Oprah is worse than chapstick!!!

It's true, today in Ocala, it rained and then got amazingly warm.  This is Krista by the way; Kerry's taking a sabbatical from the blog for a bit.  This morning we did barn chores in the rain.  Kalin and I also washed Marise (who's tail looks amazing) and Gizmo (who was not happy about it and took a few vigorous scrubbings to look gentlemanly).  Ash and Slim Jim went for a well deserved trot set.  The rain cleared in the early afternoon for braiding and tack cleaning.  We were finished early so we headed to Shell's for dinner.  Margaritas were the drink of choice for me and Kerry; Kalin had a Sprite (law-abiding and all legal here in Florida).  We ate a lot of fried assorted water fauna - I think we ate the whole ocean honestly.  Fried food really is the way to go after a long day.  We're hoping to drink more tomorrow night; well actually, I'm hoping to drink more tomorrow night.  I'm gonna hand this entry over to Kalin now; I've been censored for writing too much.  :)  Here's Kalin.

Kalin here. Well for those of you who do not know what fauna is (you'll have to forgive Krista and her overactive vocabulary) it means animals. On another note, we had a bit of a debate as to whether the peanut is a nut or legume. I said it was a legume, but Kerry and Krista are skeptical. The conversation then progressed to what food items peanut butter wasn't good with and things just went downhill from there. As for Shell's, the food was great, but our server, Vicky... well let's just say "It's a beautiful thing." She was about as enthusiastic  as one could be afraid of and was clearly disgruntled when we didn't finish all of our food and were wavering on getting dessert. When we decided to split a banana's foster, she nearly knocked Kerry over and rushed to take the order. Needless to say the laughter situation was a little out of control (the exhaustion didn't help). For the most part, we haven't had too many adventures, although I did leave for about 5 minutes in the airport and came back to find Krista chatting with some very rich-looking business guy from Lockheed Martin... that wasn't awkward...? Other than that she's behaved for the most part, although tomorrow is show day and it is sure to be promising, seeing as Krista is on a mission to have someone sign her hat. Stay tuned to find out who the ruffled rider is!   

Salutations from Florida!

The 3 K's, Merdley, Ashy-poo, Skinny James, and Casey/Wonder Pony

We're Back!!

Hello Everybody.  I know I have been a blog slacker, but I have had a few late nights.  I will do my best to recap the events of the past few days.  Be prepared to be entertained.  Let's see. Monday was boring.  Casey, Marise, and Skinny James had a much deserved day off.  Ash and Merdely went for a nice long trot.  Those boys need to get in shape.  Mary Beth and Hercules left on Monday for the long depressing drive home.  I am happy to report that they made it home safely and are back to the "real world".  On Tuesday, um actually I don't really remember.  Must not have been a very exciting day, so we'll just skip on to Wednesday.  Casey did some flat work and was really good.  Merdely got to go XC.  He was great and really happy to be galloping.  Also on Wednesday I headed to Orlando to pick up part of the Dream Team, Kalin and Krista.  It's so fun to have friends visiting.  And it's pretty nice to have someone help out with all of the barn work. Krista has not quite figured out how to hang water buckets without getting herself soaking wet. But don't worry, we'll train her up. Since I have visitors, we thought it would only be appropriate to have a guest blogger. Get ready for Krista!!

