Finally!!!

Over the past few months life has been so busy with work, wrestling tournaments, and squeezing in as much riding as I can that I have not been posting on the RAC although I have been coming to see what others have been doing.

I have been working hard in lessons as I have my first show of the year coming up soon-in about a month so that has been a big priority for me as Iwould love to start the year with some really strong scores.

But when not working in the ring I have been getting out for some good trots with Elektra, Keri and my Mom. She has already posted about it so there is not much more to say other than it was a ton of fun and felt great. Elektra really impressed me with her maturity on the ride-she is only 6 and this was her first drop off adventure. She has done quite a bit in her short years and each every time proves to me that when there is good breeding there is a good brain that is ready to learn.

Much of our trip was either road or snowmobile trail which still has a lot of snow. This is a road that in the summer is passable by car but once winter comes the town of Chester does not maintain it so it becomes a snowmobile trail.

There were spots we had to avoid

because of what we call sink holes-the water is running underneath and there is still a layer of ice along the top. This gave Elektra and I moments to practice our leg yields to get around them. She is great at them in the ring but I love to re-enforce on the trail so that she does not think these movements are only ring movements. It seems to encourage the learning and makes her stronger in the ring.

Since we were on a snowmobile trail there were a lot of bridges that needed to be crossed and both horses were perfect about it. Chester Snowmobile Club has many members

so they are able to construct strong, stable, wide bridges that are easy for the horses to cross.

I was looking forward to being able to ride near the falls but due to all the snow we were unable to get down close to them and had to settle for the higher trail and look down upon them. As usual I straddled the edge as I love looking down at stuff. This is were having a horse who really responds to legs is nice. I can hold Elektra where we need

to be all with my seat and be able to have my camera snapping away with my hands-which means I am not doing a lot with my reins at all. Elektra was the perfect listener, allowing me to get a ton of pictures.

Back on the road and there we see sap buckets, which have been every where and talking to the locals

it has been a great syrup season, lots of warming during the day and cold at n

ight.

On our way home we pass a snowy hayfield which looked like a vast tundra. Yesterday when I was up in Northern VT for my sons wrestling tournament-it was the State Championship and he did awesome-there was no snow at all in their fields and they have even tilled them up getting ready for planting. M

y husband and I commented how different it can be even just a few hours away from home. We are both hoping the snow will soon be gone and we can start yard clean up and spring/summer fun.

In the mean time it was a great ride which hopefully we will be able to repeat again. It is currently my favorite month-obstacles. I have started a few on the ground but am ready to go at it full force and have plans for a lot of horses to be exposed. Hopefully I can get back on track and have more time for posting along with everyone else.