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The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information Saturday, September 6 Auntie said I was the best darn horse today. I got my canter leads, I went slow, I managed to move around so Auntie could open the gate..while she was on me that is. And, those darn dogs were barking away when someone came up the drive…no one would put them away so Auntie got off, ran put them in the house and I waited patiently by the gate inside the outdoor arena. I did not even move a step. She could not believe it. Now she does not recommend it to be done all the time but I got huge stars today for that. I did a little jumping over some X’s. That was ok. I did the beginnings of the turnaround for reining. My backing up is great. I can go a lot of steps backward and around poles. Oh yea and over poles too. Well I hope to send in a couple of pictures this week before our big ta-do on Saturday. I hope everyone will come watch us because I know it will be so much fun!!! We all get to show off what we know. Maybe I won’t show off my giraffe neck that day though. Tuesday, September 2 It has been an exciting couple of days. I had a person come out to see me who was thinking she might think about adopting me. I am not so sure I did the right thing because I wanted to show her my beautiful neck..how long it was. Auntie called it the giraffe neck but I don’t know how she could say that. I don’t have that long of a neck. Well, I don’t think I made any points that day because of that. Auntie just shook her head and put me back to work. Today I was better. But then I got to go along and pick up a horse at the Shriners' barn. The Shriners though I was really good looking. But they kept calling me a "he". Hey, what was the deal? I think I look like a girl! But they were so impressed that I was so quiet when they were riding around with their flags and loud speakers. I got to meet a couple of their horses. They were bigger than me..but the almost the same color!!!! Wel,l I kept the new horse company. I got right on the trailer.. and, uh - the other guy was not quite so cooperative. I tried to tell him about the food waiting for him. Well, he got in and off we went back home. Ahhh - more hay in my house. Friday, August 29 Everyone came by today and said how great I looked. I was really shiny, much more muscled and moving really well. I felt like the star today. But no pictures…rats. I love to have my picture taken. I have worked on my leg aids and those are getting better. Still not quite there but heck, I have gotten the idea of cantering on the correct lead and no kicking out. I go over poles, I back up really well, trot serpentines and a lot of other stuff that has been fun to learn. I am not sure what else I get to learn but everyday, Auntie adds something new. She tells me how great I am doing. Monday, August 25 Oops I did not write diary. I'm sorry. I have been soooo pooped. I think I am getting the idea of the correct canter lead without bucking. It is kind of funny to hear Auntie tell me to knock it off. She is too old to be tossed. Then she laughs because I really don’t want to do anything bad. I just get confused. I have to keep my head down and get the right lead. I think she is confused sometimes. But today I did it on both leads. Yea. So then I got to go for a walk about around the farm and the fields. I was a star. Brio, who is 14, was a noodle while I was calm cool and collected even when the dogs saw a rabbit. Ohhh they can run. I was tired so I got to go to my room and eat. Ha I love to eat!!! Thursday, August 21 You know I seem to try to write everyday but I get so busy. I got to work more on cantering. I don’t quite get that I am not suppose to go so fast or what those darn legs of Auntie are trying to tell me. But I felt like I was not going too fast. Except that Auntie was putting a lot of weight into the stirrup next to the wall. Hmmm maybe that was not a good thing. But I did stop when she asked me. I thought that was very good of me to do. She tells me that I am doing really well even though I am not so sure..my backing up is getting better and I don’t feel so weak in my back legs. Trotting poles are fun! Oh yea..I went through the swim pool and a wobbly bridge. I did not even bat an eyelash. Auntie thought that was very cool. I even heard her say, she wished a few of her other horses were as quiet as me about these things. I might be little but I love doing the right thing. Well I am going to go to bed now. I think I will write tomorrow. Hope so! Monday, August 18 Susan and Gypsy have been interviewed by Jen Bakken of the Herald-Journal Newspaper! You can read the article online here! Monday, August 11 It has been such a busy week. I got new shoes on all my feet. I was such a good girl for the farrier…well, that is what Auntie said. I have been working on getting stronger in my back end because it is kind of weak. But I feel so much better. I have learned about cavalettis, more trail riding, tarps and even carrying a flag. Oh wow, I can’t believe I did it without really flinching…well not much that is. I have my moments where I have to voice my opinion that maybe I should take a break. But Auntie is pretty insistent that I have to work. Rats! But she says I am getting better. She is plotting a really fun freestyle for our show. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait. I keep learning new things and I like most of it. Well, I going to go eat now. I love all the food and look how pretty I am getting!!!
