back from the Big City.

We returned this evening from the Northeast Equine Expo exhausted and excited at the same time. It was probably one of the best events we've been to as far as exposure and contacts made. The Hollywood horses Oscar/Hidalgo and one that played Secretariat in the upcoming movie were the featured draw but at the last minute the Secretariat star didn't come so that left Oscar and Tori in the spotlight!!! And of course with Oscar comes his Spanish Mustang friends Thunder and Augustine.

First off I have to say thank you to the crew from The Center that came to help out. Joanne (PJ), Jo, Deirdre and Jim O'Malley (fellow Spanish Mustang horse owners)from Long Island , Brian and Big Brian Benoit, and Eliza acting as animal wrangler, photographer, and go-fer. And without Elizabeth feeding the horses back at home, I would not have been able to go...so a BIG thank you. Thanks Kara for lending us the saddle too! My friend Kim let me borrow her big trailer, and without her generosity we would have had to ride the horses there!!!!

It was really an increbile group. We had some serious laughing sessions, moments of shedding of tears over how proud we were of our horses while Tori and I rode them in a 6 minute presentation ON the Belmont race track! That was SO cool. We were on the Jumbo Tron, too. I didn't know what a jumbo tron was... for those of you who don't get out much, like me, (it's that huge screen next to the race results on the track).

Riding on the track was such a thrill. (did I say that already?!) Just Tori on Oscar all in western attire, and me on Thunder in our english gear. We cantered/galloped past the grandstands right after a race. Thanks to videographer Jim O. we have this on video and do have pictures of it too. We will post them on Facebook after I get some sleep.

The next big thrill was all of the photo's that were taken under our tent. The expo provided us with a beatiful "winners circle" set for professional photos to be taken of Tori and Oscar and then of Thunder during the painted pony activity. We had people lined up for their pictures with the horses.

The Colonial spanish horses and I had three television interviews that went really well. I finally feel like I can talk, smile and show enthusiasm while a camera and mic is in my face. Thunder was a ham with the camera for sure. Augustine much to my suprise hid behind Thunder most of the weekend. We ended up keeping them in the same stall after Thunder made it clear he didn't want to be seperated from his buddy. They weren't really close friends at home but he got attached to Augustine on the ride there.

How rewarding it was to hear from the attendees of this first year event that they came specifically to see the Spanish horses. The only other Spanish Mustangs in New York City/Long Island area are Deirdre and Jim's mare and gelding. Although their horses didn't attend the event J and D had prepped their horse community about our appearance. People were really complimentary on how well behaved and how beautiful our horses were.

Tor and I had two presentations in the arena on our horses. Again, some great photos were taken (will post soon!). The sound system failed but people got the idea and our new script hit on everything people needed to know. Oscar and Tori also were part of the parade on the track. They went on their own as I opted out on riding Thunder in it due to schedule conflicts (mostly exhaustion actually).

Althought there were a few glitches here and there along the way, for the most part I found people so helpful and friendly in NY. We have been invited to NY over the summer to present at a polo match, a rodeo, and to be featured at a ground breaking event for one of the oldest stables in the area, followed by me teaching clinics there.

Was it worth the $ spent, the time, the 5 days of early mornings and late nights? Yes...it certainly was. When I'm in the middle of the stress of it all(getting turned around in the city, blowout on a trailer tire, dealing with the wind tearing down our display,) I did wonder why am I doing this to myself! All I have to do is see the gleam in a childs eye when they pet one of the horses, or watch an adult get all excited about meeting the horse that was in their favorite movie, and it does make it all worthwhile.

I'd do it again---but let me get some sleep and catch up on correspondence first. Between moving the horses to the new property , Everything Equine event, then 14 days in Switzerland, and 5 days in NY all in 8 weeks, I'm kind of ready to stay home for a bit and focus on things here like lessons, camps and new horses coming in.

It could be worse...

