Shawna's Adventure

Hey Stranger

2010-07-19T00:34:00.001-07:00

Well it's been a long while since I last posted. People keep commenting on how they can't keep track of me when I haven't written on here so I thought I'd add another update.

I left MBF in May 2010 and Diva and I drove across Canada! That in itself was a fun trip. The most I had ever driven was about 6 hours or so in a day, so driving 10 or more hours each day was a whole new experience. I actually didn't mind the driving and enjoyed the scenery all the way across. I have to say though BC is still the best place to live! So beautiful!

I returned home to the farm, my horses, and my family. It was so great to see everyone. Port is still the same but the people in it have changed. Friends have grown up and settled down or moved away. I came to the realization really fast that I didn't know where I fit in it all anymore. I've always just put my focus on work and figured the rest would just happen as it was meant to. A friend told me I tend to live in the extremes of Black and White and that life really happens in the Grey....interesting thought. I'll work on that.

I just got back from a 4 day trip to Calgary. Went to the Stampede and to Spruce Meadows to visit the MBF clan. It was so great to see them all again!!!

Other then that we've been working away getting the farm ready to sell and horses as well. I'm moving to Langley in August to start a new job over there. Will update as I go along :)

I'm flying back out to MBF the second week in August to go visit Ralph and come to a final decision on if he'll be coming home or not. While I'm there I'll look at the other young ones too.
I sure miss everyone back East.

Well I think thats the gist of it. I'll try to keep posting more often again...
TTFN

Only a few more days

2009-12-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone and we have almost made our way all the way to 2010. Craziness!
I'd like to say alot has happened this year....but it hasn't really. Yes alot work wise, but nothing much else to report. I have the odd highlight of course but this was a pretty nose to the grindstone kind of year. No regrets....working towards my dream just requires some other sacrifices.
I can only wonder for what 2010 will being my way.....

Only a few more days til mom goes home (sad) it's always hard to say goodbye when you don't know when you'll see them again.
I have tomorrow off so we are going to spend the day together. After my jumping lesson which I'm super excited about. I'll be riding Ralph and Amy is teaching me. Mom is going to use her new video camera and practice so I'll have a nice video to look back on yay :)

At the moment there's an absolute snow storm out there.....brrrr.
I think it's time for some hot chocolate before bed. I got some new pictures of Ralph today and posted them. You can email me if you havent seen them already and I'll send the link.
Sweet Dreams.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

2009-12-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas is just around the corner. My mom made if here safely to visit for the Holidays. I'm so excited I don't have to spend it alone. This is the first time I've been away from home for the Holidays. I miss everyone!
Things at the farm are good. It's been cold and snowy but luckily with the barn, arena and heaters it doesn't affect the day much except turn outs...chilly!
Ralph is doing great. He's getting stronger each day and I can't wait to start our jumping lessons. Maybe while mom is here I'll use her to my advantage to snap some pictures :)
After Christmas I have a few lessons with Amy before she heads to Florida and then I start riding weekly with Glen.
The other young ones are fabulous. So easy going and amaze me with each ride.
I am starting to feel better as a rider too with all this time in the saddle.
I'm getting a good feel for how my facility will be run back home being in charge here at this time. I now have boarders too so it's pretty much a mirror image of what I'll be managing in the future.
Well stay warm, hug your loved ones and enjoy the Holidays.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Shawna

I'm Baaaack!

2009-12-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hi All. Well again it's been awhile since I've written. Seeing as it's now officially winter and everyone is leaving I am going to start blogging again....after all I'm going to need someone to talk to haha.
Things here continue to go great. The weather has turned from Fall to -15 and snow....how did that happen? Brrrrr
Last week I treated myself to a one week holiday in the Dominican for some much needed R and R. It was FANTASTIC! Bit of a shock to return home to this cold.
Now I'm back to the grind at Millar Brooke. The first load of horses left for Florida yesterday and the next leaves on Wednesday. There will just be one other staff member and myself at home for most of the winter, they are in Florida until April.
My horse, Ralph, is doing great and I can't WAIT to start our jumping lessons :)
I've been riding a few of the young horses and they are coming along very well. My heart certainly sways towards working with the young ones.....training has always been my passion.
I'm going to be riding 4 a day all winter and will rotate them out as needed since I have more then 4 to ride.

Other exciting things since I last wrote. For a week I got to ride Contino....Jonathans HUGE grand prix horse. He is so incredible and I really felt tiny on him as he's bigger then Ralph. I'll have to add the pictures. I've also got to ride a few of the clients horses and all of them are equally as fabulous.
We've been clipping like crazy....no hairy horses around here. Really need to do laundry! Everything is itchy haha.

I finally got around to putting up my Christmas decorations tonight. Mom is coming to visit so I'm excited to see her!!
Hope everyone is doing well.....Talk soon I promise.
TTFN

Big things can come from small places

2009-10-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well today is a pretty big milestone in my life so had to write in my blog. As of this moment I co own a horse with Millar Brooke Farm. I never would have thought in a million years I'd be here, working here and now owning a horse with the possibility of showing. I have amazed even myself on this one.
I'm feeling pretty lucky, proud of all my hard work and greatful for the opportunities I've been given.
I am proof that big things can come from small places and you can never have dreams to big or too far out of reach.
I am going to keep dreaming, keep reaching....the world is my oyster as a friend once told me.....

My mom has been here visiting me for the past 4 days and what a great 4 days it's been. She is such a beautiful ray of sunshine in this sometimes rather dark world. What a great feeling it is to come home to a "mom" cooked meal or to have someone to share these amazing moments in life with.
While she's been here she's been working to help make my life easier and to help get my apartment in order so I have the things I need to nuture myself and take care of myself. I feel great and home feels great. Today is a GREAT day.
One of the things I really needed and she helped make a reality is a car :) As of today I am also the proud new owner of a 2005 Saturn Ion red sports car! I said I bought two kinds of horse power today haha....one to ride and one to drive.
I am thankful to have had these past few days off to spend with my mom and make big things happen.
Nothing is too big to achieve and no dream is too big.
Just don't forget when the world gets busy to always pay it forward....karma will treat you well.

Hello Hello

2009-09-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hello blog readers....if there's many of you still out there.
Things with me are fantastic. Many exciting changes on the horizon which I will update you with in time.
I have commited to staying here through the winter.....brrrrr. Not sure how excited I am about the -30 temps again especially since it's just around the corner. I CANT believe it's already SEPTEMBER! I've almost been here for 8 months now....crazy hey. Time moves too fast. This year has been packed with so much excitement, adventure, life lessons, hard times and fun ones. I feel like I've grown leaps and bounds in every which way.

I am getting stronger with my position here and feel like I'm gaining new respect from everyone. Ian stopped me at the end of a convo to tell me I'm doing a great job....which coming from him always means the world :)
Those few thankful words make the hard days worth it.

Amy and Jonathan leave tomorrow with 4 horses to Europe and Ian leaves from Spruce Meadows in a few days for the Masters. Me.....I stay home as usual haha.
When Amy gets back she talked about having some more time to work with me and the young horses....quite excited about that :)
I should get to bed though.....losing my train of thought.
Take Care TTFN!

I'm still alive....

2009-08-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.....it's been a long while since I wrote in my blog so I figured it was about time to make an appearance.
I am doing fantastic at Millar Brooke. I have been riding lots....usually between 2-4 horses a day and loving every minute of it. It pays to ask for what you want. I've always been a bit of a go getter.
I don't remember the last day I didn't ride. Even on my days off....I ride :) Happy Camper!

Everyone has come and gone more then a few times now. They've been to Bolton, Palgrave, Blainville, and Ottawa. I actually got to make a day trip to Ottawa and hang with the crew and actually watch some of the show. While I was sitting with Amy on the fence of the ring I looked over to see Beth Underhill sitting beside us. I of course went up to say hello and see how things are going. It feels great to be able to approach these riders and actually have them know who I am :)
It was a very hot day and I got to enjoy some shopping. Picked up some new breeches and boot socks. Being here is causing me to have a taste for quality expensive things which my *ahem* savings account seems to be complaining about as the savings that is happening in minimum. I keep telling myself it's all an investment for my working wardrobe LOL. rolls eyes.....

In about 10 days or so Amy and Jonathan will be heading over to Europe and Ian will be heading back to Spruce for the Masters. Always coming and going around here. I'm about the only constant besides the maitenence crew haha. I enjoy it though as show grooming just isn't for me anymore.
I adore the Barn Manager title and having the horses that stay home.
We are bringing a few more of the young horses in so I'm looking forward to working with them more this fall.....ugh.....fall. I can't believe summer has come and almost went. The leaves are changing and falling far too fast for my liking. I know just how cold Ontario winters get and I'm not so sure how I feel about living through another one.
I have been here 7 months now....crazy hey, how fast time flies.
I've gained leaps and bounds of experience and enjoy just taking it all in.
I haven't really formed a plan for whats next. I had intended to be here for a year so we'll see. I continue to keep my eye out for a dressage trainer I'd like to work for next.
The future is all so unknown and for the moment I am just living in the Now and it's a fantastic place to be.
So how is the Island? I really really really miss home!
I still have a few horses for sale back home if anyone is looking.....
Hope this finds you all well. TTFN
I am relaxing this evening and got myself a movie to enjoy!

Update

2009-07-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well time is flying by again as usual. I have now officially hit the 6 month mark here at Millar Brooke.
I went home for a one week vacation....it was so nice to see everyone and have a little more down time....not that I had much time to have down time with so many things I wanted to do haha.

Back at the farm here everyone is getting ready to head to the Bromont show tomorrow. We have plenty of staff so it'll be a great time to get caught up on everything that needs to be done here at home. I get to put in some more riding time which is greatly appreciated. I'll be riding Amy's mare Piccobello (very excited about riding her :) ) as well as Ralph who is one of the young horses.....but he's massive....I'm sure he's over 18 hands.
The next few weeks will fly by I bet. Horses will be coming and going each week to different show circuts.
Life never cruises in the slow lane around here...pedal to the metal and let's GO!
Just thought I'd drop a few words in....hope everyone is doing well.
TTFN

Guess what I did today.....

2009-07-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today I had such a great day that it brought me back to my blog to share. To some people it would be no big deal but to me....it made my whole week :)

So it started off as any other day....I was pretty tired and people telling me I look that way :( Hmmm I'm 24 I'm NOT supposed to look tired lol. Anyway I've been working pretty hard lately as the crew was away at Spruce for 4 weeks so I was running the farm at home with two other staff. I've been riding Cash lots and lunging a few of the young ones to get them back in the swing of things for riding.

I like perfection and worked my A$$ off to get things perfecto for when the Millars arrived home. It paid off as Ian told me I'm doing a fantastic job and everything looked great......a HUGE compliment coming from him :) I was pleased with myself and my efforts.

I was excited for the others to come home as it's been quiet around here. I will miss my regular 7 am-4 pm days with a lunch break but oh well....ce la vie!

We are currently a little under staffed so that all the grooms who were at the show can have some down time to relax and catch up on some much needed R and R before heading off to the next one. Today flowed well though and we have a good team.

I've been ridng Cash and loving every minute of it. Yesterday I went out to ride in the jumping field with Jonathan and his lesson. It was great to watch and he helped me with a few things as well. I take every bit of coaching I can get and just love when I get the opportunity to.

So back to why my day was so great......I GOT TO JUMP! I was running around like a mad barn manager all day and finally the time came to ride. I was getting out all my tack and ziging and zaging through people in the barn....Amy, Ian, the vet, the other grooms ect....it was a busy place this afternoon. Amoung all the hustle and bustle Ian mentioend to Amy we need to start putting Cash over fences, then looks at me and says "Can you jump?" I quickly think in my head....hmmm well yes I can jump, not like people around here can jump but yes I can hang on and get over it haha. No I actually can jump and I LOVE to I'm just out of practice. So I answered back with a yes. He told me to set up a couple cavellettis. I must have been grinning ear to ear. Amy got on her horse and said she was going to hack outside then would be back to help me. I thought ok great so I headed to the ring to get Cash warmed up. He feels like a completly different horse to ride now that hes getting stronger. His power and fitness are back in order and he feels even better. I worked on the things that Jonathan had pointed out the day before. Ian was lurking on his cell phone by the door....I was trying to ignore him as it's a little intimidating riding while Ian Millar watches you.....

So Amy rides back into the ring and gives me a few pointers. Tells me to pick up my canter and ride the cavelletti. Again....pretty sure I was BEAMING :) Other then a few mistakes and the odd bad distance on my part the ride was great. The jumps were little but here I was riding at Millar Brooke Farm with Amy Millar giving me a little lesson while Ian is now sitting at the rail watching me jump. I was trying to pretend he wasnt there haha. I felt on top of the world.....I still do. It's amazing how one little thing can mean the most when its something you really want and appreciate.

Ian is going to jump Cash out in the grass field tomorrow. Amy said I need to make sure to go watch as Ian is really good about critiquing everything I'm doing wrong and explains what I should do better and work on. So I'll go set fences so I can watch and be apart of it all. I'm so grateful for every ounce of knowlegde that gets offered to me. Any chance to learn and better myself as a rider is graciously accepted.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day too.

Only 7 days now until I come home!!! A much needed break and I'm excited to see my friends and family.

Well I really need to clean my aprtment and do some laundry but this was a moment in my adventure I just had to share.

Thank you world...today was fabulous!

Hot Hot Hot

2009-06-25T18:46:00.001-07:00

WooooEEEE has it ever been hot here! I'm not complaining though....I adore summer <3>
I am so excited about my visit home....22 days :)
Things here at the farm have been going great. I continue to ride Cash and with each ride we both feel stronger and more like a team. He's a great horse.
We have a new pony foal here....she's SUPER cute! I'll have to get some pictures of her.
Other then that not much else is new. Everyone is still at Spruce Meadows but will be returning home within the next 2 weeks. Then it'll be time to get ready for Blainville and Bromont.
Sorry this one is so short....I'm really tired so I think I'm going to hit the hay!
Happy Trails.

31 days and counting....HOME visit!

2009-06-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hello All. OOps it's been almost 2 weeks since I last posted. I'm still here and things are still going very well.
My blog finally made it whole circle and Amy asked me about it. I told her that I've written it from the beginning thinking my boss should be able to read it and it be ok. So I sent her the link and told her to read away. If there is anything that makes her uncomfortable I will gladly remove it as it was never my intention to cause an issue for Millar Brooke Farm, it's staff or clients ect. This whole blog writing started as a way to let my family members and friends know how things are going without having to tell the same story 50 times. I never would have immagined it would have grown this big with so many people around the world following my story. I definatly don't hold that lightly and am always thankful for this experience and for the support from everyone reading. I have had grooms who have been hired to work here read it before coming and they said it was a great window into "A day in the life...."
It's not always easy or glamourous but when I write I never put anything negative...besides my own thoughts or feelings which I'm entitled to have, but still cautious in what I say or how I word it.
Hi Amy if your reading! Welcome to my blog.
Things at the farm have been carrying on as normal with everyone away at Spruce Meadows. I hear the horses are doing very well over there and we actually managed to watch one of the televised classes that Ian and In Style won! I saw Nikki on tv.....it was nice to acually see whats was going on over there. I miss Spruce dearly as I used to work there.
I've been riding Cash every second day.....I am really starting to love that horse. It's always a pleasure to ride him :) I am working hard on the tips Amy gave me to work on trying to always improve myself as a rider.
I really want to get back into a lesson program as I feel it's an important part to keep improving and getting stronger.
I had the day off today....well I worked for 2 hours first thing this morning as I had a horse leaving I had to get ready before he got on the truck. Once he was safely loaded and pulling out the driveway I made sure everything was set for the day and I was going back to bed! I slept in after that, cleaned my house and made myself up. Went grocery shopping and had a 60 minute massage....mmmmm I sooooo needed that. I can actually move now. I had no idea how many knots I had in my back and under my shoulder blades. My finger tips keep going numb when I muck stalls and I found out its because knots were pinching a nerve when I moved a certain way....ouch. Might have to do this a few times a month. I feel great and today was a beautiful day.
I'm not able to make it home in time for my friends wedding which I'm SO extremly dissapointed about, however Amy was nice enough to offer me time off once everyone gets back home and settled. So I'm coming home again for a week.....a few weeks late but home none the less! I told Lisa I'll make it up to her and we can have a whole day of post wedding party so I can see and hear everything about that amazing day. Love you girl! I'm really really excited to see my farm, horses, Merissa who is running the place for me and taking such good care of the farm my mom said it's never looked better. Thanks Merissa and Leyland! Can't wait to visit with you....and I'm going to SWIM. Port Alberni summer here I come. Things to do.....swim in Sproat lake, go for a boat ride/tubing, visit all friends and have post wedding party, hang out with family, go tubing down the river which is the best way to spend a day ever, dance into the night with all the girls I miss like crazy, ride my OWN horses, visit my wonderful neighbour and family who lives across the street :) Oh man so many things to do. I get so excited thinking about it.....31 days!
I'm also on a fitness kick to get back in shapre before then haha. I got some pounds to lose! Bought all good food today and am going to start going to the gym a few times a week. Going to try for 5 but I know how tired I am some times at the end of the day so we'll see. I CAN do this.
Anyway I should un wind and get to bed. Back to the grind tomorrow. Thinking of you all and will try not to go so long without writing again....TTFN

Live Happy, Laugh Often, Love Much

2009-06-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Wow June 4th already. Time is passing by so quickly. The days continue to get more warm and summertime is just around the corner. One of my best friends gets married in one month today. I hope I can be there for her on this next amazing journey of her life....thinking of you babe!
We are growing up.....when we stop to turn around and look back at where we came from I hope we are all happy with what we see. We should live in the now and stride forward with our heads held high and be ready to experience whatever life puts in front of our path. Everyone is walking a different journey that is suited to each and all their hopes and dreams. Dream big, reach for the stars and never give up.
I am living proof that hard work and dedication pay off.
Everyday that sun rises and sets I am more and more happy with where I am. Everyday I am thankful, everyday I miss my family but their support helps me in knowing that I am exactly where I need to be for right now. I love you.
Tomorrow is going to be an incredible day. I have a lunging lesson with Ian and Centre Ice and a riding lesson with Amy and Cash. Any rider knows just how truely excited I am right now!
I have two more days with them before they head off to Spruce Meadows with he rest of the staff and horses who left earlier in the week. I will be manning the farm again. I have 7 horses inside, and 13 outside and 2 other staff to help me. I am confident in taking charge and priveliged to have the faith put in me to take it on. Thank you Millar Family. Such wonderful people who have dedicated every part of their being to achieve their dream and strive towards greatness. I have said it before but the countless hours, hard work, riding, teaching, training that they put in far exceeds my expectation of what I had previously thought. It brings me such joy to be here, to be apart of their legacy, to be part of the Millar Brooke team.
Thank you world for my 24 years and heres to many many many more. One foot in front of the other I will continue to walk along my path. Goodnight TTFN

These are the best days

2009-05-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have another day off today :) I was so excited yesterday when Amy said I could have today off as I sure wasn't expecting it. I think I'm going to do nothing as I havent taken the time to do that since I got here.
I slept for 12 hours....apparently I was more tired then I thought haha. Doing nothing feels so great.
I got to ride yesterday !!! I am so happy. I rode Cash walk, trot, canter and he felt awesome. Can't believe he hasn't been in work for so long as he sure doesn't feel like he's had time off. I really feel a connection with that horse. Maybe it's just because I was the one to bring him in from the field and clean him up into the beautiful creature that he is. I've seen his transformation from dirty feild horse back into the strong, elegant athlete he once was and will continue to be. Amy told me yesterday he and In Style actually have the same sire so they are half brothers....how neat is that! I felt so free on the back of that horse. Again I am right where I need to be and I LOVE what I do.
It was a surreal experience to be on the other side of the arena....riding...with Amy Millar and the other students around me. I am so very thankful for every experience I get.
Each and every day I stop and think to myself where I am and how I got here. It's been an incredible adventure. Anyone can do anything if you just want it bad enough and put your mind to getting there.
My mom had a good point about my blog....she said to just keep it more to my personal feelings and what I do in a day instead of actual little details about my day. I'll just keep it more personal and use it as a way to share my thoughts and feelings with you. Maybe my words will give you hope to reach out and achieve your dreams. Maybe my words can make a difference in your life like so many people , words, quotes and stories have made a difference in mine.
Life is far too short to not live like today is your last day.....so go out and do whatever blows your hair back.....right mom? Thats her new favorite way to live. Live Life on the edge. Good Luck. RIP Smiley...Always loved and Never forgotten....too many friends taken too young. Miss you <3

Hello!

