So all the hints about what’s going on are over. Starting in May, I’ll be starting officially my new job at Three Brothers Stable. I’ll be teaching lessons, putting training rides on client horses, and helping the barn run more smoothly. I’ll be taking a more active role in managing some of our working students and helping with the website and online presence. And of course summer camps are coming up. But wait! That’s not all. I’m also starting up a freelance editing business, specializing in academic work. I’ve already completed a few projects for clients and I’m getting daily inquiries about new projects. Whew. With all that, yesterday was a pretty crazy day and seems like the new normal-ish. I’m thrilled!
Majestic! Like the start of my day yesterday
6:00a Wake up and start getting the coffee pot going.
7:45a Leave for the barn after checking email and drinking coffee with Rob.
8:00a Start cleaning out the rest of my things from the other tack room.
8:15a Email exchanges with an editing client and the acceptance of my quote.
8:30a Chat with Maggie about the riding plan for the morning, grab Joe. Joe is a student’s horse that we are hoping to use in lessons, but he has lived in a pasture doing little for a few years. He needs a tune up.
8:45a Get distracted by another horse pulling back when tied and repeatedly breaking lead ropes. Work with Maggie and the horse to stop that nonsense.
10:00a Warm Joe up in the round pen and then ride in the jump field. Walking, trotting, working over poles. His steering is rusty, but he’s not doing anything naughty.
10:45a Put Joe up and grab Knots for some jumping
11:00a Ride Knots in the jump field and work over an oxer. We started by practicing trotting jumps, then moved up to work on cantering into the oxer. We used a place pole to help him measure the pace. When I sat up and rode, he was great. When I let him run at the jump, we sucked. Shocker. While riding, chat with Maggie about a client who would like her horse to be ridden at Pine Hill in the Green-as-Grass division in July. (I love the horse.)
12:00p Ride the ponies out to the XC field and evaluate footing and try to imagine how to move things to minimize the impact of rain.
12:45p Lunch time! Freebirds today
2:00p Unhook trailer from truck. Video Fred babysitting the puppies (Check instagram @atindalla). Move stadium jumps out to field. Beautiful craftsmanship, and heavy. Also associated poles and jump cups. Manage to twist/sprain ankle jumping out of truck. Five minute break to wrap it up in an ace bandage I happened to have in my car.
4:45p Break time for me before I teach my 6pm lesson. Email a new client who is requesting a quote. Try to elevate foot. Chat with barn teenagers.
6:00p Teach a riding lesson out in the XC field. Two students planning to go green-as-grass next week, one who isn’t showing (but riding at we-have-just-begun), and one who is showing WHJB. Talk about tricky, four riders, three different levels.
7:30p Head home, shower, ice ankle, have dinner.
10:30p Bedtime, whew!
On the flip side, today I am working in the office all day and finishing work on a couple of editing projects. Today is Rob’s birthday and I’m going into lab for cake and ice cream. I’m not expecting to break 5000 steps :p
Byron in the office, keeping me company
Diary of a Dusty Summer 