So I was all ready and paid to take Lerm to the Touch of Class show at Thunderbird this past weekend, but of course, someone threw a  wrench and I had to scratch because I separated my shoulder. On the bright side, I got to groom for a wonderful group of people, and I had a nice time anyways. Turns out, the last time I separated my right shoulder which was in 2009, coming off Pia Fortmuller's young horse (who is now at GP, yay!) it should have been surgically repaired, because it healed separated, and scar tissue has been holding it stable, but it's been chronically separated for the past 6 years. So, I have a choice to make, can I get the surgery now and take the 6 months to recover or manage the pain with injections until after the next Pan Am Games (our goal) .

It's always something, right?

So I have organized a really nice clinic with my coach, Leslie Reid, to come up to teach at the very beautiful Sun Meadows Equestrian Centre at the end of August. I can't wait! Her eye is so amazing, and her teaching is second to none. It's going to be wonderful - I arranged for a mobile tack store to be there on site, as well as we are having a used tack swap, a BBQ dinner, and then a potluck lunch.

Instead of me taking up two lesson spots, I will do one lesson on the first day, and then just a quick 15-minute in hand demo with me in the saddle and Leslie on the ground.

So, this is my very first ride, in a half a foot of water, in the pouring rain. (I didn't realize my right rein was all jammed up as I normally don't hold my reins like I do here, but the owner asked me to so I obliged, which is why the contact was so unsteady - I couldn't figure it out for a while.)

So this horse is very large, very long both in front and behind the saddle, and is a wiggly worm. It is going to take a long time for me to get to know him and to connect all his body parts into one cohesive unit, but boy, is this a nice horse. and what a mind!

Thanks guys, comment away!
Jamie