Sharon came up for a four day clinic with me wanting help trotting in balance and with confidence. We started with ground work, learning to get in time with Mystic’s feet going straight, then doing circles, then moving his hind quarters and then his forehand. We moved on to seat, leg and hand evaluation and correction with Sharon riding bareback, and riding the trails. We finished with Sharon riding not just relaxed trots on a loose rein, but doing her first canters, sighing Mystic to a halt without touching a rein and riding out Mystic’s crow hop without losing her balance. With that foundation, Sharon let me take off Mystic’s hackamore and she rode him with just the neck string. Wow, what a fantastic transformation in just 4 short days! I am so proud of Sharon and looking forward to hearing how she applies what she learned to her own horse, Prudence, when she gets home. Music is by Mary Ann Kennedy and is used with the permission of the artist.

On a purely personal note, I passed the first anniversary of my breast cancer surgery and my mammogram came back clean!  That called for a celebration which is what we had.  It was a great party with so many of the people that had supported me during that difficult time. Thank you.

We celebrated Mystic’s 19th birthday with his favorite trail ride, time for grazing on lush Spring grass and wonderful canters with his favorite Kami girl. Julia and Jackie, Mocha and Lacey joined in the fun.

Jackie rode Tori and Julia rode Kami with the Jackson County Horseman’s Association in the 2015 Rogue Valley Pear Blossom Parade April 2015 in Medford, Oregon. It was raining and the streets were full of umbrellas, people with slickers and covers from the rain, but Kami had nary a spook!  So proud of Julia and her Kami girl.

Music by Mary Ann Kennedy is used with the permission of the artist.

This is the story of Julia demonstrating leadership with Kami at the California coast, helping Kami overcome her fear of the ocean to play at liberty by the surf, and enjoy a relaxed canter down the beach. We also rode the Redwoods, going into a huge Redwood stump and enjoying the majesty of the Redwoods. At one point, Kami slipped and fell on a muddy incline. Julia was fine, but Kami fled about 100 feet away, whickering her distress. She came back to Julia’s call and the two regained confidence to lead the way again on the trail. I am so proud of Julia and the bond she has created with Kami and the horsemanship she has demonstrated.  Jackie and Tori had a wonderful time as well on this magical expedition to the coast. Music by Mary Ann Kennedy, is used with the permission of the artist.

Hannah & Kami are like two sides of the same coin. Talented and smart, they didn’t believe in themselves, but they loved and believed in each other.

In this video, you watch them learn trust in each other and confidence in their abilities as they unlock their sense of play, freedom and joy. I take great joy in watching these two support each other as they learn and grow. The background music: “Language of Love, Mares & Horses & Life” is used with the permission of the artist, Mary Ann Kennedy.

Julia took advantage of her Christmas break to play with Kami. They did a lot of liberty in the arena and trail course, explored bridle-less riding, started to learn to jump on Mystic and enjoyed lots of rides. No snow, but a great Christmas break from school. Music by Mary Ann Kennedy is used with the permission of the artist.

Terry Palmer asked me to work with her Tennessee Walking Horse gelding, Jackson.  Jackson would not stand still to be mounted or just to hang around, he was constantly looking left and right rather than where he was going, pulled hard enough that you needed a Vicodin at the end of the day and was so on his forehand that he tripped and fell with Terry.  Instead of gaiting, he paced. It took a few Vicodin, but I taught Jackson to cherish being in neutral and straight with me. Within a couple of weeks we got him more balanced and by the end of the month he was gaiting smoothly and stopping to a sigh.  Really nice horse!

Sheral DuBry came by with Walker and his cart and gave Julia and me a lesson in driving Walker.  We had such a blast.  That little guy is just the best!

Walker is one of Mystic’s old friends so after we finished with the driving lesson, Walker and Mystic got to play together in the trail course.  A fun time was had by all!

Julia went out on Sunday, did some tricks and liberty play with Kami in the round pen and then went for a relaxed canter up the road. Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.