August will be a month to remember and cherish. After much disappointment with Brisk not recovering enough to be ridden, a long couple of months of limited riding and long, hard talks and budgeting as a family we decided to purchase Wren. Sophia is overjoyed. We decided to have him vetted on August 2nd. The vet was able to do the pre-purchase exam on August 7th and when he checked out okay we signed the bill of sale on August 12th. Nine years ago my mother died. I think Grandma Barb was looking down on Sophia that day and had a part in all this happening. We also brought home Otto on August 12th eight years ago and he turned out to be a very special cat.
Sophia met with the person who has been leasing Brisk, had her saddle fitted on him and took a lesson from the person who has been training him the week of August 13th. We then moved him to our barn on August 20th. Sophia rode him in a clinic with Pheobe the very next day. So far he is adjusting well. He has made some friends in the field and seems to be happy. He truly has the best personality. He stands for the vet, farrier and dentist. He is calm and good mannered. He isn't super easy to ride. Sophia is trying to figure him out. He doesn't like it when riders ride with their hands so he is going to teach Sophia to use her legs and butt to move him, which is how dressage works. Sophia says easy is boring so this is a match made in heaven. He also likes to jump and Sophia was able to jump him in her pony club lesson. He is a big mover. He took a one stride jump in just a bounce but he is honest and tries his best. She is in love. Everyone at the barn remarks on how handsome he is and how tall he is. He is 16'3 but has a super long neck and face so he looks even bigger.
Sophia rode Nicki, one of her heart horses in a lesson before we brought Wren to the barn. That is always a treat.
So now that I got all that out let me tell you how we started the month. Steve and I went to Philly to take Nick out for his birthday. Mari joined us. It was great spending the day with Nick. We went to lunch, then hung out at a park and then back at his house. It was a great day.
Sophia was in another ad for IEA. This one was from when she competed at Nationals too. She finishes up this video montage.
The end of the month was back to school time. Steve started about a week and a half before Sophia. Sophia has a pretty chill fall schedule. She is doing two classes at the high school, both chorus classes, and then doing two online college classes, English and Stress Management. This means she has plenty of time to be at the barn, both working and riding.