Oh my gosh it, has been an age since I have written. I have been sooo busy with my work. Auntie has taken me on a lot of trail rides. I love getting on the trailer. There is always hay for me to snack on. Auntie’s friends from Schnell’s Saddle Shop in Delano brought me a really fun present they said I could keep forever. It is my own purse with all sorts of grooming things in it! Auntie Sue said it will go with me wherever I go. There are even matching bell boots with it!!!! Auntie said she won’t use it until the day of our show though but I can have my picture taken with it. THANK YOU DEB AND EVERYONE AT SCHNELL’S. I love it to pieces. I had my picture taken today for the newspaper. Auntie said I was a celebrity. How cool is that? The Delano Herald Journal came out to interview me and Auntie. I got to hang around with Jen. She thought I was really cute. I can’t wait to see the pictures and the article. Well, actually have it read to me. Don't I look totally cute with my purse? Tuesday, July 8
> Back to the Trainers and Students Saturday, July 5
Friday, June 27 Time really flies around here. My work routine has been getting longer but I don't feel so tired. There is so much to learn everyday. The sheep and the other dog still come to watch me so I better look good for them. I can even feel how much better I am moving. Auntie braided my tail because she did not want me to have a short tail from the flies. Auntie took a picture of my tail. But she said my rear-end was starting get more muscle. Don't I look fabulous?! I got to have what Auntie calls the bucket brigade. I did not know what that meant but I found out that plastic buckets bouncing around on my side were not so bad. Kinda noisy but I got used to it. Hey – I knew I was going to get the bedtime snack so I will do most anything to make sure I don’t miss out. > Back to the Trainers and Students Monday, June 23
> Back to the Trainers and Students Wednesday, June 18 I learned about mud puddles today and bathing in the washrack. I have to say I was sure there were alligators in the mud puddle. But I found out it was kind of fun to go puddle hopping. I am really getting the hang of having the different saddles on. I tried the western saddle on..it was heavy but I am sure I looked very cute because 2 dogs keep standing in the door way and watching me. One looks like a sheep but Auntie says Dulce is a standard poodle. I like having them watch me. Then I had to go get a bath in the washrack and I was not so keen on that to start with. There could have been nasty things coming out of the drain. But have a shampoo felt really good. I heard Auntie say that I had to have my feet done …painted maybe? But back to my playpen. Everyone has said how cute I am. Monday, June 16 Wow!! I got to have what Auntie says is bodywork done today. I have to say it kinda smarted at first and she found a whole bunch of places that really hurt. But when I went out to work on the lunge line and saddle again I felt so good I did not have to go up in the air. This is great way to spend the summer: Breakfast in my own room, lunch, dinner and a bedtime snack PLUS bodywork. The work is ok. Auntie Sue says I will get the hang of all of it. I don't need to worry. I will write tomorrow. I hope but I am really tired from working and meeting the other guys over the fence…oh and all the pictures. > Back to the Trainers and Students Sunday, June 15 I can’t believe it…I have my own playground!!! And I got breakfast in my own room. Auntie Sue said she added some supplements to my food but I did not notice it. It tasted great. Then when I went out to my playroom I had more hay. I met a really big next door neighbor, Sebastian…holy moly he is big! But he thinks I am kinda cute because he always comes over to talk to me. Auntie took me out to the arena today to start my lessons. I did ok until I kinda did what she said were airs above the ground. I don’t think she thought it was very cute though. I think I surprised her but she made me just keep moving. She said something about maybe doing some bodywork on me. I am not sure what that means but I think it will be ok. I did a couple more really big front end lifts and Auntie laughed. She told me that was a bit more than a little lift. I must not have been too bad though because I got another bedtime snack. Saturday, June 14
> Back to the Trainers and Students About Gypsy: Foaled in 2005, this grade Quarter horse filly is a real cutie with three white socks and a blaze. She's had a lot of ground work and handling and is ready for a slow start to her training. Being of smaller size, she might be a good 4-H horse training project pony.