This just in, the Quality hotel room included a list of fun facts about Florida in its Guest Information Directory - some of these facts suggest that Florida has a lot more to offer than just Disney World.  For instance, the average number of visitors reaches over 41 million a year!  Wow!  Alright, I know, this is just like talking to me in person.  Kalin and I met at the airport on Wednesday evening without too much hassle.  Kalin was a bit frazzled by the flight delay, but as long as the flight took off, I didn't care.  Alright, I can't lie.  I always get antsy when I fly.  A can of soda, and a bag of wheat thins later, Kalin and I were in Orlando.  Kerry slept in her car while our plane landed - what a hero.  On the way to Ocala, Kerry told a us a story about how Leslie Law fell off of his horse when his young horse took a fall into some deeper water.  She said she thought of me when she saw it happen - yeah, we all laughed.  The traffic coming from the airport was long and constant, bringing us to the hotel room around 2 or so.  I'm a morning person, but 2 am, that's really considered late rather than early.  Kerry was easy on us though, we got at 7 to get to the barn.  Buck's farm is very nice.  It was great to see some familiar horses.  Kerry introduced us around and even confused our names, just so we could feel like we were at home.  I saw some four star horses go stadium.  I haven't talked to Buck yet, despite Kerry's encouragement.  I figure grander adventures are yet to come - speaking of which, I have a challenge for you avid / loyal blog checkers.  I got a new baseball cap today and I'm figuring that I could get a top-level rider to sign it.  So here's your assignment, check out the Rocking Horse website through useventing.com and post your pick for who I should get to sign my new hat.  Kalin, Kerry, and I will discuss your votes and pick the rider on Friday night.  :)  Yeah, I missed Historical Swordsmanship League for Florida.  Instead of class today, I cleaned tack, filled water *yeah I got soaked* and watched four star riders have lessons from Buck Davidson, how's that for practical education?  :)

That's all for now, we're going to bed early.

Krista, Kalin, Kerry, Merdley, Marise, Casey, Ashe, Skinny James, and Krista's new hat

MB, Casey, and Kerry getting ready for showjumping
Casey looking handsome

All fired up

Marise in dressage
Casey in dressage
Ash napping
Merdely jumping

Top Ten Reasons to Come to Florida!

The Top Ten Reasons to Come to Florida

10.  Aunt Bubs leaves out doughnuts every morning.

9.  People here complain that it is too cold when it is 60 degrees.

8.  Sand is much easier to groom off your horse than mud.

7.  All you can eat breadsticks at Fazollis.

6.  Getting rid of your horse's fungus is the biggest worry of the day.

5.  Sun burn is so much better than frost bite.

4.  Even dressage is fun when you are riding next to a palm tree.

3.  Going to a horse show is considered working.

2.  You can wear your boots an breeches to the grocery store and no one looks at you funny.

1.  No matter how cold it gets in Florida, its always warmer here than it is in Maryland!!!

Ant Eaters or Bears

Hello All.  We are very sorry that we have not updated you in a while.  We have had some very late nights and some very early mornings.  Let's see if I can recap all of the oh so exciting events of the past couple of days.  On Friday all of the boys did dressage except for Merdely who got to jump.  He was great!!! Katy may have to fight me for him when we get home.  

On Saturday we were up at 4 am to go to our first show at Rocking Horse.  Casey started out pretty excited but managed to settle down.  So what if he spooked at all of the dressage letters. They are pretty scary.  Marise thought he should whinny throughout his entire warm up. Though he did shut up once he was in the ring.  I was really happy with him for our first test together. Next was Slim Jim, who will now be referred to as Thin James.  He was green, but a really good boy.  His canter transitions still need work.  Once we sort those out, look out.  He and Marise have gotten a bit too attached.  We may have to ween them before long.  

Today they all got to go XC.  Casey was first, and yup you guessed it, he was wild.  He was not very impressed with all of the little training level jumps.  Nor was he happy about having to go training speed.  He will be much happier going Prelim next weekend. After Casey got back from XC, Stephanie one of Buck's grooms, attacked him with glitter.  I guess no one thought I would notice that he had glitter all over his head. I think it made him feel fancy. All good ponies need a little sparkle in their life.  Marise was next.  He had his head up in the clouds for most of the course.  A silly spook caused us to run out of an easy jump.  He must have seen one of those killer squirrels up in the trees.  Thin James was last. He was such a good boy.  He started out a little nervous, but by the 4th fence he was a pro. So it was a pretty good weekend.  Hopefully we got all of the kinks worked out before next weekend. 