Managed to get a blow out on the trailer about 2 hours into the drive. I had to borrow a trailer for this trip...one that was more road worthy but learned as we were getting a new tire that there are some other tire problems that I'll have to deal with tomorrow. Good news is that I was able to get a new tire, had it changed and we got back on the road. The horses were fine with the whole thing, never had to unload them. They stood quiet the whole time. good ponies.

But best yet is the hotel we are staying at. The hotel keeper is so welcoming, helping me water the horses and making us very comfortable here in Enfield, CT. Tomorrow we'll head out early to drive another 5 hours or so to Belmont.

Oh, and we had some Mexican food at this little place next to the hotel. They were closed but made us some incredible nachos AND delivered them to our hotel room. Doesn't get much better than that.

Horses are staying in the trailer overnight right outside our room. They're happy campers with food and water in front of them.

I'm sure tomorrow will be another adventure!

CS horses OFF TO THE RACES!

Leaving this afternoon for the Northeast equine Expo at Belmont race track right outside NYC. It's the opening weekend of the Stakes, anticipate quite a crowd. THis is the first year they've held the expo so not sure exactly of numbers but anticipating 50,000+.

Big excitement will be doing a 6 minute presentation on the infield between races! Tori and Oscar "Hidalgo" and our 2 CS are headlining the western aspect of the event. We've got the theme music from the movie and also playing HEre I am , from SPIRIT. I'll be ridingThunder, our well seasoned Choctaw gelding and Eliza will be handling a gorgeous 3 year old gelding we have for sale. He's getting promoted at this event as a fancy sport pony. We'll have his mane and forelock braided and presented in hand. He's every little girls dream pony and he'll have a for sale sign on his stall door reflecting the going rate for fancy little New York show ponies.

We also have daily presentations in the Red Ring and at the Learning Center, along with the crowd favorite of painting the Indian Pony (Thunder). I've totally revamped by promotion materials and pictures. We've done some beautiful posters with professional photographs. The Center is now set up to accept credit cards for our new membership drive.

Thanks to fellow CS horse owners from Long Island, Jim and Dierdre Omalley, they will help me navigate my way to the event and we will be staying with them.

Send us good thoughts for a safe and successful journey.

Will be blogging over the weekend!

Coyote

This was the first clinic I taught at The Center for America's First Horse. I learned a great deal. I learned about people, about horses and about the spirit of these amazing horses I have. I feel so blessed to be able to be their stewards and caretakers. I do not own them, they own me.

My eyes began to get misty this morning when I witnessed our crafty fellow, Coyote, display some bonding moments with us. He's been a bit of a thorn in my side lately with my inability to keep him fenced in. I finally gave in and don't even put him in the pasture anymore. He now roams freely, coming and going into and out of pastures as he pleases. This will be short lived...I will be putting up more fencing this week to secure him, or attempt to. Anyhow...

As the clinic participants and I were watching herd dynamics, Eliza was holding Coyote and he laid down next to where she was standing. He rolled onto his side and relaxed. She sat down with him. They stayed like that for a while. We are used to this sort of thing from some of the other horses, especially her own Adelantado. But never expected this from Coyote who tends to be skeptical of new people around, but there we all stood around him. People were curious about him and remarked how they'd never seen a horse lay down like that while being held. After some sunning, he calmly got up.

Eliza unhaltered him and set him free to graze. The clinic students and I walked around to the other side of the barn for more discussion and as I stood talking with them Coyote wanders over and stood between me and my students. It is rare for him to ask for attention. So I petted his face and said hello. He then folded his knees and laid down right at my feet! We all stood there pretty amazed at this. It really touches me when they do this. I felt honored.

He laid like this long enough that we went back to our lesson. He looked like a big golden retriever laying under the tree at his free will. Something has changed in him since he's been running free on the property. Or more likely---something has changed in ME. I stopped being frustrated at his cleverness with the fences a few days ago. I guess he knows that because he was at a level of peace today that I haven't seen him at before.

I could write a short book about Coyote on how he acquired us and the connection he is to a woman who deeply inspired me in my early days of collecting my first Colonial Spanish horses. Carol Stone passed away about three years ago but I know Coyote carries her spirit. I think she was with us today at the first clinic at The Center. I miss her.

