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. 

Spode is a computer hog!

Sorry, old sports! It's really not my fault that it's been so long since my last update! Spode's last few weeks of school were very hectic, and life has not slowed down for her one bit since being back for good. The job applications have been plentiful, the results not so much, but it's early days yet. In the meantime, I see her every day except for my weekly day off. Spode is clinging to routine with me I think because there's very little routine in the rest of her life while in between the end of school and jobs. Part time work is not really cutting it, apparently. I'll be glad when she does find work, to be honest, because I'm starting to feel quite tired! So much focus on me is a bit exhausting!

Do you know how much the weather has changed in the past few weeks as well? We've gone from this...

To this!

Yum, I love the summer. And it's in my colour, too! 

As a result, Spode has been doing some spring cleaning.

Spode really, really likes her men clean-shaven... 

So fresh! 

Spode has definitely got her spring brain on, as she has been hyper focused on getting me fit. I'm back to my dressage saddle! The fit still isn't perfect, but it's better for my shoulders now that I've lost a bit of weight. I've gone up two whole girth holes!

I'm back to wearing my XXXL bell boots since I still have my winter hoof curtains/floofers. Yes, Spode calls them my floofers. Not a very good name for a sophisticated gentleman like me. She is so silly. And at the same time, she expects me to act like a grown up dressage horse. She can't have it both ways! I'm either a goof or an elegant, obedient grown up. I'm going to say that if one of those has to win, it's going to be a goof every time. 

The key to getting treats is to get her to laugh, every time. 

Spode has showing on the mind though, even though she has no money for such things. You gotta keep dreaming though! We've been practicing our canter a lot and I'm learning how to do a circle. I still have a tendency to motorcycle around, but the right lead is starting to get a bit easier for me. Picking up that inside leg is not easy, old sports! Not easy at all! Spode is happy with the tiniest bit of effort though and is in no rush. Still, if we do get the chance to show, we'll be doing training level for sure. Even if we only get 4s on our motorcycle canters. It'll come! My trot is getting much more consistent, according to Spode, though I'm still not putting enough weight into the outside rein (sheesh, so picky). Spode is going to get her mum to come out and take some videos soon so we can continue to improve while we're short on lesson funds.

Thankfully there's no need to be stingy on treats since Spode still has 3 bags from Christmas! Phew!  

I'm also almost due for my spring shots and another check up on my eyes. My left eye is really not very good at all, but the right eye is still okay and we're working though it. We did have one incident that almost led to me galloping through the fence because of a big spook, but I decided to slam on the brakes just in time. I'm not up to my usual levels of bravery yet!

Don't let the prettiness fool you! 

Spode did take me out for the first solo hack of the spring though, and aside from some scary garbage near and signs near the road, I did well. Spode is still such a weenie near the road that I get a bit cautious as well trying to figure out what's got Spode on edge. So we're both working on bravery there. Yesterday she worked up the courage to ride me next to the road (blind side to the fence, of course) so that felt like a big accomplishment. Seriously, that girl should not watch The Horse Whisperer. Bad idea for a kid with an overactive imagination and a general fear of riding on the road already! We make quite the team, old sports. 

That's about it, really. Although it's been busy, we haven't done too many adventurous things lately. Just been focused on getting us both back into shape. And getting me cleaned up of course. Much to Spode's disappointment, I am not shedding out much yet. I've always been a late shedder, and this year is no different. She'll just have to be patient. My floofers are staying for now, at least until I've got a bit more of a spring coat.

And that's all for now, old sports! I'll try to update more regularly, but it all depends on Spode since she's the one with the tech!

Until later, old sports.

Jay. 

March Break--wait, what break?

As usual, every time Spode has a break, it means the exact opposite for me! I'm not actually complaining though. Even after a whole week with her, I still couldn't help but canter over to her when she came to the gate. (While she believes it's because I'm so eager to see her, it's actually because I'm so eager for the treats in her hand! It's a win-win).

This week has been a bit unusual because Spode moved me into the next field. Yep, I'm officially in the "fat paddock", though thankfully it's still got winter free choice hay in there or I would definitely be complaining to management (most likely by breaking the fence into the next field). The 2 chubsters who usually share the fat paddock are separated right now due to an unfortunate stall rest appointment. Spode offered my lovely companionship to the lonely halflinger next door until the chubsters can be together again. Of course, Spode is so fed up with my weight that I may find myself returning to the fat paddock in the summer when they're back to limited hay... I hope not! It's giving me some incentive to work harder to get this weight off before Spode makes any terrible decisions.

