06/19/2023
Oh Izzy! This past weekend was finally my turn to try and knock off the rust and get Izzy back down centerline. Anyone that knows my spicy little black mare knows that Izzy always brings a big opinion to the game.
We arrived at GMHA Thursday afternoon. I was a bit worried as Izzy is always a challenge in stabling and this would be her first show alone without a familiar stable mate. Honestly, the last show I went to exactly a year ago with her, Jason had to literally put a chair in her stall and sit with her to correct her from trying to bulldoze down the door. Did I mention yet that Izzy is a bit spicy with an opinion?
Long story, short version. Izzy won stabling. She surprised the heck out of me and was a perfect lady in the stall. I should have known what that would mean for the show arena. 🙄
Friday Izzy and I score a 52 and some change. The lowest score I have ever earned in my career. (So far 😂). We were suppose to be showing 4-3 but honestly I was just along for some kind of Izzy ride. I was basically no part of the conversation, oh Izzy! That’s why earlier I said we earned a 52. Because that’s exactly correct we earned every ounce of that low score and I was seriously unimpressed with us!!
Saturday the rain started. It was a down pour. I was so pi**ed, yes pi**ed at Izzy and myself that I decided to ask her to do something that I know she hates. Work in the rain. I decided that I didn’t care what we would score at this point. I was going to ask Izzy a hard question by asking her to work in the pouring rain and see if she would do it for me. Honestly, I wasn’t sure she would, sometimes I’m not sure how much she actually likes me. 🤣 Well she answered my question, Izzy did it. I asked her to do it and she did it. Yes, we had mistakes and things that we usually do well she did poorly on because of the mud and rain but my spicy little black mare tried to please me and allowed me to be part of the conversation!
We never got over the 60 mark all weekend. It was a mess. The mud was horrible the rain never stopped but I still was able to leave the show feeling like Izzy and I had grown as a team and improved inch by inch each day! And best of all she won stabling. She learned how to finally relax in her stall at a show. 🙌🏼❤️
She is without a doubt my biggest challenge but as a very nice lady told me after I exited the arena, I’m sure I looked like I needed a kind word, “just wait until that mare goes Grand Prix!” I really needed to hear that from a complete stranger, it reminded me that everyday we get one step closer to our goal, inch by inch, point by point, level by level.
I love Izzy no matter how much she challenges and frustrates me! Thank god she’s pretty that’s what keeps her around! 😂😉❤️
Onto the next trip down centerline……..
Ps. Photo of Izzy in her happy place doing what she does best. 🤣