2009-05-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
Haven't written for awhile. Been pretty busy and haven't taken the time.
I've also been thinking....since I have sort of taken a step up I have to be very careful what I "put out there" From the beginning of my blog I have been very careful to not be negative or to give out too much information. I try to stick to events that are directly related to me ect.
I always say.....my boss should be able to read this and have no issues about what I wrote. I always keep that in mind. That might be affecting my writing as I don't always know what to write.
It's good to have everyone back at the farm. I really enjoyed the time on my own but its a whole different world when everyone is back.
Everyday I am thankful for where I am.
At this point I'm still not riding, we haven't had the time to get into it yet. Hoping we will soon though.
I have the day off today....which is why I'm writing at this hour haha. I think I'll go into town again and pick up a few things.
Diva is doing great. She's getting used to the farm and runs around like crazy in the evenings. She's so fit and thin! Looks good though.
Anyway I just wanted to poke in and say I'm still here....just don't know how much input into my blog I'll have now. We'll see.
TTFN

I need better shoes....owwww

2009-05-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Thats it....I need to go buy new shoes....again. Since I've been here I've worn out two pairs of cheapish shoes and already put a hole in my new cheata print gum boots hahahaha.
Next day off I get I'm going on a hunt for really really good work shoes!
Today was a long day getting ready for the horses to come home tomorrow night.
It's 9 pm and other then stopping around 6 pm to go get groceries before the store closed I worked right from 7 am this morning. Tomorrow is going to be even longer as Patrick is riding at 7:30 am so that means I'll feed for 6:30 am, up at 5:45 am. Yeesh. Get all my chores done and then head to the airport at 1 to get our new groom YAY. I'm excited to go for a little road trip....the farthest I've ventures around here is into Perth LOL.
Once we get back she's being thrown right into work....hit the ground running as they say around here....welcome to Millar Brooke HA! So that we have everything ready and perfect for when the horses arrive around 8 pm.
I can't beleive these two weeks went by so fast.....another two weeks and they'll all be gone again to Spruce Meadows and I'll do it all over again.
I should puyt my groceries away and clean my apartment now that the barn is so clean. Thats the story of my life though....(right mom?) the barn has ALWAYS been cleaner and the horses have ALWAYS gotten everything before me :) Wouldn't have it any other day.
TTFN

What a beautiful day

2009-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today started off as any other normal day. It was a little cooler this morning and was trying to rain....the weather forcast called for 27 degree weather....I thought HA yeah right. But sure enough this afternoon it cleared up and all of a sudden got hot out. WOW I was amazed. I had a very busy day that flowed smoothly.
The horses were well behaved today which I was so happy to have as yesterday with the wind they all wanted to run and try to give me a heart attack. No running remember.....so I was out there catching everyone as quick as you can say stop it. Silly horses. I caught them all with no problems though and they either went on the walker or we went out to hand graze instead.
I just love In Style, he has the best personality ever and is so inquisitve and cuddly. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to spend so much time with such incredible horses and am blessed to have them a part of my life.
I just adore the weather in Ontario and wished we didn't get so much rain on the Island. I mean it's nice here at least every second day if not every day. Even when it's ugly one day is usually all it lasts. I try to remember how cold it gets here in the winter too but for now it's beautiful. The blossoms are coming out on the trees and the hairy horses outside are starting to look more shed out and sleek. The inside horses are clipped all the time so they never have hair anyway.
I took some pictures today of a horse named Cash that I'm supposed to get to ride soon. He's been turned out in the field for a year and half and has just been brought back in. Today was his 2nd ride since being back and he looks fabulous. I can't wait to get on him. He was apparently quite the Grand Prix horse in his day.....I'm told he's 14 or 16 ish now.
I started preparing the barn for everyone to come home. 10 horses come back on Saturday night and the other 14 come back on Sunday. So from now until then I have 24 stalls to bed and have ready. Keep in mind I'm still just me. But a new girl comes on saturday.....yay! Looking forward to it. I've had the "young lads" as they call them around here to help me with the grunt work though. They ever so nicely stacked the barns mile high with shavings bags and hay so I'm set in that department.
I have a good handle on things around here and am feeling pretty content with it all.
When the weather is this beautiful and the scenery is so amazing I look around and just take it all in everyday. I really do love my job. The hard days, the stress, the long hours, the sore muscles and feet that ache....but there's so many pros to the cons that are all just part of it. It's definatly not a place for everyone but for me.....it's perfect. I am exactly where I need to be right now and am loving my life.
I love quotes.....so here are two of my MANY favs:

Live well, Laugh Often, Love much.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, Forget the ones who dont. And believe everything happens for a reason.
TTFN

Busy Busy Busy

2009-05-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hi All...I know this week I've been off writing my blog as much. I've been pretty tired by the time I get home so haven't written. I need to sit down and do it as soon as I get home while I'm still buzzing before I just want to sleep haha.
Jacque....I'm still here I promise.
My days are definatly longer here at the farm since I'm alone as I need to stay until I get everything done. Some days that goes according to plan but as soon as I need to do something else like scrub buckets, give hay to the ouside horses, hand walk one of them or something else comes up suddenly it takes alot longer to get things done.
The horses continue to be great. We had a new one arrive yesterday but then he turned around and left again for the horse show today and I traded for two more. So now I have 5 in the barn and 14 outside.
I'm doing ok here by myself though. Feeling pretty confident about running the whole kit and kaboodle :) Besides being alone is only temporary.....
The sunshine is back out and beautiful today. I love Ontario weather!
Oh guess what....I overflowed my toilet today....oops. It was actually nothing I did. The pump got clogged down at the front of the barn which in turn over flowed my toliet upstairs. So I walked into a bit of a mess in my bathroom when I walked in.....water everywhere. Willy helped me figure out what is was and I cleaned it all up.....good as new. Willy is fixing the pump now. Apparently this toilet likes to have a mind of its own and everyone has an issue with it.
I really enjoy being here and running things my way. I mean "The Millar Brooke Way" but I answer to me. It's a nice change from the past few months. Almost feels like running my farm again except way nicer and way more work with horses that have more of a daily schedule that I do. I wish someone told me when to eat, when to excersize, when to sleep.....maybe then I'd be a skinny minny lol.
You will all be so proud of me.....I made an attempt to be social on saturday night. I was talking to a friend I had met online and he talked me into going to a country concert that was playing in town. They were called Ambush and it was a good show. It was so nice to meet some other people I don't work with and enjoy an evening out. I paid for it the next day though as I stayed out past my 10 pm bedtime LOL. I made it through though. I'm only 24 and going out and then working the next day already is getting harder hahahaha. The next night I went to bed pretty much right after work. Got up to do night check and then went back to bed (and you wonder why you haven't heard from me) Today I feel much better and am all caught up on my sleep. I feel like I've been faced with a choice of one or the other.....have a career or be social....I can't have both at the same time. Make being young and being so driven hard at times as the days you want to have a "normal" life you pay for it more then the rest of them.
Now that I've worked from 7 am until 6 o clock....I'm HUNGRY and going to go make myself some food.
Talk to you soon....I promise.
TTFN

Happy May Long weekend

2009-05-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Wow Friday already....I've been slacking on my blog writing. Whats new....hmmm I now have TV and a Phone with unlimited long distance YAY. I emailed out my contact info incase anyone wants to call or mail me :)
Each week I seem to be getting my apartment closer to feeling like home. Now I just need to find energy to go into town and meet some people so I can have a little bit of a life outside of work.
I have almost been on my own, in charge of the farm, for a whole week and things are going great. My other groom left yesterday so today was my first day flying completly solo.
I'm really enjoying my job. Apart from one really stormy ugly day the weather has been beautiful and when I see the sun rise every morning I'm thankful for such a beautiful thing to wake up to.
I just love all these horses and am getting to know In style and Picco really well.
I am learning so many things here for how I want to run my facility. I can't wait for that day!
I went into town yesterday to buy groceries and am pleased I'm starting to learn my way around. "Town" really isn't very big so it shouldnt take me THAT long haha.
I know this is kind of short but I need to make dinner before I have to head down to night check so will try to write again tomorrow.
Have fun May Long campers!!! This is the second year I am missing out on and I am thinking of you all. It's one of my favorite weekends of the whole year.
TTFN!

PICTURES

2009-05-12T19:13:00.002-07:00

I posted some pictures on IH for you all to see :) http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=34594

Today was a good day :)

2009-05-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well today was a great day. Aside from the 4:45 alarm clock that I wanted to throw across the room this morning....I hit snooze for 10 minutes which I NEVER do. The second time the alarm when off I jumped out of bed to get the day kick started so I wouldnt fall back asleep. Had a quick breafast and got ready for work. Headed downstairs for 5:30 and got all the horses fed, groomed, show sheets on and they were on the trailer and pulling out the driveway by 6:30....good for us half hour early! Sandra left with this load so I am all thats left. Well I still have one girl but she will be leaving us on Thursday....the job just didn't work out for her. So the hunt is on again. I was excited to recieve a post from Madison who is going to be coming for a trial on the 23rd so at least I know we have someone in the works. After Thursday I'll be on my own....which for right now is fine as the work load I am more then cabable of handling.
Ian came in this morning before he pulled out to go over the last few things he wanted to touch base on. With that note I held my head high and told myself I can do this.
The sun was shining brightly and by 10 o clock it was already getting warm. The rider came to work with the horses so I got In Style ready for him, then Picco and then Cash. Cash is the gelding who we brought in from the field. I still need to do some serious grooming on him so he looks more like the Grand Prix horse he once was and not a shaggy dirty field horse haha. Seeing him under tack gave me a whole new impression of him. He's a pretty boy. Tomorrow I plan to pull his mane and attack his tail with a bath and a bottle of show sheen....wish me luck!
Got the horses on the walker and turned out. Gave Stevie and Picco lots of loves today, took them out to enjoy some grass in the afternoon. Got a 30 minute luch today....yay for lunch :)
I have two barns fully cleaned out now, the main barn and the student barn and buckets scrubbed so I just have 4 stalls to finish in the clinic barn. We are quite pleased with ourselves for getting it all done right away.
Lots to do in the next two weeks so I've been making lists for things I'd like to do around here.
After work tonight (I was done by 5) I took my camera around to enjoy my surroundings. It's such a beautiful place and tonight I just walked around with Diva and was thankful for where I am. I sat down out in the field by the rock where Big Ben is burried and just took it all in. I need to resize the pictures so I can post them.
Today was a great day :) TTFN

Who needs sleep?

2009-05-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

Started at 6:30 am this morning so we could feed horses early and get the first load on the 4 horse by 7:30 am. Got the horses groomed, walked and wrapped to go in the 4 horse. After they pulled out we did the same for the big semi trailer. Loaded 10 horses and away they went. All the clients, Amy and Jonathan left for the show today. Ian stayed behind to ride his 4 horses who are leaving tomorrow.
We are starting at 5:30 tomorrow (ICK) as they are hauling out of here by 7 with the second load.
Today was my first real day in charge of the farm but Ian and one of the other grooms, Sandra, was here so it didn't quite feel like it yet.
We ended up working until about 6:30 tonight by the time we got everything done, packed and ready for the next load tomorrow.
I only have one more crazy morning to get through and then I get to go back to 7am until 4 pm days.....YAY WITH a lunch break even. So stoked for that!
I'm learning quickly the responsibility I am holding now and I will continue to grow into my position, as Amy says it.
I am going to be involved with hiring (and firing) new staff....I won't go into detail on that one however I am going to learn to have a back bone right quick. For all those people I've ever allowed to intimidate or control me.....this is payback. I am now learning to be a real boss. To take no shhhhhh from anyone. I needed this!
Anyone want to come be a show groom? It's not easy and I will scare you before you even get here with the details. However in order to find someone who will really fit the drill that needs to be done as this is not an easy job to do and it's not meant for everyone.
I have my lists galore of routines for Piccobello and In style over the next two weeks. I am nervous but excited to have two Grand Prix horses in my care and 15 horses outside. And LOTS to do around the farm.
I brought Cash (Air of Gold) in from the field today so he can be In Style's turn out buddie. He was owned by Margie Engle at one point and he too was a Grand Prix horse until he got injured. He's been off for the past year and a half to heal so we are bringing him in to be worked again. If he's good I get to ride him :) The rider who is coming will be the first to get on him though.
I'll write more tomorrow.... it will be my first real day in charge with no one else here. Sandra pulls out of here with the second load of horses first thing and I believe Ian is pulling out right behind them as he didn't leave tonight like I thought he was.
Wish me luck! Now I'm going to bed seeing as I need to get up at 4:45 am....OMG Gross! One more day of insanity.....one more day....then I get to sleep......mmmm sleep. Goodnight!

My body hurts

2009-05-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been very long and full of things to do as we get ready for the horse show. I worked from 7 am until 8 pm tonight, non stop.....I am so far past exhausted it`s not even funny. Right from the get go this morning I was tired and a little dizzy so you can only immagine how I feel now. I don`t know how much longer I can keep going as this pace. I need to slow down. With everyone leaving on Monday I`m not sure I`ll be getting a day off until they come back....hmmmm.
I haven`t been riding yet as we have needed all hands on deck to get packed and horses clipped ect. We only have tomorrow left to get everything together then they leave Monday morning. Amy said she`ll watch me ride when they get back from the show so we can hopefully put my program together before they head off to spruce meadows.
She did mention I might be able to ride on or two this time but we`ll see what happens.
It`s so stormy here tonight. I was clipping Monte when all of a sudden the power went out and there was thunder and lightening outside. It rained like I have never seen rain before...and I`m from Vancouver Island! Within like 30 seconds the main yard was flooded and sheets of water were falling from the sky. The power did come back on so I was able to finish clipping thank goodness haha. Ìt`s still really windy and I can hear it wistling past my windows.
I think there was alot more I was going to write about but my brain cannot even function and my hands don`t want to keep typing. I`m going to grab some food, have a shower and head to bed again. Wake up and then do it all again tomorrow.....whew!
TTFN

What a day!

2009-05-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

Today started off as any normal crazy day around here.....feed clinic barn, feed and water outside horses, clean clinic barn, put Mercy on the walker by 8 am so she can be ready to be jumped at 9 am.
Finished stalls and waters, got Mercy ready for Patrick.....it was too rainy and wet to jump on grass today so at least we didn't need to bother with corks. Helped in the student barn, got Simply ready for 10 am, put Mercy away. Helped get Eurostar ready for Alex and off to his lesson. Put Simply away, cleaned some tack, went to help clean tack in the clinic barn. Got Monte ready for Alex and put Eurostar away.....this is what we do all day lol.
Fed hay at 11:30 and swept. Got outside fields ready for the other youngsters to be turned out. Turned the young ones out so now I have 15 horses outside. As the days go on everyone is telling me everything I need to know while they are gone. Everyone leaves on Monday for the show in Palgrave. I will be staying home with In style and Piccobello as well as all the outside horses and two other staff. It will feel like a vacation for me after these past few weeks. I am going to spend the time getting the barns in tip top shape, learning where everything is, doing some field matenience ect. I think it'll be a good two weeks. When they return they will be here for two weeks and then off to Spruce Meadows for 5 weeks.
I'm happy the way it has worked out so this first two weeks feels like a good introduction to it all.
Once they get back from Palgrave (and things hopefully settle for a few days) Amy want to see me lunge and ride so we can put a program together. There has been so many things happening and things on the agenga lately to worry about starting something new. We needed all hands on deck to get ready for this nect string of shows and that I completly understand....even though I'm very eager to start my program with the young horses.
The vet was here today and went over giving needles with me. He wanted to make sure I know how to give intramuscular and intervenus needles so that if the need arises while I'm here alone I'm cabable. Of course I would never make a decision like that, on one of these horses, without talking to the vet or the Millars by phone FIRST.....just wanted to make that clear. But I feel better knowing how to do it, what to give for what ect.
I have lists going through my mind every minute about what horse is doing what, who's on this routine ect. I have alot to study. I told them I wants lists!
Nikki and I went out with the vet to give vaccinations to tall the outside horses. It went quite smoothly so we were pleased.
The Bell satellite guy came today so I have tv now YAY. And guess what day it is.....THURSDAY....which is GREYS ANATOMY....so of course we had a grey's night over here. Told everyone to come and eat junk. It was good times!
The phone guy was supposed to come to but he never showed OR phoned my cell phone like he was supposed to. When I called they company they said he was here twice....but funny how the satelite guy found me no problem and the phone guy couldnt. There's people here everywhere....arg im still bitter. Now I had to reschedule for NEXT week and I keep racking up my cell bill with all the customer service calls. I'm really afraid my cell bill is going to be around $400 or something YIKES.
Anyway today was busy....like everyday...but today I started at 7 am and was still working at 8:30, went and did night check and finally quit in time for my tv show. LOOOOOONG day.
I need to go to bed now. Oh and Diva got to run around the farm all afternoon off leash so she`s tuckered out beside me haha she was in her glory with all her friends.
Two new girls also arrived tonight and will be starting work tomorrow.....yay my new staff. Always another adventure waits just around the corner.
Also on another note....(sorry I keep jumping topics here) last night I read an article I believe Christi on IH posted...it was all about life`s choice. And if happiness is a choice....choose it. You can wake up each day and choose to be in a good or bad mood. I am a strong believer of staying on the posotive side to life and I feel it makes a difference in not only my day but in everyone else. So go to bed tonight, reflect on the day and choose to wake up happy and enjoy tomorrow. Sweet dreams all TTFN

I finally feel "home"

2009-05-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well I was about to go to bed as it's 11 pm but I thought about the people I told that I'd be writing in my blog tonight and felt bad with the thought of them sitting at their computers clicking "refresh" until it appears. HAHA ok ok maybe I'm not THAT exciting but a girl can wish right hehehe.
I had the most wonderful day off today which I so badly needed. It started by convincing my body to sleep in past 6 o clock. I woke up at 6, 7:30, 8 and 9 but managed to stay in bed until about 10. Got up and wandered around the house, let Diva out to pee. Got my cleaned up and ready to go into town. Walked through the barn first and took a couple pictures since I don't normally have time to. One of the girls mentioned there was a meeting at 11 so I figured I better stick around for that. Sat down with Ian, Amy and Jonathan and went over a few topics we needed to cover to get ready for the next round of horse shows. I am meeting with Amy tomorrow as well to go over more of what I'll be doing while everyone else is gone. I hope I get the answers to my questions I've been going over.
Tried to put Diva in the apartment but with the people meeting below she wanted to make a fuss....so to not make a scene I brought her with me. I drove to the next town over, Smith Falls about 25 minutes away to go to good ol Walmart :) I spent WAY too much money today but I really needed to make the apartment feel more like home and more liveable. So I bought a 27 inch TV, a phone, an alarm clock, dish clothes, a really cute dog bed for Diva and a food dish, some toys, plates and cups for me, cheeta print gum boots for mucking stalls (he he he) I thought they were cute. And a few other little odds and sodds. I came home and dropped it all off. Got some people to help me wrangler it all up into the apartment. Brad took me over to get a table for the TV and I might go back to the shed tomorrow to get the matching coffee table since I know it'll fit. Then I went into Perth and went to a few little stores....already mentioned the things I bought......
The girls needed the car after work so I came back to the farm to trade off with them. I had wanted to spend more time walking around Perth and enjoying the nice sunny quiet day but that will have to wait until next time. Had too much to do to get settled this time around. Don't worry I will post some cute little pictures from around here once I get to them. Spent the whole evening re arranging my apartment, cleaning dishes and putting things where I want them to be.
Ahhhh for the first time I feel happy in my space. It's not done yet as I still havent finished all the cubbords or made it to my bedroom but it's a work in progress.
Now it's late so I'm going to take Diva out for the last time before I turn in. Sleep well everyone. Hug everyone who's close to you as you never realize how much you miss them until your miles away. I love you family! Sweet dreams.

