This is Mister....super cute 3 year old.

Me and Annie coming in from the paddock...bbrrrr

By the roundpen at sunrise...*yawn*

Mr HUGE man Ralph

Boots enjoying her time outside

The room I write to you all from. This is what I stare at across the room. Perfectly good saddles that just sit there because they get new ones sent from Prestige every year....sigh.....also a shrine to Big Ben

Mandy riding Maggie

Day 5...

Day 5.…today was an insanely fast day. For the first time I was on my own with no other grooms. Diana who has been here the past two days only works the weekends but she’s away this weekend so she worked during the week. Its quiet around here with all 6 other grooms in Florida so I was left in charge of it all. Just Mandy, Christian and I today.
I was the first one in the barn this morning…finally on time cause they told me we start at 7 and not 7:30 like Willy first told me haha. Went through t regular routine, fed, cleaned, watered, turned horses out. It was beautiful and sunny but MAN was it cold today!!! Thought I was going to lose my ears……so glad the barn is heated.
After I brought horses in, Mandy asked me if I wanted to ride. We had a great chat during the morning cleaning stalls and I told her what exactly it is I’m looking for with a job like this. So I was pretty excited to say the least. I got to ride Hereo…but around here they call him pony because he’s ONLY 16 hh…everything else is well over 17 hh so to them he’s teeny. Apparently he used to be a very well known jumper and was winning a fair bit. But then he was sold to an Amateur and the bills got high I guess so he was passed along. He hasn’t done much in the past 2 years was mainly just a pet. He’s actually the horse I was told to clip the other day. So without asking questions about how crazy this horse might be because who knows when the last time he was ridden up I got up there and of f I went. I figured it was a test to see what exactly I could stay on haha. Turns out he was really good….had one big buck when I first cantered to the right but after that we got along great. He was nervous in the far side of the arena but he got over it as soon as I gave him the what for and pushed him forward. I quite enjoyed riding the “pony” haha.
After my ride I was told Mark was coming…..Mark boards two of his horses here and he must pay the premium as he calls when he’s coming so that we can have the horses groomed, tacked up and ready by he time he gets here. Nice guy though and he’s only about 20 years old or so. I was in a mad rush to get Hereo put away, feed horses lunch, sweep the alleyway and then get Angie and Sunday ready for Mark. I was JUST finishing as he walked in. Whewf! Mandy and Christen left to go somewhere and just told me what to do so I was in a panic trying to figure out what gear goes on who, boots, no boots, martingale or breastplate. It all worked out though!
Then I finally got to sneak away for some lunch at about 1:30. I was starving after running all morning. The afternoon went well. Put horses away, helped Christian clip the last two, picked through stalls, filled wateres, swept again….I tell you there has GOT to be better method to all this sweeping…..maybe its just because I could care less if there’s two pieces of sawdust on the ground….heaven for bid the barn floor be dirty!!! It sure does look pretty though. Mandy talked to Amy Millar today and told her about my plans to go to Florida and how I’m doing here. She scheduled a time for me to go meet with Ian, Amy and Jonathan to see exactly what I’d be doing as a “show groom” once I get there. Florida is going to be so great!!
Ahhh I’m resting back at home now before I go back and do night check. We rotate on and off so it’s my turn to feed and check waters and doors at 8:30. I’m still smiling about my ride :)

Day 4.…Today was a good day. The time change is still affecting me and I did NOT want to get up this morning. Perth is 3 hours ahead of the Island so when I get up at 6:30 am it still feels like 3:30 am our time. YUCK. Went through the same routine as yesterday. I don’t know if it was because I was faster today or what but we got done earlier than normal. Christian (one of the barn managers) took me out for a little tour around the farm in the Kubota fancy golf cart look alike thing to feed and water the outside horses. The old retired ones are out in the field and so are the babies. Got to see where Big Ben is buried….what a magnificent horse he was. It’s STILL snowing out there…there’s about 2 and a half feet where it hasn’t been disturbed. Temperature isn’t bad but still in the minuses…..the barns are heated so we stay cozy. I’m learning all kinds of details to put into my facility when I finally get the chance to build it.
I’m getting to know the personality of the horses now….I love a few of them and wish they could come home with me….unfortunately they probably cost more then my house. They are all so pretty and we keep them clipped and in show condition at all times. I haven’t taken any pictures yet…figured I’d get to know everyone before I feel like a tacky tourist and snap a million pictures….after all I’m not supposed to star struck over the whole thing if I’m going to work here right? Anyway…..I’ve now found out I’m allowed to go into the lounge in the barn after hours so I can access the internet…yay I’ll be on every night now :)