The Northeast Equine Expo is Memorial Day weekend. Press releases have been sent out to the metropolitan NY area and their website and Facebook page has the announcement of us coming. www.neequineexpo.com and northeast equine expo on Facebook.

Tori and her beloved movie star horse, Oscar are going to be the big hit. Bringing along Montego and probably Augustine to represent the Colonial Spanish horses. This has the potential to be a Huge promotional opportunity for us. Getting organized to leave a week from today.

Back at the ranch... it's been great to be riding some again. The girls and I have been going out for rides on the road after school. It's been a long time since we've done that together. Finally feeling settled now, after almost two years of transition. The horses are enjoying that, too.

Coyote continues to be showing his clever streak with the fencing! Warning!!! Be careful what you name your pets...they ALWAYS live up to their name.

Small clinic at The Center on Saturday. My arena was finished last night thanks to Chris Stearns and his tractor attachments. It's going to work fine. Not a fancy sand arena, but the ground is soft and cushy, it's pretty flat and the drainage is good. Have to hand pick a few rocks and sapling roots in my spare time. My appreciation goes to Chris, it's nice having farming neighbors!

Bumps in the Road

If any of you reading this think that I have wonderful day after wonderful day...read this! It's really not all bad, it could be worse (it has been) and there are many many people who are much worse off than I am.

Yesterday, on my way to teach a lesson out of town my truck breaks down and has to be towed back to my favorite garage in Morrisville- Howard at Bourne's-great mechanic. Find out today that it's some part in the transmission and the repair costs are half of what I made for a salary while in Switzerland. Just what I wanted to spend that money on. NOT. Just when I thought I was going to get ahead this month on bills. But the good news is that the money from Switzerland was unexpectedly tied up by the bank and it didn't arrive last week...thank goodness because it would have already been spent by now. Then how would I have afforded to have my truck fixed? So it all works out like it does for a reason. I'm grateful the money was held up now.

Then..to add a real twist to this predicament---I'm scheduled to take three horses to the Northeast Equine Expo on May 28th. We are the draw for the western aspect of this event with Oscar aka Hidalgo and two Spanish Mustangs in tow. It's a big deal event. My horse trailer has not been safe enough to pull horses in since the electric brakes were fried in Ohio last year on my way back home from New Mexico. I've been borrowing a trailer for out of town trips.

So I've been conjuring up ideas on how to get a trailer to take the horses to NY for the event. Ah ha, I'll rent one from a friend!But wait... the money that was supposed to go to her for the trailer now has to be spent on repairing the truck! I won't give up yet! I called the event organizer and told her my tales of woe and she's going to call some of the companys sponsoring the event and talk to them about helping me out. She did mention this could be a blessing in disguise, which I already thought of.

The truck won't be fixed till late this week. Thank goodness Joanne has a car for me to borrow. She's my bestie! Other good news is the progress on the outdoor arena. Neighborhood farmer came by with his disc harrow and plowed me up a patch of dirt to ride on. Better than that-he has a drag and a roller to pack it. Thinks in three hours he'll have it good to go for me. Not the fancy $10K sand footing arena many horse people dream of, but a good base of loose dirt with decent drainage. Best yet.. the views.

And...there's more. Jo and I picked up 100 donated fence posts for the fencing for the arena. Be careful what you ask for though. I asked for posts and boy did I get them! they are HUGE so now have to rent an auger to put them in! But glad I have them, dont get me wrong.

So for all of you out there that can put some positive energy into this horse trailer thing, I'd appreciate it. Here is what I'm proposing to sponsors: Option A: Trailer Company, donation of use of a trailer for one year. Option B: Sponsor to donate $8000 to purchase a used trailer I've had my eye on. Option C: $500 to rent a trailer from a gal I know nearby.
The Sponsor will have advertising priveledges, rights to use photo's of our ambassador horses and other perks to help advertise their business.

