right now we are becoming breeders! my 'show horse' Charlotte (the one in the pix) just became a mom for the first time - I bred her to an Oldenburg stallion and her filly is absolutely perfect and a total 'Walt Disney' foal - all pretty soft eyes and so friendly and curious we can't believe she's only 6 weeks old. 'Summer' is our 2nd foal - we had our first last year - he is a TB sired by Yellow Creek and now sold and will ship out next week. If it's any help to you, Charlotte was a 4 YO when I got her and was barely W/T/C under saddle - it took 2 years of tons of work but we showed 2006 (Trillium) and had a great first season (but not as good as yours sounds!!)! then I went off another horse I have and did some serious damage to my skull which took better than a year to mend enough to ride competitively. Last season when I realized I couldn't physically handle the work involved getting her back to showing form, I couldn't bear to sell her, so bred her instead. Am very very glad we did !!! in fact, the chances of my showing anymore are slim (I'm 57) but I get to keep my beautiful girl and ride if I want between beautiful foals! we've decided to try to breed her again but it'll be a 1 shot deal for this year. If she catches we'll have a late June/early July foal, if not, I'll likely send her out again next spring when we have more time to try if she doesn't catch right away. I also own her half sister (last year's foal's mum) but she is unrideable (racing injury) but makes beautiful babies too. She was confirmed preggers but the second ultr-sound showed she'd lost it so she's back at the stud and we're hoping for the best, but again - it's late and if she doesn't catch she'll get to stand around and eat groceries until next spring!! we also have a Qhse gelding (my husband's) and another TB gelding (my 'pleasure' horse). I know what it's like schooling a young horse...there were many times I'd end up virtually backing her into position a couple of strides before the fence then turning and asking for the canter/jump !! Char's 16'3" and 1200 lbs...I'm 5'1" and 100 lbs...when she got strong on me?? there was DAMN LITTLE I could do about it except try anything my coach could imagine to try to 'break' her of the racing the fences habit!! but you're right - I too think it's 99% excited and eager !!!

Hi Barbara,
You are the WINNER of this week's ECOGOLD's Weekly Challenge. Please contact me to give me all your info so we can send you the halfpad. My email is: patricia@ecogold.ca. Congratulations!!

Patricia

Hi Barbara,
Your halfpad will be sent next week. Sorry for the delay - I was in England with very poor internet access. Just got back to Canada!

Thanks,
Patricia