Day 3

Day 3. Today was a great introduction of what goes on here. I met the barn managers, one other groom, the rest are all in Florida at the moment and the horses of Millar Brooke Farm. The sun was shining even though it was quite cold it was a beautiful day. Cleaned stalls, swept the barn, blanketed and booted up horses that were going outside for an hour each. I wish I took that good of care of my horses…..they certainly don’t get brushed, then 2 new blankets on and eskadron boots just to go outside, however if I only put mine out for an hour they’d probably try to eat me when I went to put them back inside. Life here certainly isn’t hard for the horses.
Then we brushed and tacked up horses to be ridden and lunged, brought horses back in from outside….repeated that a few times. Swept the barn basically anytime a horse walked down the isle or hay dropped from feeding. It’s neat to learn everyone’s “way” of doing things. We stopped and had some lunch and then after lunch I was told to go clip a horse. Now I just started clipping my own horses not big fancy grand prix horses. But this one was one of the barn managers so off I went on my own accord. He was a good boy and looked a million times better after he was done….apparently he just got to the barn. I have never full body clipped a horse from head to hoof so they came to help me with his legs as he wasn’t happy about them or his entire face.
Note to self….bring more clothing next time….don’t know how though as my suitcase was 48 point something pounds and its only allowed to be 50. But I have no sweatshirt left as its covered in hair and anyone who’s clipped knows how itchy it now is! Also down one pair of jeans as they are filty because I don’t have tall winter boots to wear like everyone else….again just too hard to pack. Oh and laundry costs money…..wasn’t aware of that and don’t have any change! Hmmmm. There is no internet in my room so if this gets posted I managed to get a connection somewhere else. This is getting long so will leave it for tonight. At least I’ve befriended one of the barn cats who is now sitting next to me like a happy camper. Goodnight.

Day 2.5

End of Day 2...11:21 pm Ontario time…..8:21 pm Port Alberni time. Glad I’m tired so it feels like 11:21 ! I’m sitting in “my” apartment at Millar Brooke Farms. I just arrived after a long day of travelling. Flights went ok. Montreal was an absolute snow storm. We were half an hour late boarding because they had to deal with ice in the engines and then we sat on the plane for another half hour while we got de iced on the outside…kind cool they spray the whole plane with water and what looks like a film of some kind! It was a little scary taking off on an entirely snow covered run way but we managed. Landing in Ottawa was much the same. I don’t know how those pilots do it. We couldn’t even taxi to our docking station we had to stop and wait while snow plows came to clear the run way. There was like a foot of snow on it! Crazy I tell ya. An old guy named Willy picked me up from the air port, I think he said he‘s turning 72. Poor guy was waiting for me for an hour and a half. Glad he stayed! Super friendly and we had a great talk on the way home. The roads were entirely white but obviously everyone here is used to it because they still go the speed limit in a foot of snow…..go figure. I was hungry by the time we got here so he drove me into downtown Perth. Perth only has 6000 people in it yet they have more stores then Port Alberni haha. It’s super cute and I can’t wait to see it in the day light. I love the history in old towns….Willy was born and raised only 3 kms from the farm and has worked for Ian for the past 30 or so years if I remember correctly.
The apartment is cute but I have no tv, no phone and no internet access so it’s pretty quiet…..but there’s books……too bad I’m not a reader. Maybe I will embrace these next 12 days and become one LOL. I’m writing this post on my computer and will save it to post when I find an internet connection. I should be getting to bed now….can’t wait to get up and go see the farm and the horses. Day 3 equals work day # 1 J …..Sweet Dreams.

Day 2 The my second input into my blog. The day started at 6 am....wake up call UGH....still tired. Mom caught the shuttle with me to the airport and said a quick goodbye. Glad I'll see here again in 12 days in Florida. Im no good at Goodbyes! Quick is better...don't have time to cry that way haha. I'm writing from on the plane to Montreal which is where I connect and then fly onto Ottawa Ontario...half the people seem to speak French....Beautiful language maybe I should learn more of it. The guy next to me tried to start a convo....too bad I couldn't understand what he was saying hehe.
The in flight cameras aren't working so good thing I now have this new laptop to waste time on. I have a whole 4 hours and 15 minutes to waste! Glad I'm a good flyer unlike my siblings who HATE flying. By tonight at 7 pm Ontario time I will be at Millar Brooke Farm, thats exciting....helps to sway the feeling of sadness I still have from leaving the Island. That place is just comforting when you've lived there your whole life. I have always had a sence of adventure and haven't even begun to explore it to it's fullest. I think this is my first step in that journey. Onward and Upward they say....hehe the phrase seemed suitable since I'm currently something like 80,000 feet in the sky. Don't look down! TTFN (for those who don't know computer talk that's ta ta for now...

A few hours later.....currently writing from inside the Montreal airport. Brrr its a blizzard out there. Hope I'll be flying out on time! I paid for this free internet...chatted with a few friends. Miss you all already! One more flight and I'm there....almost....

The Adventure Begins

Well I have made it as far as Vancouver so far and I'm on the 8:30 am flight to Ottawa Ontario first thing in the morning. I'm trying to get used to typing on my new laptop so bear with me during spelling mistakes and missing letters. How cool is this wireless thing....I'm lovin it!
Today is an emotional day....so excited to experience these next steps on my journey ahead, but so sad to leave the farm, my animals, students and friends....all while not knowing how long I'll be gone for and when I'm coming back.
I'm thankful for the people who came to look at and buy horses....all the best to you! Do stay in touch!!
I am sooo extremly thankful to Jessica who is my newly appointment barn manager, without her none of this would be possible. She's an amazing young person who is off to a great start in her own career. Even though I'm no longer at home to mentor her I'm happy to be able to help push her to reach for her own dreams. We all start somewhere.
Well thats all for tonight....now that I'm actually on my way I'm hoping I'll get a chance to sleep since there's nothing left to do to prepare for my travels. Goodnight.