I suppose technically it's the opposite of a fat paddock at the moment, since only 2 of us are sharing this bale! Bliss!

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my sleepover. I get to boss the halflinger around, which is a brand new experience for me. Yep, I'm the big man finally! I even get to boss the mares next door sometimes if they get too close to me. I am so macho!  (Spode is less impressed. Sigh. There's no pleasing some people, old sports) I love being the boss, and living so close to mares is a whole new experience. They smell very interesting, especially Cookie, who I've taken a bit of a shine to except at dinner time.

Going through the mares' field to get into the barn is always a delightful experience! 

Spode gets a kick out of it--I have definitely increased my smiling lately! 

I've been in that paddock a whole week now with no sign of it coming to an end yet. For the sake of Chubster number 2, hopefully it doesn't last too long! I am no stranger to stall rest, and it's no picnic! Being the social horse that I am, I'm sure to say hello and goodbye to him every time I go to the barn. I'm such a gentleman. I'd definitely invite him to my party. (But then, everyone comes anyway). 

In other news, Spode has officially deemed this the year of the canter. I'll be 5 very soon, so Spode is planning on riding me a lot more now that I'm a bit more mature. She's determined to work on my cantering this year since we didn't really do much last year. Too focused on the trot, but it's time to actually move past the "green broke" classification for canter. Which means cantering for more than just the long side or the straight section of the field. Sigh--time to grow up I suppose. 

Walk to canters are my favourite thing to do and Spode's favourite to ride, so we started off with just working on that transition and cantering for 4 strides. We did this bareback because it was bareback day, which made it twice as much fun for Spode. That's also one of the reasons we did walk to canter instead of trot to canter, as that transition is not quite so clear yet. Bit easier to sit my leap into canter at the walk instead of the trot! 

Why bareback you ask? 

This fit last month! 

Because Spode can't even use the weight tape anymore! My saddle does not fit, so we're back to the wintec, which fits better at the moment than my dressage saddle. My poor shoulders are just too big. Anyway, Spode is making sure she rotates so that I don't get sore in the shoulders with my chubbiness. So bareback day is a must (in her head anyway). 

Does this braid make my ears look gigantic, or is that just me? 

Spode is feeling a bit frustrated with how difficult I am to fit into anything at the moment. She only just got through the blanket struggle, then the bit struggle, and then it was on to the bridle struggle, and now saddles. Luckily I don't have to wear any other tack! Spode might go on strike and tell me I'm going to be a natural horse and just go with a rope around my neck (well, I think that's plan anyway... one day!) 

I did get the bridle issue sorted thankfully. 

I miss the green highlights, but at least my nose fits into this! Thank goodness for the broadband and reins! 

I just need more flashy bling to make up for the lack of green! Get on it, Spode! Gatsby needs his flash! 

I really need to lose some weight, even I know that, but for the most part Spode should have known this was an issue when she bought me. The very first purchase she made was a halter that didn't fit. It was a warning! She got herself into this (and I'm so glad she did! I'm so spoiled!)

Aside from riding to lose weight, Spode also made a video with me which I shall post later on. It was for a school project, so I made sure I behaved myself. Can't leave her Toronto classmates with a bad impression! She had some Toronto friends come for a visit actually, which I thoroughly enjoyed because it means I don't have to work very hard. Yep, pony rides are the best. 

We managed to have one ride in the sand ring today. There was a dry 20 metre circle that Spode and I were able to make use of. Hopefully by Easter it'll be a 40 metre section!

Ah... sun and sand. It's like being on a beach for a horse lover in the spring! 

No room for cantering out there though, so back into the arena we went. We did eventually manage to do a circle in there! One week's work--not bad! Summer goals are definitely attainable! 

Will I be able to absorb all these dressage articles into my brain if I smell them for long enough? Spode thought I was reading them at first until she realized that it was my blind eye on them! 

Man oh man, this is hard work. Thank goodness Spode has to go back to school this week! 

All in all, a great week with the Spode! Old sports, I am more than ready for summer even if it means lots of work for me. Maybe I'll do some self exercise in the paddock this week to keep myself fit for more canter work when she gets back. My life is so difficult... I know that weight tape is going to be on hand a lot next month! Maybe if Spode notices that I'm losing weight fast, she'll give me more treats? That's how it works, isn't it? 

Until later, old sports.

Jay.