About Susan: Susan began riding at the ripe old age of 5 and even then, she knew immediately that horses were going to be a major part of her life. She started with hunt seat when she was 11, and then was introduced to dressage and the rest is history. Susan draws from the experience and training she has received over the years to help her assess a horse's strengths and help them work through problems or issues they may have. Based on these assessments, she constructs a training program best suited for the horse both physically and mentally. Having worked with Olympic World Cup, FEI level horses/riders, and world champions in all the disciplines, Susan has found that creating a program that included bodywork and movement brought the horse back to work or the next level much sooner and with less tension. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States working on horses, lecturing, USDF Adult Camps and seminars for well over 30 years.
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Monday, August 4
I am such a big girl…I got to wear Auntie Sue’s good English saddle. Pony girth but the good one. She told me how well I was doing. Uncle Steve came in and just rolled his eyes…he thinks I should wear a western saddle. Hah! I will show him…I will do both. Auntie took some pictures of me when I was on the lunge line – see me start to stretch?! I know all my friends at Minnesota Hooved Rescue won't recognize me! I look so BEAUTIFUL. I keep getting stronger too. I wonder if I will get as big and strong as Sebastian (Dutch warmblood). Hmmm. Anything is possible... At least that is what Auntie tells me. I will write later.
I was showing my new shoes off to Lucy – she is in the playground next to me – and I lost a shoe. Auntie was not mad at all. Phew! So, the farrier was out again to put a new one on. I heard them talking about how well I am looking and coming along. I may even get to go on a walk about with the other horses next week. Auntie clipped my legs. Did not bug me at all. Auntie sue keeps telling me how well I am doing. 
I am so sorry I have not written lately. I have been busy every day. Auntie told me how well I am coming along and I got to have more bodywork. I could really get used to that. I can feel my back and hips getting more relaxed. Auntie says I am using my rear-end much better and my gaits are getting better. She says I can do what ever I want; English, western. But she laughs because if I decide western, I will be a western dressage horse! Just think of the possibilities. I got a summer hair cut today. My face and ears got clipped. Auntie Sue said I was absolutely perfect. I do have short hair now. But it feels nice and cool. Oh yeah, I got to have a fly bonnet too. I think Auntie likes to dress up all of us... Check the feet out. I have new shoes. I was the best behaved of everyone. Auntie was so impressed with me. I must say I feel like a new girl. I don't mind the new stuff as much. And I have put a bit of weight on. I am starting to learn how to stretch down when I go to work. I hear I am a good girl a lot. Uncle Steve watched me while Auntie Sue got on and walked around. I followed him around at first. But then he just watched. I hope I will write tomorrow. 
My new Auntie picked me up today and took me to Astound Training Center with Cookie. He is a really nice guy. I felt so much better having someone to talk to on the way to my new spot. He is kinda funny ‘cause he has A LOT of freckles! When I got there I could not believe that I was going to have my own room. I did not have to share with anyone!!! I settled right in. I did not mind the bedtime snack. I thought it was really a special treat because I was new. I hope tomorrow I can have it again. Auntie Sue took a couple of pictures of me and told me how cute I was. She told me that my long flowing mane was very pretty. I think I am one of the skinniest ones here though. Auntie said I would start gaining weight. You can see how long my mane is. Well, I will write tomorrow.