Wow, time does fly

[Nina Kraus]

It was one year ago that we were watching JC drive. That's all he did for months was drive. There was never any thought of showing him. He was a lanky 2 year old who could barely lift his legs and was really good at tripping over them. In February, I finally said it would be interesting to see him under saddle once again.

Terri Anne (my trainer) said fine and rode him. Jimmy (who had been training him) said there would be no more thought of him showing in harness as he was much prettier under saddle. Showing??? Huh??? a three year old under saddle. This would be a first. We talked about it and decided we would aim for the middle of show season. Then April came, and I was told he was going to show in May and then go to Midwest etc.. He did better than I ever could have hoped. Thank you--Jimmy and Terri Anne.

Well now it is November and show season is behind us. Where did it go? JC gets to go out with Leo and play for 3 months and Susan and I get to learn to get on quickly and rebuild a leg respectively. Now, it is time to start watching the next baby take her steps toward a career as a show horse. Raquel is in kindergarten now just learning to lounge and longline. The process begins again. The cold is here, the heat in the barn is turned on, the show horses get to play, and the babies get to start school.

There is always something to look forward to with these wonderful animals. I appreciate all of you taking JC's show journey with me all this show season. Next year, it will be me on his back and I'm sure the journey of show season will have quite a few more lumps than we had this year.

[Nina Kraus]

Well, he is a far cry from Tia lol. May have to start coming out twice per week as my dr told me today that I will never be able to play tennis or swim again. She said aside from walking, the horses will be my main form of exercise and was grateful that they are trained with the ladder. She is filling out the forms for the disability retirement. She said that the holes in the shoulders will never fill in and this is as good as it gets.

[Terri Anne Ullman]

We will see what next year brings! :) Better work hard on rehabing that leg!!

[Susan]

I'm so excited to see the two of you show...you've waited a long time and been so patient. I'm sure it will all pay off!

[Nina Kraus]

Since I've only ridden him once--more would be good lol

[Nina Kraus]

That's why I love the process of watching the babies. You just never know how they'll really turn out. I also love the fact that we put the two horses together to achieve the baby :)