One day at a time

2009-05-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Well I'm in a slightly better mood today. It's hard to stay grumpy when the sun is shining and you have a few minutes after work to just take it all in and breathe. Today was a Monday....which usually means quiet days as there are no riders so it's a day all about cleaning and the horses. Today 3 of the other grooms were off though so Nikki and I had to man the Student and Clinic barn ourselves.....which is 21 horses. As well as I was doing the 11 outside horses....craziness.
The farrier came today to do the foals outside. I was so pleased my work this week has paid off as they all stood and were pretty quiet. He told me a story of how when Silver was just a baby getting his feet done he drug 3 people down the whole length of the barn and into a stall full of stuff. So I was happy to see him stand like a champ in a big field with his 3 buddies around. This past week I have worked with them everyday putting hatlers on, picking up feet and grooming them. Giving myself a pat on the back for that one :)
But because I had to tend to that poor Nikki was stuck in the barn doing a ton of chores! 4 people to run all 3 barns today was not a fun task but we managed.
Got every bucket in the place cleaned and scrubbed, stalls look beautiful and the horses got put on the walker, turned out and groomed. Not a bad day at all.
I finally decided to take the time to get my apartment organised. I called Bell and ordered a home phone and satellite tv service....now tomorrow I have to go buy a phone and Tv hahaha. I hope I can sell it before I return to BC as that is something I do not want to pack and ship! I'm hoping then it'll start to feel more like home....yep I'm putting roots down in Ontario, thats a scary thought. Got my dog, (and soon to be) Tv and Phone....what more could a girl want :)
A massage....yep I could REALLY go for a massage. I have a strong pain between my shoulder blades and I wish I knew what was causing it. Everytime I do go to the doctor for an "ailment" they just tell me I'm working too hard and if I keep pushing it it will keep hurting. Well.....sorry....I'm a farm girl. I'm not about to slow down anytime soon. I am getting older (I know I know your rolling all your eyes at me because I'm ONLY 24) but I am already feeling it. Horseback riding and training young horses really has its bumps and scrapes. I have tendonitis in both wrists which the doc said could turn to arthritis in the one I broke when I got bucked off two summers ago, a back that gets tight and gives me migranes and all kinds of other weird things. STIFFNESS.....since when do I get stiff when I sit down haha. Ok I'll stop with the I'm so old and I hurt talk hehehehe. I can just picture my dad saying "better take care of yourself over there" "be careful" don't worry dad....I'll do my best :)
Thank god I have a day off tomorrow! This is one day off I feel like I have earned! Yes I just had a week to go home but that was by no means restful in any way, shape or form.....that was just work outside of work. Am I ever going to know when to stop? Don't think so....I get that from my Mother. She's supposed to be retired but I think I see her less now that she's "not working" then when she was haha. She always has some fantastic idea she's planning to work on next. You go mom! I miss you....
WOW time has flown by again....why does work usually go slow and then free time at night goes WAY too fast *sigh* It's time to go back to the barn for night check to tuck the ponies in for the night.
I'll get back to writing details soon for those enquiring minds. What kind of things do you want to know?
Talk soon.....TTFN

I'm in a hurry to get things done

2009-05-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so tired.....that about sums up the majority of what I feel like when I get home from work. Some of these girls are so gung ho to get out and go to town after work. Not me. I feel like I want to just be a hermit and snuggle up on the couch with my dog and fall asleep. After 10 or more hours a day of complete chaos and no breaks I really don't want to be around people. Is that normal? My head buzzes and everything hurts so laying still in total silence feels sooooo nice.
I feel like since I started this process 3 months ago I was so happy and so ready to get up and go. I don't know if it's just because I'm exhausted right now or what but I just don't want to be that happy at the moment. I have my days like everyone of course but this week has been wearing on me. I mean I still have my posotive outlook of where I am and the people, places, horses I'm being given acess to however.....I am on a very particular journey. I am here to learn. I didn't set out to just be a professional show groom.....I did that 6 years ago. I don't just want to train young horses.....I already know I can do that.....I want to learn and be a part of new techniques and ideas. I have a hunger inside of me to better myself and won't be satisfied until I can achieve that.
I have taken a step up since we've been home and I know as we go along things will continue to rise, I just question if it's in the right direction for me. I need to sit down and talk to Amy again. I just had a good talk with my mom and (again with the lessons I'm learning) here comes the "stand up for what you want and believe in" one again.
Ok going to stop myself there......I could rant on and on I'm sure.
More about the actual details of my day......
Started at 7 as usual....fed the clinic barn and headed out to feed the outside horses. The foals are sure growing on me. I work with them everyday putting the halter on, picking up feet and grooming them. Cute little suckers. Headed over to the girls and boys fields and fed them and checked waters. Drove back to the clinic barn to get the stalls done and horses turned out. The barn was a zoo today with lessons again so amounst the wheelbarrows and flying sawdust were riders and their horses trying to make their way to the arena. We are in full swing getting ready for the next show which is Palgrave. Well actually I think a few of them are leaving on Monday to go to Bolton but thats just a one or two day thing. Next week they all leave for a week for the Palgrave show....then they come home for a week and are off to Spruce!
I have been learning everything I'll need to know around here for when they are gone....maybe that's why my head is buzzing. It's just a little overwhelming at the moment.....which I knew it would be.
Does anyone know Simply SM? He's a huge dark bay that was standing at stud at Spruce Meadows back in 2003 when I worked there. Anyway he's one of my horses I'm grooming now.....I just love how small this world is sometimes. I have 4 fantastic horses in my barn.....Simply, Eurostar, No Mercy and Monte.
Got to learn more about the outside fencing today so I spent some time fixing ods and sods out there. Cleaned mountains of tack....leaving out tons of things but as I type my wrists are really starting to burn. My tendonitis has really flared up since we've been home from Florida. Maybe I should go dig out some more of the Tendonil cream and put it on myself.....maybe it'll feel better. I could wrap them like I do for the horses lol.
I have completly gone off track and so I think I'll leave you with that. I think everyone reading should sign up so you can reply to me. Not one reply in the last 3 or 4 letters.....haha just bugging you. But I do really really like to hear from you. I've been very lonely since I came back to Ontario with no TV and still no phone (I'm working on it) but in the meantime all I have is you....feeling guilty yet? Is it working? WRITE TO ME :) Miss you!

Start of a new routine.

2009-05-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

Things are slowy starting to settle back at Millarbrooke. My routine changed again....I'm getting very used to this haha.
Since I've been here I've been working in the student barn, except the odd day we'd switch it up and I'd be in the main barn. Now I am over in the clinic barn. It's really nice as it has all been reno'd. So I'm in charge of 4 horses in there as well as the outside horses.
My day goes like this....hay and grain the clinic barn, mix feed, load RTV and head out to the fields. Feed the 3 three year old mares, check electric fences, drive to next field and feed the 4 foals (weanlings and yearlings) and check fences, drive to the next field and feed the 3 old geldings, and lightening who's only 4 and check their fences. Each day I check their hay huts and get Willy to help me add more when needed. The fields get round bales so free choice hay.
If waters need filling then I take the other RTV out to fill them all. It's a great tool to have these RTV's !
Back to the barn to get stalls mucked out and horses groomed. I have two riders in there so I get their horses ready as they need them.
When I have time I head out to work with the foals. They haven't had much handling and the farrier comes Monday so I've been haltering them, brushing them, picking up their feet. They are getting better but its quite the task to work with one while 3 other curious ponies are taking the brushes out of my back pocket, tasting my hair or playing with each other and pushing them away. HAHA makes it more interesting I suppose. I really like the foals.
Amy and Jonathan have been working with the young ones that are under saddle. Then we are going to form a plan for who I'll be working and what my schedule will be when they leave for the horse show next week I believe. I can't WAIT to ride. I'm really excited about having my own string of horses to work each day. Anytime they work the young ones I`m suppose to watch if I have time so see what it is they are working on and to get to know them a little more. Mister is still my favorite :) Annie is a close second.
It certainly is more lively with all the students here everyday though. From 9 am until about 3 this place turns into a busy busy place. Almost resembles a horse show. Students come and ride their horses as well as watch other lessons and it's a whole group event. Alot of hard work and dedication goes in it each day.
Feed hay at 11:30 and sweep, clean tack, pick stalls, fill wateres, keep the rest of the barn clean. Horses get turned out and put on the walker.
Anytime I have a slow time I go help out the clinic barn but today I had enough things to keep me really busy.
In the afternoon all the horses get groomed and put away. Feed hay at 3:30 and sweep, head to the outsides fields and feed them, check fences. Wash buckets and mix feed for the next day. Feed grain to the barns and wash buckets.....I think that about sums it up. Today we did course build in the arena as it rained SO hard last night and the jumping field was really wet and there`s lessons going on tomorrow.
The schedule went up today and my next day off is wednesday. Maybe I`ll get to finally organise my apartment so I can feel settled haha. I was only here for a week after Florida, then I packed up and went home for the week now I need to unpack and feel like I live here.
Sleepy time again....goodnight.

Diva and I made it

2009-04-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

After a long day of travelling, Diva and I finally made it back to Millarbrooke Farm around 1:30 am this morning. Got settled and went to bed. Had to be up for 6 to work today....ugh,
I was excited to get back to the grind but still sad at the thoughts of leaving home again. As much as I love seeing everyone I'm starting to think it's easier to just be away.....I get so emotional leaving the place I grew up with all my friends and family behind. Since when did I turn into such a sap!
It's also hard this time because the trip home was about organising life so that I could commit to being here. In the past few months I've sold my truck, sold 5 horses, left my farm and moved almost completly across the country, basically completly closed my business at Secret Creek Stables. There's nothing left going on there besides a few boarders, now my horse trailer is for sale..... I feel like everything I own is soon going to be gone. I know it's only for the better to move onward and upward however there's a part of me really hanging onto what I have there. I guess that's just normal.
This is good, I feel good, I'm overwhelmed by where I am and who I worked for. In the big picture I soooooo happy but in the right now I'm still wondering if I can do this? Well those aren't the right words....I know I can do anything I put my mind to, and THIS I CAN do. I'm not afraid of change....I embrace it and am excited for it. I suppose I am allowed to have nerves....this is a big leap for me. Like I said....wish me luck!
Today rolled along rather well. Got back into the routine and can't wait for whats to come :)
Only a week and a half until the others leave for Palgrave...then it'll be quiet around here again.
Off to bed for tonight. Gotta catch up on some much needed sleep. TTFN

Onto the next chapter of my life....deep breath

2009-04-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in the Calgary airport with Diva on my lap typing to all of you out in cyberspace. Stayed up late last night to get everything packed and got up early this morning to make sure I had everything. Said goodbye to the farm again...not knowing when I'll be back again...I tried not to think about it as I'm turning into quite the cry baby as I get older lol.
Mom drove me to the Airport in Courtenay. Stopped off at Bridles and N Bits to get a new helmet. They have GPA's on clearance :) But I still want a Charles Owen. I'm riding with the big rigs now...gotta look the part haha.
Made it to the airport and said goodbye to my mom. I was a blubbering mess as my dog and I headed through the security gates.
Boarded the flight and it all went quite well.
Travelling with a dog is not the easiest thing in the world when they are right with you. Especially a little dog that only wants to be on you and not in a little crate. I sedated her for the flight and she slept well but now seems to be zonked right out in my lap. I still think I'll give her another pill in a few hours before our next 4 hour flight. That ones going to be the test!
I'm excited to get back but its so bitter sweet leaving the farm. Lots of changes happened while I'm home and I'm sure convinced that I can make almost anything happen if I have enough determination to. I'll touch more on that later.
I know you have all been wondering what I'm up to and will be happy to know I'm back on track with my blogging.
Computer needs a power source so I think I'm going to pack up and head to my gate.
For all you Islanders experiencing the beautiful weather.....it's snowing and cold here in Calgary at the moment....brrr.
Next stop....Ottawa Ontario. TTFN

Things are good

2009-04-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi All....I see my avid blog checkers all still looking in to see whats new. Well I have been home for 4 days now and my one week mark to be here feels like it's creeping up fast.
Theres lots of work to do around the farm and I am pressing to sell some of my horses. It's good to be home and see them all, family, friends ect.
My days are packed with apointment after apointment but it's a great way to get life in order because it forces you to get all the things you've been meaning to get done....done.
The weather is fantastic and I feel so great to be here for a short while.
Hope you are all enjoying your horses and this wonderful spring weather. Life is good <3

So excited for whats to come

2009-04-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

I had a great day today. Still slow but very enjoyable. I was working in the main barn...which is where I was when I was here back in February working with the people from Florida who I am familiar with. The routine is the same it's just a nicer set up ect.
All the horses got fed, cleaned, put on the walker and outside. Being back in the cold weather isn't as much fun with all the blanket changes. The horses are wearing either their sheets, stables rugs or both while they are inside depending on temperature. Then to go outside you take one or both blankets off, put a cooler back on and then a turnout blanket over top. Tails get brushed, hooves get picked and they get fron boots, bell boots and back boots. Because of the wind today some of the horses were fresh and wanting to run around. As soon as that happens they have to come back inside. I was reflecting today about how funny it would be if people had the same fight or flight instinct horses do. I mean we do in some way, but when we are excited or scared I don't just run around and snort....I think that would be hilarious though...haha..can you immagine!
Amy came in to ride Picco and then we sat down for our meeting. It was so great to finally get the facts and not be up in the air as to what is happening.
I am going to be the new at home barn manager and trainer for the young horses :) I will also get to ride some of the schooled ones that don't go away to the shows to keep them fit. I'm really excited about that. Amy said in the next two weeks we will start riding the young ones and see where they are in the training and form a plan from there as to how many I'll be working ect. They are between 3 and 6 year olds....some have 30 days others have a little bit more time on them.
So....the current managers are leaving which means what I am about to take on is HUGE! I am it...I will be running Millarbrooke Farm (with the Millars help of course)
They are here to help me and there's still lots to learn but its going to be a process. I will have other staff at home to help me which made me feel better to know that. We are in a transition time with lots happening and I am very excited for whats to come. I feel this is just going to open so many doors for me and look so good to have on my resume. I also already have so many ideas for things to add on to around here to make what they already have even better.
I am leaving tomorrow to come home for a week and when I return I`ll be ready to take on my new task at hand.
I'm told I will be having lessons as well to make sure I`m on track with the young horses. I am responsible for feeding and taking care of the 10 outside horses as well as how ever many will be left on the farm when they go to shows. Over the winter there was 12 in the barn and the 10 outside.
They leave again in two weeks....so I have alot to learn and fast! They are going to Palgrave then come back home for a week and then are off to Spruce Meadows for 5 weeks. WOW talk about things happening fast.
I`m forgetting a million little details but I should really make some dinner, do laundry and pack....I have to be up around 4 am and leave here at 4:40 in order to get to the airport which is in hour away before my flight.....ick...early morning! So I am going to bed soon hahaha.
I will still have access to the internet at home so feel free to comment or email me secretcreekstables@gmail.com
Take care and chat soon!!!!
I'll be back on the Island in a matter of hours now :D !!!!!!!!!!

2 more sleeps....

2009-04-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today was even slower then the rest haha. I'm rested and ready to go back to insanely hard work in Florida now! Days go soooo much faster when you have things to do.
I know this is only temporary as the horses are on a bit of a rest period too. But we had NO RIDERS today....none. Amy and Jonathan were away at a clinic. Ian is still in Vegas and returns home tomorrow. He ended up in 14th place at the World Cup Finals.
So today was a quiet one. Got everyone fed, groomed, turned out and on the walker and that was about the extent of my day. Cleaned and organised every piece of tack, equipment, anything I could find to organise....I organised haha.
Finished the day at 4. Came home and had a good chat with my mom. I am meeting with Amy tomorrow to discuss my duties and future status here at Millarbrooke farm. I am also going to ask if Diva can come back with me :) So I spent my evening thinking up questions I need to know as well as things I'd like to see happen around here. I feel ready for our meeting now.
Went back to the barn at 7:20 to help Jonathan put Aubie away again. It's nice to have some time to chat when we aren't running around like crazy.
Now I am making myself some roast beef and green beans for dinner....yummmm

Ohhhhh....and.....only two more sleeps!!!! And one more day of work until I'm home <3

Slow and Steady

2009-04-18T16:52:00.001-07:00

Can't believe I forgot to write about the BEST part of yesterday! I got to drive Ian's beautiful insanely expensive Mercedes into town to get cleaned and then back again. What a hot little car to drive! I was excited they asked me to as that car is his pride and joy. I drove very carefully and responsibly however the power in that gas peddle was incredible. So fun!

