Monday, August 10, 2015

Injecting some sun on a August day!!


Hello hello hello!!! I hope you all are doing well!! As you know its August, and so far 2015 has just run away with me. I've gone and come back from the winter season in Florida - 2015's season was the most injury laden one yet....but also most enjoyable :) A fall on the road, a nice ambulance ride after being stretchered into it, a kick to the not so funny funny bone and the daily struggles on not falling over my own feet!!! The sheep however doesn't seem to have a streak of bad luck in her!!! 
A classic Florida sunset


Nice little bruise - an average day!! 


Not so average cold snap in Florida! 


Blue sky and palm trees - the best office view
Vito and I have made some huge progress - mainly me in the saddle constantly learning the geometry of having everything just so for the Big Tour levels of the dressage journey - Int II and Grand Prix.  This stage has probably been the most difficult for me as a rider and trainer. Sometimes I miss the 4 and 5 year old problems you encounter like just getting the horse on the bit!! However I am so lucky to have this job and be doing what I am trying to do....Along with everything else and all the other shapes and kinds of horses that cross my path on your average day at Foster Meadows! 



Healing!! 
Unfortunately before I packed up the barn to travel to Florida, the farm lost one of its friendliest faces.  Cody the Corgi. Those of you who have visited the farm got a chance to meet him and understood why he was so special. However poor Ginger could not be left on her own for long and in February of Florida we were graced with this ball of teething, chewing puppy fluff. Theodore ' Teddy' Goodrich!!



The newest addition to the farm Theodore! 


Resident reptile


Palm trees and riding hats!


MORE animals at the farm.....


Puppy trying to prove his worth


Out of riding clothes!


Baby puppy says he is knackered! 


Vito enjoying some selfie time


Puppy enjoying some selfie time!


Ginger training Teddy in... and learning to deal with a rambunctious puppy! 






Herself staying indoors from the sun


Polo time 


Good start to the season and a new level! 




Humid days....


Make for a struggling puppy




Getting to teach at my first American 3 day event! 


Teddy and his cape...making him Super Ted
Ready for action



Vito and I in the ring for the Int I


Ziggy and I taking a Monday morning stroll


ALDI HAS LANDED STATESIDE!!! 




The trip back to New Hampshire


Trailer and I's first blowout






Back in the hot seat after a long hot winter in Florida! 
I have a second post written, just to add more pics to it - and that should bring us all up to speed... and all be chronologically in August!!! Sad that I once again missed the RDS Horse Show... soon soon soon I'll be back as Arnie said!! 

For now,
PEACE, LOVE AND HOOFOIL

Sunday, January 18, 2015

My 2014 in Pictures....

Hello!! Many many many many things have happened since my last post! I've gotten a new visa, travelled back home to Ireland AGAIN since October and moved down to our winter venue in Florida until April. Phew!!!! Here are some of my favourite snaps from the epic year that was 2014.


With the two great boys Ziggy and Vito

Marian and Vito :)


Cold grey days of handgrazing.

Finding an Irish flag on top of Mt. Tom

Filming some training videos


Care package from the parentals! 

After the ALS challenge! 

Sporting his new gear from home 

Our neighbours coming to visit :)


At my most favourite competition of the year!!!




Back at home at the ranch


Getting my Silver Medal 

First sibling pic once I got in from the airport in October

With the gang

And the main man Smarty Pants :)

Standard night out in Galway town pic

Sister selfies and running some races! 


Hacking in the long grass selfie with Eavan

Post Pennys trip 

My goodbye party - or so I thought back in October!

Handgrazing in the Autumn

Onto Kentucky!! 


Then back to the old in New Hampshire for a few weeks - Ziggy was no happy

Either was Ginger...


Packing for Florida

More snow!! 

Made it to Florida!!!! 

And then back to Ireland for a brief 4 days for visa arrangements and a little partying

The bestest friends

Early Christmas dinner festivities

The bestest siblings

Back to Florida and on our Christmas Day hack!



Staff night out at the Cheesecake Factory

Dressage does jumping YAY!!

Here's to 2015 with Vito and Marian


While I could not include everything those were the pics that I loved and captured my year in the best way :)

Until next time!!
PEACE. LOVE AND HOOFOIL!