I am a firm believer that being grateful for ALL the things in our life, good or bad, leads us to a better attitude and enables us to get through these bumps in the road. All I can do is laugh about it sometimes!

The Spring Frolic

The horses have been enjoying spring grass at the new place and with that comes the old saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." I decided to skip the other side of the fence and just let the horses roam the upper part of the property. I put up temporary fencing along 'most' of the perimeter of this portion. The woods are thick, nowhere a horse would want to go. Knowing they're hungry for grass, I figured they stay busy grazing.

This morning all was well when I left after feeding. 30 minutes later I get a phone call saying my horses were out. EEEEKK. "Be right there". I pull in and three of them (the teachers pets!) are standing there looking at me, the other 5 no where to be seen. The three that stayed home were upset and calling out to their friends that MOM IS HERE YOU BETTER COME BACK! I heard not a whinny from any direction so figured they were really not on the property at all. Bummer.

Contemplating the most effective way to get 5 horses back home and not having to walk 10miles to do it, I decided to hop on Ringo and go search the neighborhood. It's a rural community, farmland, hayfields and stone walls. They couldn't be too far? Remembering that 1 mile down the road was the graduation ceremony for Johnson State College, I cringed at the thought of them crashing that party! Please, oh please, I hope they went north.

I quickly threw a saddle on Ringo, tied up the leadrope onto his halter, grabbed my helmet and a spare halter. We took off trotting down the long driveway for the round- up. No sooner did the neighbor across the road show up to tell me they were in the hay field next to their house. Good. So off Ringo and I go at a canter (he's not been ridden faster than a walk for over a year probably!) and he was so happy to have this important job.

Sure enough, over the hill, there were 5 guilty faces. Ringo called out to them and they all looked over, mouths filled with dandelions. A few ladies asked if I needed help getting them, or something to that effect. I wasn't sure what they could do that I couldn't since I only had one halter, so I politely said I'd be okay. I'm sure they were wondering how I was going to pull this one off! I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to go, much like the onlookers, but I know my boys well enough that they'd cooperate as long as I didn't get upset.

Once within range, I gave a whistle and they walked over to me and Ringo. I haltered Coyote, the ring leader and gave them all a little pet on the head and said a few choice words like, "oh, what bad boys you are." I hopped back on Ringo and ponied Coyote, with the other 4 following behind in a single file line, like ducklings following their momma.

Off we went through the field, across the neighbors yard, up the road to our driveway. Cars waited, then passed, and gave a friendly wave. The horses never meandering from their line. It was like I'd practiced this before. They walked quietly all the way back to their pasture. I dismounted, opened their pasture gate and in they walked, one by one. It was like clockwork.

When I took Ringo's saddle off he was beaming that he rescued his friends. He got extra praises for being the teacher's pet. The others stood nonchalantly at the gate, like they did nothing wrong at all.

I guess I did underestimate their drive for exploration and tomorrows chore is to finish putting up perimeter fencing along the woods!

heading home soon

Will be leaving Buhler at 7 am to get to Zurich for my 10:30 flight. Arriving back home around 5:30 pm, not sure how the jet lag will be once home but do anticipate I'll be back on track in a day or so.

The Gassman family has taken such good care of me these last two weeks. Tonight we had dinner at a castle. It was an amazing meal! The castle is from the 3rd century, I think they said. I was in awe at its construction and how something that old could still be standing. The views were phenomenal as well. Took many pictures but you really have to see it to believe it.

Rained again most of the day but we did manage to get horses ridden and Sam had a lesson on Trooper. I think Trooper gets the Most Improved Player award ! He went from an unrideable sugar fiend to giving Sam a nice ride on him today.

Well, off to pack all my treasures I'm bringing home with me! Chocolate bars galore!

Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog. I've enjoyed writing it. My intention is to continue blogging once home, sharing the progress at The Center and latest events, happenings and thoughts.

Steph

The importance of Progression

When I'm on the plane, or back home, I want to spend some time writing about what I've learned about people and horses while on this adventure. I've said before that I get as much out of teaching as the student! Sometimes it feels unfair I get paid to learn important things about myself and my work.