Today was back to being slow as molasses in January. The weather went from sunny to rainy and cold brrrrr. But over all it was a much better day. I put my talent of talking and problem solving to good use today and tried to confront "the issue" that is going on. I feel much better that we were able to talk about it. Still won't fix it entirely but at least the story becomes more clear.
Amy and Jonathan were both away at clinics today so we only had one rider. Ian is in Las Vegas still at the World Cup with In Style. They get home in a few days and then things will start getting busy around here again.
Only two more days of work til I come home. I am SOOOOO excited.
I am having a meeting with Amy before I leave to discuss my position here just to become more clear on what is expected. I also haven't asked if my dog Diva can come back with me. I am REALLY hoping they'll say yes. Some of the other grooms say theres a no dog policy as there are already too many here between Ian, Amy's and Jonathan's dog.....however if I'm staying home while they go to shows I really want her here. Besides, she's smaller than a cat...she really is more like a cat than a dog anyway. It wasn't such a big deal before when I was a travelling show groom but now things are changing. I miss my puppy!
Worked from 7 until 4 today. Then I had to go back at 6ish to help Jonathan put Aubie away after his clinic. Unloaded him off the trailer, gave him a brush and washed his legs. Cleaned his tack and loaded it back up as he's doing the same thing tomorrow. Left the barn again by 7:30....and I'm going back again at 8:30 for night check haha. Oh well....not like I can go very far from my apartment anyway. Oh I just realized I havent uploaded pics of the new place.....better clean up before I take pictures though haha. Still havent really unpacked and organised. I better go make dinner before heading back to the barn. Goodnight

Getting excited to come home

2009-04-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Today was busier...which is good as it makes the days go by faster. Workin conditons here are still difficult...but luckily it won't last. I'm being fairly vague about it because I never know who is reading and I'm not about to put out too many details or things I shouldn't. All I will say is this work enviornment is only temporary and soon all the bad feelings will be gone.
Millarbrooke is a beautiful farm and our surroundings are just gorgeous. With the weather being warmer now I might actually venture out for a walk after work and see more of it....that is if I can find the energy after work. I am still tired from Florida and I am working straight through so that I can have my week off to go home next week. It's definatly taking it's toll though...my body is tired and looking forward to a break. not that coming home will really be a break because I'll still have 11 horses to feed, clean and take care of. But at least I'll have a little bit of help...hopefully....(family? any volunteers?) I want to sleep in for at least ONE day while I'm home haha. Home will still be home and it'll feel so great to be there. I need that right now.
Only 3 more work days til I fly out first thing Tuesday morning :) I am flying from Ottawa, layover in Calgary then arriving in Comox by 11ish. I have a few meetings between there and home but I'll be on the Island YAY.
I should get to bed....I'm trying to sleep as much as humanly possible to make it through the next few days.
Goodnight

Change is good....right?

2009-04-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

I made it safely back to the farm in Perth. Yesterday was the first day back. Work was....well...more character building haha. Lets just say there are alot of changes going on and some people are not happy about it....and I'm sort of in the middle of it all. I am not "causing" the issues however I suppose my talents are being seen and asked to stay/move up while others are not.... I also found out today one of the other grooms has decided to leave and go home. He will be missed as he does a fantastic job. He just misses home and wants to go back to school, so we understand. Anyone else want to come be a show groom?
All my life I have had the same little lesson to deal with....not to let what other people say bother me. I have a hard time with that because I care about people and I like to make everyone happy. I know (especially in this industry) that you can't please everyone, all the time, and there will be people who don't like you. I'm still getting used to that idea.
In moving up this professional ladder I am learning so much more about myself and what I need to become and get better at. Already since I've been here I've had to stand up and ask for the things I want. I need to have an opinion and a voice....and know how/when to use it. I need to have a backbone and stand up to the people who try to undermine me. I'm getting better at this but of course there is always room for improvement.
Today went better. But not by THAT much. I have to go and do nightcheck tonight at 8:30 pm.
Only 5 more days until I get to come home for a week....YAY I am so excited to see everyone! And the island.....the weather in perth has been good however its way more dry then humid Florida so my skin is screaming. I am ladeling the cream on and its just not working fast enough. My hands are already cracked and hurt. Must by more intense hand cream!
Oh I am getting distracted now trying to talk to my mom on Skype...TTFN!

40 miles to Canada....

2009-04-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning at 5 am. Finished packing and said goodbye to the Florida house. The barn looked so empty with everything loaded onto the truck. Fed the horses and put two loads on the walker to stretch their legs before the long haul home.
We had to go load up a clients horses at 7:30 and then come back to load ours. We were loaded and pulled out the driveway by 9 am. Goodbye dream barn….it’s been swell.
Sandra and I climbed aboard the big rig. It was her and I, the two drivers Lyle and Andrew with 10 horses in tow and we hit the high road.
What a bouncy ride these things are in the cab….apparently the horses travel better then we do. I`m getting used to that….the horses always get better then I do haha it`s something I will always live with.
It`s quite roomy in here with two beds and the two front seats. I laid in the top bunk and slept off and on for the first 5 hours. I think Jacksonville is the only place I really remember being awake for lol. We stopped once to use the “facilities” and then didn’t stop until 5 and a half hours in to feed and water the horses, re fuel the truck and feed ourselves an early dinner. The time is now 4 o clock and we just pulled back onto the road in Georgia. I bought a cute shirt that says “Silly boys trucks are for girls” haha its so me…and I have to say I LOVE the South!
We haven’t gotten that far away from paradise and yet the sky has clouded over and it looks like we are in for a wet night. Glad I’m not the one driving. I’m having fun in this big rig J
Read the first chapter of my books and broke open the goodies I brought to munch on. Think I`m going to hunker down for another nap….yep this is a hard way to travel haha. I`ll write again in another few hours I`m sure….TTFN
Didn’t turn on my computer again until 27 hours into the trip. I have done a lot of sleeping which is good and bad at the same time. Sandra and I are used to working hard everyday and all this lazing around in a big rig has us so stiff and sore. I’ll have to ask the guys what states we have all driven though now. Last night we took shifts for who got to sleep in the bed and who sat in the front seat while the drivers rotated as well. I listened to country and thought about home. I have an awful lot of time to think about a lot of things….
Fell asleep again around 4 am and didn’t wake up until 6:30 am Tuesday morning. We stopped to feed and water the horses and let ourselves visit the little girls room. We are defiantly in cooler weather now so we put the sheets on the horses. They are all clipped up for show and used to Florida weather like we are. We drove through some crazy thunderstorms and lightening last night. Scary stuff….glad I was just the passenger and not the driver. The first truck stop this morning had no water and had an issue with fuel so we went a mile and a half down the road to a quaint little place to refuel and water the horses. It had a really good restaurant with a down home feel. Everyone knew everyone and was so nice. I’ve said it before but I LOVE the south.
There were lots of miles in between there that I’m leaving out but it was the middle of the night so nothing too exciting happened.
We are currently sitting at the boarder waiting for the scary boarder men to come look in our trailer. We have 8 Canadian horses returning but also one of the clients horses that was bought down in the US so they are dealing with the broker ect. FUN FUN. We need to water these guys again and theres no water here so we are hoping they hurry it up.
I think we only have like another 2 or so hours to go until we are back in Perth. Home sweet Home. Will write again tonight…..

Goodbye Paradise

2009-04-12T18:36:00.001-07:00

Today was our last full work day in Florida. Groomed the horses and put them on the walker twice, out in the paddocks and hand grazed the ones that don't go out. It was bloody hot today....last load home, packing day was much cooler. Luckily the drivers were around to help and did the majority of heavy lifting for us...yay men.
By about 12 both trucks, trailers, the black dodge and every vehicle we have was fully loaded and ready. The barn looks empty and Grand Prix Village looks like a ghost town. It's amazing that this incredible place sits empty pretty much from now until next winter as it just gets too hot here to function. Oh to have that kind of money and those kinds of choices.
We'll be leaving without In Style tomorrow as he is flying onto Las Vegas for the World Cup. Good Luck Stevie!
We said goodbye to the other grooms and to a few of the clients from here who we've met. I even got a little gift from the woman who bought G Force....he's doing awesome by the way <3>
Left work by 4:30 and went to Walmart to grab a few things for the long trip home. Sandra and I are travelling with the horses in the big rig (the big blue one you all saw pictures of) There are two drivers who switch on and off and we get to sit in the back and sleep....for 30 hours....no stopping. Oh man! Should be quite the trip.
But we actually went out for dinner after with the drivers tonight and they told us they do try to stop every 5 hours or so, so I was glad to hear that. I still think it'll make for quite the roadtrip.
We are heading to the barn at 5:45 tomorrow. Feeding the horses and getting them on the walker to loosen them up before their long drive and we plan to load by 8:30 and on the road by 9. So next time you hear from me I will be back at Millarbrooke Farm in Perth Ontario. Great white north HERE I COME!
I wanna make a snow angel haha.
Ok must get back to packing. I'd be worried about being tired but I get to sleep for the next day and a half so I don't really care about being up late tonight hehehe.
TTFN Goodbye Paradise....I will be back sometime.
Oh and please write your comments when you feel the need to....I enjoy hearing a response so I'm not just talking to myself lol (mom that means laughing out loud...she's new to computer talk....oh and dad too since he has now embraced the world of computers) Love you miss you....see you in 9 days!!!

So excited!!!

2009-04-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

I'M COMING HOME !!!!! April 21st to the 28th....one whole week. It won't be like real days off though as while I'm home I have to run my farm so my barn manager can have a break haha. Oh well...It's not like I'm used to having it easy anyway...maybe if I can just sleep in ONE day :) That will make me happy. See some of you in 11 days :) *insert extreme happy dance*

Down the last stretch

2009-04-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Today was slow going. Things are really starting to wind down now and both of my horses had today off and Assini went home in the first load. Ian and Jonathan are the only ones left riding here. Amy headed home today and so did more of the other riders.
Tomorrow is the LAST show day here at the Wellington Festival for us. Ian and Jonathan are riding in the $25 000 Grand Prix. So with 4 grooms and 7 horses our days take forever to go by. At first we thought this slow time would be a nice break for us, but when you are so used to working so fast day in and day out....when it's slow like this you get lazy and want to sit and sleep.
Only two more work days and then Monday we start the long 30 or so hour drive back home....I'm kind of excited for the roadtrip but I can't say the others feel my same enthusiasm haha. At least we have horses showing tomorrow and then Sunday will be packing day so we should have more to do then today.
The weather has been beautiful as always. It's been a nice livable temperature...cool mornings (which I LOVE) and then it gets hot for the afternoon.
There's talk that I MIGHT possibly get to come home for a one week visit. I'm waiting to hear back from Amy tonight. What a big pain in the arse I am though....she asked us yesterday if we wanted a week off all at once or just a day or two here and there. I said it didn't really matter much to me but I thought I'd have some time to at least think about it. Well they are so on top of things that by today the schedule had been made so when I went to ask if I could go home it didn't look promising. I gave Amy a call tonight though to explain my thoughts and why I felt it would work better. She's currently en route of the long drive from Florida to Perth so she said she'll call me back later tonight once she stops driving and has time to look at the dates ect.
So fingers crossed! If so I'll be coming home from April 21st to 28th.....please please please universe. I would love to see my family, friends and farm. Especially since I don't know when the next opportunity will be when I could get the chance to have a whole week off.
I'm on night check tonight so I should probablly go make some dinner and get organised to head back to the barn at 8 pm. I will update as soon as I have an answer about home :)
TTFN

PICTURES

2009-04-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

I posted more pictures on Island Horses for you all to see http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33867

I am high on life

2009-04-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

I am just smiling ear to ear today. So many things happening, so many dreams coming true and so many becoming even bigger. Even a few months ago if you told me I was going to be here doing this I would have never believed you. I am exactly where I need to be for right now. I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and those who dream big and work even harder to get there...will get there. Nothing can stop me and I am on a mission.
Two grooms and 10 horses left today. Started at 6 am, put all the horses on the walker and hand walked the rest before their long trailer ride home. Groomed them all up nice and loaded them onto the truck. Its so neat how those big rigs load. (again I need to upload the pics I took)
With 4 grooms and only 7 horses left in the barn out day felt empty. We actually had time to WATCH the show today :) My two horses showed first thing this morning so by 10 o clock my horses were done. We got the barn cleaned and our other chores done. So by 1 o clock we got to watch the $10 000 stake class that Ian and Jonathan were riding in. Our horses did well today coming 4th and 6th out of 30 or so riders. (again I got good pictures of them jumping since we were outside in the sunshine) I almost felt guilty for just sitting and enjoying it....and getting paid for it. But really...we never sit so it was a well deserved break. By 2 we headed back to the barn to get the show horses cleaned, wrapped and put away for the night. We were done and off work by 4....that has never happened once since we've been here :)
Tonight the 4 of us went out for dinner to a Thai restaurant...mmm it was yummy. Went shopping to pick up a few things and am now happily at home and almost ready for bed. I am dog tired this evening after waking up at 5....blek! Had a great talk to my sister who I miss SOOOOOOOOOOOO much. I am so proud of her and everything she is working towards. I'd like to think she's taught me a few things about a thing or two haha.
Ok...time to shower and sleepy down time.
T minus 5 days until returning to the great white north....TTFN!

Packed and ready to roll....load # 1

2009-04-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

Started at 7. Mercy and Aubie were showing today so I got them ready to be lunged and ridden then headed to the show grounds. Kaila was able to help me take one so it worked out well. It was actually (dare I say it) COLD out this morning. The wind was blowing and everyone was whining how freezing it was....haha just wait til we get back to Candada. Me being the hot blooded one was loving the coolness of the day and actualy felt human instead of a big ball of sweaty grossness. As I sit here and write I do actually have a sweatshirt on for the first time I think since I've been here.
In between getting horses ready we were busy cleaning and packing up the barn. The first load of 10 horses leave tomorrow and we had to pack as many of the trucks and stuff on this load as possible. With 10 going home we are going to be left with only 8 horses for this last week. Only 6 days now until I head home.
Had a great talk with Ian and Lori today about what I'll be doing at the farm and which apartment I'll be in ect. I'll wait until I get there to actually comment on what my position is. I am very excited about it and I am definatly moving up in the world. It's going to be alot of responsibility but I feel like I'm up for the challenge. Wish me luck :) Goodnight Ya'll....Oh I should upload pictures...I've been trying to take lots the last few days.

Just another Monday morning

2009-04-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Well I have lucked out this week. Monday has rolled around again and I got it off YAY. It also happens to be THE last day off while we are here as next Monday I am heading back to Ontario.
So just to recap I had Saturday off....worked Sunday and now have Monday off :)
Sunday was organised chaos. It was the last $25 000 Grand Prix of the season and Assini was showing in it. I got Mercy ready for patrick to ride in the am, then got Cuervo Gold...some of you might know him he was one of Margie Goldstein or Ingle or...whatever her name is now, old horse. Kaila had all 3 of her horses showing so we all helped where we could. I took him up to the grounds where I met here and switched horses to bring Jose back. It all took longer then planned though so I was late getting back to the grounds to get Assini ready. I ran back to the barn with Jose where Lori met me so she could drive me in the golf cart....thank goodness because it was like 90 degrees out!
Got up to the grounds with a few minutes to spare. The other girls thankfully got her braided and ready for me so all I had to do was put her bridle, boots, hoof oil on and go.
All 5 grooms were busy with taking horses to the grounds and poor Niclas was stuck back at the farm all alone.
The day ended well.
So today....I am just sitting outside tanning and relaxing. It's a blistering 95 degrees out but not all that sunny...it comes and goes with wind and clouds...kind of odd weather.
I might update again later...time for a glass of orange juice and back to tanning :)
TTFN

Day off again

2009-04-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

I had a day off today....I was supposed to have one on Wednesday but my horses were showing so it wasn't possible. I am supposed to have Monday off but I'm not sure if I'll still get still or not? If i do we are going to the waterslides :) YAY
I spent my day tanning for the morning until the sun went away. Then I just relaxed in the house and watched TV. Once the others got home from work we went to the grocery store. After that I decided I wanteds to make the trek to TJ Maxx....I LOVE that store. I had never been before so I pulled directions off of Mapquest. Driving on 8 or more lane highways in a big truck is imtimidating when you are by yourself and have no idea of the area haha. Had to stop and ask where I was going once but then I found it and boy did I shop. Again...I adore that store. Had to have the truck home by 8 so the others could go to nightcheck.
Two of our grooms leave on Wednesday with the first load of 10 horses. The rest of us leave the following Monday, 5 days later.
It`s getting bittersweet thinking about leaving. I will miss the sunshine on my days off but not on that days I have to work in it. I know once I live in the cold I will want the sunshine back again...
Assini is showing tomorrow so we are starting at 6:30 so she can flat her before the class at 12.
I better get to bed. I just love seeing how many people are reading and where you all are from :) Very neat. Thanks for reading!
Shawna

Good ol Thursday

2009-04-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday....started at 7....I LOVE when we start at 7....we get to sleep until 6 and don't have to leave the house until 6:45....it almost feels like sleeping in hahahahahahaahahaha.
This morning was a typical morning, no one was in a rush because the classes didn't start until 12 pm. Put my horses on the electro blanket, on the walker and got them turned out.
Mercy and Assini were showing in back to back classes so Niclas had to take Mercy to the grounds for me.
My rider flatted Aubie and Assini during the morning. I got Assini cleaned and ready again for the 1 o clock class. I walked all the way up to the show grounds....takes 15-20 minutes and JUST as I was almost to the International ring I heard Lori hollar at me from her scooter zooming up behind me. Turns out they changed the time of the class to two o clock....ugh. So now being 1:00, I turned around and headed back to the barn. Took off her sheet, boots and bridle and tied her in her stall for 20 mintues. Got her out and ready and headed BACK to the ring to be there by 1:45 haha. It wouldnt have been so bad if it wasnt killer hot out today. I believe is was 93 degrees....thats like 34 celcius....it was gross. The heat doesnt stop...each day we say its so hot and then the next day is even hotter...please stop.
Assini was AWESOME in the class and only had one rail down. It was a BIG 1.45 course. I was proud of her. Ian won the class on Leroy. Today was a good day.
I took a few pictures but I want to take some more before I upload and resize them all. Got a nice pic of my sock tan hahahaha. TTFN.
PS....I am loving my new tool that shows where people log into my blog from. I had NO IDEA so many people from all over the place were reading. Hi All!!! Thank you for following my story

April Fools Day

2009-04-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Just realized it's April fools day haha. Shows you how busy I am....I usually have no idea what day it is.
Woke up at 5:30....looked at the "the book" when I got up and noticed the time had changed....could have slept another 20 min...ugh. "The Book" is where we write messages to other people in the house and where the time we start work in the morning is always written down. Lately it keeps magically changing once we have all gone to bed which makes for a not so happy morning for most....
Yesterday morning I got told I could take today off so I was happy about that...however by the end of the day they realized I had a horse showing today so was no longer allowed to take the day off. This is the first time I've had to work a full two weeks without having a day off though so I'm not complaining.
It is still grossly hot and continues to get hotter each day....I am SO ready to go home (home being the farm in Perth Ontario). Apparently we are going to have a meeting soon to talk about who's going when and with which load, vehicles ect. I REALLY want to be on the first load that leaves in 7 days now :) Fingers crossed.
I have two horses showing tomorrow so that should be fun in this heat. All the riders and horses have sure noticed the difference in temperature.
Well on that note I am going to have a shower....I had to clip Aubie today and with the humidity I think the majority of his hair stuck to me....itchy!
Hope everyone is having a GREAT day. TTFN

Another life lesson mood....

