Baby brats

 So.. I've made the leap to Saddlebreds. It's funny- I look back and I wonder if I haven't been preparing for it my whole life. I spent so much time with Jean and Clarissa, bent on producing Arab sporthorses, that I gained in my mind an appreciation for "the horse" not "the breed". I spent so many years with OTTBs, Sherwood in particular, learning and riding and training and figuring out hot, sensitive, athletic animals; anything next to a Sherwood-type TB seems fairly easy. And now, I have come back to my beloved Saddlebreds- that black colt with the roman nose stole my heart years ago and never gave it back. And now.. it's come full circle. 

Now, I own Vera, who is just.. awesome. I heart this mare. She's a challenge- never gives in too easily so she makes you work for every bit of affection, but she's just so.. there. So present. I am super excited to see how this summer goes. Her clinic with Eliza went super well- to the point that when Jessie did this:

J: Wow.. She's doing so well- can you even imagine how Kimber's going to come along? I mean, he's even better built for this sport.

E: Kimber?

J: Oh, Abbi has a weanling up at my barn- we bought a lot last fall and I own his brother. He's already jumped out of my arena fence and is 14.2.. at 9 months old. 

A: I'm practically drooling to see what he grows up into.

J:  *Vera and Courtney finish their "course" with a flying change* Great job Courtney!! Christ, this mare is coming along- you're doing great with her, Abbi.

E: I am so over breaking young horses- you bought a weanling, Abbi?? What were you thinking?!

A: Haha- I was delusional, but E- you have now met all of my horses. Have any of them been anything short of cool? This one is going to be special... barring any unforeseen issues. *Knocks on the jump standard* (And yes, I feel it is important to remind the Gods that I knock- even in this blog. Eff off my superstitions!!)

J: And of course he'd be saddle broke by the time we sent him to a trainer! That's my job! 

E: Huh. *Yells out another course for Vera* Your mare is coming along really well, Abbi. 

I'd say we have an interested UL event trainer for Kimber... Woot!

And.. I found out that Vera was trained to drive and even hooked to a cart a couple times, so Bonnie Jean at Blackbridge is going to give us some lessons to see if it's something we might want to pursue! So exciting! This is us ground driving around the neighborhood- what a good girl!!

And now I own little Kimber, who is just.. adorable. I can't wait to see what he wants to do when he grows up. So far, he seems to be a very sweet, highly opinionated kid who is learning his way through life and trying to be well-behaved while doing it. LOL Emphasis on "trying". Kimber and Archie were featured on Jolly Ball's IG! "Inspector Kimber" haha

The house is coming along well, now it's a matter of finishing touches and organizing- the least favorite job of anyone who's moved and is now unpacking. Ugghhhhh.. BUT it is coming along and I'm pretty excited to see how it finishes up.