Happy New Year!

Not only is it the new year, but, also, I'm on my second snow day in a row!!!  School was supposed to start on Thursday; however, thanks to the convergence of two storm systems, New England has been beset with a major snow event.  On top of this, tonight, we're supposed to have record lows...-20F...before the windchill factor.  Holy crap.

So, New Year's resolutions?  Nope.  Not really.  During the last few months of 2013, I began to take some actions to refocus my life a bit.  One, I'm about to write and direct my last production for Keene High School; two, my last column in Warmbloods Today just hit the newsstands; three, in spite of the cold, the rain, my schedule, my moods, etc, I ride four to five days per week.

Speaking of riding, it's going well.  Princess and I are definitely in a transition phase.  We've been basically on our own since leaving Jane's in the middle of August.  I've had a couple really good lessons with Zaz Putnam and some important feedback from Melinda Johnson, but, otherwise, it's been just Princess and me.  As much as I was almost afraid to leave the constant instruction and guidance of Jane, I see now that it was an important step for me as a rider to really have to figure out some things on my own.  I think both Princess and I are better for it, and I'm really looking forward to more and more progress.  It's slow, but that's how it probably should be.  Denny Emerson's posts on Facebook really motivate me to just take it slow and put in the day-to-day small efforts necessary to get all the pieces in place for success.

Speaking of Princess, yes, I am going to try an ET from her.  I know that after all of our unsuccessful attempts I've sworn never to try again, but I love this mare.  There's no way she's coming out of work to have a baby at this point in time, so there's no other option.  Of course, making the right choice for her is now my primary focus in life!  Those of you who obsess over breeding picks as much as I do certainly understand this.  Michaela and I are both on the task.  At the top of our list right now are Floriscount and Bordeaux--but, since this baby is a keeper, much as Princess was destined to be a keeper (Carol gave me the breeding to Contango for Father's Day, with the stipulation I keep the resulting foal for my own riding horse...guess it worked out!), I'm really tempted to go with one of the two stallions that make my heart go pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat.  One of these is Totilas.  Since we're already risking the ET procedure, I can't justify spending the money on a dose of him, however.  The other is Lyjanero.  Few horses have had the immediate effect on me that he did when I walked into his stall at Gestut Sprehe.  As corny as it sounds, his energy just clicked with my energy, and it was love at first sight.  We have two Lyjanero fillies, both really special.  I'd really like a colt.  As a little reminder of who he is, here's my favorite clip:  http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLu6WryJa8

Big news I discovered yesterday:  Special D is going to be at stud in South Carolina for the 2014 season!  $1200 stud fee, fresh cooled semen.  He might be just the ticket for Eliscia (UB-40 x Pass the Glass xx).  I've watched Special D for years in Holland.  Some of his offspring are top-notch movers and nice types--really top dressage horse prospects.  Unfortunately, some of his offspring look like Friesians, complete with the fetlock feathers. He has to be crossed with a more modern type mare, unless you want to breed a Gelders horse, which is also a legitimate option.  Nonetheless, I'm psyched that his owner has decided to stand him to North American breeders.  We need him as an option.

Well, time to get out into the snow and feed the ponies!  I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of New Years.