What an amazing year this has been. There have been typical ups and downs, nothing major, but the 2011 season went out with a bang, that’s for sure!
October was an awesome month for me! Not only is it my birthday month, but it is my favorite time of the year for everything horsey! I just love fall.
First was the addition of my new horse! Her name is Colby and she is a 1999, 17.2hh, grey Hanoverian mare. She has a great attitude, fabulous movement, and loves to jump. She’s super brave!
Koda has been incredible. More than incredible, actually. Koda did his second Novice HT at Team Challenge. Our team, “The Barn Slaves”, came in 7th place out of a LOT of Novice teams! Koda was phenomenal! His dressage has improved a ton, and his XC and SJ were the steadiest to date! What a great way to end the season!
…or so we thought… In a last minute entry (three days before the show), we made our way to our first show away from the KHP in over a year in Murfreesboro, TN. Koda not only competed for the first time EVER in an indoor arena, but he completed his first Training, and WON! His dressage was the absolute best it had ever been! There were a few moments where I lost his focus for a few seconds when a horse lost his marbles in warm-up beside the arena, but I couldn’t have asked for a better test!
Show jumping was actually quite tricky. The course was really tight, with most of the jumps super close to each other. Although he made his trademark move and pulled a rail (he has to keep me humble somehow!), he was absolutely on a mission! He stepped up to the plate and LOVED the challenge!! Koda will no longer jump in his happy mouth bit, but he was incredible so I can’t complain! Koda lead his very first victory gallop with his blue ribbon and a gift card to Crackerbarrel!
I think it’s safe to say that Koda has come a LONG way! He has come home with a ribbon from EVERY show he has been in! I am obsessed with this horse and I can’t wait to see where we can go together 
Now that this season is over, we have got some work to do until the next! The Team CEO Aiken trip is in March and I am so excited to see how much more Koda can improve!
Until next time!
Dressage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvDdXwTR8vU&feature=channel_video_title
SJ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVr5OLfZXZI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