I am sad to report that tomorrow Mary Beth and Hercules head for home.  They have been a ton of help and I a going to miss them.  I have to say that they have given the "dream team" a run for their money.  But don't worry Krista, no one can handle the toweling as professionally as you do.  At one point in dressage warm up there was a towel emergency but there was no towel!! Trey had to wipe the slobber off with his sleeve.  I just know that will not happen once you are here.  

Oh, I almost forgot.  The braiding went great.  You should have seen them.  You would have thought that a professional groom did them.

I hope you are all staying warm,

Kerry, MB, Hercules, Flash the wonder pony, Ash, Thin James, and Marise

Pictures

Ash jumping out of the water

Casey very happy to be outside

Gizzard warming up to jump

OK. not a Florida picture, but isn't she cute?!

I miss my puppies :(

So our photography is not quite as good as Jane's, but were trying.

3,2,1 Hold On!!

Hello All. Today all of the boys went on a trot set. I am happy to report that we did not encounter any killer squirrels.  And the real shocker, Gizzard trotted past not one but two herds of cows without spooking, spinning, or running for home.  We were so proud of Merdely!! Casey, however, thought that the trot set was a race.  No surprise:  he won.  It is amazing how fast a horse can trot when it is going sideways.  Ash found the trotting a bit too much like work. He had to stop and take a few brakes. Geeesh, you would think that Hercules' noble steed would be a little more fit.  

We spent the rest of the day cleaning tack, clipping the ponies and just trying to make them look more presentable.  It takes a while to get all those layers of Maryland mud off of your horse. Slim Jim no longer has striped ears, finally got them clipped. Now the fungus issue, well were working on that.  Merdely still has a very furry head.  No worries we saved plenty of ace for that one.  

Tomorrow we are getting ready for our first show.  This weekend Slim Jim. Casey, and Marise have their first outing. This promises to be entertaining.  Let's see, I know how this is going to go: Casey is going to be wild, Slim Jim is going to jump me out of my tack, and Marise won't leave the trailer as he and Slim Jim have become BFF.  

Oh, I forgot to mention last night we went to the Melting Pot for dinner.  Don't worry Jo, Rhonda, Vicki, Amy, Jody, and Heidi I thought of you as I ate my pot of cheese and chocolate.  

That's all for now. 

Kerry, MB, Hercules, Casey, Marise, Ash, Merdely, and Slim Jim

XC extravaganza

Hello everyone.  Just wanted to give you a quick update on XC schooling.  All ponies were great. Maybe a little wild at times,  (ok Casey was the only one that was wild) but good. I managed to stay on Slim Jim who has not quite figured out that he does not have to clear every jump by 5 feet.  Like I said before, he's just an over achiever.  Ash was very brave, even though Trey thought he had to make time at Rolex. I guess Hercules does not know his own strength.  I will update more tomorrow, but right now I am very sleepy.  It is way past my bed time.  I hope that the weather warms up a bit.   Jo feel free to throw out some hay and put a big CLOSED sign on the front gate. I am sure no one would mind.  I think the whole farm should just move to Florida for the rest of the winter.  Everyone pack your bags and get down here, it is just too cold in Maryland!!

Good Night,

Kerry, MB, Hercules, Ash, Marise, Slim Jim, Gizzard, and Cassey (who would now like to be referred to as FLASH the wonder pony)

I 

More pictures

This is our Aunt Bubs and her husband Richard.  We love living with them.  Comfy beds, hot showers, and she leaves us out breakfast in the morning.  We may never leave. I'm sure they won't mind :)

Some Photos for your viewing pleasure

Marise and Slim Jim have be come BFF

Notice that they have blankets on, that's because it is cold!!

Ash trying very hard to stay awake

Trey and I hanging lights.  Notice how helpful I am being.

Marise looking handsome

Marise and Slim Jim having fun in the sun

Thanksgiving Dinner and Show Jumping

Ok guys, I am very sorry that we did not post a blog yesterday.  We have a very good excuse.  You see, one of our friends at the barn made Thanksgiving dinner for all of us.  It was so good.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even apple pie.  By the time we got home we were all just so tired that we fell asleep.  

