Checking in 2021

January 27, 2021

As everyone already knows, the past year was different, and it is continuing to be different in 2021. Lucky for me I live rather rural and have my ponies at home. So I have continued to get lots of outside time and have not had to worry about a barn closing. I am able to say that my life has not changed terribly much due to Covid. I have still gone into work everyday as normal, I just start the day with a temperature check and I wear a mask all day.

The only major change in my life has been the lack of games. I usually take part in at least eleven multi-day competitions and 2-3 weeks traveling over seas as the trainer/manager for the MGAA games team every year. This also involves all of the planning, packing, practicing, and conditioning that goes with serious competition. Meaning games eats up gobs of my time.

Now that I have all of this unscheduled time, you would expect me to have filled it with new projects. Maybe something like taking up baking or writing a novel. But not me. I have no idea what is keeping me so overloaded but apparently I have been too busy to put much time into this blog.

I did make it to one games competition in November. I have some new gear that I would like to review. And I have a coming 3yo pony that is growing daily. So really, I still have plenty to write about. I would also like to start sharing some of the other aspects of my silly little life that do not necessarily revolve around my pony, but that maybe fit into my pony-crazed existence.

So let’s do this!

Fall evening in the forest

October 9, 2020

This evening I managed to get out to the forest for a little 6 mile jaunt with both ponies and Daisy.

The forest smelled great, leaves were colorful and starting to blanket the ground.

Ponynado Games Practice 10/04/20

October 5, 2020

Thankfully we have resumed our open games practices every other Sunday. it’s been so nice to have fun getting some exercise for me and Simon pony while socializing and doing something I love. I have really missed games, and my games friends.

This Sunday only four of us were able to attend the practice session and it just so happened to be four of us who formed a new team last winter, intending to start the 2020 season together, Ponynado! The fifth rider, Susan was busy taking part in a pairs competition up in New England where she lives.

It was a very fun laid back practice. We worked on lots of skills and races and enjoyed a lot of laughs.

Ans while it was super cool to have a team practice we are excited to have our other friends back to join us for the next practice.

I put a saddle on Neville

September 18, 2020

This evening I put a saddle on Neville and ponied him off of Simon around the farm. He did not care. I left the stirrups down so they would bounce around on his side and he could get used to that. And I braided his forelock so he could have optimal visibility.

I also got some side view shots. I think he is getting a bit thicker. His legs are so thick. His knees and other joints are giant. I sure hope he thickens up into them. We shall see.

Game Night 8/20/20

September 1, 2020

Just shy of two weeks ago Jenny and I met at Game Night at Red Horse Training with Amanda Brunson. We have hit a few of these and they are so fun. This week we started off work a timed obstacle course. I admittedly had trouble remembering the course – which you can see in the video below.

Simon loves this stuff. He eats it up. I swear he would trot through fire in this course if I asked him. On the turn to the flower box I asked for a turn and he took it so tight he made me squeak. And that ball, he is not fond of the big pilates style balls but in this course I just pointed him and he charged ahead like a warrior.

Next we did the team relay obstacle course. In this game Jenny and I take turns going through obstacles, retrieving a token, and depositing it in a basket before our partner goes, swapping back and forth.

Again it was so fun. Simon really gets into it. And Jenny and I have so much fun partnered together. Woo! Maybe we will have to wear our Ponynado team jerseys one of these weeks. 😉

I am looking forward to hitting up game night again this week.