Ain't No Party Like a Gatsby Party

Mostly because if this was anyone else's party, I think they would be quite upset! But not me--my day was perfect.
That's right, old sports, I am officially an old sport myself today. I turned 5 today! If I were a human, I'd be 24 years old. Time to leave home and get a job, I think. Nah, I think Spode is always going to baby me. I'm an equine millennial! Plus I'm not sure what kind of a job I'd get. Grass taste tester maybe? Yeah, I could do that...

We are now on grass for the summer. Life is good!

Before I get to my birthday, I also had a big day this past weekend at the first show of the year!

Yes, that also means first bath of the year!

And then Spode put on this ridiculous sheet to keep me clean, which made half of my paddock mates run up to me like I was a new horse. Sheesh, the things I put up with! 

I was so excited to get to the show that I started trotting towards the trailer once Spode put on my shipping boots and unclipped me from the crossties. Yes! Finally get to see some action around here!
Once off the trailer, however, I was a perfect gentleman. Spode was able to tie me up right away rather than walking me around the show grounds to settle me. I was so calm. I took everything in stride and did a fantastic warm up. Alas, the show ring proved a bit too distracting for me so Spode was a bit disappointed in my first test, but the second one went much better since I had seen it already. The judge asked about my eyes and said that when I was fully focused, she thought I was spectacular, so that made it all worth it. Spode was incredibly happy with me.

Obviously Spode and I have spent a lot of the last few weeks prepping for the show, but we've still been able to find time for fun. I don't think Spode has it in her not to goof off with me sometimes.

So far since the show, I've had a day off, a long hack, and my birthday celebrations, so we're definitely in full lazy mode at the moment. Perhaps tomorrow we'll get back to dressage and focus, but we're both pretty content at the moment, old sport. We do like a varied routine!

Well, to a certain extent. I do demand my routine of seeing Spode regularly!

Today Spode came out in the evening to celebrate a late night birthday party with yours truly. I was happy to see her, but admittedly a bit tired! 

Mint juleps will do that to you, but Spode doesn't know about that part of the pre-party... 

I soon perked up once Spode started dolling out the birthday treats though, don't you worry!

I was extremely disappointed to learn that my hat was not also edible.  

Extremely disappointed. 

Alas, Spode did want to do a bit of work despite it being my special day, so today she decided to start teaching me the skills I'll need to go bridleless. I started learning neck reining and pressure with a neck rope. Spode was very impressed! By the end she only had to use the reins for occasional corrections and we were trotting around doing figure eights, circles, and centre lines (no, I could not trot-halt at the show with a bridle, but I had no problem with a neck rope and no saddle. Spode just shakes her head sometimes). 

That was so easy! 

Yes, let's imagine her shirt reads "Gatsby and teach on" that is correct. Spode's raison d'être 

To thank Spode for the good ride and treats, I attempted to help sweep up the barn. 

I could snap this little twig in a heartbeat, you know. You should probably sweep up my mess for me.

This was followed by Spode's laughter and FINALLY my cake. I mean, really, it's all about the cake. Why does it take so long!!? This year's offering was also very meagre, though Spode has promised me there's more in her fridge at home so I guess if we're just extending the birthday joy, that's fine. 

I'm perfecting the art of eating our of a tray. 

And that, old sports, was my day in a nutshell! Alas, no balloons this year due to a lack of helpers. Spode's family has a new dog who I met at the show. She's very cute but certainly takes up a lot of time! Of course, I'm one to talk... I know I steal Spode away for a good chunk of the day every day, so I can't really complain. Especially when I've just had my birthday cake! 

Until later, old sports!

Jay. 

Show Season is Almost Upon Us!

That's right, old sports, it's officially spring and Spode is officially beginning to get her goals straight in her head. Now that Spode has a routine, we've been able to get more structured riding time and I'm less of an emotional crutch to her crushing sense of being unemployed forever and ever. I'm sure that service will be required again in the upcoming future, but for now all is well, old sports! The Spode is happy! The only thing is that that means more dressage work for me and fewer days of just hacking, getting hugs, and copious amounts of treats. 

Yes, let's just stand here while you gush over me. I like this plan. 

I'll be extra cute and follow you around like a puppy if that means another cookie? 

The solution to this problem, I've discovered, is to be really, really good on our rides. Then Spode can't help but shove food at me. And she wonders why I'm nippy... (actually, that's a lie. She knows exactly why I'm nippy, she's just not willing to stop feeding me!). But anyway, I have been making huge strides in the past couple of weeks (literally!) and my canter work is becoming quite a bit more consistent, according to Spode. I can now stay on a 20 metre circle, for example. Which is good, because Spode has signed us up for our training level debut! Yep, we're moving up in the world and introducing the canter. Our first show is in two weeks! Our canter may still not be pretty by then, but Spode says I'm too old to be doing walk trot again (er, Spode, I'm still 4 years old I would like to point out!) but I'm feeling good about it too. Spode makes such a fuss over me and gets so happy that I've learned to love cantering almost as much as her. Nothing quite like having a goal to motivate you!

A goal and good weather: the perfect combination.

In other news, I'm also still shedding. My shoulders are all dappled and smooth, but the hairiness remains everywhere else. Er, except my legs! My feathers are all gone, though Spode has still not smoothed out the quick clipping job she did.

See, I do still have pasterns! 

She'd better do it soon or she'll be embarrassed at the show! Me? I couldn't care less... mostly because my eye sight is not good enough to tell how bad a job she did in parts. The blessing of semi-blindness, I guess. Speaking of which, Spode is in big trouble today because after giving her a great ride, she dropped the reins to let me walk around... letting me walk directly into the fence. Now my nose is all cut. Sheesh, that girl has got her head in the clouds these days! She failed at being my eyes today. I got her back by almost dumping her on the path when I spooked at a horse wearing a blanket. Something was bothering my good eye a little bit today, so hopefully I'll be able to see a bit better tomorrow. The wind tends to set me off, and it sure has been windy the past few days.

It's going down to minus one tonight. How can you expect me to shed like this, mother nature! 

I've got 2 of my 3 spring vet visits done, and my feet are trimmed again after getting suddenly really long with the weather change. Life is good, old sports! Can't complain. I'll be turning 5 years old this month! And that means I've also almost been with Spode for 3 years now. It doesn't seem like it's been that long! I'm sure a silly hat and birthday cake will be coming my way, as always. Forget the fact that Spode is an adult now. I think she'll always be a horse-crazy kid at heart whenever she's with me. Also a Gatsby-obsessed person forever. Her friend sent her this bag which made her very, very happy.

I approve of further infusing Gatsby into her every day life, but the only way I'll be excited about it is if it becomes treat bag! Or maybe a nose bag? Yeah, I could get behind that idea for sure, old sports!

It'll be time for the first bath of the year soon as well, which me and my stockings desperately need.

It's been warm enough for a shower, but there hasn't quite been enough time for a full fledged bath just yet. I hope it'll be soon, as I love the grazing that comes after!

And the roll, obviously. 

In sum, Spode and I are having a great time (her letting me walk into fences excluded) and we're well on our way to having a fantastic summer. I don't think we'll be going to more than 2 or 3 shows at the very most and it all depends on my eye sight. And Spode's job prospects after her current job ends in June. I'm beginning to understand the life of a teacher's horse! 

Until later, old sports.

Jay.