Happy 8 years together Flecky!

Happy 8 years Flecky!!!! And what an 8 years it's been!!! :) I'm the luckiest girl ever...

Fleck owes me nothing more, yet each and every day he comes to me, ready to work! He tries his heart out! Just for me. Though I do think he enjoys it too. We have accomplished every goal I dreamed of with him. He's done it all for me. I'll say it again... I'm the luckiest girl ever! He's my best friend, my partner, and .... my life. And he does it all...... I can hack on the buckle, alone, and never have a problem. I can put my nephews on him, three at a time, and he takes care of them. I can do serious dressage and he tries to be a fancy boy. Yet, I can also get on him and gallop across the field at full speed, or jump cross country or stadium with power and spunkyness! He does it all. He's a snuggler, a goof ball, but also a show off.

 Back when I first got him... it was love at first ride... :)

 And for some highlights over the years...

 This was from the MPM clinic Karen did. We were supposed to canter around the farm at the correct speed for our level. Ours would have been novice... 325? Ish... Yeah... we started out, and Fleck asked to gallop and I said yes.. so we just galloped at full speed the whole way. We got in "trouble". hee hee.. SOOOO worth it! 

This was Pine Top. We did a recognized event at novice and had some issues, but then went back a month later for the schooling show and nailed it - got 2nd place. It was also the schooling show that they did their "cattle drive". Fleck was so good. He was nervous, but shortly was even nudging the little "doggies" along with his nose! So much fun!

 We also did a lot of schooling shows. We usually ended up with at least one blue ribbon! But mostly because we were the only one in the class ;)

One of my favorites... Fleck and me (in my alligator socks) just hanging out.

We spent many hours at the horse park, riding the trails. Often by ourselves, and this helped our bond.

Then there was the AECs 2007!! We qualified at Novice and drove all the way to Illinois. It was a blast, despite us finishing 49th out of about... 52. ;) But we were top 50 in the nation baby!!! And we finished on our dressage score (plus some speeding tickets). 

2007 was also the year we qualified for the Area Championships at Novice... and placed 5th, out of a large field. It was the first time we won an actual prize!  A bag of treats and a pretty leather halter. We ran XC when it was 103.7 degrees in the SHADE! But Fleck was fit and I gave him plenty of rest between warming up and running and he handled it like a pro.

Then we moved up to Training Level at Jumping Branch's schooling show. And won it!! Of course our next few attempts at Training Level did not go so well.

Our first recognized training at the Ark. Yeah... didn't go so well, but we got over the darn ditch and bank on the second attempt!! And we were in 7th after dressage, so we did get a pretty purple ribbon anyways.

 We spent some time during the Summer cooling off at Ashland.

 And kicking some butt at schooling shows apparently. ;)

We rode with Ralph Hill twice in 2008. And had a fabulous time both times.

 We played at some h/j shows, doing the jumpers. I don't think we embarassed ourselves too much.

Oh wait...we did, but I won't show THAT picture. ;)

 And then in 2009, we got to clinic with THE WOFF!!! Yes, we rode with Jimmy Wofford and had a blast!

2010 started off with a bang. We hauled with Peri and George to Florida to show there. And got 6th place! Then came home and rode in the snow that next day.

  We got a good bit of snow! Three whole different snowfalls to be exact!

And then we won FENCE. Which gave us our 4th clean run to be qualified for the Training 3 Day. One of my long term goals with him.

Then it was onward to the AECs.. this time in Georgia!

We finished on our dressage score... 15th out of 51!!! MUCH better this time around :) So close to the ribbons! We had a blast though.

And then... the Training 3 Day! At Kentucky, just a few short days after WEG. Fleck was amazing... We finished on our dressage score. It was such an amazing experience. The training and conditioning up to the event really did help our bond. And then steeplechase...oh my, how we loved that part. He was amazing... I'm so proud of him.

Then it was our first P/T. We were warming up over some big giant fences. I swear they were still set for intermediate's warm up. Fleck jumped like a fiend over this vertical. He overjumped the heck out of it and popped me out of the tack. I knew I wasn't going to stick the landing. And I didn't. I lawn darted hard core. I was sore and had dirt in my teeth, hair, underwear, bra.... ha! But I got back on and rode "Tight as a tick" and had an amazing stadium round. Then we jumped clean on XC. :)

We conquered the ditch and wall at Full Gallop!

Poor Flecky... having to play taxicab.

He overcame his fear of fowl... well, chickens at least. ;)

 

And he graced the COVER of Appaloosa Journal!! And was in an article about "Eventing Appys".

 And then... our FIRST PRELIM!!! And we finished!!!! Two stops, but they were totally my fault. He was amazing. We were even part of the Adult Team Challenge. And shockers, it was our BEST dressage score ever. We were even the top score of my team after dressage (if I remember correctly, maybe second highest, but still). It was our first 9 too!! I think the judge was WAY generous, with everyone and especially us, but.. maybe we were just so glad to not have to do the Training B test anymore. We ended up 7th in our division and our team came in 2nd (I was the drop score, but still part of the team). And then I won the "sportsmanship award" for GDCTA.

 Then we had another successful prelim run and this time we jumped clean XC!!! It was awesome.... we were stuck behind the girl in front of us, so they gave us a bunch of time. I contested it and they gave me some of the time back. So we finished 9th. BUT... if we had not had any time faults, we would have finished 5th!!! In a pretty big division. But who knows, we might have had some time. Flecky is a PRELIM HORSE!!!!!!!!

 And then we ran into trouble. I think this is when Fleck's knees really started to bother him. It just took me awhile to realize it. We had a stop on XC at Poplar, but that was all my poor approach. Then we had two stops in stadium and eliminated ourselves. Then we tried again at Chatt Hills and he was jumping like a fiend, but we got eliminated at the sunken road. Argh... We were really on a roll. But I can't blame Fleck. Ouchy knees and all. I just wish I had noticed it sooner. Bad Mommy.

Although he did manage to jump this despite having ouchy knees!! And quite willingly too! Such a big heart he has!

 So we spent the summer resting, recovering and treating! We enjoyed it immensely and Dan joined in the fun.

After some time taking it easy, Fleck tried to tell me he was feeling good and ready to get back to work! YIPEE!

So we did, but still kept it light and fun.

We did some work, but focused on upping our fitness through trail rides. You can walk your way to fit!!! And that we did :)

And as he got more fit and more comfortable... and more bored...we went back to work. I remember the day we were out hacking and trail riding and I decided to trot around while my friend jumped. Fleck said "I have waited long enough, it's my turn" and took off with me!! He honest to God, took off with me. There was no stopping him. So we did some gallops. And then we did a few jumps.. and later a few more, and then before we knew it... we were back to work. Smart work, but work.

And so far, so good... I've been blessed with a happy pony who wants to go back to work and feels amazing!!! Not only do I still have my friend, I still have my partner in crime. YAY!!!!! We'll keep having fun while we can and when it's no longer fun, we'll back down and have fun doing what we can... trails, swimming, and just hanging out :)

I am so lucky..... :)