Yesterday, I went with a few women from the barn to the Maui Jim horse trials at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL, to see the cross-country. It was a blast! It was on the international CIC*** level with Olympians competing. We got to see Bruce Davidson and his son Buck (Bruce Jr.), and a lady (oh, I wish I could remember her name!) who had been in the Beijing Olympics, as well as David O'Connor, who wasn't riding, but coaching some of the Canadians.

Lisa Marie Fergusson's horse died at the finish line... just collapsed. It was horribly sad and I'm glad I didn't actually see it happen. Now, of course, there's the huge controversy over eventing and whether or not some of the divisions are too cruel and demanding.

It was fascinating being there with an "in" group. The riders from our barn had gone already and so Anne was able to take us to some of the best spots to watch. The one bank was... formidable!!! Leap up, leap up, jump on top, leap down, gallop away! Whew! And some of the bounces and combinations were wild! They seemed no wider than I am tall! 

Oddly enough, the water jumps seemed to bother the horses less than some of the other things. I was surprised at that. Tiki hates water with a passion. Dancer doesn't seem to care one way or another. 

Even though I got a terrific sunburn on my arms and neck, and even though I can't describe how sad I was to hear of the horse's death, I had a wonderful time. I hope I go to another horse trials soon!

I rode Dancer Thursday afternoon. Gave him a really good workout--we must have trotted at least thirty minutes nonstop! Of course, this was partly due to the fact that Anne was giving a dressage clinic this weekend and there were--OMG!!--FOLDING CHAIRS OF DOOM IN THE RING!!! Really. There was a small stack of them between two jumps and when I circled Dancer between the jumps, he (uncharacteristically) spazzed out at them so hard, I nearly went off BACKWARDS!!!

So, naturally, we learned that folding chairs do not eat grey horses. This was amazingly challenging work. I think it was due to the fact it was a coolish day and he hadn't had any turnout. Anyway, we got over it.

Going home, I felt sort of crappy--stomach cramps, runny nose, headache, but I chalked it up to allergies. I had pretty bad chills when I got home, but I just went to bed. All day Friday I felt lousy--sore throat, chills, headache, sneezing, stomachache, all that lovely stuff. Saturday I felt better and today I feel pretty OK. I mean, so what? We all get sick sometimes!

My friend Rachel's husband had a sore throat for a couple of days. That's all. No chills. Then he got a temperature--on the THIRD day--of BARELY 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

He immediately called the doctor and nagged him till the doctor prescribed antivirals. Jeez!

It was gorgeous out today! In the eighties! I had a lesson, then tried a "new" used saddle on Dancer (I'm not happy with his current one), gave Dancer another bath (he REALLY hated this one as it was outside and used cold water), then cleaned all his tack.

It was so beautiful that after Kelly (a working student) took some digital pictures of me riding Dancer with the saddle to send to the company (this one doesn't work either), I rode Dancer around some more. He and I both love the outdoor ring. I'm happy to say he isn't afraid of puddles the way some horses are. He looked at them about one second and then walked right through. I have the feeling he might make a good trail horse or even an event horse!

He and I worked more on canter departs and transitions. He has a very lofty, forward, long-strided trot and I'm still learning to sit down to it when asking for the depart. To look at him, you'd never guess he has such a long stride--he puts a lot of warmbloods to shame!

It was exactly the kind of day that makes me realize all over again for the thousandth--no, the millionth time--why I love horses and riding so much. And why I ride even in winter when I'm freezing--because eventually spring will come, and days like today.