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
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Middle of the week
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
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
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lovin the sunshine
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
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
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Some pictures
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 :)
Enjoy and I will write again tomorrow :)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Today's Happenings
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
So Tired
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.
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, March 1, 2009
Sunday Sunday Sunday
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!
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!
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