The theme for the last two weeks has been PROGRESSION. That is what has led to the successes we've had with Jack, Sam, and the 5 horses here. It's always been one of the most important factors of bringing along horses and riders. But when you're given time restrictions and you want to see progress, there is a fine balance and the line can get crossed easily. I hope, and think, that I've done well balancing progress and not rushing things. The proof is the pudding, as they say.

Jack and StarB had a great ride today. I pretty much just let them do their own thing while I helped Jurg with Trooper, Sam with Mack and Pam with Reb. What I saw was Jack using his new tools and StarB accepting them. They cantered around the grass field, without Pam and I holding our breaths! Jack is confident. Jack knows he has much to learn, but in the meantime, he's all about riding like a 14 year old boy wants to ride! Jack, dressed in Wranglers and cowboy boots (gasp the Swiss horsepeople!) is from part American stock remember...Kansas at that!

I think that Trooper had a rough week with his diet at the boarding barn, now getting back to acting more normal. Jurg rode him today without any big issues, the smaller ones easily worked out with his new tools.

Once I'm back home working with my own horses I know that my experiences here will carry over. It's been good to get a head start here. I'd not had much time to do anything at home to get myself in the training/teaching frame of mind. I'm all warmed up now! And lots happening as soon as I get home.

One more full day here to wrap things up. Do have the Freiberger horse and rider coming for a lesson/consultation tomorrow afternoon. That's another blog post by itself!

Troopy

Last week I think I mentioned Trooper, the horse being kept at the indoor arena who was being fed the "kraftfudder" (high energy grain by the bucket full) and his caretaker insisted it wasn't bothering him? He's been here at the house detoxing from the sugar intake and lack of turnout.

Well, yesterday I took Troop out to play with him and see where his head was. After about 15 minutes of good excersice he settled down and acted fairly normal. Today, we gave him another try and had Jack ride him. It went pretty well. I was pleased to see the difference in energy level and his brain was functioning again. His tolerance for being ridden lasted about 10 minutes, but that is 10 minutes more than last week so we are making progress. We'll give him another chance tomorrow and see how it goes. Making no assumptions will keep our expectations low and reasonable.

Jack had a great ride on StarB today and cantered by himself on him. Pam also rode him for a few minutes. Hoping that when I leave they will have been given enough tools to keep him progressing. Time has gone quickly, as I knew it would. Just really seeing the progress, and the work ahead to keep the horses going in the right direction. I think I've filled their tool boxes with more tools than they had previously and have given enough insight into each horses personality so they can continue where I'm leaving off.

Tomorrow, after Jack and Sam ride, we are all going to a medieval festival by Lake Constance and to visit a castle!!! That should be very cool! No castles in Vermont, with moats and everything!!!! I'll have to sit in the front seat on the way though. I never out grew getting a little woozy from curvy car rides.

Tonight they took me to the top of another hill/mountain where the views were astonishing. I know this is corny...but it DID look just like out of the Sound of Music! Pam told me to run across the hills and sing the song. I did!!!! Couldn't resist!! I also took a lot of pictures, but they don't do the landscape justice. It's just breathtaking..and these arent even the high Alps. This mountain range are just the foothills of the Alps. I wouldn't have known.

Met 4 more people today who are interested in lessons when I come back to Switzerland . Pam is going to work on getting a full two weeks of clinics set up for me in the fall perhaps! Two woman have said they'd like to come to America and apprentice with me for a bit of time. They could help me with my German too. Jack and Sam, bless their little hearts, have been so patient translating for me. Pam's German is pretty good to me, but she says she still needs the boys, or Jurg, most of the time.

Well, off to bed. Only two more full days left!

Busy day!

Todays blog is in part copy and pasted from the Spanish Mustang Focus board where Pam and I have been keeping our CS peeps up to date on the fun here.

The last five days we've been playing musical horses

I'm sure the townsfolken by now must be wondering what the daily parade of horses is all about! It's pretty funny actually how many combinations of horses we've had at Herr Kohlers and here at the house! Pam is right, even Autumn walked boldly where no filly had walked before!!!

