Saturday - wednesday March 17th

Caddymaster First let me mention his half brother Tip Top who underwent colic surgery this past weekend. I have loved following Tip Top's career. I was also very keen on Max - another master offspring recently retired. So I hope Tip Top does well, at 16 yo, I wonder if he will be show fit again? definitely not going to WEG.

So Caddy was great today so let me start there. I was able to ride outside and hack before and after the ride. It was an absolutely gorgeous day here today with temps in the low 60's sunny, no sig. mud and no bugs yet.

I rode in the double, let him warm up in the rising trot with no contact. after about 5 minutes, I started to add 20m circles with very simple aid of inside rein only - using other aids ONLY if needed to keep him straight. Then progressed to serpentines 1st 3 loops then 4 then 5 then 6. Also during this work making sure he would respond to soft, reasonable driving aids.

The work was very good- with him stretching all his muscles and working like an athlete.

Tia continues to be perfect. Had lesson today. I rode her outside. There were A LOT of distractions with Eric mowing the lawn, Tom dumping stuff into the dumpster and Mags the dog bringing her Jolly ball into the ring, but Tia was a star!!! Worked on changes which continue eo progress in a steady way then simple changes then trot work with half pass zig zags, medium passage medium transitions - all very easy. Then more changes then pirouettes.

Plan is to do another lesson on sat and try to make a tape to send to Anky and Sjeff's educational center.

Boogs Doing amazingly well!!! Canter is show ready. As he is not my horse and this is public, I'm going to keep his stuff to a minimum. I did bring him outside after warming up in the indoor - Beth was a great help for me and Boogs today.