I'm feeling quite confident about Riley's progress so far. We've had some ups and downs but that is to be expected of a green horse (I mean, he essentially had all of last year off). We're looking ahead at some little things to go to and so far we have:
*Brooklawn Paper Chase on April 5th (hopefully the footing is okay by then).
*Cheshire Pony Club Paper Chase on April 12th (this is one of my favorite paper chases and we can hack there from the farm, it's only 1.2 miles away!)
*I would love to get a xc schooling in before I go to an event, but if I can go to both paper chases, that should cover us on jumping little, solid things)
*Emily and I are debating between the Old Hope Schooling Trial (13th) and The Bucks County Horse Park Schooling Trial (18th) as our first proper outing of the year. I think we are leaning toward the Bucks event as it is in the afternoon on a Friday and will be logistically a little easier on both of us.
*Possibly the CT at Boyd's on the 26th
So, do I enter in the introductory or starter division at Bucks? Both have really simple dressage tests (walk-trot), neither xc is timed and is meant to be extremely inviting, stadium is either 14"-18" or 18"-2'. I guess I'll see how he is over the next two paper chases and make a decision. I haven't jumped in forever, but he also isn't the kind of horse that jumps you out of the tack, so I am not too worried about him being overly exuberant. I am slightly concerned he may have trouble leaving his buddies, but if we can go schooling before then I can probably test that out a little.
Feeling nervous, but very excited!!!!!