Biggest thrill for me today was seeing Jack cantering on StarB (while on a long line). Not just hanging on kind of cantering, but really looking good. StarB was great. It's the steering we've got to work on in the next few days so he can ride him confidently wherever he needs to go. Jack did ride him back to the house from the arena which is a five minute walk away. That was a big step, too.

I've sure learned a lot from this trip about how to get green horses and their humans working towards their goals in less than two weeks! Not reaching their goals necessarily, but working towards reaching them.

saw a patch of blue sky...

for about 5 minutes! We have been in the clouds for days now. It's not a full blown rain, just heavy mist. I'm no stranger to cold damp days giving lessons and playing with ponies. Don't have all my dependable rain gear with me, but managing to get by fine with what I brought and Pam has some boots that fit me.

Spent most of the day with StarB and working out some things with him in regards to giving to pressure on his face. And mounting with out quite so much drama. He did have a little rodeo explosion when I put the saddle on so changed saddle pads hoping it'll help with the fit. I think that made a difference since i was able to mount and ride him with out incident. He's a quick learner, like the rest of the CS horses.

Also rode Rebel in the big grassy place. That was a little more excitement than I expected! He really is a good good boy, but gets a bit 'scooty' at times. Quick reflexes on my part and all was well! There was a cold wind blowing and I really think it just went through his hind legs. He's a grulla appy and God didn't give him much tail to keep his hiney warm. Watching him later on while he was grazing, I could see that he was cold, tail tucked tight between his hind legs, back a little humpy, the same look as when I was on him. Hoping to revisit riding him when it's not so windy, or cold. When will that be?

I thought Sam had a good lesson on Mack who is not an easy horse to learn to ride on. He's got Choctaw in him, the stouter, more square body type and not the most elegant mover, but he's packed kids around and Sam feels safe on him so that's all good. Would love to have Sam come to Vermont and spend riding time on Thunder, or Oscar, who could really build his confidence and show him a good time! Jack would have a great time too!

The boys don't have school till noon tomorrow so we're doing riding lessons in the morning. Starting to think about all the things back home that I have to do. Kind of slowly re-entering reality. eeek! although I've been "working" (hehehe) it's certainly slowed me down. I feel like the hamster that finally got off the excercise wheel!

Playing Charades

Today I learned how to play natural horsemanship charades. From a bystanders perspective, I must look ridiculous! I learned horsey charades due to the fact my German is limited to the words strudel, bratwurst, and gesundheit when I hear someone sneeze.

I had a German girl in her early twenties come today for a lesson with one of Pams horses. Jessika speaks English well so that was good but I still felt a need to prance, rear and lay my ears back to give her some idea of what I was saying. She worked with Trooper, the horse that has been fed "kraftfudder" (grain equivalent of candy bars) with no turnout for over a week. He's back at Pam's detoxing now and I figured even though he's a handful right now, I know his moves and it could give Jessika some confidence because he does eventually get a little more left brained as time goes on. She did very well and we figured each other out and I learned how to say only what's important.

Jessika has already asked her boss for 3 months off so she can come to VT and apprentice with me in the fall. It would be a great experience for her and for me so I could learn some German so my next tour of duty to Switzerland maybe I won't have to play charades with the locals!

Next lesson was Jacks school mate, a very polite 14 year old boy who has very little horse experience but has seen plenty of Hollywood westerns. Except Hidalgo. How could he have missed that one?!!! I guess he wants to chase cattle out west in Amerika some day! He'll need a Spanish Mustang for that.

This quiet boy was such a natural and without Jacks translation I wonder what dances I would have been doing to communicate with my new student. He spoke not a word of english. Jack is also very natural and he could teach his friend as much as I could so I stepped back and helped Jack explain things that I needed to communicate. It was great, the boy was able to get Star B doing some good stuff. He's coming again Friday!

