Well, I've got some bad news, some more bad news, and also a little good news. Champagne Run was supposed to be Snoopy's last Novice event before moving up to training, but when the heatwave came over the Cincinnati area at the beginning of the week he went off his feed. He was very lethargic and just totally not himself. He was even a little colicky for a few days, so obviously showing him was out of the question. If you read the last post you know I decided to take my very green OTTB Speedy instead. What a learning experience that was for both of us! The bad news is that we didn't finish the event-eliminated at the water. The good news is that he learned a ton and I learned a lot about him. His eyeballs were popping out of his head when he arrived the KHP. Every time they announced over the loudspeaker, he got very nervous like he was on the track. He managed to keep his cool pretty well though. When I rode him Friday night in the dressage complex he was almost unmanageable. It was a lot for him to take in and needless to say our test Saturday wasn't much better. He'd never been in a dressage arena and thought that little rail must be a cavaletti! Every time he went towards the end or side of the arena he tried to jump out. It was very embarrassing! He actually did have some beautiful moments in warm-up and by putting myself in a situation where he had to be good enough to go be judged in the ring, the holes in his training became glaringly obvious. I'm not strict enough with my green horses and I usually pay for it at some point. With that lesson learned, I don't consider the experience a total catastrophe, more like learning a good lesson the hard way. Cross country warm-up was fabulous! He was far more relaxed and jumping the crap out of the fences on a loopy rein. The first nine fences went fine, although he was definitely a little taken aback by the size at first. He jumped great, but then didn't want any part of the fence before the water. Several horses felt the same way, as my husband watched 2 or 3 others refuse to go anywhere near it within about 15min. I knew that might be his one issue. The only thing he has any issue with is water. I was not upset, he just needs more schooling. Too bad that's the hardest thing to school near home for most people! Overall I think Speed had a good experience and we both learned some things. Now I really know what HAS to be fixed before he competes again.
Now for some more good news. While Snoopy is not quite back to his old self yet, he is much brighter and eating better. I have started to ride him lightly, albeit at 6am every morning due to the heat. I've done everything I can to make the horses comfortable, but they're still pretty miserable!
Finally, the really bad non-horse related news. I got home from the show Saturday evening and went out to call for my cats at bedtime. Gus Kitty didn't come in at his curfew, but he does this every once in a while, so I wasn't that concerned. Still wasn't home Sun morning-not home Sun night. I got very panicked. We looked everywhere, including driving up and down this dangerous road we live on looking for his body-my worst fear. Still nothing. Finally on Monday, something told me I needed to go to the neighbor's house and I would find my answer. I had never met them, or even seen them and their house reminds me of that house from the Tom Hanks movie "The Burbs". Scary right? Joking aside, I was actually afraid I might be in danger going over there, but I did it anyway. First he said he hadn't seen him so I started to walk away and then he stopped me. He asked "Is he orange?" Yes. He proceeded to tell me that he had gotten hit and showed me where he was. I had to see for myself. I walked down the road and found him in what had been tall grass a few days before. Explains why I didn't see him sooner. My poor husband heard me sobbing from our house and had to help me off the road and up the driveway. I love my animals and I am a bit of a "crazy cat lady" although I only have two. Well, one now. Farewell Gus Kitty. You will never be forgotten.
Until next time.......
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