Thursday, January 3, 2013

I passed!!!!!!!

So the big news is I passed my licensing exam!  I don't think I've ever felt so stressed.  But it's over now!  Onto finding a job...

Because of the test and the crappy weather, I haven't been doing a whole bunch of riding.  Charlie isn't complaining - he gets brought up for some grooming, cookie eating, and blanket changing, then gets turned back out.  I'm pretty sure that's his idea of heaven.  But heaven's about to come to a screeching halt - lesson has been set-up with Amy for next week and Cherie gets to Southern Pines in two weeks.  Let the torture begin!

 
Picture from one of our few rides in the last 2 weeks.  Is it just me or does he look furry again?  Grrrr....

I finally sold my old dressage saddle - took almost 6 full months but it's finally gone.  I find this somewhat ironic as I'm about to put my current dressage saddle on the market.  Since I'm not planning on needing it, I figure I might as well move it along.  Especially since I don't think it's the perfect fit for Charlie.  This one should be a bit easier move as it's a County...any one in the market for a County? ;)
 
I may or may not have spent the saddle money on the above...oops!

Nadine's daughter, Sara, is home from school for the holidays and I asked her to ride Charlie while I was away at the testing.  I got home a bit earlier then expected and snapped some pics.   Sara's horse Maggie, is a bit of a Speed Racer so she got a leg work-out courtesy of Charlie.  She had a tough time getting him to canter which made me feel better!  I think next time she'll take my advice and carry a whip. But he was good and she liked him (what's not to like?).  When she comes home this summer, we're going to play musical horses.  I love Maggie - she is a phenomenal jumper!

I think this looks like Charlie and Sara are piaffeing...;)

So, I'm torn on the round bale.  I made a tactical error and didn't put anything around it so I think a lot got wasted.  The weather hasn't helped either - it's been raining a lot.  I'll probably get one more and and see how it goes.  They're both so chubby I'm not sure they need free choice!

 
This was after about 3 or 4 days - now, it's basically all spread out and really wet.

I think we established last year that I kind of suck at the whole setting and reflecting on goals (while I set goals last year, I never followed-up) so there will be no goals post as I've decided goals just cause me unnecessary anxiety.  I may do a 2012 recap...I should do a 2012 recap...we'll see... sigh.  I also want to do some tack reviews as I love my jump saddle and I'm pretty happy with my bridles.  Not so happy with my helmets or some breeches.

Sara and Charlie at the end of their ride.



17 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I'm sure your job hunt will go well.

    I love the looks of your new jacket. In regards to selling your saddle, did you sell it yourself or through a tack store or consignor? I've had one at a tack store for almost a year now with no luck.

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    1. Thanks! As for the saddle, I did have it at a tack shop just because it was a bit of an off brand (Niedersuss) at least in the eventing world. I was about to take it back though and had gone to retrieve it only to learn it was out on trial. I sold my old jump saddle through fineusedsaddles.com and have nothing but good things to say about Patricia - only catch with her is your saddle must be one of the brands she carries. I'm going to try and sell the County outright but we'll see. There are quite a few stores in the states that have reputations for selling used saddles - I can give you a list if you like. All have websites which helps tremendously.

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    2. Thanks! We don't have anything similar to fineusedsaddles.com up here, and since my saddle is made by a local, custom saddler it's not as 'welcome' at some tack stores.

      I've heard lots of great things about County so hopefully someone will snatch it up fast.

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  2. OMG BROWN JACKET???? Amazing. Now you just need brown boots and you can be my dream version of myself. ;)

    I vote yes to recap.

    Many congrats to you for passing the exam!! I never doubted you, but it's pretty exciting.

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    1. Haha! That's what Mom said as well. Maybe if Santa had brought that money tree - I drool every time I see the brown Sergio Grasso's in the Dover catalog....

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  3. Congratulations! Good luck on the job hunting!

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  4. Beeeeeeeeeeautiful jacket! Charlie is also flippin' adorable. I'm jealous of his lovely body clip (no, he does not look at all fuzzy... especially not compared to my horse!) and quarter sheet :) Congrats on passing!

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    1. Thanks! I was going to get a navy jacket but the brown was screaming my name. I think it's going to look smashing with Charlie!

      I don't know, Simon's pretty cute! Fuzz and all. ;)

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  5. Nice jacket!

    Not that I can buy one at the moment... But what is the story on your county??? :D

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    1. Haha! I have a feeling it will be too narrow for Houston. Email me or friend me on Facebook and I'll give you the lowdown. sss_0222@yahoo.com (use the email to search for me on FB - way easier than using my ridiculously common name!)

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  6. Congrats on your licensing!! And that coat is gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks much! I'm just hoping I go somewhere I can wear the coat - makes getting a job all that more important...

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  7. Congrats!!

    A good way to preserve your round bale is to make a cheap and easy 2 board wood fence square around it. They can still eat it all if it's about 3 feet high...and they waste much less. Also, do they have a shelter? I put mine in the shelter and then it is protected from the weather.

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    1. Thanks! I may give your idea a whirl if my idea doesn't work (I'm going to put plastic netting around it - think of the stuff you see on the ski slope to keep folks from going off the edge). Unfortunately, no covered area. If there were, this place would truly be perfect. Can't have everything, right?

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  8. WOO HOO PARTY! Awesome job girl!

    Poor Charlie doesn't know whats coming to him lol!!!

    That jacket is beautiful! I want it! haha

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    1. Haha! Thanks!!!

      I've tried to warn him but I don't think he thinks I'm serious...

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