To catch up

So.  The big news, and why I was thinking about New Barn showers, is that Apollo and I are moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee next month!   It's actually me, Apollo, both corgis, and both cats.  I'm sad that I have to leave the barn I'm at, because there's nothing like it near where I'm going.  I've been both blessed and spoiled by the Mitts - they've been in the property for 30 years, and it's been their only job for many of those years.  I don't know where else I could get such incredible instruction from such wonderful people ... I am truly going to miss them.  I chalk up any and all skill I have right now to MT being patient with me and teaching me, and any and all knowledge I have right now to TW being willing to talk and show me things.

It's going to be an adjustment, for sure, but ... there are lots of positives to this.  I'm moving for a really great reason (*wave*  Hi!), and there are lots and lots of great facilities for eventing near Chattanooga.  Poplar Place is right there, Chattahoochee Hills is close, all kinds of stuff.  I have decided on a place to keep Apollo for the moment - J&S Equestrian Farm.  He'll be on pasture board there, which is ideal for him, I think.  I also decided I really like the way Kelly Stoochnoff teaches, and I really like that her horses are healthy, happy, and well cared for, so I'll be riding with Kelly, even though she's not based at the same barn.  

So that's the future!

In the present, I'm packing and sorting and cleaning and packing and packing.  I need to make sure I have everything sorted from my tack locker, too, so I can sell anything I don't need or use.  Then I can organize the blankets/sheets, wraps, tack, and all and figure out whether I need a Stanley trunk (most likely) or what.

I've been riding a little, and now that my job has accepted my resignation early, I have some time to ride a LOT!  Maybe I can get Apollo's topline and muscle restored at least a little bit before he gets on the trailer for 8 days and loses it all again ... sigh.  :)   All in all, I am happy for the chance to spend more time with him.

Tomorrow I get to head over to hang out with The Sprinkler Bandit and meet Courage - maybe hop on him if she wants me to or will let me, and then I hope she can come out and hang out with Apollo, though she's still working.  What, the whole world doesn't operate on MY schedule?  Come on!   ;)  Alas.  Anyway, very much looking forward to that.

So big adventures coming up - lots of opportunity for shows and schooling and whatnot, and new things to learn!  Don't be looking for me in the hunter ring, though.  I ain't got a hunter ring ass, for one, and for two, I just don't love hunter riding.  Jumpers, sure!  And I'm sure I'll do jumpers, since there's a lot of that available.  But I want to event, even if my highest aspiration is just a T3D.  So yeah.  Look out Area ... um, III - one more BN rider coming your way.  :)