Walker again and other stuff.

First of all, Walker continues to do well. He is showing no symptoms at this point. He is just coming off the steroids today though. Think good thoughts that he remains pain free. If he stays ok, I will then move on to trying to find out what the heck is going on!
I did a C3 and B for the Old Dominion region at Virginia Intermont last weekend. I always enjoy meeting all the new people. It is a nice facility, too.
I then went to Charleston for a few days with the excuse that I had a couple of lessons to teach! That took 4 days, right? :)
I came back friday evening in time to take 5 people to HIllcrest today for a combined test.
Great results!!
Mikayla and Quaker Oats were 1st!! This was their second outing, so I am very proud of them.
Cameron and Levi were also 1st in their division! Their dressage score improved by 9 points, excellent job for the boys.
Mom Sue got to go this time and ride Lina. They were very good to finish 4th. We did not realize they were timing Maiden and they picked up times faults or would have won. They did a great job too.
Faith and Megan were 4th. They actually improve over the last time with lots of 7's and an 8 on gaits. They jumped clear too. Faith is so flashy.
Eileen and Maggie improved their dressage and moved up a division to jump 2'. They are coming along together. Cameron, Mikayla and Eileen will be aiming for the TTC Horse Trials in September. I am looking forward to that!
The working students continue to come. I had sisters Caroline and Kate Ingram and Katie Drummond. This week Arielle Ostrov, Paige Meier and Aaron Beltran Davies are all here getting ready for upcoming ratings. Should be a very fun week. We are taking a trip to the Ark to school too.
My next trip is to the New Jersey region for a C3 and B at the end of August.
No wonder I need a vacation every month. I work every single day that I am home. I think I need a snow day!

Walker update

Walker is doing better. We are not quite sure why! He is on heavy anti-inflamatory drugs. But I hope we are actually healing whatever is wrong. There is no doubt that if it was bone growth impinging on the spinal cord he would probably not have responded so well. It could be that there was some kind of swelling and we are reducing it?
I am also sure the prayers helped!!
I hope he continues to get better... that is an understatement!!

And yet more summer....

The USPC Championships were held July 23-26 at the Virgina Horse Park. I went to coach the event teams for the Carolina Region.
There were some good results and some nice "Pony Club" moments.
In no particular order...
Britany Alston and Snickers were on a scamble team and ended up first in Novice! They seem to excel working as a team, for people who had never met before wednesday!
I was very proud of the Carolina Novice Team. Allison's horse went lame at the last minute and although they tried to bring a sub, they were not qualified, so didn't get to ride. Grace's horse didn't want to play on XC, so the team was pretty much out. HOWEVER!!!! They WON the horsemanagement for their division. I have coached at Champs for years and usally when a team is hit by that kind of bad luck they tend to give up. Not these girls!! They rocked! Stephanie and Vegas were great throughout. Stephanie had a tough time last year and I know she is proud at how well she came storming back this year!
One of our Beginner Novice Teams was third! This team included my student Molly and the wonderful Candyland. This was the two Mollys two Allies team. I know I am forgetting some people. I will have to look for my program!
Our Training riders, Christina and Aaron both were solid and were 3rd overall, 2nd HM.
For the first time EVER we had two Preliminary riders! Danielle and Arielle were both competent and confident. Danielle had one glance off for which she took all the blame, I like that :) Arielle had a super xc and one of her best SJ rounds. She was 5th individually. Both these young women should be proud, I know I am.
I was so busy it is a shame, but I don't know how the other disciplines ended up.
I emjoyed being there with all the Carolina Family. It was another fun year.
We also attended a hunter schooling show with a few kids. No great ribbons but some good riding. We just use these shows for practice as it is so great to be able to do a couple rounds back to back and get the nerves out!
ON a sad note, Walker's accident with the car 3 years ago has caught up with him. We found out a couple of months ago that he had fractured his neck at that time. Hard to believe he went to Champs one month later and was on the first place First Level Dressage team!
If he turns his head the wrong way he cannot move it and if something causes him to turn it hard he staggers and gets a hazy look in his eye.
We will retire him and see what happens. I have sent the xrays to State, but Dr. Meeker doesn't think there is anything we can do. So we will just love him and pray a little too. He is a sweet, sweet boy.
We will keep hanging in there.....
Later.