88

Today's high was 88F, which is 31C for everyone else in the world. It's February. WTF?

The boys were HOT - they've still got most of their winter fuzzies on, although shedding has commenced with a vengeance. I actually came home from work a tad bit early with plans to bathe Cash (I swear there's a white horse under the mud, or at least I think there is) but decided that he'd probably rather be out grazing with the other boys. So the boys did their best impersonation of riding lawnmowers while I raked spent hay and gave it to the chickens, spread composted manure, and generally tidied up. After the boys ate dinner, I gave Cash a good grooming, trimmed some of the more impressive shag off his legs and from under his chin, and fed him a dozen extra cookies 'cause he's so cute.

We didn't joust last weekend since my in-laws were in town and we went camping with them, which was lovely. Last night we did our regular jumping lesson.  I am getting much better at trusting Red to find a spot (it's always the short spot, which I have a hard time waiting for) and staying with him no matter where he jumps from. I'm still popping up over the top of the fence more often than not, but occasionally I manage to stay down and not have my saddle hit me in the butt. I'm able to keep the heels down and shoulders back in front of the fence, and I'm getting better at riding OVER the fence instead of just letting Red dive over it. I've still got a long way to go, but I can feel it getting better week by week.

This weekend there's a dressage clinic that I'll be going to. I seriously need to dust off my dressage saddle for this - I haven't ridden in it in faar too long! Fortunately I know the instructor very well so she'll be kind to me. I plan to do a longe lesson one day, 'cause I need all the help I can get on position. Hopefully the second day I can ride Saga and work on some things (like why he's not through the bridle, and why our canter transitions suck) that have been challenging me for a while.