Country boy from the Ozarks

Farm fresh and just off the trailer, meet Juno, a 16 hand buckskin Andalusian cross (double registered as both an Andalusian and Azteca) bred in Phillipsburg Missouri. His sire is the famous Andalusian stallion Kripton Seni II. His damsire is the beautiful black Andalusian stallion Genio III.

We will eagerly be watching Juno as his career develops. Congratulations to his new owner, trainer Karen Brown!





From Harper Collins Dictionary:
Juno:

n

(Astronomy & Space / Celestial Objects) Astronomy one of the largest known asteroids (approximate diameter 240 kilometres) and one of the brightest

First Love

Working with Big Gem, a nine year old ex-racehorse who is changing careers from hunter jumper to dressage, has reminded me why Thoroughbreds were my first love. Always willing and trying to say "yes," Gem can get tense but settles quickly when asked to do so. His mouth is THAT soft and lateral work is coming very easy to him. With an uphill "10" canter and just about 17 hands he is easy to sit since he is so eager to offer his back up to you.
What a dear, fun boy. I got to spend some time chatting with his owner today: she's a 72 year old retired nurse who has campaigned Gem the last few years on the hunter circuit but now wants to learn dressage both for fun and as a means to keep her awesome horse fit and sound. Well done.

Big Gem: truly a diamond that shines brighter and brighter with polishing!

Gnat

Already ~1,600 pounds, at five years old Freya is a big little girl. Another one of the horses I've been riding lately, Freya is learning to go forward in relative balance and is even beginning turns around the forehand.

Dream Boat

This is Poder, one of the horses I rode today. Poder (pronounced Potter) is happily teaching me all the school movements through fourth level. He is THIS much fun to ride and an absolute sweetheart.
At twenty-something years old, Poder has much to offer. Seemingly my destiny lies in riding grey horses.

Rode four horses today.

Delphi is solidly schooling the third level movements. For now I'm leaving the changes alone due to our upcoming show which will (hopefully) be her last second level tests. Worked on flexions and counter flexions at canter. Continuing to develop throughness and lightness in the hand in all gaits.

EXCELLENT work from Wizard today. I was able to get fluid, round canter. His trot following the canter work was to die for. The trot lengthening was buoyant and full of impulsion-- and round and through too! Delphi's pas de deux partner, I schooled Wiz with the first level requirements in mind.

Appassia- learning to neutralize her little tensions by saying, "No, really, you must" and staying firm and positive with her. Schooled some nice canter even on her trickier left rein. She tried to pull the "I'm scared of the swimming pool" routine but I didn't buy it and we had a nice ride instead.

Re-visited the changes today on Rajah: he drops to trot for less than one stride then canters off in the new lead rather than flying through. The first time I schooled Rajah I got good changes but his owner told me today that they are difficult for him. For strengthening we schooled shoulder fore in canter. Got some fantastic trot half pass and walk pirouettes.