2009-03-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Well I'm in another one of those "life's little lesson" moods.
Good people attract good things and happy people bring light into other peoples lives. How the heck do negative people get ANYWHERE in life? No one has any given right to be rude for the sake of being rude or nasty to anyone for any reason.
I try to see the good in people and stay very posotive for the most part. I am only human and I too have my days however ,I think these people really need the mirror turned back at them to look at themselves. How can you carry on day after day being in a bad mood. Does that not attract bad feelings where ever you go?
Anyway....end of rant....whew....feel better now that I got that out.
Ahem...so today was a fairly good day. It was a Monday...which is supposed to be an easy laid back day. We start at 7....feed, clean stalls, put every horse on the walker and outside in the paddock. Don't forget the "boot routine"!
We also had 4 horses that needed to be hand walked for 15 mins each time, three times a day. So between the 3 of us working we did alot of walking today. And it was another HOT one. Thank goodness I wore a tank top like shirt today. I have been very respectivly dressed for work since the day I started and I don't wear tank tops like many of the girls do (I dont feel it looks professional) anyway since today no one else was there and its laid back and bloody hot....I wore my tank top :) haha
We had everyone on the walker and turned out before lunch so we got to go to Ihop again for lunch....mmmm
The afternoon was nice and easy. More hand walking, pick stalls, fill waters, clean outside paddocks, pick and rake the walker, feed, sweep and done for the day. We were done just after 5 and got home at a fairly decent hour. We are SUPPOSED to work 7-4 but I think that has happened once since I've been here and I think it was closer to 4:30 hahaha. I understand though...we work with horses and horse people...things never go according to plan.
Onto another week....this could very well be my last week in Florida. The first load goes home on the 8th and the second load leaves on the 13th. I have no idea which load I'm in yet. I hope I'm in the first....then I'd leave in 9 days and get back to my new position at the farm....in the COLD weather. I'm so excited for cold weather haha. Think I'm backwards.
Anyway....writing is such a great way to clear my head before bed so I can actually get some sleep. It's neat to think about how many people might read this. All the well wishes and comments sure make my day and make being away from home easier.
Thanx ya'll....Over and out. TTFN

Today was a GREAT day :)

2009-03-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

It has been hot lately and it's only supposed to get hotter! Walked out the door of our nicely air conditioned house this morning to an already hot 6:30 am....yuck. I HATE being sticky from the first moment of the day to the last....it's gross. I love the sun and warm weather however that statement comes from lazying on the beach and soaking up the rays in between dunks in the pool or lake/ocean. Having to WORK and I mean actually work your butt off in mid to high 80 degree weather is NOT cool. After we were done sweating away to get the barn fed and cleaned, the riders started to appear. Lori and Amy were in the office when they came out and asked for me. I thought uh oh what did I do? That feeling lingered around a little longer as while I was standing there waiting to hear the news one of the other barn guys was going on and on about his story. Finally Amy said we are going to have a meeting....so he appologised and left haha.
Turns out Beth called the Millars to talk more about me and what I was wanting to do. I am SO glad I have been upfront all along about who I have talked to and what my intentions were otherwise that could have not gone over so well.
(Now that I think about it I still don't know what it was exactly that they talked about however I got the feeling it was all posotive about me)
Still standing there thinking I was in trouble I was nervous as to where this was going. Finally they said they really don't want to lose me and was wondering why I wanted to continue talking to Beth about a job position. I explained that as much as I enjoy it there I really want to ride and train, learn all I can as a rider to further my skills and not just be a groom like I was 6 years ago. I also mentioned that Beth's salary started alot higher and the money appeals to me because I still have a farm to run at home and bills to pay.
Well guess what......they offered me to train the young horses for Millarbrooke :) !!!! They said "PERFECT we would love it if you'd work with the young ones" I assume I'll be working with Mandy and Christian once I get home riding and working with the young horses and some of the schooled ones if they need me to ride them. Lori also said I'll be getting lessons as they want to make sure I'm going along with their program and the horses are progressing as they should. How cool is that!!!! EEEEKKKKK I am grinning ear to ear but all day I have kept quiet as I feel it's the professional thing to do....I don't want to rub it in any one elses faces as they all want to ride too.
I have no idea if I'll still get to go to shows as a groom or if I'm just going to be a "rider" for the Millars. I can't wait to talk to them further and find out exactly what I'll be doing. And even better yet, I can't wait to get home in 2 weeks and get started on my new "position"
So what do you think about that....talk about everything happens for a reason. I have been activly searching out different options as to what to do and where to go as my next move. But I am happy as heck here and if they are willing to up my pay and let me do exactly what I want AND teach me....what more could I honestly ask for.
Oh the other scary thing that happened to me....I was getting a horse ready in the middle of the isle when Ian walked by and stopped....(thats NEVER a good sign haha) He looked at me and said "I hear you've been talking to Beth Underhill about a job" (nervous feeling came over me again...I'm really not good when put in the direct line of fire lol.... I said "yes I spoke to beth before I came to Millarbrooke and then met up with her here in Florida and agreed to speak with her further about the position at the end of March." He said "ok but recently...you've been talking to her about the job..." I said "Yes I have however I just had a meeting with Lori and Amy about it" He said" AANNNNDDD what are you going to do" Talk about having no time to think about it or even consider my options (luckily I was really happy about it and knew the answer as to what I'm going to do already. I said confidently...."I'm going to stay :) " He said "Well good, appreciate that" and started to walk out of the barn. I said as he was leaving "thank you very much for the opportunity to be here Ian"
I felt good about how that went.....
Ahhhh now I'm home and get to tell my mom who won't answer her phone....or my sister....or my barn manager...so I just HAD to write it here for you to see. But Shhhh I don't want to wreck a good thing before it's started so I'm just going to stay quiet about it until I get back to the farm and everyone just sees how it goes down.
I AM SOOOOO EXCITED.....here's the the bigger and better!!

What's next...

2009-03-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

My appologies....I have been lacking in my blog writing. I've had a tough week again....We have been so busy and working even longer days. My horses have been showing everyday and life is so much fun but very tiring.
Yesterday I was finally so exhausted I went to bed by 7:45 pm and I slept for 10 hours. I was still tired. This is not an easy lifestyle. I often remind myself that I am hear by choice....not that I have to be. The good outweighs the bad and I look to the tough days as character building. I've been doing an awful lot of character building lately. I'm amazed at the fact that you truely find yourself when your surrounded by people you don't know and have no choice but to look at your own actions. Why you feel the way you do, why you act the way you act. I am a strong person and every day I grow stronger even if I don't feel that way at the time.
I am so passionate about what I do....like so many of you reading this are. Us horse people are a special breed. Every day I look around at the people who live this as their everyday lives. How dedicated both the people involved, their spouses, their families have to be in order to make it this big. It's not just a passion for them it's who they are and who they strive to be.
Ian, Amy and Jonathan are wonderful riders and wonderful people who work incredibly hard for what they have. I am thankful to them for having me be apart of this hard working, dedicated team because without this team they too wouldn't be able to live life this way. So much time, effort and money go into this lifestlye it's downright insane. I wouldn't change it for any other way.
I know I'm not the first, nor the last to ask myself why am I putting myself through this day after day? For the love of the horse of course.....
Oneday I too will be great and if I fail (because lets face it, you can't please everyone) I will know that I put my heart and soul into being the best I can be and will continue to until the day I decide I'm done.
My adventure is far from over and I know these are powerful words. My body asks why, my mind asks why but my heart asks...whats next.
There's your thought for tonight. Goodnight (BIG BIG hugs)

I feel like a new woman haha....day off

2009-03-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

These past few days have been very very busy. With 2 horses showing each day I got to see the world my other coworkers have been living. I was usually in such a rush between the two horses and different classes I'd have to get one ready and walk to the show grounds where I was met by another groom who took him while I rode the bike back to the farm to get my next one ready and to the grounds. Pure craziness but alot of fun.
We have had a few days of cooler weather and rain. Florida is so not built for it...everything floods. Everyone thinks I'm nuts because I'm not cold. I was like HA I come from a rainy town....this is nothing!
It`s getting bitter sweet knowing we are not here for much longer. We keep that in mind now when we go grocery shopping as we won`t be able to finish everything.
We have been talking about housing when we get back to the farm. I think I get a different apartment then I was in before. The one I get now has a fun loft where the bed is so you have to climb a ladder to get into bed. I think thats kind of neat :)
I had a day off today. Apparently I was tired. I stayed up late last night talking to people online and I stayed in bed until 1 pm today haha. By 4 pm I was still in my pjs. When my roomies got home I decided it was time to get dressed and go pick up a few things from town.
Thats about up to date now....how is the Island life? I sure miss it there!
Shawna

Singing in the Rain

2009-03-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

We woke up this morning to a monsoon of rain. Luckily it didn't last too long but it rained off and on all day. The show went well and I got to take two of my horses for the first time to the "real" show grounds so it was fun. I had a bit of frusteration today as I haven't been here all THAT long as I haven't really been told or shown how the shows work because up until now I've only had the off day of showing. Of course I know enough about it all to figure it out however with my horses changing all the time and having Assini for only 3 days I didn't know which was her show tack, where the show sheets are ect. Everyone was away at the grounds with at least two horses today so I was usually left to fend for myself. It all went ok but in the moment I was stressing about not knowing and not being told or shown. On the flip side I'm glad at the thought of them leaving it up to me which means they feel I'm capable of doing so it's just such a fine line to toy with and I don't want to be wrong.
But I made it through the day, my horses looked beautiful and did well so it's all a learning process right?
I am enjyoing where I am very much but I question if being a "show groom" is going to teach me the things I want to learn. I will of course move around to different positions to see what else I might like to try but in the meantime this works and I'm in an amazing place with world class riders and horses :)
It's been a week full of thinking for me.....thats for sure. I am hoping to hear back from Beth soon since we are now nearing the end of March and the Ocala circut ends in 4 days. I know she's busy though so I don't expect to hear back from her until she returns back home to Ontario.
As far as I know we are here until the first two weeks of April....but it changes all the time so who really knows. Time is sure flying though.....can't believe I've been off the Island and away from home for 2 months already!
I miss everyone and everything about the Island so much. I'm hoping I'll (get over it is the wrong word) but you know what I mean, soon.
Goodnight Ya'll!

Happy St Patricks Day

2009-03-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

Today I got to work at 6:30 am, looked at the board which is what controls the layout of the day. I was grooming my 3 horses for Ian, Amy and Jonathan today....talk about a little nerve wracking!
I was told G Force is sold but for the mean time I had 4 horses....3 of which are greys....UGH !
So we cleaned stalls and course building was at 8 am. By about 8:25 I was told Ian needed Assini by 8:45....talk about RUSH. Now I have to tell you this horse LOVES to be dirty. Every morning she's as green as can be and usually needs a bath before riding. Well staying in the spirit of St Paddy's day she went overboard this time. So I had to beg and plead another groom to help me as there was no way I could get her shiny, white and ready for Ian....Oh MAN!
Well with the help of my fellow grooms I had her as white as possible, tacked up and ready waiting when Ian arrived, thank god! I would not have wanted to be on the end of that lead rope if I wasn't, especially for the first time grooming a horse for Ian.
As soon as I had Assini taken care of Amy came into the barn and said she was ready for G Force. Ok ran around like a chicken with my head cut off and managed to get him ready and out of the barn on time. By that time Ian came back on Assini so I untacked her and put her away. Soon after that Sofie came in and wanted to lunge Aubie before she rides him. Got him tacked up, set up for lunging and off they went. Then in came G. it went like this all day....just as I sent one out, the other came back. This went on until 12 o clock and Jonathan got on Mercy. WHEW sigh of relief....all four horses are out and 3 are back and put away. Then Sophie came back and wanted to ride Monte....who used to be my horse but isn't anymore. Nicolas was busy with Dryden the stallion and Ian so I offered to help get him ready. Horse number 5.
Cleaned all my tack that had been waiting for me, organised my tack boxes as they got a bit messy in the chaos. Then I took Assini out for a bath. The colors that came out of that horse even though she appeared clean were gross....and she gets bathed every other day! I scrubbed her really good as she shows tomorrow....not that she will still be clean in the AM....
Then I was told to bath G Force as he was leaving in the afternoon. So I got him all cleaned up and clipped up. He looked so handsome. Just as I was helping him get ready to leave Ian came into the barn saying I need Auto Be Aubie....who's horse is he. I said "He's mine" and Ian said there's someone here to see him we need him right away.
I'm so glad I had groomed him after his ride in the morning and rolls in the paddock so it wasn't too hard. Got him tacked him in show gear and sent him out of the barn. It was 4 pm by this time....
I said good Bye to G, got Aubie ready and off to his trial ride, he came back and I put him away, cleaned his tack, fed the horses, swept the barn, helped Julie with her barn (which has Amy's horses in it) and by 5ish we were done.
I am excited for tomorrow. I actually have TWO horses showing now....Aubie and Assini (both greys...sigh)
So I get to make two trips to the ring. One in Ring 6 and one in the International ring.
Nikki just finished looking at our draws for tomorrow and it's going to be one crazy day. Every groom has 1 or more horses showing tomorrow and they have us in an order that is impossible to have that many horses at the ring with the grooms we have so I'm not quite sure how tomorrow will unfold....however I do know it's going to be organised chaos. Anyone wanna trade hahaha?
TTFN

Happy Birthday to ME

2009-03-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

YAY Happy Birthday to ME today. I miss everyone!!!! Hearing my two year old neice say "Happy Birthday Auntie Shawna I miss you I love you" was by far the greatest part of my day. I miss her sooooo much.
Off to bed for now....back to work as a 24 year old tomorrow. Here's to another year.

Big Day

2009-03-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Today was another crazy day....I don't know why I always say that...it's always a crazy day haha. We started at 6:30 am this morning. We felt rushed to get stalls done and Amy was riding G Force at 8:30 am so I had to get everything in order for her. Right after I got him out of the barn Sofie came and asked Nicolas to get Monte ready. He was busy with another horse so I offered to get him ready since I used to groom for him I knew where everything was. Ok 2nd horse out of the barn. Then G came back and I had to get him ready for his pre purchase exam at 11 am.....he had to be nice and clean again (darn grey horses)
Patrick came to ride Mercy at 10 so I got her tacked up and out of the barn. Whew 3 horses by 10 O clock....I was on a roll. Put horses on the Electro rug, turned out, put on and took off the walker.
Mercy came back and I gave her a bath. G's vet appointment got moved to 3 pm. Got Mercy treated and wrapped, and hand walked for grass.
Sofie came back and asked if I could get Aubie ready in 30 mins. Got him organised and out of the barn.
G had to go back on the walker at 2 pm. I was told someone might come to see Aubie this afternoon and to get him clean and tidy after his ride just incase. So I got his show bridle figured out, put a different bit on and made Aubie shine.
3 o clock rolled around so I got G Force out and started with the vet. It was a 2 hours exam with every kind of test and full x rays. It was neat to see how they do it for these big money horses and I was happy to be involved. Except for the fact it was SOOO hot out and we did a million jogs for the flexions. I was red and sweaty as can be and felt embarrased about it. For anyone who doesn't know me I struggle with sweating. I am always hot and over heating and am very self concious about it. If I could have one wish it would be to have all of my sweat glands removed. Yes I know it wouldn't be healthy but this is something that affects me everyday.
So I tried not to worry about it and just kept doing what I was supposed to. He checked eyes, teeth, muscle response, blood tests, flexions, lunging, riding, x rays and on and on and on. The other grooms were done by 3:30 and waited for me to be done to feed. We were at the barn until 6 pm tonight.
Got the horses fed and headed home. We went to Coldstones after work....that amazing ice cream place mmmm.
It's my Birthday party tomorrow night so that should be fun and then I have Monday off YAY. My Birthday is on the 16th.
I was so tired today I fell asleep right after work for 3 hours, just woke up, showered and writing this then going back to bed. I have one heck of a headace at the moment so I took some Motrin. My body has been feeling the work this past week. My tendonitis is really playing up and when I muck stalls in the morning my finger tips in my right hand go numb.....my sister said it can mean your pinching a nerve under your shoulder balde. Hmmm OUCH.
Good night everyone!

Owwww my feet

2009-03-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well today was one of the most phsically tiring days but also one that was very rewarding :)
We started early...had to leave the house by 5:45 am.....it's very hard to go to work when the MOON is still shining in all it's sleepy time glory. YAWN
Jonathan was riding G Force at 8 am so after stalls were done he had to be one of the first on the walker because he was also showing today. Got that done, brought him in and led him back to his stall to have a pee before getting him ready, thats another rule....they always have to go right back in their stall when they've been on the walker, outside, or being ridden so you untack in the stall.
Then I got him beautified and out of the barn and was told he should be showing around 10ish. Got all my stalls and waters done. Took out the tack for the day. Put horses boots on to go on the walker and outside, switched horses. Nikki headed off to the Bahamas today so we were one less person so the morning wasn't going as fast.
10 am rolled around fairly quickly so I cleaned G Force up after his ride so he'd be ready for the show ring. I was so excited to be going to the ring today :) I had to have him clean but wait for the go ahead to get him ready once his rider was on the way. In the mean time one of my other riders was scheduled to show up at 11 am to ride and the other rider came in and said she'd ride Aubie right after her horse. OH MAN....three horses to do all at once....I was a little bit stressed. I had G Force clean and waiting for the GO. So I groomed the other two up and waited a few minutes to put tack on since it was a little early and I didn't want them standing in the cross ties for a long time waiting. 10:45 rolled around so I tacked up both Aubie and Mercy, one in the grooming stall and one in the ties in the alleyway (which is a pain because you have to unsnap and move them everytime a horse needs by which is very often in a busy barn)
I had Mercy ready to go, my rider showed up, led her outside and off they went. Whew! One down.....I headed in to finish tacking up Aubie. Was just about to put his bridle on when I got the call for G Force to be tacked up. YIKES. I asked Nicolas and luckily he had a minute to help and get Aubie out to the ring. I ran and got G out, gave him a quick wipe down, boots went on, hoof oil, fly spray, breast plate, saddle pad, half pad, ears, bridle and I was awaiting for her saddle to arrive. Thanks to Nicolas I was able to get all 3 ready and out of the barn on time. I was a red sweaty mess by this point as today was one of the hottest days since I'd been here.
Since I knew I was heading to the show grounds I asked the other grooms if they'd be able to untack my other two horses when they got back.
The rider got on, took him over a few jumps and on that note we headed to the ring. It's a bit of a walk there so we get our many many miles in each day. Her round was fabulous and G jumped beautifully. She's looking at him to buy and she seemed pleased with him :) Good Boy.
I put on his sheet, loosened his girth and nosebands as his go so insanely tight and he has not only a regular noseband but a figure 8 over top. My tendons in my arms hurt from doing up nosebands and flashes around here, thats how tight they go.....
I gave him a carrot and headed back to the barn. As soon as I got back there was an issue with his shoe so I had to clean him up for the third time and head right back to other show grounds to the farrier to get it fixed....more walking....I wish I had a step counter today as I covered alot of ground!
Got his shoe fixed, G was happy to be out and about today while I was getting more red and more sweaty and discusting....at least the horses don`t care.
Got back to the barn just as Mercy came back from her ride, hadn`t even finished putting G away before I had to run and lead her into her stall and get her untacked. So as I had mountains of dirty tack piling up I also had horses to "put away" They need to be wiped down with a wet towel to erase any sweat marks ect. So I groomed my 3 horses so they were back to being beautiful. I had to wash G's legs and put some goop on him, then wrap him and pack his feet. Then I got Mercy out and treated and wrapped her legs and took her out for some grass. She doesn't go in turnout so has to be led for grass daily.
Finally had my horses clean, wrapped, and put away so it was time for the tack. Thankfully some of the other grooms had helped while their day wasn't as busy or they had finished their craziness in the morning.
We thought we'd be done by 4 today but we still didn't get out of the barn until 5....*sigh* Oh but the best part of my day. Ian Millar actually told me today I was doing a GREAT job!!!!! That means ALOT coming from him as we usually just get lectures, talked to sternly or downright yelled at....so I felt pleased with myself. Also Lori told me my bandages were "fabulous" that meant alot too after the first time I did them and she made a noise and said....hmmm we need to teach you how to bandage. HAHA I know how to they just do it differently. As soon as they showed me how they want it I think I do a damn fine job. So gold star number two for me today.
So downright exhausted after work we came home and then decided we were all going to head out for dinner to IHOP. MMMM I love Ihop. Trying to get back to eating better I went with a chicken salad and it was good, while the other were eating stacks of butterscotch pancakes and Nutella crepes....there's looked and smelled so good. Then we went grocery shopping as it's all in the same complex. I bought only healthy things to get back on track....I'll update you in a few days how I'm doing with that hahahaha wish me luck! TTFN