Yesterday was a good day.  All of the boys did some flat work. Well really I just cantered Casey endless laps in hopes of tiring him out.  Yeah, it didn't work.  He was still wild today.  Slim Jim was a great baby sitter for Marise who was too scared to leave the barn all by his self.  He did try and scrape me off on the overhang of a horse trailer.  He thought it was very funny, me not so much.  Today he was much braver and went down to the jump ring all by his self just like a big boy!! 

After all of the boys flatted we headed off to the Florida Horse Park to watch some of the training sessions.  

Today everyone jumped.  It was so fun to be jumping out in the open again.  Casey was wild. He can't help it. He really is a chestnut mare at heart.  So we galloped past a couple of jumps with his head flinging in the air like a rabid animal.  If anyone has seen Casey on "one of those days" you know exactly what I am talking about.  After a few gallops I am sure he will be back to his normal self.  Which is only half wild, not completely wild.  

Gizmo was next and he was a star.  He made everything seem so easy.  You would never know that he had over a month off. He jumped around a like it was a hunter course.  I can't wait to jump him again.  Now we just need to practice those big scary down hill jumps.  Oh wait, were in Florida, there are no hills on XC. PERFECT :)

Next was Marise.  He was also very good.  He didn't try and scrape me off today, and he jumped great.  What more could you ask for?

Slim Jim and Ash were next.  Slim Jim was so good.  Half the time we were jumping the height of the standards.  (Chelsea knows what I mean) I guess he is just an over achiever. Now we just have to do something about that fungus head. Trey had a sticky start on Ash, but once they got going oh boy were they going.  Ash starting eating up the distances and the jumps.  

Tomorrow we go XC.  That should be entertaining.  I can't remember the last time any of them went XC. 

I promise to send some warm weather your way.

Kerry, MB, Hercules, Casey, Marise, Gizzard, Ash, and Slim Jim

Hercules Napping

 OK, we could not resist. Hercules had a very tough day.  By the way are you all impressed that we figured out how to post pictures?  We promise to post pictures of the ponies tomorrow.

Killer Squirrels

Hello everyone. First off, we would like to thank everyone for all of the comments.  It is so fun to hear from everyone.  We had a good day even though it was cold and windy.  I know what you are all thinking right now.  But it really was cold, I almost broke out the snow pants!! It is supposed to warm up tomorrow so we will send some warm weather your way.  

All of the boys went on a trot today, and boy was it exciting.  Who knew that killer squirrels lived in the trees in Florida. Luckily Gizzard spotted it first and ran for his life causing a chain reaction of squirrel fleeing horses.  We all managed to stay on, but I was seeing green spots after a good crack to the jaw.  Slim Jim proved to be the most sane of them all.  Figures, the greenest horse was the calmest.  Ok that is a lie, Marise was the most relaxed.  It is amazing what one cc of ace can do to a 1,200 pound animal.  

After everyone went on a trot Mary Beth and I decided it was a good idea to practice our braiding. Have I mentioned that I miss Amy?  We are getting better, but definitely not the perfect braids that Amy some how manages to do.  Casey kept shaking his head ruining all of my hard work.  UGHHH did I mention that I miss Amy?

Tomorrow everyone gets down to real work.  Hopefully the boys have gotten all silliness out of their systems.  

OH, I almost forgot.  Trey would now like all of you to refer to him as "Hercules".  We were all very impressed with his strength as he managed to screw an eye hook into the wall with his bare hands.  It really must have drained his strength because it is only 8:00 and he is sound asleep.  

Good night from Florida,

Kerry, MB, Hercules, Marise, Casey. Gizzard, Slim Jim, and Ash

Ps. Krista stop reading this and get back to your school work or your going to flunk out. Actually that would be OK, because then you can come to the CCI* with us.