It's Just a Whirlwind

Whew! Where were we?? Mid January, methinks. I spent the third week of January riding and farm shopping. I scooted to MN, under the radar, for my daughter's birthday the end of Jan. Just a quick, below zero, Thur-Sat visit. Jenna couldn't get time off of her four jobs to visit me! So, I went to her. We shopped, got a Caribou fix, watched movies and made cookies. It was a good mom/daughter time for both of us. I visited with my family and my chica's (a small, but, special group of girlfriends) and then blew out of there for warmer temps. And, although it is not warm here in Fl, it's warmer than Minnesnowda! I'd rather deal with fire ants than ice dams.

John came to FL to visit the first week of February. He stayed Wed-Sat. Quick visit, but, fun. He came and watched me ride a horse I was thinking of buying on one day of his visit and then we farm shopped on the next day. Soooooo, first the beast! Missy Ransehausen (yes, the daughter of the famous dressage rider, Jessica Ransehausen) had a sale horse at Longwood Farm. Wim Foekema thought he might work for me. So, he took him on and rode him for a few weeks before he would let me try him. And then I did! His name is Bittersweet Symphony, he's called Mozart, Maestro or Mandarb, depending on who you are talking to. More on that later. He is a 15 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Yes, he's big! I don't look for the monsters, I really don't. He's probably 17 hands, but, he's not wide, so he rides like a smaller horse. He did level III jumpers last year. He got a 2nd and a 7th at HITS in New York, that I know of. Missy is an eventer, but, soon realized that this horse's talent is in dressage.

So, here's the deal. Triple 'M' has his changes. I can get them. They are clean. He's got a huge medium trot that I can sit!! He doesn't hurt my body AND I could afford him. DING, DING, DING! Sold. Oh, I forgot to mention. He vetted out really, really well. Especially for his age. I was truly surprised. It seemed too easy, too good to be true. John was even 'on board.' He watched me ride the horse and said; "I know nothing about horses and even less about dressage, but, even I can tell this is a better quality horse than you've ever owned!" I would have been insulted if it wasn't so true! At least for the sport of dressage.

Maestro walked right into my trailer, moved onto the farm as if he'd lived there his whole life. No calling, no prancing, no scary eyeballs. Still going way too smooth! I was worried. I put him in a paddock next to the other two boys. Stabled him overnight next to Tiz. Let them meet over the fence. All the right things. I turned him out with Lea. They each went, "Squeal, Squeal, rub, rub." Best friends! Hmmmm. Then I introduced my 'pseudo stud' to Maestro. They seemed fine, too. I let Tiz go. Still o.k. Maestro had the gaul to try to drink out of the water trough while Tiz was drinking. Tiz charged at him, he backed off. COOL! They moved about, I thought all was well. Tiz turned his butt, in a threatening manner, to his new pasture mate. Maestro did not pay attention to his body language and Tiz double barelled him missing my carefully placed boots and hit his hock! Of course!

Blood, swelling, lameness! THERE IT IS! The bad thing happened. Oddly, I felt relief! Something bad (sometimes three things) has to happen every time I get a new horse. And, he would probably be fine. If not, at least he's a very sweet pet. Bute, cold hosing, time. We are on day four from the kick and I would say he is 98% sound. I've ridden him every day at the walk and trot. Today will be the first real work day. Cross your fingers for me!

Many, many thanks to Wim for finding this really cool horse for me. I am hopeful that Maestro and I will be able to get the fourth level scores I need for my judge's program. I'm off to ride at Longwood Farm. Here's another teaser. I rode a stallion, the other day, who was in the Olympics in Greece! Who could it be?? Guesses??