​Anna hopped on Lenny the other night for the first time. I’ve been working with him since June - focusing on relaxation and rhythm within his gaits and in transitions. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on connection and straightness through the outside rein. He’s a lovely horse - he’s eager to please, super smart and has a great work ethic.
Lenny (JC name Belly Dancer) last raced August 2020 and we took him home from TRRAC - Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers in September of that same year. With 90 starts, this guy knows how to work but he was uncomfortable and wouldn’t gain weight - no matter what we tried. After having success with putting Burntwood (Burt) on Sanfoin pellets from StableFeed to help ease his hind gut ulcers and put weight on (it also helps Burt’s sensitive skin from breaking out in the summer… bonus benefit), I put Lenny on the same feeding regimen. We started noticing a difference in his demeanor on the ground and under saddle and within a month he was noticeably starting to gain weight. He’s been steadily gaining weight and muscle mass since. (I’ll post a side by side picture of before and after)
I’m looking forward to getting this guy out more and doing more things! And maybe now Anna can help in riding him some during the week

We had a great day at the Colonial Classic yesterday. Aiden and Talulla competed in the Itty bitty jumpers in a class of 42 others while Anna and Burt competed in the prelim jumpers in a class of 36.

Anna conquered her nerves jumping around the big Dixon Oval ring and did an awesome job. She ended the day on a high note nailing her speed round! (Side note: Burt has only been off the track since July 2019 and was not properly started off the track until we got him In October 2020. Our 12 year old (who has only been riding him for 5 months) just competed him in a big show in a big ring jumping 2’6/2’9. While there’s always room for improvement, as far as I’m concerned, they won it all yesterday. )

Aiden and Talulla had 3 great rounds making some super turns and only missing the top ten in their speed class by half a second!
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Big thanks to Jennifer Cassidy for coaching the kids and navigating all the courses and last minute ring changes! They’ve made big improvements this past year, thanks to you!
The best part of the day for me was watching my kids return from their rides being so thankful and appreciative of their horses. Making sure their horses were cooled out properly, braids out, hosed off, watered and fed and telling them they are the best horses in the whole world.