility and seems to enjoy the stress free life of being a broodmare. Of course, come April when her little one makes its appearance that could all change, but for now we are enjoying a more mellower and affectionate Roze.

Nile Roze+

Ty continues has been on stall rest now for about two months waiting for the tear in his tendon to heal. We'll be heading back to New Bolton in a week where hopefully they'll give us the all clear to begin the long journey back to work. Ty has not been happy about his sentence to stall rest, but he's coping, hopefully it will be ending soon and we can pick up next year where we've left off.

Aroze to Nobility

Caden (Escapade SHF) has really started to settle in. He's been with us almost three months now and we've thrown a lot at the little guy, but he has taken it in stride. He's incredibly smart, as many Arabs are, but they still amaze me. We took him to Dressage at Devon where he did exceptionally well and handled the busy show grounds like an old pro. We've since been working him under saddle and he's taking it well. We'll be taking it slow through the winter working on his strength and conditioning, with hopes that he'll be ready for the show circuit next year.

Escapade SHF

Embarking on a New Escapade

Roze has fun in the Native Costume Class

Summer is flying by. Roze has attended two shows and is now officially on maternity leave. We had a  lot of fun and it was great to be able to show with no pressure. Ty is carefully and slowly being brought back to work, time will tell what his full capabilities are.

2012 Egyptian Event

In June, I was fortunate enough to attend the Egyptian Event. As an Egyptian breeder and enthusiast it was a very educational and enlightening experience. To be able to see so many amazing Egyptian horses in one place and be able to see and put my hands on some of the greats was a priceless opportunity. It has given me inspiration for the future as we look to add to our program.

Escapade SHF

Today, our newest project, Escapade SHF, has arrived. Escapade SHF is a three year old Straight Egyptian gelding that shows amazing dressage potential. Escapade SHF is by Scapa (by Mishaal HP) out of The Aurora who is by The Minstril. We will wok on getting him under saddle in the coming months and in the show ring, we expect great things from Escapade SHF.

Roze Goes Back to Work

So while Ty continues to rest and recover, I've put Roze back to work to get some time in the saddle. Surprisingly she was quite happy and willing to get back to work. We've just been playing around with Hunter Pleasure, but I've entered her in a show later this month. I thought it would be fun to go to a show with no pressure and just enjoy some Hunter Pleasure classes. Roze loves this class and should have a blast to. Since she is now pregnant, I thought it would also be in her best interest not to push her to far.

Roze competing in Hunter Pleasure 2011

Next week I'm off to the Egyptian Event for the first time, I'm so excited to meet new people and to see all the wonderful horses, it should be a great get away. I'm hoping to be able to get tons of photos and share my experience...stay tuned.

The Winds of Change

People are generally resistant to change. I used to embrace it enthusiastically, but as I've gotten a little older I've certainly built up my own resistance to it. In life sometimes we can carefully plan our decisions, others we are gently nudged into and others we are forced to jump in head long.

The winds of change have certainly been blowing in my direction. Ty came out of the last schooling show sore on his tendon, upon further diagnostics, we found a tear in his deep digital flexor. Once again he'll be off for show season. His future in the show ring is now questionable with so many issues in his right front. He is super talented and the easiest horse to ever work with, I keep hoping for a miracle. We're planning an extended break and a slow and careful recovery, good things are worth the wait, right?

We're still working on getting Roze bred, we'll have another vet check in two weeks, crossing our fingers that this time we'll finally get lucky.

We have some other changes and plans in the work, but can't quite spill the beans so as not to jinx anything, but stay tuned....

Everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, and things go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they go right.

~Unknown

So it begins...

The unofficial start of the 2012 show season has begun, with Ty and I heading off to Dunmovin Farm in West Chester, PA for a dressage schooling show. Since he was only shown lightly in 2011 because I chose to focus on Roze, I was very excited to get him back in the ring. He schooled so well this past week, I actually gave him Friday night off. He was wonderful warming up before our ride, like he's an old pro. Our test was ok, however the footing was way too deep for his liking and we pulled him from his second test. None the less it was great to get him out and know that he knows what the game is all about. We think he looks pretty good, but then again we're partial. We're starting to mark our calenders for shows this summer, so stay tuned.

Roze will likely not see the show ring this year, but will spend a lot of time with the vet. She's been all checked out to be bred and we will soon begin the process. We're very excited to see what she will produce, it's going to be a very long year!