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 !!!