The Stars Align Again!!

I'm so fortunate for all of the opportunities in my life.  And they just keep coming!  Now, my Ritchie boy has found himself an ambitious rider with visions of taking him through his PSG and maybe beyond!!!

Selling Princess (Leia Organa SE - now Ella) brought me a new connection, and a new good friend!  Jessica D is an FEI rider from British Columbia who has had some really neat adventures and riding opportunities herself.  From spending time in Europe at a jumper training barn to working with Steffen Peters (Yes, that's 2016 US Olympic Bronze Medalist in dressage!!!)  this lady is as lovely a rider as she is a human! 

When she came to pick up her Ella filly, we spent some time with the Ritchie boy too because, well really, who wouldn't want to?!!!  We chatted about getting him through the PSG with good scores to do his upgrade to stud book 1 with the RPSI.  Jessica made me an open offer to take him through the levels. 

The reality of my life as a mom, a business owner and clinician and working a part-time job while my husband works away, is that there isn't much time or money left over for the dedicated training for not only the horse, but myself as a rider to get there.  The appeal of Jessica's offer grew and grew until we finally made an agreement, found a reputable and trustworthy hauler and made it happen!  Ritchie has relocated to Chilliwack, BC! 

His trip went super well.  I packed him and his kit up and took him down to Olds to overnight with the hauler the afternoon before the trip.  I was sent updates that he was relaxed, eating and having no issues with the new barn and surroundings.  He loaded into the trailer and hauled like a champ getting a stop to offload and stretch his legs half way through.  The only part he didn't like was the tunnels.  Personally, I can't blame him at all for that!  I wouldn't be to crazy about driving through a mountain either!!!

He landed in the evening with Jessica and settled in like he'd been there all his life.  Loads of updated from both the hauler and Jess and I was a much less-anxious mom than I could have been! 

After a day off to settle and have a royal spa treatment, she started Ritchie back to work gently with lunging and today, his first ride back! 

And all went very well!  This begins a very exciting new adventure for the Ritchie boy!  I'm so grateful for Jessica's skill, enthusiasm and knowledge.  I just wish I could be there to see it all!!

I've said it the whole way along and I'll continue to say it as long as I have this horse: It takes a whole team to do this.  I am only one small part.  From his sire's owner, the vets, the verband, the trainers, clinicians, instructors, friends, show committees, it takes the involvement of so many people to make this horse successful.  This is one more step in his story. 

The other really good news is that he will be available for breeding in 2017 via AI (fresh cooled) from a vet in BC! 

The sky is no limit.  What a great new adventure!

Happy Horseing!