Then on to Jacks lesson on StarB who has had only a handful of rides really. StarB isn't dealing with the mounting process so well, so we changed some things and will address the situation again at a later date. With only five days left of my visit, I'm having to really prioritize what are the most important things, with out rushing the horse. This is a challenge on many levels. It's a delicate balance. Placing the relationship first keeps coming to mind. In any event, Jack ended up riding StarB on his own in the big grassy field/arena. Figuring out how to make mounting a positive experience for StarB was the key to our success today. Tomorrow I'm sure we'll learn more things from the horses!

For now, off to eat some more chocolate before bed!!!! Snacking on bite sized Lindt's, the white chocolate are my favorite!

Took the train to St. Gallen today. A very old city with incredible architecture and a monestary from the 8th century or something like that. Incredible! We went inside, wasn't sure if pictures weren't allowed so erred on the side of caution and didn't take any. Incredible paintings and wood work.

The first stop after getting off the train was the tack shop of course! Wow, expensive stuff, but all top of the line goodies for horse and rider. Did manage to find a nice vest on the sale rack for 30 SF. The custom english saddle was nice too!

Then went to the Brochenhaus, the Swiss version of a second hand store full of household goods, antiques, clothing, furniture. Some very cool stuff. Had to be choosy what to bring home since I have to get this stuff in my luggage. Finished the day with a fruit tart and hot chocolate. Life is rough!

Back at the ranch...after another day of rain the yard is full of mud, the arena i'm sure is more like a sea now, rather than a lake. Should be drying out in a couple of days. Spent some time with the yearling filly, Lani, and her human Sam who is 11. She's a sweet little thing and Sam adores her. Looking forward to more horse time tomorrow.

Got on the 4 year old yesterday for the first time. Not his first time, but he hasn't had that many rides. He's a willing boy, a little skeptical, but always trying to figure it out. What more could I ask for. By the time I leave in a week, I hope he'll have the kinks out so they can continue working with him.

Missing home, my ponies, and everything else that I do, but it's also been nice to unwind after the last month of moving and preparation. Couldn't ask for nicer hosts here, and of course the incredible food !

A Dramamine moment!

Jurg and Pam took me on the "scenic" tour to a lovely town nearby. For those of you familiar with Smugglers Notch in Vermont, it was that sort of a drive for about 20 minutes! I was a little woozy stepping out of the car when we arrived. There are few guardrails in Switzerland. The Stowe rec. path is wider than these roads! I sat in the front on the way home. Need I say more.

Even though it's been raining most of the day, we are getting around to play with the horses that need my attention. Jack had another really great lesson on StarB and I'm really going to focus on the 4 year old gelding that needs to build his trust with us. He's a really nice looking and moving fella, a grulla appy. He's not been ridden with a saddle as far as we know, but I'll be desensitizing him more before I get on him.

I am missing my own ponies, and of course my family, but I know this trip will be over before I know it. I'm enjoying each moment, planning on how to bring back all the chocolate and special foods I've been exposed to here! Cheese, chocolate, cookies, breads...all those basic food groups!!!

A Dramamine moment!

All in a days work

Played with horses, ate chocolate, visiting with local folks, more horses, more chocolate, another incredible feast at dinner!

That's pretty much how it went today so a little rain wasn't so bad!

Had some really rewarding times with a couple of the horses today. StarB, a 6 year old with limited riding time on him, came around nicely with Jack, the 14 year old son of Pam and Jurgs. StarB started to give me a bit of an attitude when I first got on, figured he'd just do it his way or no way. Managed to dodge an argument with him and pulled out some other tactics of mine I had up my sleeve! It was only a matter of minutes and he changed his tune without any further discussion. Jack's such a great student and has waited a long time to ride Star B like he did today. Makes me feel good I could help him do this.

Trooper, the horse at the indoor arena came around well also. Just having Jack spend some quiet time with him setting his personal space boundaries has made all the difference. Without rushing things and cutting corners, I hope in the next few days I'll be getting on Trooper for a test drive, hope to have Jack on him soon after.

We're making a lot of progress in a short time!