Middle of the week

2009-03-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today rolled along smoothly and we were actually done and out of the barn by 4:45 pm! Go us!
One of my horses is showing on Friday so I'm excited about getting to go to the grounds again.
My day off on Tuesday was GREAT. I layed in the sun in the backyard for hours. It was so nice to do nothing.
Next Monday is my Birthday....I SHOULD have the day off but I'm not sure if the schedule is all messed now since they gave me Tuesday off....so we'll see. This weekend is going to be a little hectic again. The Sweds got back from Bahamas but now the groom from France goes on Friday and the one from New Zealand goes on Sunday.
I can't believe I've been in Florida for a month now (minus the 4 days I was back in Perth) Time flys when your having fun.
Recent events just make me realize how everything happens for a reason and this universe sure has it's ways to make things happen. Such a small world :)
Bedtime....goodnight ya'll....
HUGS

Lovin the sunshine

2009-03-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Monday again. It feels like alot has happened in the past 2 days....they've been long especially with the time change. One of my horses went to be tried, that was a fun experience to leave the barn and see different places along the way. I just love Florida and everything horsey around here. I'm told that it's only like this during the winter months though as in the summer it just gets too hot. It seems a shame as for 6 months of the year these amazing facilities just sit empty because everyone goes North where it's cooler just as we all go south to get warmer this time of year.
The weather has been hot hot hot! I got word today that I get tomorrow off.....YAY and it's supposed to be 83 degrees so I am going to lay out in the sun all day...lather myself in sunscreen and catch up on some much needed sleep...sounds like a great plan to me :)
Saturday was the $200,000 World Cup Grand Prix and this Saturday is the $75,000 class
This week is supposed to be "quiet" as no horses are over at the FEI grounds so we have all the grooms back at our barn which makes life run more smoothly. It's also Dressage week so there are Freestyles on Saturday and George Morris is teaching a clinic on Friday. I would love to be able to go watch but we don`t usually have the time to.
Then next week is the big $400,000 Finale Grand Prix....that will be a good one to watch!
Well I am getting sleepy so I will be online again tomorrow.
TTFN

Some pictures

2009-03-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

I don't have long to write tonight but I did take some time to post pictures on Island Horses. Here is the link http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33196
Enjoy and I will write again tomorrow :)

Today's Happenings

2009-03-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Today was like any other day.....insanely fast and busy haha. We have been leaving the house at 6:30 lately so it's been nice to sleep in to 5:45 am....*rolls eyes*....you never would have caught me calling that "sleeping in" before I got here.
We are down to less then a month left here in Florida. The scheduled date to arrive back at Millar Brooke in Perth is April 3rd. Also only 10 more days until my Birthday :) The girls are throwing me a party....they are inviting everyone of course, as I don't know any of the other grooms and riders. Should be a fun time.
My horses were good today. I clipped G force yesterday as he was being tried out today. So I spent alot of time getting him clean and ready....he's a grey....I have two of them. I was excited to get to leave the farm. Patrick rode him over and I got to take his dirtbike....sooooo much fun! I met him at the farm we were going to. I thought the girl riding him looked very familiar and I couldn't figure out where I knew her from. As we were all talking Jonathan mentioned to me the president of CN owns the farm we were at, as we were talking about the expensive footing that cost around $150 000!!! Anyway then it hit me....back when I worked at Spruce Meadows Casey (the daughter of the man who owns CN) was showing there and was to be treated like royalty. Spruce's horses move out so hers could move in. Anyway long story short I was good friends with her groom and this was the girl again.....small world! She had a great ride on him and wants to try him again when her dad gets home on Sunday. If I get to take him back I will have to mention it to her to see if she remembers me. She looked at me like shed knew me as well but didn't have much time to talk other then to thank me for bringing the horse over. I thought it was kind of neat.
One of the other riders got a new horse today. He used to be owned by Margie Goldstein or Ingle or whatever her name is....I'm working on getting the names right I really am.
I had to switch one of my horses today with Nicolas as he has too many that are showing and cannot take 3 horses at one time so now I have a horse that will be showing YAY.
I got to pcik which one I gave him....if I was thinking better I should have swaped one of my greys haha but he already has two so I figure this way at least we are even. We have WAY too many greys in this barn!
Tomorrow there is a big Grand Prix night class so Nikki and Julie will be working late. I think we are going to try to watch.
The two swedish grooms, Nicolas and Sanda, are leaving on Sunday for the Bahamas for a night....I'm jelous! They have been here for 3 months so they have to leave the country and then come back. So Millar Brooke is flying them to the Bahamas for a night and back to work on Tuesday lol. I think it's kind of funny but it makes sence. But it also means none of us get a day off on Monday. It wasn't my week anyway so I don't mind. we only get two days off in a month....sigh....I miss having free time. We are lucky if we get 2 hours to ourselves in the evening where we can sit and not have to rush around. I have to say though I am getting better with it. As long as I'm busy it doesn't feel like such a long day...it's when there is slow times when all the other grooms have left to the grounds and I'm stuck at the farm alone that it feels long. It really doesn't happen that often but on occasion. So I'm thrilled to be joining them now with the new horse I'm grooming for :)
The weather has been cooler but it got hot out again today. I like the cool days. Hot weather is for the beach...it's not fun to work in.
Anyway I have been thinking alot of the bigger picture and my bigger dream. I can't WAIT until I get to come home and live it, but in the meantime I am gaining the knowledge and tools to be able to run a world class facility.
Wish me luck!

So Tired

2009-03-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have been so tired lately so haven't taken the time to write. Mom woke me up last night from phoning at 11:30 pm....she forgot about the time change and tried to wake the whole house up haha.
Work has been fast and furious and hasn't been the best mood in the barn as of lately. Doesn't help when your tired.
The weather has been cooler lately but I'm not complaining....I kind of like it. I actually wore my sweater all day today!
I am starting to get used to my routine but just as I do it changes again.
I have pictures from the Nations Cup and from around the barn but I haven't had time to resize and post them. Will try tomorrow. Got home from work at 6 pm tonight, fell asleep, had to wake back up at 8 and go back to the barn for night check. YAWN
I thought I'd just write a little note and try to post some pictures tomorrow.
Keep your eyes peeled! I'm off to bed now....
Goodnight.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

2009-03-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

Work today was good. We got to sleep in to 5:45 am YAY....left for work at 6:30. The day went really fast today. The morning was fast and furious. My horses all got ridden one after the other so by 12 my three were all done. Went through our regular chores and then I had to clip Aubie. He was such a good boy...now I'm really itchy. I'm sure glad I invested in a pair of body clippers back at home (thanks to jessica) becuase full body clips have become my new favorite thing....all the hair can go! And the amount of horses I've clipped now it getting crazy in the short time I've been doing it. I'll be pro in no time. It is a little nerve wracking clipping horses that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars because its then when a bad haircut becomes a little more then just a bad haircut hahahaha.
I sure enjoy my 3 horses, as grooms you get very close to your horses as we are the ones who spend every waking minute grooming, clipping, wrapping, treating, turning in, out, tacking, un tacking....well you get the idea.
Tomorrow is my DAY OFF.....yay for sleeping in!!!!!! Not that we can get up to a whole lot because we only have one truck for 6 people and it'll be going to work tomorrow and 3 of us won't be....darn.
It's not even supposed to be hot and sunny tomorrow otherwise I'd have put on my bathingsuit and lay on my front lawn...as silly as that would look in a ritzy little subdivision but hey....a girl's gotta get her tan on lol.
I hope we try to do something at least.
Oh right....people back home....I put some sunshine and hot weather in the mail today but because I did that we got yours.....it was dark, windy and cold today. That shouldn't be allowed. ENJOY...hope it arrives before July!

Nations Cup

2009-02-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

Last night was the Nations Cup at 7 pm. As if we don't work enough with horses from 6 am until 6 pm....we also go to watch night classes after work hahaha. We bought tickets for the Canadian section and of course we were the rowdiest lol. There were 4 riders per nation team and two rounds to be ridden. The canadian team consisted of Eric Lamaze, Keean White (sp), Yann Candel last?) and of course Ian Millar.....I can't believe I don't know how to spell all these names haha. Ian went clear in the first round but halfway through couse In Style through a shoe....but the good boy still gave it all he's got and went clear. Ian was the second of last in the order of go and Canada was sitting with 15 faults after dropping the low score. I think it was Ireland who was the last rider to go and if he had a clear round they'd win. He knocked a rail and Canada cheered....that meant we won the $ 75,000 Nations Cup!!! It was so great to be apart of it all. As tired as we all get it makes it all worth while to be apart of those moments. The barn was a happy place to be today :)
As of today I've been working in Florida for a week and I'm starting to feel more settled. I know the horses, I know the people and even better....they know me too.
And the best part.....they told me yesterday they are giving me a raise :) !!! YAY. Lori said she talked it over with Amy and felt I'm doing such a fantastic job and I deserve a pay raise. It was sure nice to hear that feedback as you all know I was having a few issues this past week. Being away, meeting new people really makes me realize how sensitive of a person I am. It has always been my lesson in life to stand up for myself and go after the things I want. To know that I am good enough and I need to speak up when I feel the need to do so. I'm so excited for this adventure I'm on and besides the amazing skills I'm learning I'm also thankful for the contacts, the references and all the people I am meeting along the way. I am going to walk away from this a million times richer in experience and what more can you ask for.
I have my groceries in order and I am sleeping better. Still not quite climatized yet but I've always been too hot anywhere I go haha. I get Monday off.....yay another day off.....it's been awhile since that last day off at the farm haha. Technically I wasn't working when Mom and I were in Florida but we were up early every morning and doing horsey things all day so it didn't feel like time off.
And this time I have roomates/coworkers who will be off to so we can actually go play in Wellington :) Fun fun!
Anyway...off to bed. Sunday means Grand Prix day which means hectic in the barn all day.....Goodnite

Finally writing...

2009-02-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been MIA the past few days. I have been soooo tired. Trying to catch up on sleep and getting used to a new place with very long days. I think my body has finally adjusted and the days aren't so hard. I have a routine. I know my horses.....things are good.
One frusration that sticks out from today is I cannot believe how much these people dwell on the bad things. I mean when we teach people we point out the posotive right? And with training horses....same thing. We praise the good things. Here it seems no matter how hard you work the people who matter only see or comment on the bad things. Today I didn't pick a horses feet out before I took her out of the stall. She was on the walker already so her feet had already been done and I did check them first. Anyway she pulled a bunch of sawdust out and they were like " awwww you didn't pick her feet!" I went back and swept it up....no big deal but still....seemed to be to them.
The other thing was, I was in a hurry getting a horse ready to go be lunged. Ian and a bunch of people were in the barn.....it was a zoo this morning. Anyway my rider started to lead the horse out and I had one more clip to do up on his surcingle...he kind of shy'd away from me as I was moving fast and there was lots of people around and Ian went on about how I shouldn't do that and it's a good way to be kicked. I was thinking to myself....YES I KNOW....but you want things perfect and that puts pressure on. Pressure to be fast and move fast and thats what I was doing. I wasn't being danergous in anyway and I came from the front of the horse, not behind like he thought. Anyway this stuck in my mind all day. I'm a sensitive person like that and I put alot of pressure on myself to be perfect. I just have a hard time with things like that.
Today was crazy busy but I enjoy it when it's like that. Makes the many hours in the day go by fast. Waking up at 5ish isn't such a shock now which is nice.
We all have tickets to watch the $75,000 Nations Cup at 7 pm tomorrow night. Ian is riding In Style in it so Nicki will be working late....long day for her. We get to sit somewhere special apparently. YAY.
The weather has been a little cooler which is nice for me because I get so over heated.
Ok I have no idea how this paragraph sounds as I'm watching TV as I type haha. I'm watching NCIS...it's a good show. I have to go back for night check tonight so I only really have two fulls hours of ME time before I go to bed so I'm trying to multi task lol
TTFN

A day in the life....

2009-02-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Well I know you all are wondering what I do all day and what the horses are like so since I have a little more engery today to sit and type I will haha.
Mondays are a sort of day off.....ISH for the horses. We got up at 6 and headed to work for 7, there was only 3 of us today as the other 3 got the day off. Fed hay and grain, cleaned stalls, put 3 horses on the hot walker. Every horse gets their temperature taken in the AM and PM.
It's a 6 horse walker but they only ever put 3 on it because awhile ago they had a mishap where one went underneath the divider and in with another horse so now they leave a space in between them all. Everytime a horse leaves the stables it gets front boots, bell boots and back boots, feet picked and tails brushed to get the sawdust out. They get picked before them come off the walker as well. On their day off they don't get brushed other then that, every other day they get groomed excessivly and they are clipped all over very regularly....and we are in florida it's hot and they dont have much hair to start with. We put 8 rotations I think it was of 3 horses on the walker by lunch time. Each horse gets put on the walker and turned out on grass. There's a few that only get hand walked and led out to have grass.
We took every feed and water bucket out and scrubbed them with listerine and rinsed well and then put them back in their stalls. I thought my back was going to break by this point. My bed is terrible and I'm not sleeping well and the work is definatly not easy. I thought I used to work hard....I was mistaken. These guys don't stop....at all....from 6 am until 6 pm...and then we always have house stuff to do. Eat, laundry, get groceries ect. My feet are killing me. I cant wait until my body is used to working like this in this heat. I really need to buy a water bottle so I can keep hydrated as that's half my problem. I couldn't find one at the store yesterday.
Back to barn stuff.....ummm what else did we do today. It doesn't sound like much but once you do this routine with as many horses are there are there it takes the whole day.
I will write again tomorrow with a "usual" day when the riders are back.
Other little details....two horses get apple juice in their water cause they are finicky drinkers. They get a million different suppliments and vitamins in their feed twice a day, bran mash on Sunday nights. Some horses get the electro blanket put on once or twice a day with the magnets in different areas. There is also another machine that is like an ice boot. They stand cross tied with this thing on their legs and it circulates ice water. There's a horse massage thingy. Every state of the art machine for horses......it's here. A few horses go on the horsey treadmill. They get ridden 5 or 6 days a week. Lots get wrapped....different legs different days. There is no detail too small here. It's neat to see really but it's down right exhausting with no food and no sleep. I feel the people should be treated as good if the horses are haha. The riders work down right hard as well too don't get me wrong. Ian, Amy and Jonathan are out there all day riding and teaching in this heat. I immagine it takes their toll on them too just in a different way. As my mom always says.....If it was easy, everyone would do it....right?
Thats all for now....talk soon. Sleepy time for me. YAWN.

I survived

2009-02-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

Well I survived my first day. There was a $75 000 Grand Prix last night so when I arrived from the airport I went right to the show grounds. It was an amazing class with riders from all around the world. There were a few crashes where both horse and rider went down and there was only 2 clears....the course was greuling. So of course it was a long night for the other girls and we didn`t get home until 10:30 pm. I was in bed by 11:30....had no time to unpack, get food or anything. The alarm went off at 5:30 am....get ready, eat something head to the barn. It was a very fast paced day trying to remember names of people and horses. I feel like it went really well and a few of the riders said I came highly reccomended from Mandy and Christian so at least they had "heard" of me before. I met with Amy, then Jonathan and then Ian today. I am grooming for a client and have 3 wonderful horses to work with.
First thing this morning I had to get my horse ready, on the walker, then Amy flatted him, came in and changed tack then headed to the show ring. It's going to take awhile to learn my way around this place. There's so many back trails that are filled with horses, grooms, scooters, golfcarts, dogs ect.
All the horses get ridden, turned out and put on the walker. Everything is immaculate.
I know now why all the girls (and one guy who works here and lives with us as well) are skinny miny....they don't stop to eat....ever. Maybe it'll be good and I'll lose a few pounds however in order to run around all day long like this I NEED food. I do not operate well when I'm hungry haha. Not to mention getting used to the heat...my body is like what the heck is going on...cold weather, hot, then cold again back to hot. I was a sweaty mess.
Ummm I am not having much luck typing tonight....I'm hungry and tried lol. We got home from the barn at 5:30 pm (and didn't stop once today for anything) and me and one other girl have to go back at 8:30 pm for night check. Our house is about 10 minutes from the show grounds.
I will try to write more tomorrow however spare time is a rarity around here so we'll see.
TTFN

Might as well write

2009-02-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

I'm currently sitting in the Philidelphia airport. I've seen alot of different airports in the last while. This one is far bigger then the one in Chicago..which by the way I thought that one was huge. I landed in terminal F, had to find a shuttle over to teminal C 22 which is where I am now.
With nothing else to do I thought I'd write in my blog since last nights entry was kind of skimpy. I managed to get all packed, get my travel insureance all lined up and and almost in Florida. Just talked to Lori who is hte barn manager in Florida and she told me who will be picking me up ect. Also that I will be coming directly to the show grounds as there is a Grand Prix tonight....talk about being thrown right in haha. Trying not to forget to breathe today....feels like I just blinked and its gone by.
I can do this....I know I can.
While I was on my last flight I was thinking about big this world is. I mean even those who have travelled extensivly still have not seen the WHOLE world. There are so many people in so many places. Makes you wonder who you meet along your path and why you are meant to meet them. I like looking around this room and wondering where everyone is off to. Everyone has a destination and a story to follow I'm sure....look at mine haha.
I can't help but wonder how many doors this opens up everytime I set foot on a plane. I'm a single person and I always think it's neat to see who gets seated beside you. So far they have all been very nice and fun to talk to....except the french guy who didn't speak english and the only thing we thought was funny was how huge my laptop was compared to his teeny one. But he shared some cookies with me....food always beings people together lol.
I'm excited to get to Florida and see the farm again. It's insanely beautiful....here is a link to it http://www.westerncommunities.us/idx/residential/R2918514/details.html
I'll be living in a house with 5 other girls....that should be interesting but I'm happy to not be alone anymore. Don't think I'll have time to even consider being homesick from here on out. I was warned about how hard they party in Florida. Good thing I'm not big into that. I mean don't get me wrong I do love to act 23 on occasion and go out and get my dance on however....anyone who knows me knows that I get very sick the whole next day if I drink so that would NOT go over well. Thats one of the number 1 reasons girls get fired. They party too hard and can't work. What a stupid way to ruin an amazing opportunity is the way I look at it. I think I have a pretty good head on my shoulders and I know I won't be one of those! I can picture my parents reading this and going "good girl" haha. Yes I am :)
My finger is almost back to normal....that Tremueel cream or whatever its called works wonders. Amazing stuff. Anyway this is getting long and then becomes hard to read since I have the font so small so I'll leave you with that. TTFN....

