Florida > Jersey

Choosing to spend the month in Florida was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. Period.  I haven't even been here a week and I've already learned so much and had some great experiences.  On Thursday I got a chance to watch Sinead ride 2 of her horses with David O'Connor as well as meet Karen O'Connor while she was teaching one of her lessons.  I got to see and hear a lot of what they were saying to not only Sinead, but to other really nice riders as well and it was really interesting to see how technical things get as the horse and rider team get better and how it ends up being the matter of really inches to make the horse perform 100% better. 

After watching Sinead's lesson, Rori and I had our first cross country school of the season.  Rori was a bit full of herself but bold and more than willing to jump whatever we put in front of her.  We got to do some Trakehners which she was great about as well as schooling some water options which again, she didn't bat an eye at.  What I'm really learning with her now is how to use less of my hands and more of my body which is definitely tough to switch over to, but the result is already positive.  I'm gaining a few more tools which are really helping with more technical situations as well as just being able to leave her a lone for a longer period of time.  

Today, we all got up early and Sinead rode in the Level 5 Jumpers at HITS with 2 of her horses in training (and placed 5th / 32 with one of them).  Even that is a really good experience because these riders come from all over the country (and Canada) to ride down here so there are so many different styles, techniques, and so forth that are really interesting to analyze.  Later on in the afternoon Rori and I had our stadium schooling before the show tomorrow and she was FABULOUS.  I rode her in a plain loose ring snaffle (which I've NEVER been able to jump her in) and she gave me one of the best rides.  By improving myself I'm able to use less "tools" to make the horse go right which is really a great sense of accomplishment.  

So tomorrow we're off to Rocking Horse to compete at Novice level.  We'll be doing dressage and stadium tomorrow and then cross country on Sunday. Can't wait! More updates later.