Back on #7 for second day last eve. Presumably will be trotting in a week. #148 a bit more problematic though the big moment should happen tonight. Looking forward to riding #148. Should be a fun horse.
Riding along and ooops, what's missing with this stirrup leather cutting into my leg? Leggins. Had thrown the old worn out away. Saddle for $500, reins, jockey helmet, still to come. Never ending need for cash.
Plans would be to use November to break and train to saddle--trotting, commence gallop. Begin Preston Burch training in December.
Facilities has become a major challenge. The farm is 16+ miles from my office. Must drive twice a day to feed. The driving part of this is expensive, and an energy and time waster. And, the farmer has closed his hayfield leaving the horses on a smaller plot unsuitable for open galloping. For $75/mo. per horse, what can one expect?
The basic problem with the new arrangement--we're without any place to drive the horses riderless. Very difficult to get the necessary speed. Facing two choices--
1. Bribe the farmer into reopening the hayfield, or
2. Plan to be at a race track in December.
The latter would involve major expense, near retirement from my office, and a whirlwind of immediate preparation. Bribing the farmer is much easier and cheaper than being at a training center 6-800 miles away, although thought of going south for the winter in Opelousas, LA, a jewel of a city--part I saw-- is extremely appealing.
Decision time straight ahead.
Training:
10/21 Mon. Off.
10/22 Tues.: Bellied #148, #7 rider on, motionless at mounting stand. #148 was lunged and is starting to figure it out. He started a full speed burst, blew the turn and I released lunge line so he could complete it. #7--lost a front shoe. Off. Expected to lose shoes with #148 in the pond mud. His have stayed on fairly amazingly.
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