Things don't take long to change

2009-02-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

Well things certainly don't take long to change around here....when I got to work this morning we got a phone call from Florida saying they need me now. The other girl who hurt herself is being ordered to come back to Canada for more tests so because of that her and I are trading places.
So back on a plane I go after being here for 3 days LOL. I fly out at 11:30 am, have a layover in Philidelphia and end up in Florida at 6:30 pm tomorrow night.
I hope I get settled in over there quickly and figure out their routine. Going to be a whole different ball game being on the horse show. Not sure who I'm grooming for yet...everything has happened so fast I haven't bothered to stop and ask.
Here's the next part of my adventure :)

Long Day

2009-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today felt really long as I was tired and sore. Didn't sleep well last night as I kept trying to put my hand under my pillow and would wake up in alot of pain. This morning my whole hand was swollen and I could barely bend my finger. It was quite the process to get dressed and put my hair in a pony tail. I was determined to go to work and try my best not to complain. It was just Christian and I cleaning the barn this morning and of course he does thinkgs alot faster then Mandy and I do. I was trying to keep up the pace but my hand was not working the way I wanted it to. I made it through cleaning and turning horses out. At coffee break Mandy brought me some cream to put on it and Christian gave me a hard time about resting it throught the night. Said if I would have kept working then it wouldnt have swelled up haha. Then went on about telling me I should have stayed on and the things I did wrong. I try to take his critisim as his way of teaching. I just agree for the most part and listen well to everything he says. When I have a chance to go and watch them work with the horses i do and take it all in. It's just a very different way of riding the young ones I'm not used to. I will do my best to learn it their way and I won't give up.
He said today how I shouldn't be on the young ones and he'd be the one to get in trouble if I get hurt and can't do my job. I told him I'm thankful for every opportunity he gives me and I know it's all part of it. I won't say anything to the Millars and I'm more then happy to climb back on next time he asks me to....well except today because he wanted me to get on lightening who isn't broke, he's the biggest one here and he's spooky. I just said I can't use my left hand so today really isn't a good day. He always looks at me like he's so disapointed but I like to think he at least understands.....maybe?
I will learn alot from Christian and Mandy...they are wonderful people. We all have days where we feel low and that it's hard to keep going but if you just keep your chin up and get through another day, it always gets better.
I have alot going on both here and at home and this week has been a bit of a struggle for me. I'm homesick, I miss the farm and the people I love and I'm lonely but it's nice to know I have people out there rooting for me and I'm enjoying this so much. My mom always says " This too shall pass..." and I can't wait until it does. I think I'm going to go have a shower, ice my hand and try to unwind. I wish I had tv....Grey's Anatomy is on tonight. I'm sad I'll be missing it haha. Goodnight everyone. Big hugs!

Last night in Paradise

2009-02-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today was such a nice hot day in Orlando Florida. Mom got up and left for her flight at 4:30 am this morning. It was hard to say goodbye as this time I don't know when I'll get to see her again. She left me a really nice Valentines Day card with beautiful words in it....some of those things only mom's can say and make you feel wonderful :) I love my mom! She also brought me a chocolate horse head all the way from back home so she would have it for V Day....so cute and yummy!
I have never stayed in a hotel all alone before. So now I had this HUGE room with two bigs beds and just me haha. I slept in until 9:30, put on my bathing suit and hit the pool. I was so excited to see the sun today after all the clouds from yesterday. I only have a very small tube of sunscreen so I put on all I could....but apparently that wasn't good enough. Everywhere I didn't put enough on, or couldn't reach by myself, I got burnt. I slightly resemble a very red zebra with all kinds of stripes haha...ouch! Oh man....but at least I got a great tan everywhere I didn't burn....I'm trying to see the bright side of this. Note to self....buy bigger tube of sunscreen next time!
Around lunch time I headed over to the Waffle House for some food. I am really going to miss the waffle house. Some famous kid or something came in today too. First this big black SUV pulls up and out gets a man in a black suit with one of those white wires up behind his ear. He looks high and low around the restaurant and then asks for the manager. He goes back out to the car and walks back in with a lady, a small child and the other man in black who was driving. The 4 of them sat right behind me and I just went on eating breakfast...everyone kept looking over in our direction...I wish I knew who they were haha.
I'm excited to be getting back home and get back to eating better. This past week has been full of goodies and everything I love but my belly is wishing I'd quit filling my face. Again...I never seem to learn this lesson....
I printed off my electronic flight ticket and booked my shuttle to the airport for tomorrow. I`m sad to leave the beautiful sunshine and palm trees that are Florida.....mmmmm......I will be back here sometime soon (maybe very soon if I get sent back to groom at the horse show which could happen at anytime)
I fly out at 12:45 tomorrow, have a layover in Montreal again and arrive back in Ottawa Ontario at 7:15 pm
Back to work on Wednesday :) !!

I'm going to stop counting days...

2009-02-15T22:34:00.000-08:00

Well I figure since I've made the decision to move I'm going to stop counting my days. I didn't write last night as mom and I spent over 7 hours in the car getting majorly lost coming from West Palm Beach to Orlando and then trying to find a hotel. We were within seconds of where we needed to be but made one wrong turn ended up god only knows where! We kept going thru toll booth after toll booth so every wrong turn we kept making cost us more money lol it's gets expensive for wrong turns around here hahahaha. Finally by 12:30 am last night we found a hotel to check into and got to sleep.
This morning we checked out of that hotel and drove 45 minutes to where we were supposed to be. We took the car back, checked into our hotel which we are in now and had a rest. At 5:30 we decided to go to DisneyWorld for the evening as it was open late tonight. We just got home again.....spent 6 wonderful hours going on tons of rides, splurging on goodies from around the park and just had fun for the last night of our little Holiday together. Mom leaves at 5 am for her flight.....I have one more full day then I fly back to Ontario on Tuesday. It was cloudy today so I'm hoping for sunshine tomorrow so I can hopefully squeeze in one last day to enjoy the pool and my day off before starting back to work at Millar Brooke in snowy cold Perth Ontario. I'm going to miss Florida but there is still a chance I could be sent to work back here at anytime.....here's to hoping....although I really do enjoy working back at the farm.
I should let mom get to sleep.....I think my typing is driving her crazy. Will write again tomorrow :) Goodnight.

Day 17

2009-02-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Day 17...today was a very round about interesting day. Talk about everything happening for a reason!
First thing this morning I recieved an email from Beth stating they really enjoyed meeting with me and would like to discuss possibilties of working for them when the winter circut winds down in March. For the time being they have enough staff and prefer to start people at home and not in the middle of a huge horse show....completly understandable. So I look forward to speaking with her again in March.
On that note Mom and I went out for breakfast and then headed to the show grounds to see what we could find. The grounds are HUGE and surrounded by beautiful gated equine communties. We drove past two fields where people were playing polo before we found the actual entrance into the show. Tons of little shops, perfectly turned out hunter horses and people galore, the place was buzzing. We couldn't find where all the jumpers were but we sat in huge comfy lounge chairs on a patio by the ring and enjoyed the sunshine and sights. Not too bad I must say....felt kind of like royalty. Apparently Madonna is even showing here in West Palm and so is Bruce Springsteens daughter amoung many other big names. Pretty neat!
After watching the shows that were going on we decided to take a drive around the rest of the facility and found ourselves inside Grand Prix Village which is where The Millars are renting a farm. All of these farms in the village are like properties you have only dreamed about. Huge towering houses and barns, perfectly manacured lawns and riding rings.....just incredible! We started to get hungry and decided to head back to the hotel for dinner. After dinner I thought I better get back to planning my decision as to where I'm going to be working.
So I call Millar Brooke to set up a time to meet with them in West Palm Beach tomorrow. I am still going to visit with them however, I found out they have been despretly trying to get in touch with me for the past 2 days as one of their grooms had to rush home and needed me to start right away. They had the wrong phone number though and when they couldn't reach me they were forced to hire someone else, she flys in tomorrow :( So I called Christian back at Millar Brooke Farm in Perth and the position there is still waiting for me YAY :)
So even though I am saying goodbye to Florida on Sunday or Monday I will still be working for the Millars and there is still a chance I could be sent back to Florida if something else comes up with the current grooms.
I let them know of my intentions about wanting to talk to Beth again in March and they said that is not a problem.
So starting next week I will be back in cold snowy Perth Ontario working for the Millars and still might end up working for Beth after the winter circut closes in March haha.
Talk about roller coaster ride. I'm going to miss the sunshine! Oh well onto the next series of my adventure. I learned alot in this crazy week and had alot of fun while doing it so there's no regrets what so ever!

Day 16

2009-02-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

Day 16....Today was a very surreal day. Got ready and headed to the showgrounds for 8:30 am. I helped with stalls and cleaned some tack. I waited while Beth finished flatting another one of her horses to get Whitney, the horse I was riding ready.
All tacked up we walked over to the ring and I climbed on the 18 hh mare and warmed her up. I was already extremly warm from the sunburn on my face the humidity in the air I'm so not used to.
Beth was in the ring and just left me to do my own thing while keeping a watchful eye. So I put Whitney through her paces and tried to blend in with some of these top riders in the ring. Before getting on I was so nervous I thought I was going to puke. Not nervous to ride the horse, but nervous to ride in front of Beth and so many important people. As soon as I was on her though my worries went away and I just rode. I felt incredible on the back of her, she was so smooth and graceful yet with so much impulsion and energy to her gaits. I had a wonderful ride.
After I was done cooling her out I rode her back to the barn where Carlos showed me their way of untaking, bathing and putting horses away. I hung around until 1 o clock or so then Mom and I decided we better hit the road and head to West Palm Beach. It's 4 hour drive although we stopped a few times for a drink and snacks. We got to West Palm and headed the show grounds. It was pretty quiet there so were decided to just go have dinner, find a hotel and go to the show tomorrow.
I had a great day!
I resized and posted a bunch of pictures on Island Horses so instead of posting them again here's the link http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=32706

Pictures....

2009-02-11T21:14:00.000-08:00

Beth and.....can't remember this ones name

Brianne and Harris waiting to go in the ring

Tons of land out here

On our way to Ocala....mmm sunshine.

Mom and I in the convertible :)

Day 16

2009-02-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Day 16....Started our day early, had continential breakfast and headed for the show grounds. We drove around and found where we needed to go. We walked a ways around....the grounds are huge and it's easy to get lost haha. I found permanent barn 20 and introduced myself to Pippa. She introduced me to the other grooms and horses. I just followed Brianne around and saw what is was like to work there and asked her a bunch of questions. It was nice to hear the answers from someone currently in the work environment and she had nothing but good things to say. I was pleased right off the bat with how I got along with them. We got a horse ready for the Grand Prix ring so I walked up with Brianne to go meet Beth. We had a brief introduction and she asked me a few questions before she had to go walk the course. She rode the class and then came back to chat some more. The day went very much like that. We'd talk, then she'd go ride.....we'd walk to another ring, chat, she'd ride. It was great to see it all. She just keeps going non stop all day from ring to ring to ring riding both her and clients horses.
Because I was adament about wanting to ride and not just be the typical groom she's putting me on a horse tomorrow to see what I can do. Brianne said she would be mad at me if I get to ride more then she does and we were both curious to see which horse she's going to put me on tomorrow. It pays to go after what you want!
After mom and I had more then enough sun (we both got burnt) we spent the late afternoon and evening shopping :) I bought all kinds of cute polo shirts and more professional type clothing thats meant for hot weather. Most of my suitcase was packed for cold snowy -27 Ontario so I'm happy with everything I bought. Now I feel like I'll be decked out like the rest of the riders in the ring tomorrow. Im so excited!!!
After shopping we were told we HAD to go to this cute little iceceam parlour called Coldstones. OH MY GOODNESS someone needs to open one of these franchises in Canada! They have all kinds of really rich icecream and then you get to choose from tons of topping to mix in and they do it right there in front of your eyes. So I had a cake batter iceceam and then added in choclate fudge sauce and yellow cake pieces.....MMMMMM it was so decadent!! Good thing we did tons of walking today to make up for it.
From there we found a shoe store and bought a new pair of work shoes for me and some sandals for mom. After that we were ready for dinner (yes we had dessert first lol) so we went to the Olive Garden and it was wonderful. Now back at home and I did a fasion show of all my new clothes and decided what I am going to wear tomorrow.
I got an email from Millar Brooke today and they need me down in West Palm as one of the girls had to rush home so I'm sure I'll hear from them tomorrow. Not sure if I can go work down there or not, or what Beth has planned for me or what, so I feel like a bit of a pinball at the moment waiting for the next hit. We are heading down to West Palm tomorrow after I'm done riding and meeting with Beth. It all depends in what happens in the next day or two if Beth offeres me the job or what.....because I was thinking I could go down to west Palm and help there for a few weeks until Beth's barn is heading there to show and then meet back up with them. That way i can help out both farms? Not sure if that will fly or not.....so we'll see. Very cool opportunity either way I see it.

Day 15 Cont'd.....

2009-02-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

Today was a fun adventurous day. We slept in late since we stayed up too late...time changes were affecting us. Got up and got ready, checked out of the hotel in Orlando. We called the rent a car people and picked up our super cute silver PT Crusier convertible. Mom squished her driving glasses so now has them held together with scotch tape....yes it's quite the sight...I took pictures haha. So we went to Walmart to try to get another perscription but it was going to take too long and we were anxious to get to ocala. We found our way back to the highway, top down and music cranked. We sang at the top of our lungs with hair blowing in the wind. For anyone who knows how long and curly my hair is, yes it does get as messy and knoty as you think it would!
I was loving the sunshine on my face and the scenery around me. I had no idea how much farm land there is in Florida and TONS of horses, not at all green like the Island though. On the way I got honked at by a trucker in a huge big rig....mom and I thought that was pretty funny too :P
We finally reached Ocala around 3 pm....stopped a few times to ask directions to the show grounds as mom forgot to print off the ones I sent her as I dont have a printer with my laptop. We got sent in many circles so after a good hour or so we decided to find the hotel and look it up ourselves. By the time we got checked in and settled the show grounds were closed so I decided we'll meet up with Beth tomorrow. I got an email from Pippa who is Beth's barn manager and she said to give her a call. I talked with her and we formed a plan to meet up tomorrow. So thats where I'm at. Going to bed early tonight so I can get an early start tomorrow and make a good impression. YAY fun stuff.

Day 15

2009-02-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Day 15.....I have arrived in Orlando Florida! Mmmm the fact I can walk around outside without wearing a parka is wonderful. I'm currently sitting by the window enjoying the feeling of sunshine on my face.
We have rented a convertible PT crusier that mom and I are going to pick up today. We are quite excited for our little Mother Daughter adventure. I'm so thankful to have the people in my life that have made this opportunity possible for me. I am very grateful. I also love the support I have from back home.

I believe the plan is to drive up to Ocala today and meet with Beth. We were originally going to spend most of our time around Ocala but after looking at the maps and realizing that when we go to West Palm Beach all the fun stuff is really close.....like Seaworld, Disneyworld, water slides....all kinds of things. So we are thinking after I have met with Beth and feel good about it we'll head that way and spend more time down there. We are going to take one day to enjoy the beach!

Well I should go and get ready to head out into the world of palm trees and warm breezes.....mmm that puts me in the mood for a Pina Colada. Makes me think of Mexico haha. Have a good day everyone and I'll write to you tonight to let you how it unfolds....TTFN

Day 14

2009-02-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Day 14...I'm en route to Florida. Got to the Ottawa airport at 9ish this morning. Boarded my plane and landed in Chicago. This airport is bloody MASSIVE....like I mean it looks like a city in here. I'm loving this computer on the go thing though I wish I didn't have to keep paying for it lol....
I'm waiting for a phone call from my mom. I have no idea what time she's supposed to arrive here as I keep going through different times zones. My computer says 3:00 and my cell phone says it's almost 2:00....our plane boards at 4:00.....I'm so confused haha. So in the meantime I will just sit here and hope that my cell phone being on isn't costing me a fortune waiting for my mother to call. The little roaming signal is on so it makes me worry.
I'm a little stressed today...not just for the fact of travelling (which I am actually really enjoying doing on my own) but because I'm learning a lesson in people. This horse business is a special place to be and at times can be so rewarding and other times makes you stop and wonder why the heck we put ourselves through this day after day. (I'll let myself wallow in this thought for 5 minutes then move on to happy again haha)
I'm really hungry and I'm surrounded by food but I can't find a bank machine to take money out of and I always have to stop and think which currcency do I need now :P Besides I was hoping to have lunch with Mom....if I ever find her.
I'm wondering if my luggage carried on through this layover....I think it does but I can't find anyone to ask....I would just go to the baggage claim and check except that its probablly like 18 blocks (if we were on a street) away....huge place remember! i might not find my way back again.
Well I'll be online again tonight once I get to the hotel in Orlando Florida. I'm sure passing through alot of different cities and towns....wish I had more time to actually see what was here. TTFN

2009-02-08T17:10:00.000-08:00

For anyone who is curious where I'm going and what the facilities are like in Florida....
Here is the link to the horse show in West Palm Beach which is where I'm going to meet with the Millars in West Palm Beach http://www.equestriansport.com/index.html

And here is the link to the show in Ocala where I'll be meeting with Beth Underhill and Jay Hayes ect
Ocala http://www.hitsshows.com/ocala/index.html

Day 13

2009-02-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

Day 13....my last trial work day at Millar Brooke Farm. It was a really fast paced phsically hard work day today. One of the other managers is flying in from Florida this week so we wanted to make sure everything was spic and span. We scrubbed every feed, water, grain bucket in this place, cleaned and re bedded every stall (4 bags of sawdust each) We cleaned paddocks outside, went to get 2 truck loads of shavings from the other barn. Whew thats alot of work but you use this fun spinny trolley thingy and send them flying down the barn lol. Threw more hay down from the loft, groomed all the horses, dismantled and put away the roundpen, cleaned tack and tidied everything in sight. Mark came to ride Sunday and Angie today....said they were good.
I cleaned my apartment since I'll be leaving first thing in the am. I put a load of laundry on before I pack my suitcase. Now I'm online tieing up all the loose ends of my farm back at home and talking to the people I need to talk to incase I'm not able to get online in the next day or two during my travells to Florida.
I said my goodbyes to Christian and Mandy....Mandy who keeps saying she'll see me next Monday when I get back and theyll even take me out for a nice dinner since it'll be my Birthday hahahaha. She really hopes I'll be back but Christian said I'm stupid if I don't take the job for Beth. However until I get there I dont when when the job for her starts because she said I might be hired right away and expected to stay in Florida or they might not need me until March when they come home again. So if thats the case I'll come work at Millar Brooke until March and then go back and work for Beth haha. Mandy liked that plan too.
So this next week is going to be a rollercoaster of decisions thats for sure.....at least I'll be in the sunshine, enjoying the company of my mom and road tripping around Florida looking at mostly horses and horse shows :) Sounds fun to me!

