Why are you here, right lead? I stated in my previous blog entry that I intended to use the upcoming month to map out the third iteration of our performance schedule and expand on the knowledge gained at the Dom Schramm clinic. 

However, these plans were abandoned immediately after I pushed the "publish" button on that blog entry when Odin displayed a slight, hind-end muscle-related lameness, as has become customary practice on this trip. We were given the all-clear to restart training after taking a few weeks off for treatment and assessment.

We opted to fit front pads on Odin around that time after consulting with my farrier about dealing with the arid and challenging ground conditions we were seeing in Central Kentucky this summer. Naturally, as soon as we did that, it started to rain, and Odin immediately took one of his brand-new, polished shoes off in the dirt. And as if that weren't enough, we appeared to have lost the correct lead once we were back on course. I started to believe that his right information and my sanity must have taken off together as I observed July's days fly by.

I had hoped to use July to concentrate on both of us becoming more at ease in the canter because our canter practice has been challenging. This year, as I've made my way back to the saddle, I've encountered many physical problems and restrictions that I've never had to deal with before. A bit stressful and discouraging would be an understatement. Since I've had lower back problems for a while, something about Odin's large, gangly canter aggravates it. Despite therapy and efforts to make it better, though. 

As a result, when we perform canter training, I unknowingly become protective with my riding. This, combined with Odin's turbulent July, has left our canter world significantly behind schedule.

I became anxious as the deadline for the horse exhibition on July 30 drew near. I didn't want to miss this performance because it was the first on the newly revised schedule. However, I had entered two dressage exams, which included canter sections, and I wasn't sure I could get Odin through them.

The day before the show, I was leaning toward scratching and possibly accepting that we wouldn't be as polished for the Thoroughbred Makeover as I had anticipated after a week of challenging rides. We only sometimes achieved our right lead, and in which my back was incredibly sore. Even while preparing the trailer the morning of the show, I reminded myself that I needed to at the very least ride around in a show environment and that if warmup were too nasty, I would scratch.

I intended to spend the morning hacking rather than showing when Odin and I approached the bustling dressage complex.

Since I had been out of the saddle for so long, I must admit that I was feeling quite sorry for myself and wondering if perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew.

Odin surprised me by being joyful and at ease right away, which was a significant improvement from our first performance a few months prior. He appeared to be handling things with ease. I was pleased with how professional he remained as I started getting ready for our first test. At the very least, I left to present to the judge and attempt the Intro C test.

Odin became considerably tenser until we arrived in front of the judge. To make matters worse, a sizable food festival was going on throughout the venue, and the jumping arena's loudspeakers were screaming as we trotted down the centerline. We made several beautiful sides passes down the centerline to halt (at the incorrect location, oops), we missed the right lead, and as I humbly thanked the judge, all I could think about was returning to the trailer and collecting a large bottle of wine on the way home.

I had a great smile and felt like a huge weight had been lifted as I walked out of the arena. The fact that I had friends by my side who knew when to push me, as well as a horse who had proven he could show up when I needed him, made me so thankful. In the end, we placed second in our first exam and fifth overall in Training 2, scoring 63.96. (and would have been two points higher without my error).

Even while there is still a tonne of work to be done over the next two and a half months, we could complete one of my initial top priorities: pass the Training 2 test by August. Although it wasn't pretty, we managed to get through it.

 My confidence in myself, as well as in Odin, has increased as a result. He truly exceeded my expectations and gave me numerous indications of how much fun our partnership will be in the future. Odin's last race was in July of last year, and I am eager to see where we were now in 2019.

Even while there is still a tonne of work to be done over the next two and a half months, we could complete one of my initial top priorities: pass the Training 2 test by August. Although it wasn't pretty, we managed to get through it, and as a result, I am much more confident—not only in myself (because let's face it, I still have a long way to go as a rider), but also in Odin, who truly exceeded my expectations and gave me numerous indications of how much fun our partnership will be in the future.

August has been designated as "Find the Right Lead" month, and ideally, by the time you hear from me again, we will be able to say that we have discovered and are effectively managing this lead.