IEA day 2&3 XC baby!

Quick update on Steady's freak out.  Since blogger refuses to let me comment on my own blog.
I checked on him this afternoon and all legs look fine he is acting normal which is all relieving. I have an appointment with from what everyone says the vet to go to for legs on Tuesday. I know that the leg problems were not caused by this craziness but I have to think that it contributed. Simply because if he knows getting riden hurts it would make him on edge during saddling. I know I did not tighten the girth too tight. I hadn't even tightened it just put it on the second hole. It could very well have been a bug or bee. Though I would feel better if I had seen the actual culprit. But the horse HATES bugs and turns into a big weenie when it comes to them. Though I think it would take a pretty serious sting to get a bad reaction like that. Now I am afraid to tie him though I have tied him for over a year and never had this happen before. But either way when I am getting ear pinning, tail twitching when asked to canter and cross firing when cantering something must be done. I have heard from lots of people that this vet is amazing and I am hoping he can find out what is going on with my guy.  I will update as I know more.  As of now we may just do some longing at a trot but that is about it.  But damn is he starting to really look good.  And if you are the praying type I wouldn't mind a prayer sent up that Steady will be sound enough to ride in event camp.  Otherwise that money will be lost not to mention how much I was looking forward to it.


Up on Saturday at 4 am followed by the 2 hour drive.  You should see my sleepy eyed horses when I go out that early.  They are very confused why Mama is up and moving.  I snuck in just when the days briefing began.  We got the run down from the technical delagate and hitched a ride on a golf cart to our post for the day.
Saturday was Prelim/Training XC day and I was jump judging on jump 6 with my good ole friend Susan.  What a fun day!   We chatted and sat in awe of some of the horses/riders.  Chatted and some horses/riders a bit out of control even one rider that seemed extra spur agressive.  We changed jumps 3 times for different levels.  We were at the palisade for prelim and T3D.  Then for training we were at a combo log-ditch-log.  All day all clear on our jumps.  Though we could hear over the radio when troubles arose.  Jump 10 and 8 seemed to be the main prolem areas and for good reason.  That evening they have a competitors party and we were given a ticket as volunteers!  I got to eat dinner with some facinating ladies including Lee Ann Zobbe, Mary Tinder and Lani Gilliam.  After helping to clear tables and chairs from the party I snuck in on a golf cart and tagged along with Lee Ann and her students for their course walk drive!  That was awesome.  Since I didn't even get to see the entire course yet and then I got to see it the easy way.  And over hear her coaching, awesome!

My plan Saturday night was to sleep in my truck anything to avoid another 4 am morning followed by a 2 hour drive.  Though I asked if I could park near Lee Ann and Mary's campers just to be near people I knew.  Later that even a storm blew in and I was offered by Mary to share her bed in her camper.  I accepted her offer and spent the night ours with her and a lovely Jewel laughing telling stories and finally well into the AM we finally all shut up and fell asleep.  I was awakened the next morning  my Mary with coffee and breakfast.  Mary was an amazingly kind, generous, sweet, positive and uplifting person.  I am still in awe of her and very grateful for her kindness.  She is the oppitomy of what people say about the eventing crowd.  If I didn't ride in eventing I think I would still come to these events and volunteer just to hang out with these people.

I hopped out of bed at 7:25am threw on my cloths and popped over to Sunday's briefing by 7:30!  Sunday was Novice, N3D and beginner novice XC.  I was at jump 11 Mary's sunrise and today I was manning it by myself.  I have to say I didn't mind the alone time.  Though Mary swung by a few times to keep me company.  We were really taken care of as volunteers and it was such a great experience.  Again everyone was clear on my jump.  The day went smoothly.  I dreamed about the day(maybe soon) that Steady and I will be on this course.  Though it would be a hard decision between riding and volunteering.  When the day was done I didn't hesitate jumping in my truck to head home though because I was sweaty, dirty and tired. I never mentioned the heat, whew!  Saturday was the worst with highs I think in the upper 90's yowza.  I was ready to get home to the family.  Once again dinner awaited me on the table I and my heart was so full from the entire weekend.