Day 12

2009-02-07T12:59:00.001-08:00

Day 12...Today was Mandy's day off so it was just Chrisitian and I in the barn as well as Diana who works here on weekends. We had everything cleaned and horses turned out really early since there was 3 of us.
After coffee break I got Boots ready and Chrisitian lunged her. When he brought her back into her stall her called for me and told me to climb on. Now I don't think Boots had ever had a rider on her before and these stalls have LOW ceilings, and I was in huge muck boots for cleaning the barn. He told me to quietly climb up on her, grab some mane and lean down so if she were to rear I wouldn't hit my head. Putting my trust in Christian I wasn't about to say no as thats not the way you get given opportunities....so even though I was out of my comfort zone everything was fine and she stood well and didn't mind. After her I got Annie ready and Christian told me to put on my boots and grab my helmet. Not sure what he was up to I grabbed my things and met him in the arena. He again told me to get on. I took a deep breath as I knew for sure this was only the second time someone had ridden her. I watched Mandy ride her in the roundpen (which is huge and oval in the middle of the arena) a few days before. They tie a neat strap around the horses neck so you always hold onto that on young horses to be sure you don't catch them in the mouth if they buck or jump. He lunged me around on her a few times and told me to stay light on her back. Pushed me into the walk, trot and canter. She felt incredible to ride. She is the best one here of the young ones and has a bright future ahead of her! Kind of cool to think I was training one who might be in the grand prix ring in the next few years. Then after maybe 5 minutes he came up to me, unclipped the line and said off you go. I was like good god European people sure are just fly at er kind of people but again off I went. He told me to start riding her more, use my legs, feel my hands but don't pull everything is about forward. As she started to get a little tired her pace got slower and Christian gave me a whip. Told me you should never get on a horse without a whip because the one day you need it it wont be there. He told me to ask her to go forward, use my legs and then WHIP a good one if she doesn't listen. And they mean GO. When you apply any kind of leg pressure they want them shooting out from underneath you. I wasn't being assertive enough (some of these horses are worth $500 000 and more its a little nerve wracking whipping on them) So Christian got on and showed me what I need to do. It's all about timing and he wasn't hurting them by any means. Yes it's a little more abrupt than I usually am but I see where he's coming from. From day one these horses are athletes and they need to be obediant to forward...nothing else matters until later. So he put me through my paces...walk, trot, canter and sent me all the way around the arena. Keeping in mind this is the horses second ride it felt like I was riding a horse with such power and grace under me that was so steady she lead changes if she started on the wrong one. I'm just in awe of that horse. I cooled her out and put her away and he told me to grab Mister (who is the cute chesnut one in the pics and he's one of my favs) This time he told me to get him ready and see him in the ring. I went out there with Mister in hand so Christian goes....ok lunge....so I lunged him. Again not knowing what was next I was told to get on again. I wasn't allowed to use a mounting block (which I have been doing for as long as I can remember except when I'm training or when I have to) but these horses are over 17 hands most of them. Then he gave me a hard time for not being graceful about it LOL Oh Whatever! He lunged me around on him the same as Annie. Mister had even more forward and alot more zoom to him. He was steady but when you used leg he was GONE. Very briefly he sent me into my walk, trot, canter. Came and un clipped me and told me to ride my horse. The look on my face said it all and Christian just said GO.....so I went! Started in a circle, up to the walk, then the trot. All of these horses are so muscled up and bridle from the slighest contact as they've been on the lunge now for 2 weeks. This was Misters second ride as well....I saw Christian ride him a few days ago and he was good but he had a stop in him when he was afraid of something. His canter is FAST....like eyes watering fast. Keep in mind I'm sick as a dog so I'm panting away up there and I can feel my face burning lol....but i wasn't about to complain I was so enjyoing the ability to ride these horses. (There's even a chance I could buy Mister...how cool would that be, I own one of Ian Millars horses) He opened up the roundpen gates so I could ride the whole length of the ring. He covered so much ground and moved with such intensity it was crazy. He has alot more suspension then Annie and wasn't nearly as balanced. I felt like we were flat out galloping...which some of the long sides we were lol but it was fun. Did a bunch of tansitions, got him past one spot he kept stopping ( again Christian gave me the lesson of the whip....yes I know how to use it I'm just getting the hang of the fact I'm allowed to use it! Make Sence? We had another awesome ride so I cooled him out and put him away. LUNCH.....yay lunch because I could barely breathe by this point I was coughing so bad....stupid cold I dont have time to be sick! After lunch I got May ready and Christian lunged her....brought her into the stall and told me to climb on....oh man I knew no one had ever been on her back and she's a nervous horse but he said she felt good while lunging and its time to get on. With a lesson in gracefullness again up I went. Layed across her back, patted her, good girl and jumped down....whew I survived and didn't eat ceiling thank god! Up again he says....so I climb on and lay across her, I get told to hang on (oh man) and he leads her in circles around her stall. Does anyone realize how uncomfortable it is to lay on your stomach across and english saddle inside a stall where the roof is maybe 2-3 feet above you.....ouch. But again she realaxed and took it all in stride. Today was fun....I didn't have time to think about nerves and I wasnt about to say no to anything I'm asked to do....thats not me as long as I feel comfortable I'll try anything and I trust Christian. Got a few more horses ready to be lunged and put others away. Picked out stalls and finished the last daily duties that needed to be done. Whew I'm tired now and I was so excited to hit the buckleys bottle....tastes awful but it works! Mandy has invited me for dinner so I better go get ready. They are coming back for me in an hour. One work day left tomorrow :( I'm sad to go. Christian talked to Yohan who is a friend of his today who is over showing in the same barn as Beth in Florida. Yohan told him more about the duties about the job I'm going over to apply for and Christian told him about me. Yesterday he told me if I take the job he's going to tell everyone I'm a terrible worker cause they want me back haha but today he tells me he's going to kick my ass if I dont take it LOL. Said its one of the best opportunities with great pay and Id learn loads more and be given more chances to move up then I ever will here. So talk about being confused about my decision now.....Florida is going to be VERY interesting....TTFN!

Day 11

2009-02-06T14:12:00.001-08:00

Day 11...Oh man....only two more days and my "trial" here is done. Time has gone so fast. I love the sunshine here....It hasn't rained yet...mind you it hasn't been above zero yet either lol. I look at the sunrise and sunset everyday. It's a beautiful place to live.
It was just Mandy and I today as it was Chritisian's day off. It was a very easy relaxing day haha. I got stuck doing most of the stalls this morning though as Mandy had to run to take her son somewhere. But I managed and when she came back she brought goodies for our coffee break :) I love goodies! We sat and talked...probablly for longer then we are supposed to but it was fun. We discussed different training methods and lots about horses as always. She continues to think of ways of bribing me to come back here. Lets see....so far I get to ride all the young ones, I'd get a newly repainted bigger appartment thats above the one I'm in now, she invited me over for dinner tomorrow night....which by the way Mariylyn (crazy cat lady) said I'm the first one that she's knows of that has ever been asked hehe. I said to her today at least it feels good to be wanted and she said yeah it doesn't happen often. Usually Christian is ready to throw the girls out after the first week so she said since I've won him over I'm good lol. I told her how I can't wait to get over to Europe to see things over there and she said the Millars are thinking of doing the Europe show tour again so I should stick around :P One way or another I'll get there. She took me into town for lunch today so that was nice.
Mandy lunged a bunch of the babies....we had to check May over as she jumped out of her paddock yesterday and scraped her legs a bit. Damn jumping horses, you teach them how to free jump and suddenly paddock fences mean toys HAHA...except she learned the hard way that your not supposed to touch them as those kind don't fall down!
Marilyn took me to town again after work to grab a few things I need to last me until Sunday. Only two more work days now until I leave at 8 am Monday morning for Florida. Sunshine here I come!
Af

Day 10

2009-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Day 10...I think...are we at day 10 now already? Jeesh. It's my day off. This feels weird. Even at home I don't get days off. What do you mean I don't have horses to feed this morning....sleep in? Is that allowed? HAHA I'm LOVIN it!! I stayed up til midnight last night just because I could. I tried to sleep in this morning but still woke up at 7, again at 8:30 and again at 9:30 then finally I just said ok enough of this I'll just get my butt out of bed. I had a shower and got myself all cleaned up. It's nice to feel made up and pretty once in awhile just to remember you can. I did my hair and put on some make up. Some semi niceish clean clothes. Then I realized I don't have anywhere to go so off to the barn I went lol. Mandy and Christian looked at me like I was an alien....Yes ladies and gentlemen with a little elbow grease, hairspray and make up I do turn into a different person then who you see in the barn all day everyday haha. They teased me some more about how I'm not allowed to leave and if I don't come back they'll tell everyone I'm a horrible worker and why would they want to hire me. I do love Christians sence of humor :P
I just sat and watched them work the horses for awhile. Mandy said I can ride Hereo today if I like....that even though it's my day off she thought I'd like to.....so I'm going to ride him this afternoon. Darn I'll have helmet head after...not that I have anywhere to go. But I am going to see if someone will take me into town later so I can grab a few more things to last me til Monday.
I leave for Florida in 4 days now...I can't believe it. Time just goes so fast when your busy and having fun. Everyday I struggle with my thoughts of what I'm going to do. Can't I just work at both places for 6 months? Maybe thats a new idea haha. I'm really excited about Europe too. Christian brought a DVD for me today of a bunch of stallions in Holland and some of his stock. Said again that if I want to go he'll put in a good word for me.
Lauren Hays called the barn today. She's looking for more horses and help too so Christian is also sending me to see Jay Haze's farm while I'm in Florida. He's like "not that I wan't to lose you but he'd be a great person to work for as well with lots of other opportunities. He also has one of my horses I want you to see" I love how as soon as you step foot into this world that the options become endless. I want to ride this wave as far as it will take me and soak up all the knowlege I can. I'm a bit blown away by how far this could go but I'm trying to keep my head and just keep on working. It's neat to think about though hey....like where could I go with this?
Well for the first time in a few days I have energy to cook so I think I'm going to make me some bacon and eggs mmmm. I'm still sick and I sound horrible today, like I'm trying to cough up a lung. Advil cold meds are still doing wonders though. It's a beautiful sunny day outside and it's actually not THAT cold....maybe I'll go for a walk in the snow around this 600 acres and see how far I get. TTFN

Day 9

2009-02-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

Day 9....Oh man waking up this morning was hard. I'm so sick. Got ready and crawled into work. Christian brought me some cold meds at coffee break and they certainly helped. Advil cold and Sinus anyone...it works wonders! Mandy brings in donuts and muffins almost everyday....so much for my Atkins diet going out the window. I'm trying really hard to eat good but its difficult....especially because my cookware and appliances are something to be desied...However I'm still dropping weight pretty quick as the job is very phsical.
Today was another fairly easy day....well easy in my books because I'm used to working damn hard. Chrisitian put the 3rd ride on Mister. I love that horse. Not much talent for free jumping yet but under saddle he sure is cute. Then Mandy put the second ride on Annie, she has the most talent in the barn as far as the babies go. She's incredibly balanced and Mandy walk, trot, and cantered her and it was effortless. It was neat to see the way they do things. I asked a few questions but made sure they weren't the wrong ones....I got a bit touchy on one of them and I thought he was going to yell at me but he just got a stern voice for his strong opinion....haha.
He was joking with the account today who's super nice telling her that I'm doing good because he hasn't made me cry in the first week I've been here LOL. I just crack jokes right back at him and I think he gets a kick out of my sassiness :P
They keep bribing me with riding all the babies if I come back to work here. There's about 8 three and four year old that were just started or are being started. Mandy says we need you because I can't ride all of them. They really don't want me to choose Beth. They sarcastically make jokes about how horrible she is to work for and why I should work for Ian Millar. I'm really enjoying it here so if I love the opportunity to work for Beth this is going to be SUCH a hard decision.
Christian told me all kinds of stories about working in Holland...he's originally from France and Mandy is Dutch. He told me how to pick up great deals on fancy horses and when I want to go he'll take me. He said otherwise they see Canadians coming from a mile away and take advantage of you. I told him when I'm ready to build my facility we'll go over and buy some young stock and brood mares and start my own. He also said if after working here I want to get a job in Europe he'll know where to send me and I'll have a job right away. I'm feeling pretty gosh darn good about my performance lately. I must be doing something right...hard people to work for...HA! So far so good. Tomorrow is my day off so I'm on the computer late tonight. Not that I have anything to do or anywhere to go so I'll just meander around the farm and watch what I normally do. At least I get to sleep in. This 6:20 stuff still feels like 3:20 am my time and my eyes are showing it! Time changes are goofy to get used to. Anyway I think I'm going to hunker down with a cup of tea andwatch the Notebook. Goodnight.

Day 8

2009-02-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

Day 8...today was a beautiful sunny day but was still about -20 brrrrr thought I was going to lose my ears! It was a fairly slow day as Mandy found out some sad news and I came down with a bad cold. I was cursing everyone on the airplane who was around me hacking up their lungs and I kept saying to myself I will not get sick I will not get sick I will not get sick....however I have next to no immune system it seems as no matter what I do I still catch the colds....But other then that the day carried on as usual. I had a great talk with Mandy and Christian at coffee break. We talked more on what I'd be doing if I worked here and what to expect from the riders. How good you are depends who you work for....they said I'd be with Ian, Amy or Jonathan for sure....they also have grooms for the clients of the Millars who board here.
Mandy called me an angel today :) They really want me to come back here. Even Christian was dropping hints about standing up for yourself and asking for the wage you deserve otherwise why would they pay you anymore then they have to. Christian said he'd much prefer 2 higher paid grooms then 4 useless ones. Apparently alot of grooms come and go through these doors as all too often people present themselves better then they actually are....so they get here and are then useless and believe me, if you came like that you wouldn't last long. It hasn't been a walk in the park exactly but I've been in this world before and seen what is expected. I work my butt off each day and do so with a smile on my face but thats always the way I've been. I can't immagine being any other way but I suppose that is what makes me....me. I do hope my body can withstand all this...there are things here that just baffle me as we are making them harder on ourselves to have them done this way but it's the way Ian wants it.
We talked about horse training methods and how these horses get to the levels they do like Promise Me, Redefin and In Style....it's really neat to see where they started. If I come back here and work at the barn for awhile that excites me too as there about about 8 3 and 4 year olds that are just started or we are starting next week. Even better then grooming for Ian Millar would be training horses for Ian Millar...don't you think? Although travelling and seeing the shows sounds pretty exciting too. Oh decisions decisons.....that is all that has been on my mind is what to do? Where to go? Who to work for?
Well I'm hungry and I do believe it's dinner time......YAY for sunshine in 6 days whooo hooo !

2009-02-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

Day 7...today started off slow….I didn’t sleep well last night so was very tired this morning. Went through our usual routine. I had to clip Marks two horses today…..Sunday who is white and Angelina who is a bay. The pressure was on to clip nice as these are clients horses who pay big money to be here….but my practice clipping all these other horses has paid off as they both looked really good….my best job yet! Of course it took a little longer as I was trying to be very correct. Christian gave me a hard time for being slow.
Had my daily ride on Hereo….Mandy said I could jump him today but I’m still trying to get used to him so I didn’t bother. I hate the prestige jumping saddle because it was made for Jonathan who has very long legs so the flaps are too long for me and puts me in an odd position. I have to work really hard to keep my leg under me and in his canter its damn near impossible haha. I felt all over the place today….maybe cause I’m so tired…..that’s what I’m going to tell myself anyway. But really he’s coming along well. He’s getting much more connected between my leg and hands now and I’ve been working on clean crisp transitions while staying soft as being out of shape he likes to invert and leap into them….na uh I don’t think so!
I got told today that I get Thursday off…YAY a day off….I didn’t think I’d get one during my trial time here. Not that I have anything to do on a day off haha so I might as well just work.
Christian brought me a TV today that has a dvd player in it. There’s no cable here but at least I have movies to watch…most of them horsey of course lol. I’m excited to just have some background noise in the apartment….its too quiet.
So I was officially offered the job today! Mandy asked me when I’m leaving for Florida and when will I know what my plans are. I told her I’ll decide on the 15th which is my last day in Florida and I’ll give her a call once I’ve met with Beth and Pippa. She said she’d really like it if I came back……good to know I’m appreciated :)
I should go do some laundry….everything I brought is now hairy from all this clipping and I’m itchy as can be. Laundry, dinner and then shower…..sounds like a plan to me! Talk to you later.

Day 6

2009-02-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

Day 6.…I am really enjoying this routine I have going…go to work come home, grab something to eat and relax and write my blog before taking my computer back over to the barn to go online. I offered to do night check again tonight at 8:30 since I’m always in the barn anyway so I can be on my computer. There’s no tv or phone or anything in my apartment so its too quiet to just sit over there. I think I’m quickly becoming their favourite as I’m the first one to work in the morning so I feed the horses and I don’t mind doing the night check either, so it works out good all around and that way Mandy and Christian get a break.
Today was a little bit different of a routine. A horse who has been in training for a year left today….he was one of my favourites named Guy (sounds like G-eee) so I had to get him bathed, clipped and presentable. It wasn’t hard to do he’s a stunning horse.
After Guy left we free jumped the young ones. I cant believe the quality in these horses breeding….the athletic ability is just bred right into them….no need for much training. I got to be the camera woman and for the horses that jumped well Christian is going to send the videos down to Florida to advertise them for sale. Most of them jumped around 6 ft…..the poles were at the top of the standards. They jumped them right out of the field last November…..not very high of course. They’ve been working them since then, lounging and starting them under saddle so being more fit they could get a better feel for their ability and by how much they learned since last time. It was so interesting to see how they work them up and the horses were just incredible.
I got to ride Hereo again today. Because he hasn’t been doing much it’s my job to get him back in shape so as long as I have time I get to ride him everyday :) !! Even though he’s the small 16 hh horse in the barn he’s still big to me and I have to work to ride him as he has so much more training and power to his stride then my horses do. Completely different calibre of horse that’s for sure.
The afternoon was easy since the morning was so busy we had a late lunch…..they day flew by. I only have 7 more days left here until I leave for Florida. I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by. I’m really excited about getting to Florida and meeting with Ian, Amy, and Jonathan. Then I get to be nervous all over again to go through my interview with Beth Underhill and her barn manager. How am I going to decide between these two top notch riders? I actually didn’t think I was going to like working at Millar Brooke as much as I do. I thought I would be more in the background and not really appreciated, I was also told they are hard to work for but they have all been fabulous to me. I’m always bubbly and happy though…..kind of hard to get mad at a happy person hahaha that’s the way I see it anyway.
I’m thankful to be able to ride and Mandy said we’ll be starting the other ones under saddle next week and once they are broke I can ride them too. The more I get to talk to her about what I want and what this job could become the more opportunities I get to move up….and I’ve only been here 5 days and already they trust me enough to be in charge of the barn…that makes me feel good. It has certainly helped my work ethic owning my own barn because I know what long days are and I know that with horses time doesn’t always go according to plan. Speaking of which…I don’t know if it’s because I’m only here for 12 days so they are getting me to work straight through or what because there has been no talk of a day off….so I just keep on truckin until they tell me not to.
The sun is still shining…..today is another great day :)

2009-01-31T15:59:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

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 :)

2009-01-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-29T17:03:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

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.